As my photography journey has progressed, I have come to understand the significance of incorporating certain rituals into my practice. At first, I was overly consumed by technicalities such as ISO, aperture, and carrying a multitude of lenses, leading to indecision and a cluttered mindset. However, through continuous practice, I have developed routines that allow me to calm my mind and open myself up to new possibilities in my art.
Do Not Disturb ☾
The moment I decide that I want to go out to make images, I do the following:
I make sure that what wearing that day, serves the amount of planned walking. I also make sure to hydrate before leaving.
I set my destination on Google maps and the mode of transportation is walking. I also turn on voice only on notifications. 📍I have found that walking allows me to see a range of everyday life in different areas. Walking from the outer city area to the city center has added a unique view for me
I follow this by asking Siri to play music by my current go-to artist, Phillip Glass. I came to appreciate Glass only after watching Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters and the documentary The Thin Blue Line. The works I have been enjoying have been Glassworks ( Expanded Edition) and Solo Piano
The phone goes on Do Not Disturb and right into my camera bag. I allow myself to be in the moment and be present. Personally, meditation has helped me with being present which has helped me become more "sensitive" to creativity.
Camera Settings
My cameras are set up practically the same across the board, the purpose is to reduce overthinking my settings while I'm out. I'll share my setting on the last camera I picked up; The Sony A7
I always shoot in Raw
Auto White Balance
Airplane Mode on
Audio Off
Image Preview Off
Aperture Priority | Manual Mode with a set shutter speed of 1/500
Auto ISO (100-6400)
Multi Metering Mode
I shoot Manual Focus lenses that are pre-focused
I have found that this setup frees up my attention and leads to a more intentional shooting experience.
Mindset
I go out without the pressure of creating an image. The day unfolds, and I am happy to capture whatever happens throughout my time out
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, incorporating mindfulness into your photography practice can help you tap into your creativity and bring a deeper sense of purpose and enjoyment to your work. By simplifying your process and focusing on the present moment, you can create images that are unique and meaningful to you. Remember, the key is to be patient, and open-minded, and keep experimenting. Your personal mindfulness ritual will continue to evolve and grow over time, just as your photography skills will. So keep shooting, keep learning, and enjoy the journey.