Words and images by Scotty Craighead

Looking out over Phelps Lake and the majestic Tetons, I crouch down next to Matthieu Ricard, dubbed the “Happiest Man Alive” by Time Magazine. It’s my first close encounter with a Buddhist monk; what to talk about? Fortunately, Ricard soon comes up with a conversational subject — mirror shake.

While I furiously scan my brain for something to say, Ricard remarks, “Sometimes the second one is clearer.” I’m confused until I notice he’s pointing at my camera. “They say there is less mirror shake on the second one.” I’d been bracketing exposures, but he thought I was shooting two-frame bursts to compensate for subtle vibrations caused by the camera’s internal mirror flipping out of the way of the sensor.

We proceeded to talk about other techniques to reduce vibrations in the camera as well as the high ISO capabilities of new digital SLR cameras. Throughout our conversation he was clicking away at reflections of twigs in the water. The next day he told me that none of them came out very good, but he didn’t seem upset about it.

When Matthieu visited Jackson Hole recently, a photo safari in Grand Teton National Park was organized for him, and I was one of his “guides.” Photography is Matthieu’s hobby. He’s published several photography books to go along with books on Buddhism and happiness. As somebody considering a career in photography, I couldn’t help but find it significant that the “world’s happiest man,” for his hobby, chooses photography.

Looking back on their first conversation with this friendly Buddhist monk, others may recall deep thoughts or profound conversations. I’ll remember mirror shake, and that the world’s happiest man is a pretty tech savvy guy.