Written by Jennifer Hahn Masterson, Lifestyle Blogger & Senior Content Strategist
Nature in and of itself can be very healing, both to the mind and the body. The fresh air, the breeze, and the physical activity are all beneficial to us. So, if you have had any doubts about whether nature photography is right for you, we are here to tell you why you should pick your camera and head on outside. Read along the following lines to find out.
Get inspired by nature
Once you actually decide to go out and start exploring, you might just be amazed by everything you see. It is not uncommon to be overwhelmed at first at the grandiose feeling nature will inspire in you, as well as the feeling of belonging. But don’t fret, that feeling of being overwhelmed is the good kind, not the daily kind we all struggle with. In fact, it may even help you overcome some negative effects of life.
Once you connect to nature and start spending more time outdoors, you will start to feel accepted and a part of nature. Nature is so powerful, that it can even make you reassess your life choices, and change the aspects you are not content with, just to have that feeling of serenity in your everyday life.
Reduce stress
As we have already stated, the serenity that nature induces is one of its biggest perks. It is known that photos of nature can have a calming effect, especially those of lush, green areas. So if you ever feel stress during your day (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t have stress in their everyday life?), use your lunchtime to go to a park nearby and snap a few photos just for your peace of mind.
Or, instead of taking a ride home, take a walk, at least for a couple blocks, and look at the nature and what you can capture in a photo. That way, you are deliberately taking your mind off of problems, and focusing on the surrounding beauty, making it be your ally.
Also, by taking a walk, you are helping your body decompress after a long, stressful day by keeping the blood flow.
Stay active
Staying active is one of the key aspects of nature photography. Nature will not wait for anyone, so the photographer needs to be agile and fast to capture all the moments they want. The light might change in just a couple of minutes, or a shade might cover the item you are photographing. As this innovative master’s degree in photography explains, the best photographers are those who stay active, effective and conscious. Photography is a trade, and your body needs to be ready to move promptly, crouch, kneel, run or simply stand still for long periods of time.
Another reason to stay active is the fact that you may encounter different terrains in your exploration of nature, and different climate changes. The better your body is prepared, the better the chances are that you will not have difficulties executing your task.
Love the simplest of things
As children, we find everything fascinating. We get delighted over such simple, common things, like leaves, grass, wood planks… And as children, we are carefree and happy. Why not transfer the same mindset into our adulthood, too? In the autumn, view the leaves that have fallen on the ground as a majestic playground that crumbles beneath your feet.
In the summer, look at the sun rays going through lush canopies and falling on the ground. Listen to the raindrops and how they make music upon hitting metal. Alter the way you think and feel, and instead of just passing by all the beautiful nature surrounding you, purposefully
Let the color palette work in your favor
Frequent exposure to calming colors, such as green, are known to help reduce stress long-term. Even people who have had anger issues in the past are more calm and relaxed.
Deep greens can help alleviate the feeling of nerves, being jumpy, and make you feel more grounded, rooted. Funny how the words for being calm all correspond to nature. So, why not let that work in your favor?
Yellows can boost your memory, make you feel more energized and active, and brown promotes the feeling of comfort and security. So, autumn is the best time of the year to just get a cozy scarf on, get your camera, and get outside to enjoy the lush colour palette of greens, yellows, and browns. Be careful, though, brown can also make you feel sad, isolated and alone. So, pick the spots that have more yellow and less brown, or – take a friend!
Now that you know the effects of nature on your mind and body, we hope you decide to explore it more, and make photography your regular hobby.
About the Author
Jennifer Hahn Masterson is a lifestyle blogger and senior content strategist at Spread the Word Solutions, having a keen interest in a wide array of topics related health, design, fashion and travels. In her leisure time, she likes to immerse herself in a good book and try to satisfy her perpetual wanderlust. You can check her out on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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