Mindfulness & Photography

[Gareth]

I can see how photography can lend itself to both mindlessness and mindfulness.

On one hand, what can be more of the moment than a photograph? That's all it is - a snapshot of a moment in time. Looking for a photograph is a great way to develop awareness. You can't capture the moment if you are not aware of it.

On the other hand, I've seen people approach photography with mindlessness too. Intent on capturing a photo of a person who obviously doesn't want to be photographed. Or reviewing old photographs, oblivious to the world going on around them, although I'm not sure the latter would actually count as photography.

I'm really enjoying going through photos to use on the blogs that I put up. This is the theme I am going for:
something you might ordinarily look past, but when you do actually look at it closely, it is in fact very beautiful

[JonW]

I bought a pair of binoculars yesterday. A good aid to mindfulness: "There's a seagull. I wonder what it looks like 16x magnified."
Seagulls get a bad press. Most people regard them as nuisances. Up close, they're amazingly beautiful creatures. I'm also very partial to the cuckoo but we don't get too many of them in Hove. Same goes for dragons which are now, I believe, an endangered species. Save the dragon! Before it's too late.
Aye,
Jon

[PeterFreeMindfulness]

Interesting thoughts!

I know certainly I've had holidays or trips in the past where I've realised I'm more interested in getting the perfect picture to remember something by than actually being present and enjoying an experience whilst I'm there. So I've consciously chosen not to take pictures at times, to give myself a fuller experience. On the other hand, there have been pictures I've taken that I spent ages really looking at something first, or I took the picture following a lovely moment of noticing something.

I really like photographs that lend themselves to mindfulness, there's a few in the freemindfulness.org gallery and some contributors have a lot more on their own sites (Mick's taken some great ones!).

[vikmartin]

Mindful or mindless - its all about your intention isn't it. Even sitting can be a gateway to mindlessness.
All activities can be mindful but I think photography really lends itself to use as a practice. You are there, with your subject and it is all about them. Its all about how it looks in that particular moment.
As soon as you get into the state of really looking at the subject, then here you are.
If you're just vaguely pressing the button while your mind wanders, then, I would say, it's not really photography

Vik

[David]

A subject after my own heart - I am a photographer, however it's a label that bears no real service or contribution in main stream terms. I take photos not only to capture the moment but also to connect with subjects that are not so easily seen. (I'd also add, subjects that mean the world to me) My photos are very personal to me, however I do enjoy sharing the wonder, peace and solace many of my photos give me.

I absolutely agree that intent reigns supreme in my quest to find such space in my shots.

Forgive me as I should of fist introduced myself. I am "Ponder" and have previously been a member and made a few posts. Unfortunately I forgot my password and or simply muddled up logging in too many times. It's good to come back to this site and read of others as I have.

Currently I am cutting back on my mood stabilizing meds - I'm pleased to say since doing so, I have been taking more snaps - or should I say - intently aware and focused shots. I struggled not so long ago doing some work for a real-estate agent. My work was more than adequate and I went on to do some more work; however it's not the type of Photography that gives me peace.

The following is a Photo I took this morning with my drone:

It's not a shot that I often pull off, and I have tried various times. More often that not, it's times that I find myself not trying at all that I tend to wind up with stunning shots. Also - what I find stunning may not always be the case for onlookers. I recently took a long break from a specialized photography forum, because I found the Pursuit of trying to be more and see more was killing my inner desire to shoot at all. I now diverge to my previous comment: "I like to capture what is not easily seen" -

I like to add color and sharpen for effects, but again - Intent - is key! I do my best to alter the temperature with regard to color, as to emulate a different time of day I could not shoot/make up for low tech gear/reveal details in an obscure subject and so on, however - I am careful not to put too much make up on and sell my subjects off, as something they are not. Forgive me, if now I am obscure - We live in an age of 24/7 Images Images - My awareness (more so hyper sensitivity) of such things, often lends me to taking too much in - which is why I avoid people pretty much and stick with Nature as my main theme.

Here is another Beautiful shot of the sun whilst I was out taking a swim:

Now this one was a fluke snap shot that I was able to render towards more how I felt during the moment this took place. The camera was not water proof and I actually later burnt out the sensor. My intent here was to indeed walk into the ocean - get down low and capture what is seen. I was so in the moment that I was ducking my head in the water with one hand holding the camera up high so as not to break. I was about ready to take the camera back to shore so I could come back and have a proper swim - I pressed the shutter without too much thought there and then.

Now in saying that - I have been taking photos with mindful intent for a long time now and feel very connected to the subjects I shoot, that sometimes I don't need to think much when I go out and shoot. I live for moments that pass like so and savor those moments I can later recall, as I now do.

Last but not least - I don't mean to spam my photos:

I was very mindful of snakes as I scaled the ledge and rocks to get to the most outer point to set up for this shot. I was not so fit, so stumbled about as I stopped and started to catch my breath and avoid falling on my back pack which my drone was in. I pressed my drone to the very edge of its radio range - given the conditions on that day, I made it to 1km out and 500m high - I can tell you I was very focused with getting my drone back. I struggled with a low battery and high winds for the return journey.

I wrap it up now, as I've reached my own attention span and need to move on. All me gear is rather low end - but I make the best with what I have. All I can say, that for me - Photography and Mindfulness go hand in hand; during both the process and later when browsing the results. I feel its the only way to live. No doubt a skill to live like so in a world with declining space, animals and full of spamming of images meant to manipulate ... rather than to let others, think for themselves.

Be well.

[Gareth]

Amazing photos David!

[David]

Thanks Gareth:

Today's Mindful Activity:

[JonW]

Loving these photos, David!
Inspirational.
Jon, Hove

[David]

Nice to meet you JonW,

I don't want to take up too much space, so will just say - I have many more Nature photos at my Flikr site to which is link on the img's above. Just click on my Name - L_Plate_Dave. Typical a few pages back from the front. Some of my pages have recently become a little more cluttered as I sometimes up load img's to explain myself in technical forums. For the most part - My flikr account reflects me well.

I kind of wish there were more people in this forum as the world could do taking in much of the message this place spreads. Also I like to talk and doing so in a place with only so much activity, will most likely only serve to make me head look bigger than what it really is. lol - I smile to think.

Mindfulness is the healthiest and most balanced way I know of, to keep my head in its place. I buzz at a high level and it just seems plain unnatural for me to keep popping pills the professionals give me - but that is for another post. I go look and see for an appropriate spot.

I'm gladdened if any of my img's can bring peace - Feel free to download anything at my Fikr account - It's open for people to take what that wish.