‘Learning to See Again’

‘‘The art of Nature photography, I believe, can play a key role as we look to repair our relationships with ourselves and each other, and ascend towards a more loving and peaceful haven on earth. Nature photography is a holistic practice that combines the mind, body, and spirit. It has immense potential as a modality for delivering healing to the human soul and bringing humanity back into harmony with the natural world, which, in turn, brings us back into harmony with our deeper self, and each other as a result. Not only do we move energy and emotions through our body as we move across the landscape in search of a photograph, but the very act of creating can help to unburden us of our psychological baggage as we transmute our pain into creative power.

With the trained photographic eye, the artist learns to look beyond the immediately obvious composition for a more unique and interesting perspective on a location. Through the practice of photography, one begins to experiment with different angles and focal lengths in an attempt to create something completely unique and add interest to their creation. It is through the practice of photography that the abstract and out-of-the-box thinkers are rewarded with more interesting, thought-provoking and conversation-opening photographs.

Within the wider world, there is certainly a place for more people who can approach situations and problems from different angles, for more people who are able to see beyond the immediacy of a person’s often unconscious actions and behaviours, for more people who can see deeply into the soul of another with a level of understanding and empathy that can only lead to forgiveness, acceptance, and unconditional love.

The camera is a vehicle that can carry us towards a place of deep healing, resulting in self-acceptance, and, therefore, acceptance of others. Nature, I believe, is the portal through which we now need to travel if we wish to reverse the damage of the past and co-create a more peaceful, harmonious and loving world to exist in tomorrow.’’

First published in On Landscape, November 2024.