Artist Statement: Robert Bridges Noting that the camera always points both ways I have realized that what we photograph - rocks and trees, flowers and faces what we encounter out there is a reflection of what and who we are. Over the years. the God of my understanding has led me to see that when I gaze with love, everything becomes love, and “if I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” (Chagall) Welcome to the Garden I create my flower images using a self taught method of in-camera multiple exposures and self invented post processing techniques. Making images in this manner is a time consuming practice requiring mindful concentration based on the Buddhist practice of Samhadi, a painterly use of perspective that blends juxtapositions of color, form and light. Mindfulness, inner silence, patience, physical contortions, and above all humor and grace. I call this style of work contemplative photography. The Forest Images of trees, branches leaves, the colors of autumn, forms of decay and death all taken with the eyes of a child and an open heart. I call this type of image creation: Seeing with the eyes of a child. The practice is simple. I pick up a camera and go for a walk. When my attention is caught, I drop into beginner's mind and gently inquire: do I like? Not like? Neutral. If I like, I play until an image comes that gives an inner sense of completion. I bow and walk on.