John Banville in his book April in Spain uses the phrase “looking at the world at a slight angle.” It resonated with me to the extent that I jotted it on a small scrap of paper and ruminated about how many of my best images were created when things were viewed at a slight angle. This does not mean that you walk around with your head cocked to one side to change your angle of view but that your skills of perception are sensitive to something unique, maybe an unusual juxtaposition, or “something never seen before”—a challenge that I assigned my photo students. Of course, this concept of “looking at the world at a slight angle” is not something that can be easily turned off and on.
As I have previously written in essays, I believe the unconscious plays a major role in this ability to see at a slight angle. As a photographer, the term I use when my vision blends with the deep layers inside my brain is the “period of intensive perception.” This is where I experience being in a state of mind that is momentarily removed from reality and my visual sensitivity reaches a new level. Everything seems to slow down and there is an increased level of clarity. I see things that I did not see moments earlier. This is when creativity is elevated which results in some of my best work. Unfortunately, it is elusive. It is easy to talk and write about but most difficult to execute.
Sleeping Mind Photography 