Within every man there is the reflection of a woman, and within every woman there is the reflection of a man. within every man and woman there is also the reflection of an old man and an old woman, a little boy and a little girl.
Hyemeyohsts Storm
an·i·ma
1. The inner self of an individual; the soul.
2. In Jungian psychology:
a. The unconscious or true inner self of an individual, as opposed to the persona, or outer aspect of the personality.
b. The feminine inner personality, as present in the unconscious of the male. It is in contrast to the animus, which represents masculine characteristics.
3. Anima \a-ni-ma\ is of Sanskrit origin, and its meaning is "infinite smallness". Hindi name derived from writings on yoga, and also refers to a petite and especially feminine physique. In Latin, it means "spirit".
4. The root source of many words such as animal, animalism, animalcule, animate, animation & animism.
Ques: Why do I call myself Anima Fotografie here on flickr?
Ans: Anima Fotografie basically translates in my mind into 'Soul Photography'. I used the German word for Photography not to be pretentious but because the flickr name 'Anima Photography' was already taken! Though it DOES look pretentious I admit! I prefer the German word anyway seeing as I am a bit of a Germanophile by nature, from experience.
I love the word 'Anima' along with it's varied meanings & connotations with which I strongly identify with. In photography as in life, I am always trying to seek out the truth. Indeed I liken photography to life, a collection of moments. I try to capture moments that interest or inspire me whenever I can, with whatever I have to hand. That's currently a Canon EOS 7D MkII. I like to photograph people places or things mainly, in low light preferably, at the right aperture, ISO & shutter speed hopefully. Imitating my prime photographic influence Henri Cartier-Bresson I try to make photos not take photos. The sincerest form of flattery! I am a PhotoShop Philistine. I do however religiously squirrel away all my RAW files for that rainy day when I may come around to it & most importantly find the time! Each to his or her own.
My motto photographically speaking is simply 'simplify'. If the image is good enough does it need any editing at all? Think of all the greatest images ever captured in history! I try to learn from those masters. My particular heroes in the history of picture taking are the Holy Trinity of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams & Joe Rosenthal. Their influence on my own particular style can never be over exaggerated. You know, don't try to be like the Buddha, be a Buddha yourself! I think it is significant that they all shot with film & in B&W. Minimal image post processing. The right composition & the right light, it's always been what Photography was & always will be about. After all when you make a picture you make it almost instantaneously with the mind's eye first, with a little help from your 'outside' eye, then you press the shutter, hoping for the best. Well, that's just like, my opinion..
Unexpected til we came & saw it
Unbelievable as soon as seen
Hit the mark despite not aiming for it
Is'nt that how things have always been?
—Bertolt Brecht
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed...
—Albert Einstein
For me photography is to place head heart and eye along the same line of sight. It's a way of life.
—Henri Cartier-Bresson
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
-—Samuel Beckett
A man is a success if he gets up in the morning & gets to bed at night, & in between does what he wants to do.
—Bob Dylan
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
—Oscar Wilde
Some ancient Words of Wisdom we best heed in the present more than ever...
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find anything that agrees with reason and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
—Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha), 563-483 B.C.
.
Any good stuff you see in my little piece of flickr, (& the poem at the end of these words) is dedicated to the fond memory of my best friend, John (1963 - 2000). The wisest person I've known so far. He taught me how to breathe, keep things in perspective, & two of my favorite phrases - "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo", & "Om-Mani-Padme-Hum", among other things...thanks John.
A Meeting
In a dream I meet
my dead friend. He has,
I know, gone long and far,
and yet he is the same
for the dead are changeless.
They grow no older.
It is I who have changed,
grown strange to what I was.
Yet I, the changed one,
ask: "How you been?"
He grins and looks at me.
"I been eating peaches
off some mighty fine trees."
—Wendell Berry
Showcase
- JoinedMay 2005
- OccupationPhotographer
- HometownDublin
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Testimonials
There is this powerful gravitational field that pulls me to Anima's photography. I can't pinpoint what it is, but it might be all in his perfectly chosen for this particular stream. A place full of soul, a place to stand still and reflect, a feast for the unconscious. I'm glad to have stumbled upon this stream.
