DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Take these three steps to improve your mindfulness through photography

Mar 11, 2022 by Dunja Djudjic Add Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

mindfulnes photography

We have discussed before how photography can help you combat depression and anxiety. I’ve even had an experience of my own and felt it on my own skin. Today, we’re talking about mindfulness. How are those two connected, I hear you ask. Well, mindfulness is an integral part of mental health improvement, and practicing it can help you deal with both depression and anxiety.

In this video, Alex Kilbee of The Photographic Eye teaches you how to use photography to practice your mindfulness. And you’ll agree – doing what we love and improving our mental health is a great combination, isn’t it?

1. Make it a habit

First, take a regular time of your day to take photos. Habits are developed gradually, so work towards it and start small. As little as 20 minutes a day is enough, as long as you’re totally devoted to it. And don’t fuss over gear: you can use a camera or a phone, as long as you take photos. The goal is to slow down, start noticing what’s around you and appreciate the visual elements that you see. In my case, this is still something I do when I feel overwhelmed by too many noises or too large crowds, which are my main anxiety triggers.

The purpose of this is to connect with the world around you and find your own meaning in the things that everybody else sees. The goal is not to create art, but to look at things without judgment. And of course, to practice both photography and presence at the moment.

2. Slow down

Now that you’ve practiced long enough to make it a habit – slow down. In other words, you don’t want to take so many photos any longer. Slow down, take one shot at a time, think it through before pressing the shutter. It will help you connect more deeply with the world around you, but with photography as well.

3. Look at your photos

After you’ve taken the photos you’re happy with – look at them. Don’t think about whether others will like them or not, but about why you took them and why you liked the scene that you decided to capture. You can even write down how taking a certain photo made you feel, and what emotions the photo itself evoked after looking at it. This brings you back to your true self and puts you right here, right now, turning off the “noise” of the outside world.

Throughout my depression and anxiety treatment, I have noticed that practicing mindfulness has been of immense help. It’s not as simple as it sounds, but it’s possible. Just take small steps towards it, and I think photography is a great place to start. Now take a few deep breaths, grab that camera or phone, and enjoy your first mindfulness exercise!

[Improve Mindfulness Through Photography | The Photographic Eye]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Follow these five steps to instantly improve your location portraits Take these five steps to instantly improve your portraits Want to shoot cinematic b-roll? Follow these three crucial steps Instantly improve your street photography by relying on these three techniques

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: inspiration, mindful, Photography, the photographic eye

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.net

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

« Irix announces the 21mm f/1.4 lens for Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K
Relax to this gentle pulsating video of 29 different jellyfish »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Here’s a bullet time video booth you can build yourself
  • Ricoh has discontinued the HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited silver lens
  • This “stellar flower” unravels the twilight’s evolution in 360 degrees
  • Strobes vs Continuous LEDs – Which is right for you?
  • Wave goodbye to Apple’s My Photo Stream next month

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy