Depth of Feeling

An author once said:

‘Great _____________ is about depth of feeling …’

Emotional impact …

You feel like this is where you want to be –

You’re inspired

And in the flow,

Distracting thoughts all but non-existent.[i], [ii]

Is the author talking about Intimacy? Being in love?

Photographs and Text  © Ralph M. Ferraro,  2015

Quoted text  © Robert Rodriquez,  2014

Is the author talking about some other type of involvement with their experience here and now?

Does it matter whether the author is referring to a relationship with a lover or a relationship to an activity that they are engaging in? I would suggest that there is no difference.

The quote is from Robert Rodriquez’s book “Digital Fine Art Printing – Field guide for photographers.” He is talking about his involvement as an artist, as a professional landscape photographer.

Mr. Rodriquez’s statement, with the opening line from photographer Peter Adams, applies to any situation that we are living in and passionate about.

I have met many people who work hard but work at a job that they are not feeling good about. I have met many people who are in a relationship without joy.  They intellectualize in order to try and justify why they are staying where they are.

What holds us back from feeling joy about being with a person that we love,  from a task which we are doing?

John Gottman, in his book “What makes love last,”[iii] describes similar characteristics to Mr. Rodriquez’s statement. The quality of the feelings, the desire to be there, to be in the flow, finding inspiration are indicators whether a relationship is a pleasure, an “all in” experience and whether it will last in a positive flow or not.

As a fellow artist, photographer and spirit, I resonate with Mr. Rodriquez’s statement. He describes the photographer becoming one with the equipment, with the experience. It is not a question of “having to do;” it is a question of not wanting to be anywhere else, doing anything else. The excitement, the passion comes from capturing something special in nature, in people and wanting to share the experience with others. Hopefully the other person will be able to feel the passion, the experience that was captured by his photography.

Mr. Rodriquez’s comment is strikingly important because it is about relationship to a person, to an experience, and a desire to share that feeling, that joy. I believe when we are in this state we are most intimate with ourselves and with our purpose.

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[i] Rodriquez Jr., R. (2014). Digital Fine Art Printing - Field Guide For Photographers.

[ii] Actual quote is “Great photography is about depth of feeling not depth of field’ Peter Adams.  … what I’d like to call emotional impact. … you feel like this is where you want to be --- you’re inspired and in the flow, distracting thoughts all but non-existant.”

[iii] Gottman, J. and N. Silver (2012). What makes love Last? how to build trust & avoid betrayal: Secrets from the love lab. New York, Simon & Schuster.