When was the last time you immersed yourself in photography? Not only while on holiday, but even just for a short time as an outing for pure enjoyment? Has it been a while? Has life gotten so busy that you rarely have time to pursue your interest in photography? Do you need some inspiration? Maybe it’s time to escape your every day…
If life has gotten busy, it’s important to occasionally occupy your mind and body with a hobby or activity to help you relax. There’s no shortage of messages in the media of this fact either. That’s where outdoor and nature photography can help… immersing yourself in the natural environment is already known to be a way to unwind; add photography, and you’ll have the opportunity to refocus your mind away from the everyday chores and tasks that constantly keep us all on-the-go.
Without going into all the health benefits of going outside, here’s four reasons why nature and outdoor photography will help you get away from it all…
- You will breathe in fresh air (gaining more oxygen) and that is destined to leave you feeling happy, refreshed and more relaxed – and you’ll have a clearer mind so photographic inspiration will emerge from what you see.
- Photography provides you the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the environment you are in. Engaging in photography will give you time to see things in more detail – to ‘stop and smell the roses’ so to speak. It’s an opportunity to take more time to capture different perspectives (composition, light etc.) of a subject until you have an image (or more) that gives you the most pleasing result. If you have a camera with manual functions, you will have more control over your final image; for instance shutter speeds, depth of field and white balance; each setting creating a different effect. With any type of digital camera, you can review and delete the photos as you go so it really doesn’t matter about whether you achieve success every time, just immersing yourself in the activity is enough to switch off and escape from your every day.
- The challenge will give you something else to think about. You will realise your own photography style – it will evolve if you allow subjects to influence your work.
- You can be as active or inactive as you wish to be – and photography can be a part of it. The word ‘relax’ means many things to different people; for some it means to stop and do very little (e.g. sit on a beach), for others it may mean to take a walk, bike ride or some other activity. The good thing is that you can partake in photography with most (if not all) other activities from which you’ll acquire varying degrees of inspiration. So take your camera with you on any activity that you enjoy and add to the relaxing benefits of the outing you choose.
We must remember that a photograph can hold just as much as we put into it, and no one has ever approached the full possibilities of the medium.
– Ansel Adams
Most of all, your mind and body will be occupied with something other than the chores and tasks that always await you at work and home (even if only for a short time) – and that can only be a good thing!
This is not so much about ‘switching off’ entirely (after all, a digital camera is a form of technology) but you can silence your phone, turn off the data and anything else that is a distraction from ‘just being’ with your photography.
With winter now behind us, and spring bringing warmer weather and longer days, it’s a great time to get outdoors, take your camera on an adventure and ‘switch on’ in another world – a world into which you can escape.
Are you now motivated to get outside to create your own unique images?
Based in Hobart Tasmania, Shutterbug Walkabouts offers outdoor photography experiences to provide you plenty of time and guidance for creating unique images, not just snapshots. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced amateur, we have a photographic tour, tuition session or workshop that will help you along your way.
Get in touch with us if you have any questions; or browse our website for more information
Quick link to Photo-oriented Day Tours
Quick link to Private Photography Tuition
Quick link to Private Weekend Photography Retreats
Quick link to Women-only Photography Escapes
