Hello again, fellow wanderers and photo enthusiasts!

An angry looking sky overhanging Florence in late summer

I’m thrilled to have you join me for our second blog post. Today’s offering looks at our first broadening of the fortnightly blog horizon to explore some fun thoughts about the philosophy of photography that might ring true with some of you. Other posts will look at more conventional subjects perhaps, but I'm keen to make this adventure just slightly different, perhaps thoughtful  in the hope it may provoke some fun discussions.

Photography has the fantastic potential to be far more than just a means of recording some pretty views seen on a holiday. It can be considered as an art form that serves as both an external creative outlet to share with the big, bad world and at the same time an internal pathway for mindfulness and equanimity for the inner self. 

There are countless talented photographers out there, so I’m suggesting starting our journey by focusing on the powerful, personally transformative aspects of photography, where success is subjective, not objective, and is better measured by those “WOW” photographs that cause us to pause, enjoy and wonder.

Photography as a Mindful Escape

In the frenetic pace of modern life, photography can offer the possibility of a much-needed escape into a world of focus, observation, and presence. One of the ways I can best take this thought further is to suggest we have some fun by drawing an analogy between food and photography…

Spices in the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul 

On the one hand there’s the photography equivalent of fast food - when we just pick up our camera/phone and take a snapshot. In foodie terms, when hasn’t there been an occasion when some fish & chips, or a burger and chips has been the perfect meal during a day that has been going at 1000mph or perhaps when we’re just tired and want something simple and fast that involves no washing up. (Oh and by the way, didn’t it taste GREAT!)

Then there’s the other end of the spectrum. To me, this is epitomised by the concept of Slow Food.

Slow Food was started when the opening of a very well known fast food outlet at The Spanish Steps in Rome caused an uproar that, in turn, saw the start of Slow Food © - an organisation that wants to promote more than just the speed of food-to-plate.

Hot air baloon ride in Morocco - doesn't get much slower than this... 

For me this food comparison parallels taking snapshots and the enjoyment of photography. Don’t get me wrong, I have taken, and still take, many snapshots, but I love my photography more (just as I love making dough for home made pizzas or cooking a curry from scratch better than going to a fast food outlet) and it's this that I like to feel is an artful pursuit.

The Art of Being Present

Artful photography insists on our presence. Regardless of what we put in our frame, we learn to concentrate ... and observe ...and appreciate ...the details of everything that our images contain. This practice of intense focus can allow us to anchor ourselves in the present, embodying mindfulness with every shutter click.

Landscapes: Nature’s Tranquility

Landscape photography in particular, I feel stands as a testament to nature’s calming influence. The grandeur of mountains, the stillness of lakes, and the serenity of forests invite us to slow down and immerse ourselves in their beauty.

The Healing Power of Nature

Research indicates that spending time in nature, reduces stress and boosts well-being. By photographing these landscapes, we can extend these benefits, creating visual reminders of tranquility that we can return to whenever life feels overwhelming. Each landscape photo is more than a picture - it's a mental sanctuary that unfailingly offers peace and reflection.

Cityscapes: Harmony in the Hustle

Walking from the train station to the Leaning Tower, somebody with a great sense of humour decided to warn us....!

On first encounter, cityscapes might seem at odds with the concept of mindfulness, but urban photography teaches us to find order, fun and beauty amidst chaos. It’s about capturing the underlying soul of a city - the amazing architecture, the light and shadow and in doing so, lets us see with a different set of eyes, seeing things that most people overlook in their daily rush.

Cultivating Equanimity

... and on that day it seemed they were correct or do I just need to crop a little bit more realistically...? 

By seeking out the calm within this chaos, we can also nurture equanimity—the ability to maintain mental and emotional balance even in challenging environments. Cityscape photography fosters an appreciation for the moment, no matter how hectic the urban atmosphere happens to be.

The Photographic Journey

My journey through photography isn’t solely about technical mastery or competition (Just as well!). It’s a personal journey, where success is not defined by the number of competitions I can win or images that I can sell, but success to me is creating “WOW” pictures - those breathtaking shots that makes the viewer pause, enjoy the uniqueness of the moment, and feel….. good.

There's not many places better than Venice that can give pause for thought...

For what it’s worth, here’s my thoughts on some of the key features that make photography fun for me. You may agree or disagree. Either way - please let me know what features matter most to you, on your own personal photographic quest.

1. Embracing a Positive Philosophy

• Photography isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the process and the experience and the people you meet on the way. Appreciating the act of exploring new places, meeting new people, and discovering beauty in unexpected moments - what could be better.

2. Practicing Mindful Shooting

• Taking time with each shot. There’s no rush. Notice the uniqueness of light and textures. Being present and aware enhances not only the photographs being taken but also the overall experience.

3. Celebrate Your Progress

• Success isn’t about having the most followers or the fanciest equipment. Instead, it’s celebrating those WOW moments.

4. Share and Inspire

• By sharing photographs and the journey, we can inspire others to embark on their own quests and in doing so, promote values such as mindfulness, creativity and equanimity.

Barcelona moped - tI'm a mug for taking photographs of motorcycles and vespas... 

Join a Community

As we continue this journey together, let’s build a space that transcends mere photography tips (although they are important!), focusing more on the enriching, mindful experiences that photography can provide. Let’s inspire each other to see the world that celebrates those “WOW…!” moments.

Feel free to share your own experiences, insights, and photographs in the comments below. I would be delighted if we could support one another in cultivating a positive philosophy and enjoy that elusive quality of equanimity.

Let's travel together - slowly is just fine..! 

What’s next…?

I have enjoyed this post. So what’s next…? Currently, I’m in the process of planning a journey with my fantastic wife and it has given me hope that there’ll be lots of images and experiences that will furnish a few posts and will take us away from philosophy and more towards travel tips and some fun photographs.

Before then, I’m keen to put some thoughts together about iPhone photography, discussing the use of what has fast become my regular backup and on one recent holiday, my main, camera. I’m hoping the comparisons will be positive! So that’s for next week…..

Until then, happy traveling and happy shooting!

Warm regards,

Colin