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Impression and Expression

External reality does not always draw us under its spell enough that we can fall into a state of concentration in which it is easy to shoot pictures that contain punctum. Some aspects of external reality leave more of a lasting impression on us than others. One thing is certain: a truly deep impression can only occur when we participate with reality directly, merge with it, and lose ourselves in the moment. The Buddhist Zen master, Dongshan, explains in his teachings the importance of hearing with your eyes and seeing with your ears. This is a typical paradox of Zen Buddhism. Applying these thoughts to photography means perceiving the surroundings with all your senses and your whole body, not just your eyes. Then ...

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