I’ve been thinking a lot of how photography can help empower us in life, and make us happier.

One of the biggest things that came to mind: photography can be a tool to overcome dissatisfaction in life.

How?

I see photography as a Zen-meditation — a chance for us to appreciate the mundane beauty of everyday life.

Simple satisfaction

Beauty doesn’t have to be fancy. You can find beauty in a plant, growing out of the concrete. You can find beauty in the smile of an old lady. You can find beauty in the patina or the wear-and-tear in a brick wall. You can find beauty in a cup of coffee, at your favorite cafe.

I personally love street photography because it reminds me how beautiful and simple life is. Some of my biggest joys in life is to just enjoy walking — enjoy the fresh air, enjoy the sound of the people on the streets, and the opportunity to document anything I find interesting on the streets.

Is photography helping or hurting you?

One of the biggest problems in photography is that it creates more dissatisfaction in our lives.

For example, a lot of photographers are dissatisfied with the camera, equipment, gear, lenses, that they own. They are always comparing their cameras with others, and honestly — I don’t blame them. I blame the camera companies, modern consumerist/capitalistic society — where our desires are engineered by marketing. After all, if we had no desire, the whole capitalistic engine would fall apart.

My suggestion: find gratitude and satisfaction in the equipment you already have. Then use photography as a tool to find more satisfaction in your life.

How to find satisfaction in your life (with photography):

Some ideas:

1. Be grateful of your loved ones

Use your camera as a tool to photograph and document your loved ones. The sad reality is that one day, they will die (either before you or after you).

Find satisfaction and gratitude in the friends, loved ones, and family members you have. Use photography as a tool to remind yourself of how grateful you are for their company, love, and companionship.

2. Be grateful for walking

I think one of the simplest pleasures in life is walking. Go on a lot of walks, and use photography as an excuse.

Treat the joy of walking as your number one priority, and photography second. Just go on a walk, and take your camera along.

Even if you don’t make any good photos, at least you enjoyed the walk.

3. Enjoy your fleeting pleasures

Fleeting pleasures in life include that nice single-shot of espresso at your favorite coffee shop. It can be that nice meal you have with your friend or loved one. It can be that one interior that inspired you.

Document whatever inspires you, and remember— to look back at your old photos, to re-live your memories, and fleeting experiences and pleasures.

The point of photography is to make photos, so we can look at them again. Don’t always be too focused on making photos all the time — take time to reflect on your old photos too.

Conclusion

If photography is making you more sad and miserable in life, you’re doing something wrong.

Photography should be a tool to give us more satisfaction in life.

A simple last assignment: for a week only use your smartphone (or a simple point and shoot camera) to document your life experiences. Don’t think about making “good photos” — think about living a good life.

Use photography as a tool to find more satisfaction, joy, and happiness in your life. Everything else comes second.

Always,
Eric

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