Why photography makes you more connected to the world around you
I am that photographer who will spend ages taking photos of the same spot. I can get so bewitched by one subject that it will take me what feels like hours to photograph it — and it never feels like a waste of time.
Yesterday I went up to Gellert Hill at a ridiculously early hour to take some photos of the city. I got some funny looks from some late night revellers who must have gone up there to enjoy the sunrise after their night out but I didn’t mind. That’s one thing I definitely know I’ve become as a photographer — incredibly single-minded!
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned about the power of having photography as a hobby:
Photography helps you connect with others
I joined the Bangkok Photographers Meetup group when I lived in Thailand. The group organisers, DK and Dennie, are professional photographers who are incredibly generous in sharing their knowledge and insight into their participants’ photography skills.
Through working with them, I finally understood the exposure triangle which I needed to master in order to shoot decent pics in manual mode — aperture, shutter speed and ISO — and about how to compose my shots.
Some of us (like me) were absolute beginners, while others were professionals, but it didn’t matter. Everyone was made to feel welcome and we celebrated each other’s successes in improving our photography skills.
I also got to explore areas in Bangkok I would never have come across before, as DK and Dennie always took us to ‘off the beaten-track’ places in Bangkok for our photo walks. They worked closely with the communities living there so we were able to chat and learn about each others’ lives during those events.
Being out with my camera when I’m travelling alone has also helped me to chat and share what I do with new people.
Just the simple act of going up and asking someone if they would mind you taking their photo can spark up a conversation. This was especially the case in Japan when I asked people if I could take their photos. I got asked a lot of questions about where I’m from, and people would often ask if they could take their photos with me too!
Your camera can also be a great companion when you’re on your own
I feel less alone when I’m solo-travelling with my camera. I will always be able to flick through the photos I’ve taken that day if I’m sitting somewhere public like a cafe, or figure out how to make my images better. I can get so absorbed in analysing my photos that I am not bothered about being alone.
Photography helps you see things differently — and not just in your photos
Why does something catch your eye? What is it about that photo you love that makes you wish you’d taken it? The answers are not always that easy to find.
It was fascinating how during our photo walks, the group members would take pictures of the same subjects, but our compositions were completely different.
Another photography teacher explained to me how the camera can’t automatically capture what we see with our eyes, so we need to know how to adapt our camera settings and use editing tools to bring that vision to life.
Research has also shown how our vision is more to do with our brain function than our eyes simply being image processors — remember a few years ago in the debate about that dress and whether it was blue and black or white and gold? It makes sense then that we can share our differing ‘visions’ of the world through photography too.
You also become much more mindful of your surroundings. Are there any stray objects which deflect from the beauty of what you want to capture? How does the light work to help or hinder your chosen image?
Over time, my mindfulness about what I can see when putting together a photo has also helped me become much more observant about my surroundings in general.
It also helps you to heal
I always know if I’m feeling particularly down if I don’t feel I can take any decent photos of anything. I’m at my most creative when I’m feeling positive and upbeat.
Having said that, taking yourself out with your camera when you are overcoming any sadness can be incredibly healing. There was one spring holiday I spent in alone in Budapest turned out to be one of my best in terms of me developing my skills as a photographer. I couldn’t afford to go back to visit my family that holiday, so I decided to take some early morning shots of various parts of the city and took part in a 365 photo journal project instead.
Going out to take photos has always lifted my spirits, even if I haven’t managed to get lots of amazing photos.
It can help you create a great catalogue of special moments
My main aim when I wanted to develop my photography skills was to capture my experiences of living abroad properly. I have to say that over the years, I’ve improved enough so that my photos really do capture that.
In the seven years I have lived abroad, I have taken photos of some beautiful places which I might not be able to visit again. It’s good to know that I’ll have my photos to help me cherish those memories.
