Customer Reviews

Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing

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The Tao of Photography is not aimed at individuals interested in improving their technical photography skills. Rather it is aimed at the photographer who will be willing to consider reorienting the way that he or she views the world to improve his or her photography and to find opportunities for personal growth through photography.

The book does this by outlining some of the principles of Taoism, an ancient Asian philosophy of life, and then drawing parallels to the teachings of great photographers, like Minor White, Henri Cartier Bresson, and Ansel Adams. Taoist philosophy states that, to be a sage (and, by extension, a creative photographer), a person must harmonize Great Understanding and Little Understanding, that is, the open mind and the discriminatory or constricted mind. What the photographer must do is live in the moment and open his mind to the possibilities in the world. One should escape from the state of constricted awareness. Technique is seen as a possible barrier to better photography.

It has been said that the most important tool of a photographer is the mind. One's philosophical approach to the world may indeed affect the quality of the images that one captures. If, as I believe, this is so, a book that suggests an adjustment of that approach is worth consideration by the serious photographer.

This book convinced me that adopting a Taoist view of the world might improve the quality of the pictures I take. However, my complaint with the book is that having created a desire to explore Taoist doctrine, there were no guide posts as to how to incorporate those principles into my photography or my life. The book did suggest several exercises, most of them derived from Freeman Patterson's "Photography and the Art of Seeing", but I've tried them and they didn't lead to the major refocusing that the book suggests. In fact the book even quoted Alan Watts, a commentator on Asian philosophy, who says "there is no way ...to come into accord with the Tao...because...every method implies a goal. And we cannot make the Tao a goal."

So this book got my attention and created a need, and offered no help in satisfying it. Yet it did cause me to examine my own photographic philosophy. Any book that can get a serious photographer to reconsider his fundamental approach to life and its effect on his work is certainly worth reading.

The book itself is quite beautiful. The photographs, by a number of great camera artists as well as author Gross, are all in black and white, as if abstracting color would simplify the world and make it easier to come to grips with. The design is excellent and generous, with plenty of white space, perhaps designed to reflect the serenity of the Way.

If you have chased after technical excellence and secured the skills necessary to produce near perfect technical images but realized they lack a soul and imagination then maybe this is the book for you. For many of us who love photography, beyond a hobby or sport or other activity, we will reach a point where we will know how to solve nearly all technical problems. We will have surrounded ourselves with high end gear and have come to realize that the knowledge and gear alone just are not enough. We will have mastered the words and grammer of the visual language but have not mastered the means to take in the world around us and impress it on our hearts and then take that impression with our mind and translate it to the media using our camera. That is a personal journey no book can shortcut for you. And this book does not teach you how to become an artist, no book or school can do that, instead it allows you to see another path, another perspective, in which possibilities can appear before you. It is said that a man can have eyes but not see, have ears but not hear, for some of us photographers we know that is so true, for those of us who seek to see and hear this book is the next step in our personal growth with our camera in hand.

I loved this book. Not only are the black and white photographs beautiful, entertaining, and thought-provoking, but the text is informative, concise, and understandable.

The authors suggest a variety of exercises to improve one's ability to be in the present moment, fully receptive and aware. Obviously, this practice can create a profound shift in one's approach to life.

Therefore, photographers and non-photographers beware: if you follow the suggestions in this book, your life will greatly improve. I highly recommend reading The Tao of Photography, Seeing Beyond Seeing and giving it to everyone you care about. The world will be a better place.

This is a good book for the beginning to intermediate photographer who is having trouble feeling comfortable venturing out and capturing great photographs. It delves into the Tao mindset; how to co-exist living life to it's fullest and also photographing without discrimination. It's great in that it get's you thinking about not just the way(s) that you take pictures, but also perhaps why you do so.

It is filled with great black and white photographs by some of the greats such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Weston, in addition to the author's own photographic examples. The book is a relatively short and easy read and the photographs take up many of the pages.

1. The size of it is like a coffee table book but paperback. Since there is a lot of text to read, it can be a bit uncomfortable to read (but great to look at the pictures).

2. There isn't really much direct photographic, picture-taking techniques discussed. The book more makes parallels between the Tao philosophies and applies them to photography, but it doesn't outline enough photographic examples of this.

In all, it is a good book however dwells too much on the purely Tao teachings, without providing enough relevant direct examples to photographic techniques and practices.

It did however aid in changing my view of photography and the way in which I photograph now with a very observant, open mind. I did that before, but this book helped remind me to keep on doing it.

This book greatly contributed to my understanding and enjoyment of photography. It made me think more about why I make photographs. The focus is on the art; not equipment or films. And the black and white photographs in the book are an inspiration. Reading the book made achieving something meaningful with photography seem within my grasp.

I just finished "Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing". What an extraordinary book! Filled with tools and tips for seeing the world in a new and profound way, it has greatly enhanced my life.

The book's breathtaking photographs and illuminating text present a compelling philosophy of immediacy, useful to photographers and non-photographers alike. If its suggestions are followed, this book will help readers to see the world with new eyes and to more fully experience the present moment.

For photographers who seek excellence in their craft, for spiritual seekers interested in seeing beyond ordinary reality, and even for folks who simply enjoy looking at beautiful photographs, I highly recommend "Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing".

Seeing beyond Seeing is an inspiring book of photography and an insightful book on Taoist philosophy. Indeed, the authors skillfully achieve two major goals at once. On one hand, they use Taoist concepts to help improve photographic skills and on the other hand, they use photography to make Taoist philosophy more understandable. They also describe some very useful exercises in seeing which could be fun even for non photographers. I particularly loved the section on the constructive nature of reality, a topic that has always fascinated me. This is definitely a great book to own !!!

I think the central theme is good. I learned a bit about the Tao, and I like the parallels the author draws between the Tao and good photography. By the end I found some of it repetitive, but overall I enjoyed his thesis and found it thought provoking.

This book is a terrific reminder of what creativity is. Seeing and viewing with an open eye and mind. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to combine creativity and the spirit. Photographs are excellent as well.

This book has become a great source of inspiration for me. It provides a framework for breaking fixed ways of looking at the world. I also really appreciate the care that must have gone into creating such a beautiful book. There are some really great photographs in this book. I highly recommend it.