Beautiful Intimate adventure

I can't remember what book it was, but I read it years ago. In it, the author suggested that there are three things we're all looking for in life: Adventure, Beauty, and Intimacy. This greatly resonated with me. I think about this idea as it relates to my life. But it recently occurred to me how much it relates to photography. Maybe that's the appeal? Afterall, a photo shoot is nothing, if not an adventure. No matter how much you plan, there are always surprises: different light, new twists and turns, personalities. Downloading your camera to see what you caught, is like dumping out a bag of shells after a day at the beach. Often driving the adventure is a quest for beauty. Whether you find it in a hand, a kiss, a landscape, or a ladybug. There is something within us that is naturally drawn to the miracle of lines, and shapes and proportion. And intimacy. To me, this is the most important piece. With portraits, it's about trust. Someone is giving us a piece of themselves, trusting that we'll be kind in our interpretations. Even if they're not using words, we have to hear what they're saying with their eyes, and lips, or hands. More importantly, as the photographer we must be willing to ourselves be seen. If we are guarded, people will mirror us by keeping their walls up. But when we let people in, we find understanding. We find magical moments where we're finally able to see how much more alike we are, than different. And this is when we realize that this gift we may have of interpreting others, is just as much a tool for interpreting ourselves.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please share any links that incorporate the beautiful, intimate adventures of your life.

Comments

[kosenrufu mama]

here my intimate...
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/01/un-anno-con-voi.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3054960905/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3054965283/

[Marcie]

What a stunning image. I think it embodies all three of the principles.Strangely - in some ways - I think this image embodies the same:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=666

[Jean M Fogle]

Beautiful image! With the snow yesterday, I found the birds at my office window feeder were so hungry they were willing to ignore my movement. It gave me a glimpse into the intimate lives of birds.
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com

[Ness]

Adventure, Beauty, and Intimacy ...those words are excactly it, I just never articulated it before.. but that's it..yes

[ELK]

just a lovely post featuring great shots as always!


having an almost 21 year old daughter incorporates all three I believe:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/3233275087/

[wn]

About a year and a half ago, while I was nesting at about the halfway point of my pregnancy, I took a series of pictures that summed up the weekend....there's nothing exciting about them...but they are soft and warm and tell a story about us...at that point in time.

post
http://lotsawords.blogspot.com/2007/10/anatomy-of-long-weekend.html

picture only
http://bp2.blogger.com/_mmrMvnZ8n80/RwrO_mi0mEI/AAAAAAAAATo/UDEr_qaQiLs/s1600-h/mosaic9066458.jpg

[shelli]

beautiful words and portrait.

[Stephanie]

Here is the beautiful intimate adventures of two 2 year old boys stuck inside on a cold day.
http://slsmithphotgraphy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/little-buddies.html

[Mod Girl]

Adventure, Beauty, and Intimacy... I couldn't agree more! Here's one of my recent moments:
http://modobjectathome.blogspot.com/2009/01/city-window-thoughts.html

[Lu]

My representation of intimacy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/3205241316/

[elizabeth]

the beauty of photography is the the moment within the moment that no one else might see otherwise ...

here are some of mine (some more intimate than others):
www.pmpphotos.blogspot.com

[Leah]

Here is my intimate:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23431758@N03/

[kristin]

this is an oldie form fall but a non prompted touch of love for her older brother she adores... just the lightest touch of her hand on his back and she kept it there for a few moments. so sweet and intimate. melted my heart.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2937322793/in/photostream/

[NotAnna]

I love it when things can be summed up in a tidy word trinity. Love it. Am thinking hard about this need as a photographer to be unguarded. Two friends have recently asked me to take photos of their families, which I take as an immense compliment. Portrait sessions aren't where my camera is leading me (so far), but I'm going to do it for the Adventure. I will make a point of being open to the Intimacy as well. And maybe that will triangulate with some Beauty.

Lately, my most intimate photos have been of my youngest, Lally: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31866449@N04/3195131128/.

