The reason I call this blog “the way of uncertainty” is that I think acknowledging that life is uncertain is the first step in being free. I also think that the primary cause of sin and suffering in humanity is the over zealous pursuit of certainty. People try to accumulate wealth and security in a vain attempt to stave off death.
I do the opposite when I ride my motorcycle. I acknowledge uncertainty and embrace it. I discipline myself, becoming a better rider in the face of uncertainty. The only way to become better at something is to face uncertainty.
When it comes to photography and uncertainty, I try to approach life without preconceptions or agenda. To just see something, react to it and photograph it. I’ve done some commercial work in a studio and I just don’t have the stomach for it. Studio work requires posing and lighting and taking control of every detail. I’m not a detail-oriented or take control kind of person. I take control of myself, not others or the situation. Here’s the path to world peace; control yourself and stop trying to control everybody else. Unhappiness comes from the frustration of trying to control situations or people that are beyond your control.
“To control others is power; to control yourself is true power.” the Tao Te Ching
I have three pillars of my philosophy, from three different religions. The first pillar is from Buddhism, the principle of non-attachment. The second is the principle of wu wei from Daoism, the rejection of the use of force. The third is the principle of generosity and love from Christianity, “Give without thought of return.” My favorite philosopher is Baruch Spinoza. I am in good company, as Einstein was a Spinozist as well.
A lot of what I do is just try to see the cosmos a little differently, to completely understand my photographic tools and then react. If you don’t have a set idea of what is good or bad, beautiful or ugly, then even ordinary things can become beautiful. The example below was photographed with my D700 and a 50 1.4 lens.
