Miksang

Journal Reflection

1)The very first photograph is of a computer keyboard, using Selective focus. It features a few buttons; the first few very clear and crisp, and the rest being blurry due to the effect.

The second miskang photograph, is something I run into everyday; homework. As the picture shows, we see 3 objects in this photograph, a calculator, pencil and a sheet of paper.

The third photograph seen is of a Souvenir from my trip to Pakistan in 2010. The image of the souvenir (miniature elephant decoration piece) had the composition - rule of thirds to capture the image,

The fourth image is of my closet, using selective focus. This image is unique because it holds lots of colours, textures, and designs which show a lot going on for a very simple image.

Lastly, the fifth and final image is of the TV from the living room. The technique used to take this photograph was the High horizon line, due the focal point (in this case the TV) being on the top segment of the photograph. 

2) Each one of these images reminds me of an event, place, or feeling. The first photo reminds me how this keyboard is something I run into everyday, and never realized how many times I have perhaps used each key alone. Though I take it as a normal everyday object, I have realized that it’s a tool which has been a very important aspect to things I use daily. The Second image is of Homework, which once again, is another thing which is a daily factor in my life. Regardless, of how boring and annoying it may be at times, it really does make a big positive affect on not only me, but others as well. The third picture is of the souvenir which I had been given as a gift from my last trip back home to Pakistan. This was one of the best trips I had gone on in my entire life, and the souvenir symbolizes the trip as a token. The fourth is of my closet, though I don’t pay attention to it every morning or time I go to change, I do realize after taking the image how this has been a part of my daily life. I have now also witnessed how many colours, textures, and designs lie within my closet. The last picture is of my TV, and just as many others, its one object in our lives which we go to almost on a daily basis, wither its for entertainment, news or any other reason, I quite honestly almost run into it daily.

3)I believe the photographs accomplish the task of recording the truth of pure perception since they are not distorted and they evoke different emotions to everyone. Everyone sees it differently based on their experiences. Everything in each photograph is shown as they are. It allows the viewer to see the photographs in their own way rather than showing the viewer how to view the photograph.

4)Practicing mindfulness was very interesting yet challenging. I was captured in the moment throughout this whole project. I saw things that I never would have seen before or thought as uninteresting. It made me more aware of my surroundings and actions of myself and others. It helped me see how things really are without being manipulated. The process of taking miksang photographs was also very enjoyable. I had to take photographs of things I normally wouldn't. It was able to see a whole different perspective. To take great miksang photographs, I had to be mindful and be in the moment. At times it was hard to do this. By being mindful, I got to photograph the most interesting things around me. I was able to capture emotions in my photographs which was very neat.