[JoAnne]

I shot my niece's wedding with fear and trembling and it certainly was an adventure. It was the first wedding I've photographed. Weddings have many intimate moments but this one between my niece and her nephew really seemed to capture their relationship...trust, curiosity, love. http://www.flickr.com/photos/31299004@N02/3233507043/

[Kelly]

On how I am finding that I was created for intimacy too...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8702729@N02/3234393878/

I really love the thought behind this post. It is something I feel every time I look through a lens.

[Teri]

Beautiful words. Beautiful thoughts. I took this yesterday http://teriargo.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/27365/ I think it fits. It is the first time I have tried to take a picture of my hand.

[Brandi C.]

Wow, what a profound article! I'm saving this one. Isn't it true though? That's what I love about photography. The camera gives me the courage to seek those things, Adventure, Beauty, and Intimacy, in a photograph, my life, and to share with others. Maile, I just want to say that recently you have been such an inspiration to me, as a photographer and a human being. I love reading the Daily Relish. Keep up the good work!

[Alexandra]

This post is so on point!
Some photos intimate, beautiful, and adventurous:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/2122159287/in/set-7215760193304516/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/1445469766/in/set-72157602179318383/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/2114757093/in/set-72157603474447117/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/489706857/in/set-72157600191179635/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/2115546956/in/set-72157603474447117/

[Charlane]

beautiful shot...I haven't been able to capture something so beautiful and intimate. but I would love to

[spread your wings]

this was a while back (senior prom) but i think it fits the post - beautiful intimate adventure. The story behind this photo shoot is a long one, but long story short it was a grand adventure (wish I could tell you about it). I had a photographer friend shooting the real stuff but I photographed in the background and in between shots I caught this image.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterxdown/2385547653/in/set-72157604334131530

[brittany]

everyday is certainly an adventure with this one

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sivyerfamily/3174349423/

[Puna]

Thank you for the post. Once again it got me thinking. Getting intimate is something that is hard for me. I'm not saying that I'm superficial, just shy about my feelings sometimes...maybe that's why I will never be a professional photographer.

My husband took me to a restaurant in another town for the weekend. I think it captures the above descriptions. People who know him say the last picture of him is intimate...

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/lolita/

[gonzomama]

just being a mother embodies all of those things. i witness some of the most tender loving moments and everyday is an adventure.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3132618496/

[Kristy Geithman]

While in the recovery room after just giving birth to our son Kai, I captured this beautiful and intimate moment between my husband and son....Kai was crying and as soon as he heard his father's voice, he instantly calmed...a moment I will treasure forever.
http://gallery.me.com/bkkgeithman#100008/time-20with-20dad&bgcolor=black

[Tony]

Interesting you say that because that is how I feel about my work. I don't do this for the money, although I have bills to pay. I do it for the love and passion I have for what I do.

http://www.temecula-photographers.info

[margie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/margela/3234937193/

my grandson, age three, can spend hours fishing. staring into the water waiting for a fish. it always seems like he is completely alone, an intimate moment between him and his little three year old thoughts.

[gina armfield]

For me the self portrait is about life, intimacy and beauty

http://sweetsistergina.typepad.com/joyful_purpose/2009/01/new-self-protraits-and-some-photoshop.html
http://sweetsistergina.typepad.com/joyful_purpose/2009/01/letting-go-of-struggle.html

[Oliag]

Adventure, Beauty, and Intimacy - what an inspiring and thought provoking post...I would like to share one of my photos that I feel has all three aspects..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3218881379/

[Susan D]

I just joined this site recently and I'm really excited to be here. Such a beautiful portrait and you choice of 'intimacy' is exactly what I yearn for when shooting portraits! Here are a few of mine:
http://saurora.smugmug.com/gallery/1118459_r8Zy9/1/379527379_Ecs3q/Original
http://saurora.smugmug.com/gallery/1118459_r8Zy9/2/187582915_vPVmu/Original
http://saurora.smugmug.com/gallery/1118459_r8Zy9/5/112280430_iCPhM/Original

[Maya v.]

I love tender moments such as these filled with unconditional love.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayangsari/3109013965/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayangsari/3096385979/

[sarah]

here is one rare sweet moment i caught:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleysofaustin/3193575448/

[MorseLuella28]

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