Attention And The Everyday Carry Camera

Attention was a significant theme of yesterday’s conversation between Teju Cole and John Gossage. It is evident that photography for Teju is a refuge from the despair of the world, and photography becomes a practice of attending to the beauty he finds. To paraphrase him, attention taken to the highest level is indistinguishable from prayer.

The conversation did make me ponder what am I trying to achieve when I take pictures. I wouldn’t think of posting my photos on Instagram, nor am I trying to sell prints of them. But I do carry a small camera wherever I go. (In today’s parlance, this is called an “everyday carry camera”). When I see something that strikes my eye on my habitual walks, I’ll take a photo or two. Sometimes these photos work, often they don’t. It’s still a practice of attention.

(The photo at left was taken up the street returning from my morning walk a couple days ago).