The Wonder Compass: Mindfulness Nature Photography

Words & photos by Molly Triplett

Growing up as an apprentice to nature, I had the opportunity early on to find vast internal and external stillness while moving through the wooded trails and open fields where I was raised.

On horseback, I had a perfect vantage point from which to witness hawks soaring above and a myriad of four-legged furry creatures scurrying below.

There is a rhythm to riding on horseback; a circadian, repetitious beat of hoof falls upon rock and dirt. The sounds expand on a trail ride to include birds, the wind and the saddle creaking beneath you. 

This is where my lifelong quest began, a quest to still my monkey mind and sink into the experience of nature and, ultimately, to hear and trust my own heart’s voice inside my chest.

                    A WALK IN THE WOODS

Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as, “The awareness that arises through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” 

The brilliance of mindfulness is that it can infuse every precious moment of life. Mindfulness can act as our constant companion through the day; reminding us over and over to come back to the present and all of its brilliant light, colour, form and texture.

Over time, I began to realize the potency of focussing on my breath as I walked, camera in hand, through the woods every day near my house. Before entering the woods, I centred myself by breathing out, rooting my breath down; grounding into the earth. Next, I breathed in and up through the heart and onward into the sky above; finally bringing it back again and again with the powerful infinity breath. 

With an internal focus on the breath (and, if the mind is particularly chatty, adding a mantra with the in and out breath) I began to notice the woods shift around me. In answer to my internal stillness and vocal silence, the woods began to speak and I focussed on listening.

Living in the Northwest of the US, the palette of colour is often dominated by the grey canopy of the clouds above. However, no matter what time of year, when one is still, silent and mindful, the colours of the forest begin to burst forth in a language which is always clear, radiant and welcoming. 

By doing our part, stilling the mind through a focus on breath and maybe a simple mantra, the creatures of the woods begin to make themselves known. The internal silence radiates out from the body and presents a welcoming sign of peace toward nature; and the animals of nature begin to move forward in response.

One simple mantra can be, “Love” as you breathe in, and “Gratitude” as you breathe out. If you notice an emotion arising, acknowledge and identify it, then honour and hold space for it, until it dissipates. Healing in all its forms is essentially the act of letting go. 

On a nature walk, we can practice what I call “wondering”, bringing bare attention to the wonders around us, even the most simple leaf form. When our attention is drawn to something, we can bring our attention closer and closer before capturing the image in the moment with our camera.  

This kind of “wondering” is now accessible to anyone, as the cameras on our cell phones are more powerful than large DSLR’s were a decade ago. We have in our pockets at all times a creative means that is able to capture images anytime, anywhere, and share them in any way we choose. This is an awesome opportunity to not only practice mindfulness and present moment awareness, but to sharpen our creative right brain, (the home of vision and sight,) and quiet the relentless mind for a while. 

As we begin to orient ourselves through a busy day to become more present, making time in nature can make for the most peaceful moments of the day, a time to reconnect with the heart centre and our highest intelligence. Vast peace and healing results from connecting to the natural world with your attention, even for a short time. 

When you take a break and walk outside, stand or sit briefly to gather your in and out breath and attention inside you. You may close your eyes and feel if you are being pulled North, South, West or East. Follow that and see where it leads. In every direction, with an inner stillness, there will be visual displays of colour, texture, shadow and light, and endless forms presented by the trees, flowers, leaves, sky, birds, and rocks.  Capture photographs of what you are drawn to, and move on. Try not to bother too much with identifying the names of flowers and trees, as this engages the mind. Stay rooted in the heart centre, and focus on the breath as you walk. Open yourself to listening and to sensations in the body. Open your senses to all that is around you. 

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Here are a few camera tips for capturing great images of nature which are simple and easy to learn. 

First of all, remember this is a mindfulness practice, so we want the camera to be set as simply as possible. Set a DSLR to Auto so you don’t have to fuss over dials and settings as you walk.  Most camera phones are simple to use and require no mental engagement, so they lend themselves very well to the practice of mindful photography. 

Next, there is a fundamental and successful tip that I have always used from my years as a photography student in college. My professor told us to get close, get closer and get closer even more. Cut out any unwanted background or competing forms. Get right to the point of interest that drew you to stop in the first place. Get close and take a few images from different angles if you want. Get as close as you can. 

Finally, before sharing any images, take a minute or two to edit them. Use your camera editing software before sharing. If you are using a DSLR, run the images through whatever software you use on your computer before printing or posting. No matter how skilled a photographer you are, post-processing with a few simple editing tools almost always improves the original image. 

ATTENTION IS INTENTION

Attention is indeed Intention. Focusing on anything is an act of Love.  

Why bother putting attention on Nature?

Healing. You are letting go while swimming in the oxygen and beauty of the woods, or at a lake or park. 

Re-Connecting Internally: Often you will begin your time “wondering” with a backpack of mental or emotional burdens from the day. That backpack is usually lighter as you finish your time in nature. 

Creativity: We are creative beings in a space of vast and endless possibility. Taking photographs is a way to grease the wheels of your creative engine. The more you orient yourself to looking North, South, West and East with your heart as your centre, the natural world will begin and never stop surprising you with its colourful riches. 

Being: This is about how you want to Be in the world.  By becoming settled and comfortable in the seat of the observer through the day, you establish Presence in your life. By spending more time in the Now of your experience, you cultivate improved physical and mental health, improved emotional states and overall wellbeing, joy and contentment with life.  Remember, you are a powerful co-creator with the Universe. You and your camera are establishing and sustaining your unique creative perspective and contribution with all the beautiful images you find and capture. 

BRING THE ENERGY OF NATURE INSIDE

The result of a daily mindful photography practice may leave you with a camera full of images to post daily. This is awesome! Just remember that sometimes there will be photographs that resonate when you look at them, and light you up the most. Try through the year to print some photos as large as possible and hang them in your home and work spaces. The energy of you as the artist in your present moments, combined with your inspired feelings from looking at your images, brings the healing and beauty of nature into the places you live and work. 

We are all energy, as are photographs; and you and others can benefit by hanging your beautiful creations as often as possible!

Molly Triplett began combining mindfulness and photography from a young age. Recently she gained the opportunity to devote all of her time to photographing, writing and teaching fun, transformative & creative art and mindfulness techniques online and through workshops.

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For more of Molly’s writing and photography: www.thewondercompass.com

To find out more about her Mindfulness Nature Photography workshops: thewondercompass@gmail.com