Book review: Click! Choosing Love One Frame at a Time by Carl Studna

 

Part 3: Now you see it, now you don’t, the outer reflecting the inner

When you enter world renowned photographer Carl Studna’s book:  Click! Choosing Love One Frame at a Time, you sense more about the setting of a picture before snapping the shutter.  You see the outer countenance reflecting the inner essence.

 

“How often are you holding onto a particular thought, opinion or perception as fact, only to have it later change?” asked Studna. “Has the actual circumstance altered or is it your perception that has shifted?”

 

In my own photographic adventures around the world from the Arctic

to Antarctica and from the Amazon rainforests to the desert Outback of Australia—I changed my perceptions because I experienced inner growth from my travels.  

 

Twain’s quote echoes Carl Studna’s wisdom behind the lens.  It reflects his growing power to captivate, enthrall and enchant anyone who looks at the body of his lifetime of photographic work.

 

“Photographs truly serve as a time capsule in documenting many of the multi-dimensional aspects of our life history,” said Studna.

 

As you dive into the depths of this book like a dolphin, you cannot help “play” in the water, the refractions of the light and the emotional currents constantly pulsing in your life and the life of the planet.

 

One of the writers in Studna’s book, Karen Drucker, “I look good”, speaks to your humor and compassion.  That flaming redhead lights up a stage with song and poetry like few others.  She speaks to your inner self while praising your wild and crazy self.  I watched her on stage for the past 10 years.  When you first see her, you don’t know what to expect.  Once you have heard her sing, you cannot wait for her presence to appear again—to delight you and entertain you. 

 

Nearing the end of the book, a chapter titled “Reclaiming self-expression and freedom” helps all of us understand our own traumas growing up and origins of our anxieties.  Studna enlists his counseling talents as a Science of Mind practitioner in order to enhance your feelings of freedom and your need to express yourself.  He presents workshops and classes for his growing following in Denver, Colorado.    Studna knows how to open people up and let the laughter flow. 

 

He knows to inspire an audience with his antics, being silly and being human.

 

“There is no picture that ever tells the same story, whether it be a person, landscape or still-life,” said Studna. “I offer a photography workshop called, “Embracing the Sacred.”  I never tire of teaching this class because I am continually inspired by life’s unique displays.  As an example, I am constantly in awe of the ever-changing cloud formations billowing over the vast Colorado plains and mountain regions.”

 

Like any road you travel or book you read, the end approaches much too soon.  I found myself wanting more to read, to learn, to contemplate.  Carl Studna’s new book offers more than photography lessons.  He engages your spirit, your essence and your life energy. 

 

I highly recommend this book for professional photographers and neophytes alike.  Studna captures photography’s moment to moment magic, one click at a time.  Even more so, he teaches you how to snap magical photographs for yourself.

 

“One of the most basic formulas or road maps for being successful and feeling fulfilled in life lies in our moment-to-moment choices to fully let in the light,” said Studna.  “Allowing it to guide sustain and spark every thought, word, feeling and activity.  This simple measure lies at the heart of deepening your faith.   This very moment is your life-governing choice point and you choose to live with a pureness of heart while embracing every single frame of your most treasured and gifted life.”

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