I’m practicing mindful photography: why I recommend you do too

Sometimes I think I’m the worst person to write about mindful photography

My brain hurtles along at a hundred miles an hour. It is always full of ideas and projects. Sometimes it seems impossible to tame all the activity and achieve some direction.

I am very lucky to have all these ideas and this inspiration. It makes me want to rush out and create more images. However, there is also a huge value in slowing down and taking more time over the images we make. This is mindful photography.

What is mindful photography?

This is a tricky question to answer. Carry out an internet search for mindful photography and you will end up with all sorts of definitions. Some are more useful than others!

My definition of mindful photography is making images when one has made time to be in tune with the subject. If we are outdoors, then we have really taken time to spend time in our surroundings before using the camera. If we are making images of people, we have made sure that we have taken time to get get to know them properly. Even with a still life we can spend time properly studying the subject first.

The advantage with this approach is that we work more slowly. We are more deliberate about what we create. We find the interesting ideas that may be ignored if we don’t spend mindful time ideas first. We can mull over our approach. The image becomes about the why. It has a purpose rather than just being a quick picture. As a result, we are more likely to achieve images that we are happy with. Research also shows that there can be significant benefits to health and happiness when practising mindful photography.

When I think about it, I may be better at mindful photography than I thought

I find that I am practising it more than I realise. I am slowing down, at least with my photography. This is because I’m starting to spend more time with a subject before picking up my camera. As a result, I am opening my mind to more possibilities.

I could not have created my 1Point4 miles project unless I was familiar with the walk where the project is based. Because I spent time walking without a camera, I had more time to really look at what was around me. I started to appreciate the details of the walk, see things differently and be inspired with new ideas for images. I saw potential that wasn’t immediately obvious. And that is how the project was born.

I am also seeing new inspiration in the strangest of places. The other day I ended up making images of a roasting tin that had come out of the oven. And I was very pleased with the results. Spending a little time looking at possibilities and then walking away and thinking about what I have seen is paying creative dividends.

As I slow down, I connect more with my subject

As I let ideas percolate in my mind, I am thinking more about what I see and what it means to me. I think about why I want to make an image of it and what I am trying to say. I may also make some sketch images where I can experiment to see what works.

Photographic journaling is something else that I have started. I am posting small prints of my work into a notebook and writing whatever comes into my mind about the image. This is stream of consciousness writing. Sometimes it goes nowhere. But sometimes it helps understand what I want to say, and it leads me towards the creation of a project. I feel that my work is going in exciting new directions.

Mindful photography is also helping me appreciate more

Just spending time with what I might photograph makes me see in a different way. The small details begin to stand out. I see things differently according to the changing light and shadows. My relationship with the environment and my subjects also changes according to my mood. Each visit or time spent contemplating what I might capture highlights new possibilities and ideas.

Photography is a time to reflect and contemplate

So let’s take the time to make the most of these opportunities. If we just rush to create the first image that springs to mind, our art suffers.

Want to try some mindful photography?

Here are three tips to get you started:

Go for a walk without a camera. Soak in the atmosphere. Imagine what you might capture if you did have a camera. There’s no rush so see what springs to mind. You might be surprised at what images you would consider making. If you are not into walking, just sit with a potential subject, making sure your camera is in another room!
Paste an image into a notebook. When you are in the mood, have a good look at it and start writing about it. Write whatever you like. Focus on what you see and what it means to you. This isn’t a creative writing exercise: it doesn’t matter if your words are not grammatically correct or even if they don’t make proper sense.
Sit down without anything. Let your mind drift. I find this really hard, but I’m beginning to see benefits from it.

You may not think you’re suited to mindful photography

Don’t close your mind to it. You may find that it works very well for you. After all, if I can become more mindful anyone can!