Photography As Therapy 

This is how I make my digital photos look like warm film - www.lucylumen.com/shop/p/lucys-warm-film-preset

As a socially awkward kid in the 1960s, I fell in love with photography at the age of 5 and got very serious about it at 12. It became an obsession, and that probably kept me from going off the deep end of depression as a teen. I was later quite glad to have picked up the hobby, as it (plus my interests in many other things) led to a life-long career in the school portrait and yearbook industries. I probably would have died in my 20s if it hadn't been for my love of writing, photography and presentation. It gave me the balls to lose my shyness and the voice to express things that helped people. I'm sure that is true for many who pick up the camera. But let's be clear... It''s not the camera that saves your life. It's what you DO with it that makes all the difference.

Photography is like meditation. When you're in the moment nothing else matters other than what's in your small bubble. 🤩

When I saw the title and Nikon in the thumbnail, I thought this video would be another retelling of how Don McCullin's Nikon F literally saved his life in Cambodia by stopping a bullet. This was so much better. And absolutely, if I’m not making images, developing film, writing music, performing or practicing my saxophone every day I feel like a total vapid slug.

AMEN Lucy, I have Autism, and this is why I do it, you just ran through most of it, but also for the 'attention' issues of autism this is fantastic, the contact with community (also include the camera shop staff, who are essential to shooting, getting film, etc) but one other, the camera itself is a "fidget spinner" winding on, rewinding, clicking the apature ring, all are sensory stimmulating activities, and if you use MF the loading and swapping of backs to, and just getting a focussed shot handheld, is an acheivement, which in itself is good for mental health, the success in acheiving a skill, or the final solution to a problem you are having, eg, glare in images, composition, light, perspective, or even just the sudden "aha" moment, when you discover the film stock you like, and can deal with!! all of these can brighten your week, or in ASD increase ones capacity to do other everyday things.

Really appreciate you articulating this valuable concept. When my late Father died, I nearly slipped back to all of my self-destructive habits, yet (along with being incredibly fortunate to have an excellent support network) photography and videography saved me. Nobody has ever articulated this until now. Thank you.

Glad to see a video on this topic. This is so true for me, my photography practice has been a big part of my mental health program. Interesting fact...I've been tracking my HRV (Heart Rate Variability) over the past year, which is a physiological indicator of our heart/nervous system's health and overall well-being. I exercise regularly and yet my HRV is always consistent, tracking in the middle ranges of "normal". However, every day that I go out and photograph I notice a profound increase in my HRV score, usually around 20 points higher than my average. It's a sign that I need to get out and photograph more. Thanks for the inspiration Lucy, Love your channel!

Omg i literally facepalmed at the incident exercise part - how did I not think of that!😅😂 I've been struggling to get motivated to go out on walks for mental health but framing it (pun intended) as a photowalk is so much more exciting!❤ thank u Lucy.

I've been calling my photography my therapy for some time now. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this and I can really relate to the mindfullness aspect. You are so right about escaping when out taking photographs. Thank you.

My film photography is huge for my mental health thanks for sharing this, hit home.

Sometimes it can literally save your life. A camera repairman told me the story of his customer who used to be in the special service. Once during a holiday he was robbed by 2 guys. He took one out with his Olympus OM-2 kit, which gave him the time to take out the other one too. And my Nikons (F2 and Nikkormats) are even heavier.

Yes, to all these things! During some of the stricter restrictions we had in Ontario, photography would get me out of the house or out of the office that could be enjoyed without running into trouble. Also, in the way of communities, if there isn't one in your area, take the plunge, and start one yourself! That's how I formed the Toronto Film Shooters Meetup, which has been going strong for ten years now!

Photography has helped me a lot to connect to my surroundings. Especially after emigrating to the Netherlands. Instead of dissociating it makes my surrounding part of my life and through my own perspective. It has also forced me to revisit places and make it feel like home, or seek out new places that my normal life won't take me to. So my sense of my surroundings grows :) Plus it just gets me out of my head. Good video topic, Lucy!

Thank you so much for this post 🥰 my cameras have many times kept me from the brink of despair ❤

Yes! love all of these great points. Photowalks are the best especially when a friend comes along, because you have that social connection irl too!💮✨

Thank you for this! So helpful!

