Mini-review: "Motionless Journey" — an extraordinary photo book

Motionless Journey: From a Hermitage in the Himalayas by Matthieu Ricard:

Preface: This collection of photographs is an account of a motionless journey, the fruit of something that most photographers (including myself) rarely have the chance, the time, or even the inclination to do: to sit for a whole year, waiting for the right light.
Nor, indeed, was that my goal. I did not go into retreat to take photographs. Nevertheless, as I contemplated that sublime landscape from the early hours of the morning, well before dawn, until after nightfall, every now and then an extraordinary light would illuminate the vision evolving continually before my enchanted eyes. The scenes in this book, all taken from the terrace of my hermitage or within a few dozen yards from it, are the fruits of that long 'wait without waiting', and of the joy of witnessing the harmony of nature blending closely with the delight of meditation.

Introduction: From the terrace of my retreat hut, I can look out over the almost perfect circle of the horizon. Dominating the spread of the foothills, the majestic chain of the Himalayas stretches over 200 miles. To the east are the massifs of Everest, to the north those of Gaurishankar and Langthang, and to the north-west, far away, the Annapurnas.

Each of Matthieu Ricard's images is accompanied by quotes from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (to whom the book is dedicated), Shantideva, Milarepa, and others.

In addition to the extraordinary scenery in his images, the author pushes the limits of available light photography far beyond where many of us would venture forth. For those entranced by low light shooting, this is a portal into the possible. Matthieu's images are a feast for the eyes, and his paired quotes, a teaching by themselves.

Acknowledgments: ... The author's share of the proceeds of this book has been entirely donated to various humanitarian projects in Tibet, Nepal, India and Bhutan. To find out more about this work, please contact:
Dilgo Khyentse Fellowship
...
www.shechen.org
karuna-shechen.org

The photographs in this book are available as signed limited-edition prints.
For more details, please go to www.shechen.org

Available at Amazon and other fine book sellers.

Additional links:
Matthieu Ricard's website
and his gallery there.

Quotes on photography

A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words.
Ansel Adams

In wisdom gathered over time, I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.
Ansel Adams

There are no rules for good photographs; there are only good photographs.
Ansel Adams

You don't take a photograph, you make it.
Ansel Adams

Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph, is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk.
Edward Weston

The camera makes you forget you're there. It's not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much.
Annie Leibovitz

You don't have to sort of enhance reality. There is nothing stranger than truth.
Annie Leibovitz

Photography is an immediate reaction, drawing is a meditation.
Henri Cartier-Bresson

Spring on Hwy 1

Two weeks ago, I did the (now) annual pilgrimage down to my high school reunion in Los Olivos, CA. This year, I was driving by myself, in a nice new Toyota Camry with an in-dash audio-in jack for my iPod (to listen to podcasts and awesome tunes). To be frank, that car probably has as good a sound system, as I've ever owned, including the whacky big speakers and 100 watt per channel stereo amp I had in the 70's and 80’s.

I had decided to drive down Hwy 1, beginning with Laureles Grade into Carmel Valley, accessed off Hwy 68 between Salinas and Carmel. Hwy 1, or PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, as it used to known), is one of the more amazing roads on the continent! This year it was totally magical, with wildflowers and Spring finery, courtesy of the late rains. I'd have to say, it was as good as I've ever seen the Big Sur Coast.

Since I was shooting photos at the reunion, I needed to divide my 700+ shots from the trip into People and Places. Now that the People shots are done (in a private gallery for the school alums), I can turn my attention to the Places shots. I hope to have those posted in a public gallery on my website very soon. (I'll link them in my Big Sur and travel galleries.)

For those of us fortunate enough to live in Northern California, it's an amazing year for Hwy 1 and most likely the Sierras, as well. Wanderlust abounds — why wait? Grab the camera, and go...