Photography and Mental Health

Those who suffer from mental health issues may benefit from an absorbing hobby such as photography. Dedicating yourself to a creative pastime can give your mind a restorative focus. I've been using photography in that way on and off for years. It isn't particularly easy, and all things considered it certainly isn't cheap, but photography can be rewarding.

For some enthusiasts their photographic journey demands they dig deep if they are to keep going when zeal begins to wane and their minds are being shredded by persistent 'depression'. Their photo projects have to become much more than a hopeful change in routine. They need structure and commitment that translates into activities and achievements.

Photo projects have to become much more than a hopeful change in routine

Hobbyists have to commit thoroughly, even those with recurrent hang-ups and hurting bodies. With me it's a combination of age, wear-and-tear and mental oppression. Little wonder it’s too much for some. I have to admire, then, those amateurs and professionals who persevere and regularly have images to share. These images may not be stellar, but that's not the point.

Over recent months I've seen a few of these photographers online. They're made of good stuff. They inspire me. I admire in particular those who say photography has significantly helped their mental health problems, or eased their devastating struggles with addiction, grief and failure. This is encouraging.

Endless problem-solving grinds down most of us and makes mental oppression feel markedly worse. But some say they benefit from stubborn challenges. That tends not to be my experience. More often than not, life's interminable uphill slogs eat away my ability to endure, and can even undermine my spiritual health.

However, there's no doubt that when I make progress in my photography projects, no matter how modest, I always end up enjoying the creative process. And that's key. Without lowering our standards, we all need the encouragement that satisfaction and accomplishments bring. It's the way fussy creators are wired!

We all need the encouragement that satisfaction and accomplishments bring

If you happened to land here during a search and you're intending to get into photography to help control your mind, I may be able to offer some general advice. Even if you can afford to drop £6000 or more on a fantastic new camera and a few high quality lenses, maybe it's best to buy used instead and move forward from there. Grow into your hobby and see what gear fits. Consider too how powerful a computer you might need.

And be sure to take the time to research what software to get. If you think editing RAW images in detail will matter to you, you may want to take a close look at the software Adobe rents out (expensively). Or if you think you'll prefer to use a range of straightforward powerful tools to get impressive results for most images, check out the likes of Luminar Neo.

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Recently I threw my heavier-than-I-remembered camera bag on my back and tramped off into my local woods on a sunny morning in late September. It had been one year almost to the day since I’d last went out with the used Fujifilm X-T3 I’d bought three years ago.

That's not very impressive—three years gone and barely any photos to show for it, although last spring I had taken images of a premium Bible (see below), and my local landmark where I often go to sit and ease my mind. But it’s always easier to slump into a comfy armchair and work at nothing while getting flabby and lazy. Some of us need to dig deep to make good progress.

The images I got last week were below average, as you can see. But it was a start—yet again. I very much enjoyed the process. Perseverance was rewarded! With autumn on the way, I’m looking forward to the next time, and that will be soon...if life allows.

I'm painfully aware that each day is a bonus I don't deserve. Choking on our many failures can be the hardest part. But pressing on isn't optional, especially if there are others who need us.

I set the camera up in the middle of a lane that's seldom used. It allowed me to view the main path through a long lens.

Barely worth the effort, but useful for practising, and I like it anyway.

Here I used the warm light of 2 LED lamps to bring out near detail in the dark wall. I shot several images at f8, each focussed at a different point right through to the far bend in the path where a robin was keeping an eye on me. At the computer I focus-stacked the images in Affinity Photo 2.

There's always a critical eye. This detail was upscaled in Gigapixel AI, but the bark on the left looks all wrong to me.

An attempt at a product shot using a large reflector to bring out the gold lettering.

Eventually it turned out to be a tricky exposure in low light.

A touristy shot of a local landmark. A single shot was processed twice for the sky and everything else, then blended.

Fujifilm X-T3 self-portrait.