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Around Us
One of the key components in shamanism is learning to see patterns in the world around us and draw parallels between those moments and our own spiritual and personal growth.
All Around Us
Following the CurrentDecember 11, 2007
"Silhouette" - photographed in Seattle, Washington (December 2, 2007)
Otter had a dance performance in Seattle and invited me to wait with her backstage. Hers wasn't the only company that was performing that night, and with a long drive home waiting before us, we planned on leaving as soon as her company's portion of the production was complete.
Since I know most of the dancers reasonably well, I asked if she thought it would be okay if I took my camera backstage and took pictures of them getting ready. Soon, "taking pictures backstage" turned into an opportunity to photograph the rehearsal and that quickly morphed into an invitation to photographing the entire performance. In the midst of challenging and continually changing lighting environments, several photographs of the dancers emerged, including this picture from the middle of the performance, one of the dancers captured in silhouette.
Our own paths are often like that. It's been said that everything happens for a reason and I personally view it as an opportunity to continually grow and develop on our paths through this lifetime. Here I was with the tools that I'd been given (my camera) and the intent for the next portion of my path (taking pictures of the dancers.) When our own lives are in tune with the world around us, we'll find that what we thought of as a very simple step forward becomes an open doorway that stretches our boundaries and forces us to hone our skills to fully engage in the moment. Photographing moving subjects in low-light is extremely difficult under the best of circumstances and the lighting was continually changing in time with the music. This forced me to develop new skills and techniques on the spot. And the event was certainly beyond my comfort level as the dancers know me well enough that I knew they'd be wanting to see the finished product - so there was an expectation that the photographs would actually turn out.
When opportunities arise in our own world, we need to decide if they are in tune with where we're seeking to go on our own paths. If those opportunities are in balance with our paths, then we need to trust that we have the tools and ability necessary to engage in that moment. Sometimes, the pictures will turn out. Sometimes it will simply be a learning experience for us. But either way, we'll grow, and after all, that's why we're here in this lifetime.