An amazing photographer & friend..I love his every new picture..I love his style. Very very very personal and deep respect with Love... xoxo :)
He truly has a higher vision His photos are filled with magic and mystery and beauty He is one of my older flickr contacts that im kicking myself for not writing a testimonal earlier but, I guess this was the right time :) Desmond, I am honored to have you as a contact and look forward to seeing whats new in your … Read more
He truly has a higher vision His photos are filled with magic and mystery and beauty He is one of my older flickr contacts that im kicking myself for not writing a testimonal earlier but, I guess this was the right time :) Desmond, I am honored to have you as a contact and look forward to seeing whats new in your stream! You are a beautiful being and I am glad you share yourself and your world with us! xox
Read lesshis eye for beauty is amazing! a very good photographer who also has great technical skills but i think he more let his feeling overrule when he creates his art.. (and that is the way i like it:) Seiner62 is one of my fav. photographers on Flickr and also one of my fav contacts here. Thanks for sharing your work… Read more
his eye for beauty is amazing! a very good photographer who also has great technical skills but i think he more let his feeling overrule when he creates his art.. (and that is the way i like it:) Seiner62 is one of my fav. photographers on Flickr and also one of my fav contacts here. Thanks for sharing your work with us! peace Carmen
Read lessa brilliant mind and an excellent eye for beauty. he captures nature like he is one with it. i love all his exceptionally beautiful sunset captures. he lets you travel his part of the world as if you were riding on his shoulders,amazing person inside and out, follow his websites and blogs, you will be wonderfully amaze… Read more
a brilliant mind and an excellent eye for beauty. he captures nature like he is one with it. i love all his exceptionally beautiful sunset captures. he lets you travel his part of the world as if you were riding on his shoulders,amazing person inside and out, follow his websites and blogs, you will be wonderfully amazed. he takes you to his world with beautiful music and poetic words, i can not express enough how glad i am to be a small part of his viewing audience.another place ,another time...................................................i would have loved to be in his part of the world.
Read lessDesmond's images translate into a spiritual poetry of art. it's nearly impossible for me to find the words that could do justice for the images found in his stream. i can only express how utterly thankful and blessed i feel to watch the world through the eyes of his lens and view the pieces of beauty captured so perfec… Read more
Desmond's images translate into a spiritual poetry of art. it's nearly impossible for me to find the words that could do justice for the images found in his stream. i can only express how utterly thankful and blessed i feel to watch the world through the eyes of his lens and view the pieces of beauty captured so perfectly by him. Desmond, thank you so much for all of your continued support, feedback and friendship that you've given me here. I'm eternally grateful for the encouragement and inspiration that you provide to me. You're wonderful.
Read lessI know you have heard this a million times~ but I had to write~ you're work is oh so strangely beautiful~ beautifully strange...I adore your passion behind each photograph! I feel like a small speck of dust in the comparison of your accomplishments, you are a true inspiration! I did read all your writings on your… Read more
I know you have heard this a million times~ but I had to write~ you're work is oh so strangely beautiful~ beautifully strange...I adore your passion behind each photograph! I feel like a small speck of dust in the comparison of your accomplishments, you are a true inspiration! I did read all your writings on your profile page ~Brilliant! ;) Curious when your book is going to be published!? lulu.com ;)
Read lessI'm delighted i've had the chance to meet you prior to writing this. After looking through your photostream, it has become very clear to me that I haven't quite fully developed the "eye". :) I'm completely envious of your ability to arouse emotion from the simplest of subjects. You capture the essence of everythin… Read more
I'm delighted i've had the chance to meet you prior to writing this. After looking through your photostream, it has become very clear to me that I haven't quite fully developed the "eye". :) I'm completely envious of your ability to arouse emotion from the simplest of subjects. You capture the essence of everything you shoot . As I've said before about your shots "You know a shot it's good when you want to experience it". Your sense of humour is endearing - would bring a smile to anyones face. A lovely, lovely person. Ali
Read lessWith each shutter click of his camera Desmond's willingness to play, to experiment and to share his unique attitude and 'spin' on the world will delight, awe & often mesmerize you. His photographs are an experience to be felt as well as seen - I know that they inspire me to see anew, to express my own vision. His p… Read more
With each shutter click of his camera Desmond's willingness to play, to experiment and to share his unique attitude and 'spin' on the world will delight, awe & often mesmerize you. His photographs are an experience to be felt as well as seen - I know that they inspire me to see anew, to express my own vision. His photostream contains diversity and depth - it is an utterly exquisite body of work that compels me to return to it time and again, discovering new Faves and revisiting a particular one that remains my all-time favorite image on flickr. Without exaggeration I can say that his images have the ability to touch you, speak to you and sing to your heart - indeed, his inspired pairing of words with imagery has on one occasion literally brought me to tears as only Music has done before. Desmond's eye, skill and heart enable him to create images that are able to capture those timeless qualities of the human experience in flesh and bone as well as those which are entombed in marble...
