When Photography Is Time And Mental Wealth
Looking at wealth through a fresh lens
The pandemic brought a certain change in the mindset of people all over the world. Many realised that “time wealth” and “mental wealth” were far more important than financial wealth. People realised that family time and pursuing one’s interests are what make for holistic living.
When I think about it, for me both these, i.e., time, wealth and mental wealth, are related to the practice of photography. Photography provides me with hope, clarity and a path to lead a creative life.
Most people might think that time wealth is about having a lot of free time on their hands. But the term actually means using time in the manner one intended to do, especially to do what one is interested in. For example, photography as time wealth could mean slowing down and observing the world around.
It can mean that one can savour the ordinary and extraordinary moments and freeze the ones that are inspiring. Imagine pausing from a busy world obsessed with timelines and financial wealth to give time to what one thinks is valuable.
Time wealth is about quietude, moments where one is out in nature exploring the light, the mist and the fog. How lovely to forget the world and do your own thing! The joy in moments “stolen” from a busy world and life can help build time wealth.
Time wealth is about reclaiming the me time from the world. It means to see the world, to understand it through the lens of one’s own heart. To follow one’s curiosity and capture that which means something to you.
Mental wealth would probably mean moving away from the noise outside and quietening the mind. Mental wealth in relation to photography would then mean being in a sort of meditative state of being. In short, it means to photograph mindfully, taking in each moment at a time.
Mental wealth is possible when we make sure that the inner noise fades out. This happens organically when we gently focus on the beauty that is absorbing and delightful around us. One becomes aware of the patterns, symmetries, light, contrasts and the texture around when one is mindful.
Mental wealth is at its optimum when we are aware of ourselves in the present moment and when our noisy thoughts settle down. Imagine photographing with such a state of mind. I think what time and mental wealth do is make the photography process artistic and creative.
In the end, great photography is about how we respond to things and when we see in unique ways. I think that having a high dose of mental and time wealth this possible for us.