Photography is cheaper than mental therapy. I totally agree that just getting out and taking pix - no matter if they’re rubbish or amazing - offers a mind space that doesn’t include my worries. It’s a mind-liberating place to be. One has to be mindful when photographing. I’m bipolar - making images keeps me sane.

Conversely, photography is one of those hobbies/professions that can, if you’re not careful, be counterintuitive into to good mindfulness if you start staring down the rabbit hole of GAS in the pursuit of better results etc. GXAce said a brilliant phrase in his last video ‘choice paralysis’ - and it was a timely reminder to myself that I had started (again) chasing gear and it wasn’t making me happy. Stripping it right back with my Leica M9 and Voigtlander 35mm is such an enjoyable process. Shoot what makes your happy.

I'm a software engineer, I'm in front of a screen 9-5, photography is my way of getting outdoors and clearing my head before&after work

Thank you for this perspective. I hadn't quite considered how much I subconsciously value my photography. Your video popped up in my suggested so I decided to stream it in the living room with my 13 yr old daughter. Half way through your video, she tells me, "So this is why you take pictures dad?" Kind of eye opening for me. Thanks again, I am definitely going to heed the advice of leveraging my time between consumption versus creation.

Creativity is the key to a happy life. Photography I think represents the “democratization” of creativity as it’s way easier (at the introductory level anyway) than musicianship or painting

Photography sure is good for the soul.Thanks for sharing👍🏻

My favourite set up is just like yours in this video! I LOVE FM2 and connected to it Nikkor 50 1.4D not long ago!

I took up photography after a divorce about 23 years ago. Started with a Canon Rebel G film camera because it was affordable and allowed me to do more than just point and shoot. I took a photography class and got a little better at it. It wasn't until I started finding ways to build the hobby into my professional job (teaching). I have had a lot of ups and downs over the years, but a constant that has helped my mental health has been the camera. However, I do have a friend for whom photography has created a lot of anxiety because he is good and so people take advantage of him, which can really throw him into a frenzy. There is definitely a lot of potential for mental health help, but we are all individuals.

when people ask me what my secret is to being able to pass all my courses in university, I tell them that i just study a lot but little did they know that I take care of my mental health and photography plays a very important role in that

Create more than consume is such a big point!

I saw your post earlier on Instagram and came to find this. When I create my photos -especially in the wild, everything is quiet, as quiet as life can be. It’s so hard when you create new photos daily to find new stuff to take photos of. It’s habit that I cannot break, even when all I want to do is lay in behind after a long day of standing at work. Thank you for creating this.

Getting out and shooting on the weekends is icing on the cake. My girlfriend and I usually wind up doing 4-6km photowalks on Saturdays, and that's on top of the average of 20-26km of walking I do the rest of the week. Throw in a camera backpack full of gear, you have some resitance to add to the equation. I'm also dealing with what I term the never ending adventures in elder care with my mom, won't go into detail but photography provides a creative stress release for me.

Good post. I am involved with a group of guys who are keen on photography and have Parkinsons Disease.We are not exceptional photographers but we enjoy meeting with each other and having a good time together. The photography is just a vehicle we use. I don't have Parkinsons but have had serious depression in the past and photography has been a part of the getting through that.

Photography has help me to actually SEE the world. I had an art teacher that had a great influence on how I see things in front and around me. I now instinctively scan what's around me looking for beauty, strange things, patterns, interesting people, etc. even if I don't have a camera with me. I am forever grateful to that teacher for helping me to see 50+ years ago...

Thank you.this is so helpful to me❤

I don't know about my camera, but I used my monopod to fend off a mugger. That was a bit hairy.

There is much truth in what you say. I have recently retired and my camera gets me out on photo walks, either alone, or in company with others. When alone I often talk to those people I stop on the street for the purpose of taking their portrait. The act of talking to strangers certainly enhances my day, and it seems to do the same for them. I have also joined the U3A and our camera group has given me a whole new circle of social contacts. The business of creating something with my camera is a very positive part of my day to day life.

Excellent! So many great points made here! It’s about so much more than just making photos 💚👏🏼.