Read lessLife plants bombs. When they explode, you turn and run or learn to embrace their beauty.
Desmond's work is intense...and beautiful. Each photo in his stream is a work of art that I could spend hours staring at. He is so inspiring!!
lots of talent and an amazing soul .. I'm a big fan of yours crazy guy, but I think I'm not alone ;-), the long testimonial list speaks for itself..keep up the excellent work my dear friend! muahhhhhhhhhhh!
always a beautiful balance in nuance and focal emphasis, truly powerful displays of spacial atmosphere, absolutely love the contrasts with statuary. thankyou .T
Hello dear Paddy!!! I love your work!! You make your work wondervoll! Your photos are brilliant!! You are very creativity!!!! Many Kisses*** A i hug you! :-) Make further in such a way and remain as you are!!! Fantastic!!! Loves greet of SOI ;-)
ALthough a deep sombre feeL ruNs through most of Steiner62s imaGes-oNe is conSumed by enchanTing forms in ghostLy 'BLack-whiTe and greY;' wheRe BeautifuL worDs may finD their pLayground...... It is ofTen "as SiLent as the shaDows"but sTill it maNages to Transcend this,our physicaL reaLm to transPorT us inTo a worLd … Read more
ALthough a deep sombre feeL ruNs through most of Steiner62s imaGes-oNe is conSumed by enchanTing forms in ghostLy 'BLack-whiTe and greY;' wheRe BeautifuL worDs may finD their pLayground...... It is ofTen "as SiLent as the shaDows"but sTill it maNages to Transcend this,our physicaL reaLm to transPorT us inTo a worLd of beWitching harMony......ThanKyou for the insPiraTion and FriendshiP
Read lesssteiner seems like a very fun person, with a great profile, and yes, I read it all the way through, but most of all he takes beautiful photos that evoke great feeling. thanks steiner!
steiner makes statues come to life through photography... i think if you can do that or take a decent photo of a piece of fruit you are a great photographer.... and i'm not just saying this because he lusts after me...
When I look at Steiner's work, two words come to mind: "Light" and "Spirit". They carry worlds of meaning within them. His photography is about transfiguration. He does not just take pictures, he truly expresses himself. Now here are two good reasons to enjoy his work on Flickr.
Dez is an interesting fellow, to say the least. Check out his profile... the longest ever! When you put a unique mind behind a camera, you get an interesting vision of what it is like to be the mighty Steiner62. Join with me in hoisting a cup to an unusual fellow living in unusual times!
The worst Photographer I've ever seen. One day when he trades in his instamatic and gets one of those "Digital Thingys"...............he may improve. Until then.................forget No 62 and have a look at a proper photographer.................."Sunny_Drunk"(no number).........I thank you!!!!
Steiner is a Great Photographer, his pics are so beautiful, it is a pleasure to go through his stream! He also has a nice sense of humor and seems to be such a good person! I'm very glad we've met! Hopefuly we will click together someday! :o)
My dearest Yeswell, Listen evey of my Flickr Friends. This person has Got Soul... Trully. Look at the following pictures 1 Halloween Sunset 2 The "Enterprise" Cloud in near Earth orbit at Sunset. 3 Blue Time 4 Life during Wartime 5 Goodbye Ruby Tuesday Sunset. Thanks Yeswell is My BIGGEST Fan. and I… Read more
My dearest Yeswell, Listen evey of my Flickr Friends. This person has Got Soul... Trully. Look at the following pictures 1 Halloween Sunset 2 The "Enterprise" Cloud in near Earth orbit at Sunset. 3 Blue Time 4 Life during Wartime 5 Goodbye Ruby Tuesday Sunset. Thanks Yeswell is My BIGGEST Fan. and I challenge all of you to disagree with me. All my love and best Eva (peke_cheeks)
Read lessWhat can I say about you, Desmond, that hasn’t already been said? OK, enough procrastinating, here goes, whether or not it’s been said already it bears repeating. What I see through your work and our conversations is a genuinely compassionate, friendly, artistic, sensitive, intelligent, generous (Thank you for gifting … Read more
What can I say about you, Desmond, that hasn’t already been said? OK, enough procrastinating, here goes, whether or not it’s been said already it bears repeating. What I see through your work and our conversations is a genuinely compassionate, friendly, artistic, sensitive, intelligent, generous (Thank you for gifting me with a Pro account!) and very funny man with a quick wit. Did I say handsome? (^_^) Everything happens for a reason and there are no coincidences, no chance encounters. My life has been enriched through your friendship. Live consciously. Hugs from across the pond! Yola
