How I Discovered the Superpower of Photography in My Life

My apologies if this sounds like a click bait title. That is not my intention. I really believe that photography has become a superpower in my life. Read on to find out why.

Since the beginning of this year, for various reasons, my photography has taken a bit of a back seat. I went from going out with my camera almost every day, rain or shine, to hardly ever getting out. While the reasons for this we’re genuine and couldn’t be avoided, I did miss my photography.

Two weeks ago I decided to take a holiday to re-charge my batteries and get myself back on a familiar footing. I was looking forward to rest, relaxation, good food, sunshine and some sea swimming, but I also took my small Olympus E-M10 and one lens with me, just in case there would be an opportunity for some photography.

I did enjoy the rest, relaxation, sea swimming, good food and warm temperatures, but it was the photography which made the holiday so memorable, and which renewed my energy and enthusiasm once more.

I spent at least an hour each morning out and about with my camera, taking photographs that I wanted to take, and this is what helped me to leave behind the stress of the last few months.

While the regular holiday activities have come to an end, and they have become almost a distant memory now, my re-connection with photography has endured and it is again providing the release from stress that I need on a daily basis.

I can pinpoint a few reasons why this has happened and why I can call photography my superpower.

·      My photography experience was totally my own. I had at least an hour to myself each morning before my travelling companions surfaced for the day and I took the photographs that I wanted to take, not the regular snapshots that are usually part of holiday photography.

·      I used one camera and one lens, and occasionally my phone camera, and was content with that. I didn’t regret the photos I might have missed, I just enjoyed taking the photo opportunities that were presented to me.

·      Photography encouraged me to travel in a different direction each day, to explore, to discover new places and new things and to enjoy being off the beaten track rather than staying where tourists normally go.

·      Above all, I looked forward to my morning photography time, I re-connected with my passion, and I experienced the joy of holding a camera and creating images purely for enjoyment, without any pressure.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I have always believed that photography is a great way to support our physical and mental health and wellbeing, and for this reason I can call photography a superpower in my life.

(You might like to read my post How Does Photography Support Positive Living? )

Perhaps the main reason I re-discovered the superpower of photography on this holiday is because, although I left behind the sunshine and the warm sea, the interesting culture and the laid back lifestyle, I took my renewed connection to photography home with me and I know it will give me many hours of pleasure as I continue my photography journey wherever I may be.