After three days of rain and thunderstorms, I am desperate for some sunshine. Lucy Lumen provides it in Australian-sized loads! :-)

I always get positive vibes from your videos! Hope you are feeling better :)

process enough film and you almost enter a state of Nirvāṇa for 12 minutes

This was a very insightful video. I’ve never thought of photography, mental therapy, and exercise. Itas all potentially being co-joined. But 😂 like your ideas here. Keep up the great work and thank you. 😊

These videos are so well produced lately , love it 🌟

Absolutely bang on. Photography gives me purpose, we all need purpose. Great content Lucy.

photography makes me wanna go for walks more, adding the joy of taking pictures, wich helps me fighting my chronic depression

Lucy you just touched upon a subject I have been giving recent thought to. Creativity. If a person just sits around eating a frozen dinner watching television, goes to their boring job then repeats this process day after day they might want to apply for living dead status. My advice.? Paint, write, invent, cook, study, try woodworking or best yet, photograph. You are correct as it can keep us sane but it gives us life. Thanks for the video.

photography has truly saved me.

I spy a mini orange big muff! ❤

Going out and shoot for just one hour per day completely changed the way I lived during the pandemic, isolated the rest of the time for three months. Going back home, I looked at the photos, made a selection, and at a certain point I started editing for a handmade zine that I finished at the end of the lockdown. Certainly the best way for me not to run in cercles all day long. I never felt I was a prisoner (mostly comfortable). It also helped me to built a style and understand more what I was looking for in photography. Mental health was part of it. Of course, nobody's perfect. I'm on holiday, it's rainy... Next time I'll buy insurance for good weather. I finally cracked and bought a Canon 5D mark II that I don't need and even worse isn't my style of cameras. I think I'll sell it very soon and think a little more about what you said here.

I used a Olympus Pen F T and I used a Fuji Natura 1600

Nice (and accurate) take 👍👍

When carrying old gear you got a topic to talk about...with people you meet along the way. Regularly I get comments on my retro looking Fuji X100 😊 As for creativity...don't want to be creative just take pictures that for what ever reason you need to take. Also very nice to try is focal lenghts that you do not use very often. Thinking in concept works when it works but it might limit your opportunity.

Average length of video in my watch history is like 20 minutes at least. Most of them are science videos and such. Personally I don't get the short form content. I'm trying to go for at least one photo walk a week for hour or two. Helped me so much with my focus on photography.

Very true! Taking the time to use my daily carry really helps to unwind after a tough day/week at work. This week is different for me, because I took the week off. I've been riding my bicycle for several hours every day the past couple of days with a couple of digicams in my bag for those rides. I have spent the evenings processing/editing photos getting them ready for Instagram. There are a bunch of shots ready for upload from the past couple of days (and the past month or so as work has been tougher than usual - and that's saying something), so be careful what you wish for Lucy 😉 I'll tag you in a few of my favorite shots once I get to the actual Instagram posting...

Probably why I started as a little boy.

Keep up the great content. Have you done any videos on starting your own photography club? I'm sure you'll reach a million viewers Your amazing.

My FED 5 is also a self defense weapon if someone atacks me, that would also save my life, ahahahah

True

And...I spy 3 guitars :) !

I call it active meditation.

If you are feeling suicidal best call you local mental health emergency help line.

Talk about saving my life. Last fall I started a project on my obesity and recently have it shown in a gallery and two future exhibitions which is really cool. But better is that I have lost 60lbs and still losing.

Hi Lucy , I love your videos . I too am a mom of young babies and I love using photography as my own personal time to catch a break from the craziness of motherhood . Can you please share where you get your colorful camera straps from ? I love the green one and yellow ones you use 😊

The colours in your videos look so good. May I ask which camera you use for video recording? Thanks

Indeed photography can take you on a journey out to the world and into yourself, and totally change your life. Pretty much like "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty"

Is the lens on that Nikon any good sis?

"I bet you LOVE your camera collection" How did you know?!

Benim sevgilim bu

Actually your camera is not doing all those things. You are. Your camera is just a tool that you happen to be using.

Nikon FM2 since when ? x