Read lessHmm, some testimonials to compete with... Well, what can be said only Turner be warned! There are some truly sublime images in The Steiner's repertoire, thought-provoking and really rather wonderful!!! :-)
when i first met Steiner62, also known as Desmond, i actually had to look up the word "anima". u know what, i was impressed! which led me to take a closer look at his photos. well, i gotta tell ya, this Desmond character finds some very out of the way, not your obvious places to take photographs (have a look see for … Read more
when i first met Steiner62, also known as Desmond, i actually had to look up the word "anima". u know what, i was impressed! which led me to take a closer look at his photos. well, i gotta tell ya, this Desmond character finds some very out of the way, not your obvious places to take photographs (have a look see for yourself) .....making him one of the more unique artists around Flickr. i really dig his style, he's got it going on. even more than just photography, D, has wit, charm, and a sense of humour, that make him a class act. i'm happy to call him friend!
Read lessOne couldn’t come up with a better name for this stark raving mad Irish image omnivore: Desmond Canon. He even has the matching camera. I was told his great-great-great-grandfather founded the ocular business when Japan was still in its teens. We have seen Desmond Canon x-rayed, x-rated and exaggerated and still this i… Read more
One couldn’t come up with a better name for this stark raving mad Irish image omnivore: Desmond Canon. He even has the matching camera. I was told his great-great-great-grandfather founded the ocular business when Japan was still in its teens. We have seen Desmond Canon x-rayed, x-rated and exaggerated and still this is only the beginning. Once Desmond will stop taking his medication, there is no telling what will happen within the Flickr community. This hyperbolic contact collector with a fierce image output might in the end very well prove to be the undoing of Flickr’s meta-servers. We are having a massage, a streaming massage: make way for the animal for he is way beyond us already. Take a regular but limited daily dose of his stream and make sure to build in some mental moments of unwinding. Xanax will help (I’m back to 1,3 milligrams per day now). The rest is up to the Anima Mundi.
Read lessThere's a new favourite in every bag of Steiner's !! Like your style, man, you have all the angles covered
It is always a pleasure to see what you come up with. I have to say you are my most entertainingly wacky contact. Never know where you might be coming from! I enjoy your sense of humor, your soft side, your ability to see and share. Kerry
The thing that gets me about Desmond is that hes not afraid to do something different and unique - he doesnt just take good images he's willing to treat them as a canvas to work from and to try anything in the pursuit of a unique form of art. His images are always interesting, always show great thought and a relentl… Read more
The thing that gets me about Desmond is that hes not afraid to do something different and unique - he doesnt just take good images he's willing to treat them as a canvas to work from and to try anything in the pursuit of a unique form of art. His images are always interesting, always show great thought and a relentless eye for something out of the ordinary, it makes his work fun to look at and never boring, and to cap it all hes a friendly guy always willing to offer a suggestion or a thought. What more can you ask for? Oh and hes irish as well, perfect race for an artist really !
Read lessHmmm....writing a testimonial about my Flickrfriend Steiner....Well...I'm not such a great speaker as Steiner is...I mean ..look at this man's profile..;-)....In Holland we say he's "prettig gestoord" - How do I translate this so he can understand too? - He really shows that he 's got a lot of humor which you also can … Read more
Hmmm....writing a testimonial about my Flickrfriend Steiner....Well...I'm not such a great speaker as Steiner is...I mean ..look at this man's profile..;-)....In Holland we say he's "prettig gestoord" - How do I translate this so he can understand too? - He really shows that he 's got a lot of humor which you also can find back in his pictures and his comments too...always willing to improve his pictures,eager to learn and getting better everytime...His photostream is very diverse...from far away to very personal....He takes you on a journey from far outer space to the bones inside his body ! This man is a very creative mind...check also his new website soon..think he's gonna surprise us all....His secret life...Tickets available now....Let's all get boarding.... ;-) Greetzzzz Nell
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