Picturing the moment with mindful photography

Endless blue skies, boats and their mooring posts are reflected on the still waters of a flooded Norfolk estuary

The world is a busy place. Life is busy. Every day is busy. And within all that busy-ness we often snap photographs to capture memories of places and persons who people our full and busy lives.

But photography - mindful photography - can help slow down the business of busy-ness. It can help us pause, take stock of our surroundings, be mindful of what we see - and then, only then, do we lift the camera to capture a moment. This is mindful photography.

Mindful photography doesn’t need expensive camera equipment. A simple phone camera is as good as a high-end camera for these moments. Mindful photography isn’t about the perfect image. It’s about capturing the essence of the moment - a moment that pleases you.

Even a dusty corner in a flour mill provides a photo opportunity

Mindful photography also helps us find the language to write about a moment in nature. A picture is worth a thousand words …but a photograph can also jog our memories of a special time and place and help us reflect on and write about the moment we felt inspired to capture it on our camera.

Here are some key aspects of mindful photography:

• Awareness: Mindful photography encourages us to be fully present in the moment, to observe the world around with heightened awareness - and new eyes. This means looking for details, colours, shapes, and textures that we might not normally notice.
  

• Engagement with our Senses: Mindful photography involves using all our senses to connect with the environment - seeing, listening, feeling, and even smelling or tasting.
  

• Contemplation: Before taking a photograph, we might take a moment to wonder what drew us to the subject.

Low sun through leaves highlights colours and defines their shape

• Patience and Deliberation: Mindful photography often involves a slower, more deliberate approach to capturing images. We can take our time, carefully framing and composing each shot.
  

• Non-Judgmental Observation: Simply observe and accept things as they are.
  

• Gratitude and Appreciation: Mindful photography can foster a sense of gratitude for the beauty and richness of the world around us. It helps us appreciate the small, often overlooked details of life.
  

• Stress Reduction and Relaxation: Engaging in mindful photography can be meditative and calming. It can help reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.
  

Mindful photography is not about the equipment, but the approach and mindset we bring to the act of taking pictures. It's a way to cultivate a deeper connection with our environment and a greater appreciation for the present moment.

So simple: The contrast between the yellow lamp and the greenery outside

What we choose to take ultimately depends on what resonates with us in the moment.

Here are some ideas for subjects we can explore in mindful photography:

• Nature Scenes:

• Flowers, leaves, and plants

• Trees, forests, and woodlands

• Bodies of water (oceans, rivers, lakes)

• Sunsets, sunrises, and natural landscapes
  

• Textures and Patterns:

  • Repetitive patterns in nature or urban environments

  • Close-ups of natural or man-made textures (e.g., bark, fabric, pavement)
    

  • Everyday Objects:

  • Objects around the home or workplace

  • Common items seen in a new light or from a unique perspective
    

  • Portraits:

  • Candid shots that reflect a moment

  • People, capturing their expressions, emotions, or interactions

A chandelier of plastic bottles makes for a collection of shapes, light and shadow

• Urban and Architectural Elements:

  • Buildings, bridges, or cityscapes

  • Street scenes, alleys, or urban details
    

  • Light and Shadow Play:

  • Experiment with how light interacts with objects and environments

  • Play with shadows and silhouettes
    

  • Reflections:

  • Images that capture reflections in water, glass, or other reflective surfaces
    

  • Animals and Wildlife:

  • Birds, insects, mammals, or creatures in our environment
    

  • Abstract Photography:

  • Simplified compositions that focus on shapes, colours, and forms

Rather than the subject itself being key, mindful photography is about taking time, observing, and trying to capture the essence of what draws us to a particular subject.

And when we look at and reflect on our image, think what words come to mind. How we felt, how that image moves us, what it might mean to us. Jot down those words and use them to write a caption or some words about that moment. The combination of the words and image will bring us back to that time when we were present.

Mindful photography and mindful writing encourages us to notice and appreciate the beauty and richness in the world.

Find out more about mindful photography at Mindful Photography UK run by Rebecca Rowan who practices and teaches Mindful Photography and Therapeutic Photography.

Kate Green runs Mindful Photography workshops in the Midlands.

A book, The Mindful Photographer is an engaging guide to this slow creative practice by artist, writer and social entrepreneur Sophie Howarth.