On Monday 16th January a small group made the most of a gorgeous winter day in the sun on the Somerset Levels to take part in my introductory workshop on mindful photography at Earthlight Cooperative. The basics of the skills needed for mindful photography were introduced to the participants across a 2.5-hour session.

Photo of Earthlight Cooperative - female taking photo

On the edge of the Somerset Levels is the Earthlight Cooperative, a community health hub, medicine garden, and educational facility that provides classes, volunteer opportunities, plants, multidimensional healing, and herbal products. The one-acre site consists of two large polytunnels, a small insulated classroom, a Celtic medicine wheel, and multiple growing beds planted with over 6o different species of medicinal, aromatic, and edible herbs, flowers, and trees.

What is Mindful Photography?

I hear you asking, "What is mindful photography?" Well, perhaps taking a step back and first examining what mindfulness is will be helpful.

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness is a quality that every human being already possesses, it’s not something you have to conjure up, you just have to learn how to access it.
SOURCE – WWW.MINDFUL.ORG

There are countless ways to see the world. Your heart and mind may be opened to new ways of seeing and being present with yourself and the natural beauty around you through mindful photography.

According to research, mindful photography fosters happier, more positive emotions and a greater appreciation of life. The use of mindful photography techniques can promote resilience and emotional well-being. Photographers can use the technique to give their images more depth and soul.

Instead of focusing on producing images that will win awards, mindful photography encourages us to respond to the present and the world in ways that are good for our health and wellbeing. It is true that the NHS's Five Ways to Well-Being include mindfulness.

Naturally Captured

Participants learn about mindful photography in nature in this workshop, along with the fresh perspective it offers on photography it also promotes a connection with nature. More than just taking pictures, mindful photography is a form of moving meditation that teaches us to slow down, improve our sighting abilities, and establish connections to space in a tranquil natural setting.

The Workshop Structure

The workshop took place in the morning and was 2.5 hours long. The session opened with a grounding meditation to enable participants to “arrive” in the space.

The first mindful photography practice - ‘You are the camera’, enables the participants to connect with their chosen ‘tool’ - whether that be a mobile phone, compact camera, or digital SLR. The best photographers are the cameras; they don't use them. This exercise is designed to develop this way of being with the help of mindful photography. This task helps to achieve the goal of making your camera an extension of yourself.

Next, a technique was introduced which would be the foundation for all of the following practices. Through the use of the ‘STOP, LOOK, BREATHE, CREATE’ process created by Wendy Ann Greenhalgh as a basis for all the tasks offered in this workshop, participants were able to connect with the moment, mindfully following a simple four-step process. Participants were given a printout to prompt them and as a takeaway to use in their own time.

After time spent getting used to the ‘STOP, LOOK, BREATHE, CREATE’ process it was time to introduce a fun task. Participants were encouraged to select one of 40 prompt cards at random - with the word or phrase on the card being their focus for the next practice. One participant explained how the word she was given (‘depth’) acted as a mantra to help her be mindful and focussed in the task.

The final task of this Mindful Photography workshop was somewhat of a challenge - ‘shoot from the hip’. Placing the camera at hip height, not being able to see what is on screen. Taking them out of their comfort zone and not being able to see the screen was disconcerting at first and meant they had to trust the process. However, many of the participants noted that this was their favourite practice and they were impressed and surprised at the results.

PHOTO CREDIT: CAROLYN SAVIDGE. From the Hip

What the participants said

One of the participants at the workshop was artist Carolyn Savidge. Having had a recent spell of ill health Carolyn expressed her delight at how the workshop had unlocked her creative mojo. Carolyn told me “Creativity had gone through a deep dark empty hole through layers of illness and trauma and to reemerge today was staggering - opening me up without trying”.

Carolyn explained, “instinct took over, with the courage to move forward along a thin line or to splash about and waddle a bit in the middle of a puddle, to stop, breathe, no need to choose which way to go”.

Another participant Stacey added, “It was lovely to be in nature, being mindful with my camera. The course made me think and take photos in a completely different way. Enjoyable - worth doing”.