I start this month by exploring the concept of 'mindful' photography. It is something that I have incorporated into my practice over the past few years, since discovering the work of artists such as Paul Sanders, Mel Collie, Kim Grant and Gary W. Sharlow.
They all have slightly different approaches to mindfulness and what it means for their photographic practice. For example, Paul comments that:
"The world whispers stories all around us, but in our rush, their melodies fade into the background noise. Photography, though, offers a pause, a chance to amplify the whispers and cultivate an appreciation for the simple beauty woven into every moment, This is the essence of mindful photography: not about garnering applause, but about capturing contentment."
An example of this is that on a recent visit to Stover Country Park, I sat on a bench and watched as a swan's feathers ruffled in the breeze. A rare sunny winter's day, the light was dancing on the feathers, creating amazing shadows, and I wanted to take that moment home with me:
In his writings, Gary W. Sharlow explores more the spiritual aspect of mindfulness and how it links with photographic practice:
"In the symphony of life, where chaos often reigns supreme, there exists a quiet refuge, a sanctuary of serenity waiting to be discovered through the lens of mindfulness and the artistry of photography. In a world inundated with distractions, the practice of mindfulness offers a guiding light, illuminating the path toward inner peace and tranquility. Paired with the meditative act of photography, it becomes a harmonious dance, weaving together the threads of perception, awareness, and creativity into a tapestry of profound beauty,"
So, the way that I take my photographs also needs to be meditative. I have found that using ICM helps in this process. I spotted some mandarin ducks and took time to watch the way they were moving through the water, observing the reflections of their colours in the ripples. I took time to decide on the camera settings that I needed to use to gather those impressions. Going through this process took my mind off other concerns:
Another photographer Mel Collie gives practical advice, encouraging us to relax, reflect to recharge and access our inner landscape. In her article Mindfulness and Photography she describes it as is being fully present and engaged in the moment, away from everyday distractions:
"Immersing our minds in the unlearning, a daily practice of self awareness, of being with ourselves as we are, using our cameras to documenting how we are feeling and interacting with the world as we think we see it".
I found that by walking along the water's edge, focusing on the patterns and the interaction between the trees and the water, I was able to put aside the distractions of other walkers (and their dogs!). I looked for compositions that represented my current entangled frame of mind. I was also consciously quelling that inner critic:
The lingering seeds remaining from last year's grasses caught my eye, gleaming gold in the sun. I might have rushed past if I was not being mindful. Magical moments.
And spending some time in the editing process being mindful of how I felt when I was in the moment of creating helps to maintain the flow. Here I combined 2 images of the grass together and used a blend mode in Photoshop to give added depth of meaning:
But I am mindful of the comment above from Paul about 'garnering applause'. Why am I sharing these images and not others if not for the viewers/readers to 'appreciate' them?
While I ponder on this, here is a meditation from Margaret Soraya for you to immerse yourself into: Sink into Simple Joys
For further information try Mindful Photography UK;
Mel has a 2 minute calming video.
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