Tag: #camera

Using photography as therapy

As April is National Stress Awareness month, and this time around we are all living in this exceptional circumstance I thought I would start my series of tips with you by talking about how we can use photography as a stress buster and tool for a bit of creative relaxation.
Photography is not always about making the prettiest picture, but it is a great way to release some creativity and express yourself. It doesn’t need to be complicated and some of the simplest things can make for the greatest of images.
So how to find your inspiration? Don’t force it, If you don’t feel like taking pictures then it’s probably not going to work for you. Only take pictures when you WANT to, it needs to be enjoyable and not a chore.
We are somewhat limited at the moment but there are still plenty of photographic opportunities.

Go on that walk

For me, there really is nothing better for the soul than just going for a long walk in natural surrounding especially with the dog. I rarely take my camera ( I know I really should), but I always have a phone camera to hand in case I see something that attracts me. Of course this is something you can do in the garden or around the house just as well if you are in isolation or just don’t fancy going out. A lot of mental illnesses, depression, and other problems arise from inactivity. We’re stuck in our offices, and in particular our homes right now, so any form of exercise can really help lift the spirits. Dance is really good for this as it helps to occupy both body and mind. A ‘Photographic walk’, works in the same way by making you think while you move.

• TIP 1: If you do have a camera my advice is to take it, pop it over your shoulder as it will add that extra gravitas to your purpose and will help remind you to take those pictures.
• TIP 2: Try an earlier morning or late evening walk during what is know as the golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, when the sunlight is at its best and gives everything a golden glow. Weather permitting of course.

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• TIP 3: Be mindful of where the sun or that light source is in relation to your subject, if its behind you are you casting a shadow ( and do you want to?) . If its behind the subject is it bleaching it out? Wherever the light is coming from will have a profound effect on what your image looks like, so just remember you are in control of it. You may just have to work around your subject to get it to look how you want.

TIP 4: Look for the detail, nature is a real marvel, and I love photographing its little details. The shapes and colours that she provides are incredibly up-lifting. I love that photography gives us the opportunity to find beauty in the mundane or everyday.
walk slowly, and look at the ground, or up in the trees. There is a lot that we miss by not looking around us.

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TIP 5: Think about your composition, try using the rule of thirds. The “Rule of Thirds” can help you create well balanced and interesting shots. This involves dividing your image up into 3 sections, both vertically and horizontally and framing your subject in one or two of the four corners where the divides meet. Most cameras and phones will have guides that you can turn on which will show you the exact position of these.
I will say right up front however that rules are meant to be broken and ignoring this one doesn’t mean your images are necessarily unbalanced or uninteresting. However a wise person once told me that if you intend to break a rule you should always learn it first to make sure your breaking of it is all the more effective!

TIP 6: Take more pictures. So you found something you want to photograph? Don’t just take one photograph from one angle, shoot around your subject, try bending down low or getting up higher ( though let’s not do anything too dangerous now!) shoot it from one side and then the other. Providing you are working on a digital phone or camera you can take as many pictures as you want and can always delete the ones you don’t like, but you very often won’t get the chance to photograph the same thing again, in the same lighting and weather conditions etc , so make the most of it. It might surprise you.

All pictures above were taken on an Iphone SE.

Thanks for taking the time to read this , I hope you have found it useful, please share your results with me on social media and do get in touch if there is a particular subject you would like me to cover. Enjoy your walk.