Photography & Me

I'll dive straight in. I've been struggling with anxiety & depression for a while now.

There are only a few things that make me happy. Seeing my daughter, girlfriend & taking pictures.

The world is a glorious place. I'm lucky to live on the coast so we have access to many beaches and also parks here in Wales. When I'm taking pictures, all my troubles seem to leave me. I could spend hours walking around. I've spent up to an hour sat watching squirrels once. It was amazing.

Last night I shot the sunset which I posted in another thread. I've never felt that relaxed in a long time and if it didn't get so cold, I would have fallen asleep!

What I'm trying to say is that photography is amazing. It gives me such a good feeling, and it makes me feel that I'm kinda good at something.

Does anyone else use this hobby to help them?

Thanks,

Ryan.

Nice honest post.

I too suffer a little with anxiety and a little depression - photography is my savoir. If I did not have my camera, I probably would not go out into the outside world.

The best thing I did was to join a camera club - the weekly social gets me out to a regular group of (now) friends, and through them have days out (with the camera).

I'm currently on leave from work (a weeks holiday), and will head to Wales this afternoon with the tent, and stop at a little campsite and watch the world go by. I hope to get some night sky shots, a sunset or two and with a bit of luck, some low fly military action.

It's going to be a bit chilly at night, but I'm really looking forward to some "time out".

Cheers
Lawrence

Pricey wrote in post #18153813
I've been struggling with anxiety & depression for a while now. . . .

What I'm trying to say is that photography is amazing. It gives me such a good feeling, and it makes me feel that I'm kinda good at something.

Does anyone else use this hobby to help them?

I think many people do, only they're not all so self-aware about it. Outdoor photography has so many mood lifters going for it: physical exercise, getting out into nature, having definite short-term goals that add structure to your day (get those shots, find that bird, bring home something to post or show around) and maybe a long-term goal (improve a skill), sensory stimulation (nature's colors, sounds, smells), using your mind to pay attention and make decisions, and a sense of accomplishment. This list may even leave things out!

Photography gets me out of the house. Getting out of the house, walking, kayaking, hiking, building stuff, exploring, out in the sun, it's a mix of mild exercise and sunshine--natural ways to lift the spirits.

Very best,

I've had many health issues in the past and photography has got me thru a lot of rough times when I was on dialysis I found things inside my house to photograph I learned a lot about macro photography, After my transplant I started taking landscape photos and that helped to get me outside, As a result my wife and I have been fortunate enough to see things that a lot of people will never see.

Pricey wrote in post #18153813
I'll dive straight in. I've been struggling with anxiety & depression for a while now.

There are only a few things that make me happy. Seeing my daughter, girlfriend & taking pictures.

The world is a glorious place. I'm lucky to live on the coast so we have access to many beaches and also parks here in Wales. When I'm taking pictures, all my troubles seem to leave me. I could spend hours walking around. I've spent up to an hour sat watching squirrels once. It was amazing.

Last night I shot the sunset which I posted in another thread. I've never felt that relaxed in a long time and if it didn't get so cold, I would have fallen asleep!

What I'm trying to say is that photography is amazing. It gives me such a good feeling, and it makes me feel that I'm kinda good at something.

Does anyone else use this hobby to help them?

Thanks,

Ryan.

Good post.
Photography has added a few friends, people I am very honored to associate with.
Add the music I listen to when planning a photo outing, driving to a location, or otherwise involved in the activity- and it's as close to perfect as I expect to find. Always looking for "Photo Music." It is a wide ranging mix for me.

I was never into photography until two things happened.

1. Family has grown. We needed to buy DSLR instead of paying for pictures. In addition to taking family pictures I started to take pictures of absolutely everything. It was great personal entertaining, but not for the family...

2. I started to travel for work alone and instead of sitting in the bar after work I started to walk. At some point I switched from tourist digital photography to film street photography on darkroom prints. This one keeps me exited, but family isn't happy about it much....

Sounds like great therapy and a very healthy way to deal with life's problems.

I can relate.

All the best,
Mike