Zen

I've spent this very hot day closeted in my computer room with Basil most of the time, attending an online RPS workshop on Zoom given by Benedict Brain. The subject was The Art of Seeing, which is intended to enhance our creativity.

I found it very interesting and inspirational. Today's photo, taken on my phone, is the result of the morning's practical exercise.

We had to take a photo of an object and then return to the Zoom meeting briefly to be given a word. In my case, the word was Zen. So how does a hand grenade fragrance bottle become Zen? The bottle was in the bathroom isolated against the sink and tiled background. I immediately thought of the pond outside which Harry had come to clean up this morning.

I stood the bottle on the rim and took a photo of it against a water flowing background. My main difficulty was in not really being able to get down to ground level to check what the shot looked like.

This afternoon's exercise was to take a self-portrait. While we were being given the brief, Ben started talking about Francesca Woodman who apparently is very influential but who sadly committed suicide aged just 22. Most of her photos are nude self portraits. Well, I wasn't going to take off my clothes but I did feel inspired to try a portrait of my arm stroking Basil using multiple exposure and ICM.