Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing

The book does this by outlining some of the principles of Taoism, an ancient Asian philosophy of life, and then drawing parallels to the teachings of great photographers, like Minor White, Henri Cartier Bresson, and Ansel Adams. Taoist philosophy states that, to be a sage (and, by extension, a creative photographer), a person must harmonize Great Understanding and Little Understanding, that is, the open mind and the discriminatory or constricted mind. What the photographer must do is live in the moment and open his mind to the possibilities in the world. One should escape from the state of constricted awareness. Technique is seen as a possible barrier to better photography.

It has been said that the most important tool of a photographer is the mind. One's philosophical approach to the world may indeed affect the quality of the images that one captures. If, as I believe, this is so, a book that suggests an adjustment of that approach is worth consideration by the serious photographer.

This book convinced me that adopting a Taoist view of the world might improve the quality of the pictures I take. However, my complaint with the book is that having created a desire to explore Taoist doctrine, there were no guide posts as to how to incorporate those principles into my photography or my life. The book did suggest several exercises, most of them derived from Freeman Patterson's "Photography and the Art of Seeing", but I've tried them and they didn't lead to the major refocusing that the book suggests. In fact the book even quoted Alan Watts, a commentator on Asian philosophy, who says "there is no way ...to come into accord with the Tao...because...every method implies a goal. And we cannot make the Tao a goal."

So this book got my attention and created a need, and offered no help in satisfying it. Yet it did cause me to examine my own photographic philosophy. Any book that can get a serious photographer to reconsider his fundamental approach to life and its effect on his work is certainly worth reading.

The book itself is quite beautiful. The photographs, by a number of great camera artists as well as author Gross, are all in black and white, as if abstracting color would simplify the world and make it easier to come to grips with. The design is excellent and generous, with plenty of white space, perhaps designed to reflect the serenity of the Way.


Photographers and Non-Photographers Alike   February 19, 2001
22 out of 23 found this review helpful

I loved this book. Not only are the black and white photographs beautiful, entertaining, and thought-provoking, but the text is informative, concise, and understandable.

The authors suggest a variety of exercises to improve one's ability to be in the present moment, fully receptive and aware. Obviously, this practice can create a profound shift in one's approach to life.

Therefore, photographers and non-photographers beware: if you follow the suggestions in this book, your life will greatly improve. I highly recommend reading The Tao of Photography, Seeing Beyond Seeing and giving it to everyone you care about. The world will be a better place.


taking the next step   September 19, 2004
Donald D. Farra (Los Angeles, CA USA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

If you have chased after technical excellence and secured the skills necessary to produce near perfect technical images but realized they lack a soul and imagination then maybe this is the book for you. For many of us who love photography, beyond a hobby or sport or other activity, we will reach a point where we will know how to solve nearly all technical problems. We will have surrounded ourselves with high end gear and have come to realize that the knowledge and gear alone just are not enough. We will have mastered the words and grammer of the visual language but have not mastered the means to take in the world around us and impress it on our hearts and then take that impression with our mind and translate it to the media using our camera. That is a personal journey no book can shortcut for you. And this book does not teach you how to become an artist, no book or school can do that, instead it allows you to see another path, another perspective, in which possibilities can appear before you. It is said that a man can have eyes but not see, have ears but not hear, for some of us photographers we know that is so true, for those of us who seek to see and hear this book is the next step in our personal growth with our camera in hand.


Helpful outlook; wonderful photographs   August 11, 2001
David Enzel (Chevy Chase, MD USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

This book greatly contributed to my understanding and enjoyment of photography. It made me think more about why I make photographs. The focus is on the art; not equipment or films. And the black and white photographs in the book are an inspiration. Reading the book made achieving something meaningful with photography seem within my grasp.


Photographers and Spiritual Seekers   February 12, 2001
Tamra Howard Rincon (Kaneohe, Hawaii USA)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I just finished "Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing". What an extraordinary book! Filled with tools and tips for seeing the world in a new and profound way, it has greatly enhanced my life.

The book's breathtaking photographs and illuminating text present a compelling philosophy of immediacy, useful to photographers and non-photographers alike. If its suggestions are followed, this book will help readers to see the world with new eyes and to more fully experience the present moment.

For photographers who seek excellence in their craft, for spiritual seekers interested in seeing beyond ordinary reality, and even for folks who simply enjoy looking at beautiful photographs, I highly recommend "Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing".