Ayup! For many photographers, their practice serves as a necessary distraction. This is certainly something I’ve been leaning into recently. Overwhelm, a sense of impending doom or personal/family issues. It’s difficult to live without at least one of these worries.
Step up, photography, passion, enthusiasm and community. Yes! A creative mindset with the power to fully restore the equilibrium.
I’m basically fighting depression with photography. It teaches me to see the world around me differently.
Looking forward
Having something to look forward to is one of the key ingredients here. It might be a new project you’re starting. A completely different style or technique you’re experimenting with. Maybe it’s the excitement of a forthcoming photo mission. Created an image you’re super-proud of? Perhaps you’re looking forward to sharing it online tomorrow.
All of the above drive an extremely significant purpose: Distraction and escapism. As your musings, ideas and eagerness flood your brain, they leave little room for angst.
For me, photography is actually a distraction from the routine, the everyday life. It’s a sort of “coffee break”, without coffee and with good relations. In a world that runs at the speed of light and that wants you to be always competitive, always productive, always focused on success, finding some time to forget about all the competition and dedicate to something that only produces joy is such an immense benefit.
A healthy dollop of purpose
With a little commitment and fascination, your photography will start to develop purpose. And I’m not just talking about the final image. The planning, testing, adventures, editing and sharing all come into play.
Paired with a suitable photography community, the mental health benefits are drastically multiplied. This can be online, in-person or both. Sharing and discussing your work, thoughts and ideas with like-minded folks brings a deeper level of meaning to your craft.
Mastodon comes highly recommended. All of the quotes included in this post are from the Fediverse photography community. Wonderful people. Kind, generous and caring. Thank you all for your contributions.
For me, photography is a quest for light, a breath of investigation into the physical world around me, a moment lived and shared, an invitation to breathe with me in the beauty that is happening NOW.
Jenica Lake – Mastodon
Beginner’s mind
The calming rewards of purposeful photography arrive at all stages of the journey. You definitely don’t need to be a professional. One thing I’ve come to realise is important: maintaining a beginner’s mind.
Inquisitive, experimental and always willing to try out new ideas. This really helps to keep things fresh and interesting. As a result, both motivation and momentum perpetually increase.
As photographers, we’ve all been there. A severe lack of inspiration and/or enthusiasm. This, of course, can put you off wanting to head out with your camera. When you begin to smash up the routine and rule book, it’s a) a whole lot more fun and b) going to open up a lot more opportunities.
Photography to me is a form of escapism from everyday life. Whether I’m trying to snapshot a landscape, a building, something else or trying to imagine what people have in mind while I do street photography.
Alain Mauri – Pixelfed
Giving, sharing and helping
Using photography as a distraction doesn’t always involve you and your camera. Giving praise, offering tips, sharing ideas and helping fellow photographers: All are as rewarding, if not more so, than creating/posting your own work.
I’m no expert here. I could definitely do more, but I try to share little tips and comment on other people’s photos whenever possible. You know what? It feels good. There’s a heap of science backing this up, too. Over on the Anxious Minds website, they state that: The joy of giving comes from dopamine and serotonin, our brain’s happiness hormones. These chemicals flow when we help others, making us feel good and want to give more.
For me it is not even just a mental break. Photography is such a huge part of my life that I feel having dedicated photography time is an absolute must. It is my number one outlet for creativity after all – and as such, very important to keep everything in balance.
Escapism and calm
It was really touching to read other photographers’ experiences on the subject of escapism. The practice clearly goes so much deeper than image creation. It’s a tool, a first aid kit, if you will. A warm, cosy blanket offering comfort and reassurance.
We’re all struggling through this thing called life. Constant bad news and obstacles don’t make it any easier. What we do have, though, is our passion for photography. A tried and tested distraction from an often unsettling and challenging world.
For me photography is a distraction and a focus, it helps me “see” things in a different perspective, not only the physical world that I photograph, but daily life. It allows me to focus on something and think differently while I’m out shooting.