I love the pacific islands and Australia, and have spent several years living in the area.
Kumukulanui means university teacher in Hawaiian.
I like many aspects of the Arts & Crafts movement and I follow the literature on environmental psychology about the positive effects of immersion in natural scenes. I think it is good for our health and wellbeing to be more involved with nature - as Chief Luther Standing Bear put it, "Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." So I enjoy taking pictures of natural scenes that I hope people find positive or uplifting in some way. And I also hope that my underwater pictures are a reminder of how precious the marine environment is so people will be encouraged to do more to look after it.
Here is a link to an article I wrote on environmental psychology if you are interested in some of these connections: www.academia.edu/2201388/An_introduction_to_environmental...
I read Paul M Pearson on the Zen photography of Thomas Merton and he makes a distinction between Merton's travel pictures, characterised as 'physical journey', and his inner, spiritual photography. I would not make such a distinction. All photography changes me. I bring more to some pictures than others but the inner and outer mirror each other and it is all part of the journey.
Sometimes I see something in an old picture that I did not see at the time I took it. Or someone makes a comment and I see pictures in a completely new light (thank you Linda Espie). The spiritual journey is not linear.
I take photographs for several other reasons too. It helps me to be more observant, in the sense of being more aware of what is around me. I also like to see the true nature of people and things, and I see more when I take pictures. I prefer to bring out the positive in the things I see, while not ignoring the negative. I feel that is better for me and for whoever or whatever I photograph. I sometimes use it to explore the relationship between me and what or who I photograph and also those I share the pictures with. But then sometimes that's too demanding and I just click away at things that interest me or look nice.
Photographers whose work I enjoy include:
Ansel Adams en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Adams
Paul Arnold paularnold.com.au/
Thomas Merton en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Merton (another 'thank you' to Linda Espie for her exhibition of his work in Melbourne and her wonderful talk about him)
I appreciate constructive criticism - in other words, tell me how to do something better. I delete purely negative criticism.
PS. Happy 2017 to us all. May our dreams come true or we just get happier with what we've got!
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- JoinedJuly 2005
- OccupationPsychologist
- HometownNewcastle Upon Tyne
- Websitehttp://www.leanyer.com
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kai kane is one of my favorites contacts. He is a lover of live, he enjoy it in a variety of ways and he express that in all of his pictures. His uw photographs are great, full of color and passion. I like that he always has a nice history or comment for most of his pictures. He also takes beautiful pictures out… Read more
kai kane is one of my favorites contacts. He is a lover of live, he enjoy it in a variety of ways and he express that in all of his pictures. His uw photographs are great, full of color and passion. I like that he always has a nice history or comment for most of his pictures. He also takes beautiful pictures outside the sea. All of his shots are of great quality. Thanks for sharing them Peter ;-)
Read lessKai Kane (man of the sea) and that's exactly what he is among many other very interesting activities in his life. Peter is a lover of nature. It shows it in his many beautiful photos. He especially loves the South Pacific and has taught there in various capacities in the islands and I respect him for his grea… Read more
Kai Kane (man of the sea) and that's exactly what he is among many other very interesting activities in his life. Peter is a lover of nature. It shows it in his many beautiful photos. He especially loves the South Pacific and has taught there in various capacities in the islands and I respect him for his great knowlege and interest of the many different cultures of the world. He shows his love through his many wonderful photogtaphs. Peter is an avid scuba diver and a registered instructer who loves to explore the beauty of our reefs and take underwater photos. I respect him for his all round knowledge and interesting activities that he shares with us through his photography. Thank you Peter for making life so interesting!
Read lessI love to look at Peter's photographs, because, not only are they colourful, varied, interesting, and usually very beautiful, but they cover such a wide range of subjects. He takes the time to learn and write about every one of these, and his notes are always informative, educational, and just generally interesting - … Read more
I love to look at Peter's photographs, because, not only are they colourful, varied, interesting, and usually very beautiful, but they cover such a wide range of subjects. He takes the time to learn and write about every one of these, and his notes are always informative, educational, and just generally interesting - like the man himself. Viewer, read on...
Read less