Photography

“The perceived world is the always presupposed foundation of all rationality, all value, and all existence, [and] our experience of perception [is] the moment when [everything is] constituted for us” – Maurice Merleau-Ponty, 1964

“We only see what we look at.  To look is an act of choice… Every image embodies a way of seeing.  Even a photograph.  For photographs are not, as is often assumed, a mechanical record. Every time we look at a photograph, we are aware, however slightly, of the photographer selecting that sight from an infinity of other possible sights… The photographer’s way of seeing is reflected in his [or her] choice of subject… Yet, although every image embodies a way of seeing, our perception or appreciation of an image depends also upon our own way of seeing” – John Berger, 1972

“on the wind/ soaring free/ spread your wings/ I’m beginning to see” – Justin Hayward, 1967

Richard Howell Quintet performing at Yoshi’s Jazz Club, San Francisco, 5 May 2008. Pre-show portraits: Richard Howell, Daniel Ryman (producer), Baron Chase (recordist), and Bobby Allen (cameras). Quintet: Richard Howell (vocals, saxophones), E.W. Wainwright (drums), Gary Brown (bass), Destiny Muhammad (harp), and Frederick Harris (piano). Music: Richard’s song “United” from the show. Show soon to be released on DVD “United Unite.” Still photos © Karen Ann Watson-Gegeo. See and hear more of Richard’s music at http://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedUnite.

Flowers Here & There in Marin County and Berkeley. Photos © Karen Ann Watson-Gegeo. Music: Jay Yarnall playing his song “Slow Moon” on his CD Rose for the Dust. Jay’s website and music are at http://www.wireonfire.com/jayyarnall.

Spiritual Trees in San Rafael, Berkeley, Pt. Richmond, and Wildcat Canyon.  Photos © Karen Ann Watson-Gegeo.  Music:  Daniel Ryman : http://www.planet606.com.

Autumn Light in Marin County, Berkeley, and Wildcat Canyon.  Photos © Karen Ann Watson-Gegeo. Music: Daniel Ryman's "Song for Michael" : http://www.planet606.com.

When I was in college, I bought my first camera – a simple box affair – and discovered a new way of seeing, and a new way of representing what I could see.  Photography allows us to map the world with meaning, to tell the truth – or not – with images, to reveal and express feeling, to create and discover an aesthetic.  Photography is another language for transformation that does not depend on words. Taking photographs, like writing poetry, has helped me to look and really see, to notice and be in the present moment, to be in a sacred space, to create art through hue, contrast, form, shape, intensity. Still photography led me to moving film – to telling stories through a combination of still and moving images.

(Photo credit for portrait on Kenneth Roy's No Dice CD)