Explore and be inspired by some of the entries from the participants of our July Mindfulness Month challenge. Think what would you photograph and how and try capturing a photo in the way you see it.
July is Mindfulness Month, and every year we host the Mindfulness Month challenge with our Excio members. Participants receive a new prompt each day on a topic that inspires mindfulness practice, and then simply take and share a photo. While it sounds like a well-known concept, the idea of connecting photography to mindfulness is, sadly, still not well understood.
What is mindfulness? Some ancient practices describe our usual state of mind and heart as ‘being asleep’. But there is another way of being, one that offers a quantum leap in the quality of life. This way of being involves a lasting shift in how we see and relate to life. In this state, our consciousness is filled with abundant goodwill and compassion for all beings—whoever they are and whatever they may have done. It is about ‘being awake’.
While there has been a surge of interest in exploring different practices to experience and learn this state of being, photographers have an advantage. We can utilise our cameras and love for photography to stay ‘awake’. Exploring mindfulness and being present in the moment opens a door to wider transformation.
After every Mindfulness Month challenge, we hear from our members that by thinking about daily themes and capturing photos reflecting those themes, they undergo transformation. This change affects how they experience life more generally and improves their skills and techniques in managing attention, focus, thoughts, and feelings.
Here we feature some of the entries from participants along with the daily themes. Think for yourself and try capturing a photograph in the way you see it. Practising mindfulness doesn’t have to stop at the end of July. It should ideally continue all year round. If you missed our challenge this time, don’t worry—we have Weekly Challenges where you are welcome to take part!
The delicacy of nature by Damon MarshallI can see by Noelle Bennett. I can see a person standing strong, supporting a friend who feels as though their world is falling apart. Because of that unwavering support, the friend begins to feel empowered to share their burden.Observation by Kelvin Wright. To photograph birds, I have to look closely to learn and anticipate their movements. But one of the things I love most about it is that the finished picture allows me to see so much that I cannot see without the aid of the camera: the intricate patterns of the feathers and the delicate ring around the eye; the brightness and color of the eyes; the tiny, strong beak; and the real sense of another consciousness behind the brown eyes.Observation by Penny Milner.Walking around the Wynyard Quarter, there’s a fence full of padlocks. I’m always drawn to the green one. I wonder who N + A are and what their story is.Morning stillness by Damon Marshallhealing in nature by Penny Milner. I’ve always lived close to some form of water. Calming, moody, invigorating—a constant, joyous presence that puts life into perspective. Water can reflect it all, providing healing.The power of touch by Damon MarshallWater's tranquility by Debra Metcalfe. I took this photo of the Wairoa River in Dargaville one foggy morning. It really captures the sentiment of that moment—it was eerily tranquil.The warmth of the sun by Ruth BoereQuiet contemplation by Sandy McClearyThe art of waiting by Mike Milsom. These King Penguins have mastered the art of waiting... for the egg to hatch. Photo taken at Bluff Cove in the Falkland Islands.Photo taken at Bluff Cove in the Falkland Islands.The art of waiting by Rudolph KotzeSerenity in solitude by Kelvin WrightQuiet contemplation by Damon MarshallThe view out the window by Ann KilpatrickThe delicacy of nature by Sandy McCleary. A tiny insect’s balancing act on the delicate fronds of some moss.I can feel... the power by Ruth BoereThe beauty of decay by Ann KilpatrickThe geometry of shapes by Dafydd DaviesCalming colours by Sandy McClearyObservation by Dafydd DaviesCalming colours by Kelvin WrightEnergising colours by Dafydd DaviesSoft focus by Debra MetcalfeSoft focus by Joy TraceyLetting go by Dafydd DaviesI can see... by Damon Marshall. I can see streaks of light shining through the darkness. No matter what happened yesterday, today holds a fresh canvas of opportunity for us to paint our own picture.The joy of colour by Debra MetcalfeWarmth of the sun by Rudolph Kotze. This lion at Wellington Zoo is doing what we often feel like—taking a nap and basking in the sun’s rays.I can hear by Kelvin Wright. We live about 1 km from the ocean beach. After a southerly wind, the sound of the waves is present all night. It sounds powerful, but also strangely comforting.
In this article, Peter Laurenson revisits New Zealand’s Cobb Valley, retracing a trail he first explored with his son over two decades ago. He shares his journey through tranquil beech forests, past rustic huts, and up karst slopes to the summit of Xenicus Peak.
