Healing Your Mind and Body Through Nature Photography

Introductionnature photography technique requires practice
The Hobby of Nature photography as anwith various settings, and will generate a sense of
alternative to synthetic medicine can help thosefun and playing that brings back childhood feelings
who suffer from anxiety and depression,of happiness and joy.
experience the peaceful beauty of creation.Birds and Wildlife
Specifically, nature photography can help separateIf still subjects and static photography seem
mankind from common modern day thoughts,uninteresting, then focus can be shifted to wildlife
helping to focus and meditate on the peacefulnature photography. Birding for instance, is a very
harmony that exists in flowers, wildlife, waterfalls,popular area of nature photography that can
mountains, trees and the sky. Although it is niceutilize a new technique called Digiscoping. This
to just visit a park or other recreational area,technique typically uses an inexpensive point and
nature photography forces an individual to narrowshoot camera, combined with a tripod mounted
his or her thoughts on a specific subject whilespotting or telescope. Amazing results have been
blocking all else out.produced with this popular area of wildlife nature
Documented Evidencephotography. Whenever pleasing results are
Studies suggest that "contact with nature seemsproduced after experimenting and testing
to be good for health" (American Journal of Publictechniques, confidence and encouragement tend
Health [AJPH], 2003) and that "there is evidenceto dispel anxiety and fear.
that nature views speed recovery amongViewfinders opposed to LCD preview screens,
postoperative patients." According to Frumkinreduce external distractions by limiting the area of
(2003), some of the benefits which have beenview that can be seen. Many details cannot be
documented state that children with ADD improveclearly viewed or perceived through an LCD
their attention, troubled city girls self-disciplinescreen although they do work well in situations
improves, there is a lower death rate in elderly,when it is not possible to use the viewfinder.
and children in general have stronger emotionalWhether paying attention to the macro details of
stability from mid-childhood to teenage years.a flower petal; or adjusting focus and aperture to
These studies prove what God's word hascapture the clarity of the surround landscape in a
revealed to man for thousands of years "Awaterfall scene, nature photography requires one
merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Kingto clear all other thoughts from their mind.
James Bible [KJV], 1611), King Solomon wroteReasonable excuses, why not?
several scriptures regarding the affect a merryYes, there are a lot of reasons that one may not
heart can have on health.want to consider nature photography; however,
Nature Photography subjects and methodsthere are just as many answers as to why not?
FlowersIt does not hurt to try a remedy to worries,
Various subjects exist in nature photography andanxiety and depression, but the effects from not
some may bring more stress relief than others.trying will certainly not be any better.
Flowers for example, have a natural aestheticallyI do not live near nature
pleasing look and can bring to memoryEven in the most populated metropolitan areas,
wonderfully peaceful scriptures from the Bible.there are parks and recreation areas where one
Jesus taught at the Sermon on the Mount (30can begin to experience nature. The possibility to
A.D.) Consider the lilies of the field, how theyinteract with nature is all around, even as close as
grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:in the backyards and neighborhoods or the busiest
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in alltowns and cities.
his glory was not arrayed like one of these.I am allergic to flowers
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,Most floral photography is accomplished with a
which to day is, and to morrow is cast into thetelephoto lens or a lens that is zoomed to a
oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye oftelephoto range in order to allow macro
little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30)photography settings. This would keep a distance
Thoughts of provision for our needs, even whenfrom high exposures of pollen. In addition, it is
we are incapable of helping ourselves seemeasy to find a particle mask to cover your mouth
impossible, where there is little or no faith.and nose when in areas you may be exposed.
However, through considering the flowers, theirIt is too expensive
beauty, and their care from the Heavenly FatherMany point and shoot cameras can easily reach
it is possible to understand and realize thatresolutions of 8 to 12 mega pixels and can cost
mankind is made in his image and that he will takeas less as $75. It is certainly feasible for anyone
better care of man than even the most beautifulto become involved in nature photography.
rose, through faith.Conclusion
WaterfallsNatural remedies to health problems have existed
When listening to the sounds of rushing water,for thousands of years, just as long as time itself.
and watching the magnificent display of powerOften our society tries to find the answer in
and unyielding strength as it cascades over adeeply founded research and technology, when
precipice; many will experience a peaceful andthe answers are already plain and obvious. This
tranquil feeling. Waterfalls are very beautiful andnatural form of meditation helps to bring a peace
help to drown out the noise of talking, telephones,within and a rewarded feeling of capturing these
music and television. Long exposure waterfallmoments; allowing reflection at a later time to
photography (5-30 seconds) adds a surreal effectspark fond memories when times of trouble and
to the scenic beauty of a waterfall. The resultsworry rise again. Very few hobbies exist that are
from this type of nature photography areso rewarding, and actually bring man and woman
rewarding, very artistic and are highly prizedback into the perspective that was originally
among nature photographers. This advancedintended in The Garden of Eden.