Photography and Mindfulness

What is mindfulness, and how can it relate to photography? Mindfulness as a practice can be traced back about 2500 years to Buddhist and Hindu traditions. It’s an ancient tradition that can benefit us greatly today. Essentially, it refers to the ability to exist in the present, while being aware of our surroundings. The beauty of it is that it can be seamlessly connected to nature and photography. This is what we intend to do with our photography and mindfulness workshop that’s taking place next weekend.

As many of you know, I’m studying to be a mental health counselor, and mental health is something I’m passionate about. I’m also passionate about nature. Whenever I get an opportunity to combine the two, you know I’m going to take it! This is exactly what this workshop is about. Mindfulness can play a vital role in good mental health. Time in nature has also been proven to increase good mental health by decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety, along with many other mental health problems. Art is another element shown to have a positive impact on mental health. What happens when you combine all three?

Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of what’s going on around you and taking note of everything without judging it. In other words, it’s about taking it all in. There are countless ways to practice mindfulness. What people may not realize is that you can practice without spending hours meditating. You can practice without even really thinking about it at all. Mindfulness is something we can practice during every small part of our day. When you wash your hands, take note of the water. Is it warm or cold? How does it feel rushing over your hands? What about the soap? Is it soft? How does it smell? Every day, mundane tasks take on a whole new meaning when you’re really being aware of what’s going on and how your senses perceive it.

When we walk in nature, this is a perfect time to practice mindfulness as there is so much to take in and be aware of. Feel the sun on your face. Listen to the birds singing to one another. Feel the soft petals of a flower. Smell the musty scent of the moss on the trees. This isn’t a time to try to identify things or to worry about anything at all. It’s just a time to observe without judging. When you take the time to walk and observe, you’re giving your mind a break from all of the stress and worries of the day. You have this moment, right now. Nothing else matters.

How can we incorporate photography into all of this? Photography is another way of seeing. It can be a way to capture what we’re seeing, yes. But it can also be a way to express how we’re feeling. When you really take your time and take pictures only of things that capture your attention and make you feel some kind of way, you’re being more mindful about your photography. When you limit the number of photos you take, when you concentrate on what you’re seeing and try to capture it in a way that really shows it that way you’re seeing it, you’re photographing in a more mindful way. Art has always been a form of expression that can take the mind to many different places and can help us to feel. When we incorporate mindfulness and photography, it changes the way we see and capture the things around us. I would encourage you to try shooting at just one focal length, say, a wide angle or a telephoto. Fix it at the focal length you’ve chosen and don’t change it. You’ll challenge your eye to see things within the limitation of your lens. This is another way to be mindful when shooting. Ultimately, the goal should be to be aware. That’s what mindfulness is all about: being aware without judging.

I hope you’ll consider joining us on Saturday, January 24th for a photography and mindfulness workshop followed by a short hike. This event will be taking place in Arcadia, Florida and costs just $50. To sign up, please visit https://www.meetup.com/rh-photo-adventures/events/311887052/. Hope to see you there!