Capturing Calm: A Mindful Photography Podcast
Ellie Macdonald
4.2from 5 ratings
- 16
- Episodes
- 5
- Ratings
- 2024
- First episode
About Capturing Calm: A Mindful Photography Podcast
Capturing Calm is a podcast that intertwines the art of photography with the practice of mindfulness, creating a unique auditory journey for both photography enthusiasts and those seeking tranquillity in their everyday lives. Each episode delves into the blend of capturing images and capturing the moment, guiding listeners through the serene landscape of mindful photography. capturingcalm.substack.com (https://capturingcalm.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
- Publisher
- Ellie Macdonald
- Category
- arts · health & fitness
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 4 Jan 2024
- Latest episode
- 5 Jul 2024
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
5 Jul 2024
Wildflowers
This week’s mindful photography prompt is "Wildflowers". Wildflowers are nature’s colourful gifts, often found in meadows, along roadsides, or even popping up in unexpected places. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, offering endless opportunities for mindful photography. Share Your Photos! If you capture any wonderful wildflower shots, I'd love to see them! Share your photos with me on Threads - you can drop them in my weekly photography prompts post or tag me in your photos on Instagram. Follow Capturing Calm on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/ (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) Threads: https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm (https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm) Substack: https://capturingcalm.substack.com/ (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/) Get full access to Capturing Calm: A Mindful Photography Podcast at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
28 Jun 2024
Forest Bathing: Mindful Photography Summer Prompts
This week’s mindful photography prompt is "Forest Bathing." Forest bathing involves connecting with nature through all your senses by taking a slow, mindful walk in the forest or any natural setting. You can read more about it here: What is Forest Bathing? (https://open.substack.com/pub/capturingcalm/p/what-is-forest-bathing?r=1fmpmq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web) This week, we’ll walk through a forest and take pictures that convey the peacefulness and beauty of the woods in summer, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow among the trees. Share Your Photos! If you capture any wonderful forest shots, I'd love to see them! Share your photos with me on Threads - you can drop them in my weekly photography prompts post or on Instagram using the hashtag #capturingcalm. Follow Capturing Calm on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/ (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) Threads: https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm (https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm) Substack: https://capturingcalm.substack.com/ (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/) Get full access to Capturing Calm with Mindful Photography at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
21 Jun 2024
Garden Wonders: Mindful Photography Summer Prompts
This week’s mindful photography prompt is "Garden Wonders." We'll explore the variety of plants and insects and look for those small, often overlooked details that make a garden so magical. Share Your Photos! If you capture any wonderful garden shots, I'd love to see them! Share your photos with me on Threads - you can drop them in my weekly photography prompts post or on Instagram using the hashtag #capturingcalm. Follow Capturing Calm on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/ (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) Threads: https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm (https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm) Substack: https://capturingcalm.substack.com/ (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/) Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
14 Jun 2024
Refreshing Water: Mindful Photography Summer Prompts
This week’s mindful photography prompt is "Refreshing Water." Water, in all its beautiful forms—whether it's a glistening lake, a gentle stream, or waves crashing on the shore—offers a dynamic subject for photography. Share Your Photos! If you capture any mindful water shots, I'd love to see them! Share your photos with me on Threads (https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm) - you can drop them in my weekly photography prompts post or on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) using the hashtag #capturingcalm. Follow Capturing Calm on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/ (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) Threads: https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm (https://www.threads.net/@capturing.calm) Substack: https://capturingcalm.substack.com/ (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/) You can listen to the episode on mindful post-processing here: https://capturingcalm.substack.com/p/mindfulness-in-photo-editing-and (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/p/mindfulness-in-photo-editing-and) Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
7 Jun 2024
Capturing Stillness in Nature: Mindful Photography Summer Prompts
As we enter this new Summer season, we will explore the outdoors with mindful photography prompts designed to help you slow down, breathe, and see the world around you. Each episode will feature a new photography prompt, carefully crafted to inspire mindfulness and creativity. Summer Prompt 1: Finding Stillness in Nature Please share your favourite photo from this session in Substack Notes (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/notes) or on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) with the hashtag #CapturingCalm. I’d love to see your unique perspective and the moments of stillness you’ve found in nature. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll explore another beautiful prompt designed to help you capture the essence of summer through mindful photography. For more mindful photography inspiration, follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) or subscribe right here: https://capturingcalm.substack.com/podcast (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/podcast) Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/ (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
15 Mar 2024
How Environment Influences Our Emotions and Feelings with Becky Cross
Welcome to another episode of our exploration into mindful photography. Today, I’m with Becky Cross, whose journey from capturing moments of joy to delving into the profound impacts of the environment on memory and identity offers a tale of discovery, healing, and artistic evolution. You can find out more about Becky and her work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckyrootsshootsphotography/ (https://www.instagram.com/beckyrootsshootsphotography/) And on Substack: https://substack.com/@rebeccacross1 (https://substack.com/@rebeccacross1) Join the conversation and share your mindful photography experiences on Instagram with #capturingcalm. For more insights and inspiration, follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) or visit my Substack at www.capturingcalm.substack.com (https://www.capturingcalm.substack.com/). Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
8 Mar 2024
Using Mindful Photography to Ease Anxiety
Through my personal struggles with panic attacks and anxiety, I discovered mindful photography as a vital tool for managing anxiety, creating a connection with the present by capturing the little things on walks that I’d usually not notice. The studies cited in this episode are: * Effectiveness of Coloring Mandala Designs to Reduce Anxiety in Graduate Counseling Students (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15401383.2018.1437001) * Psychosocial and Biological Outcomes of Immersive, Mindfulness-Based Treks in Nature for Groups of Young Adults and Caregivers Affected by Cancer (https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/23/12622) * The mechanisms of nature-based therapy on depression, anxiety, stress, and life satisfaction (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330207/full) * Group Nature-Based Mindfulness Interventions: Nature-Based Mindfulness Training for College Students with Anxiety (https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1451) For those eager to embark on their mindful photography journey, start with intentionality and curiosity. To truly integrate mindful photography into your life, consider these exercises: * The Five Senses Exercise * Gratitude Scavenger Hunt * Colour Walk If you'd like to join me on a daily mindfulness practice, check out the Mindfulness Association's free daily practices: https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/free-daily-online-mindfulness-meditation/ (https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/free-daily-online-mindfulness-meditation/) Join the conversation and share your mindful photography experiences on Instagram with #capturingcalm. For more insights and inspiration, follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) or visit my Substack at www.capturingcalm.substack.com (https://www.capturingcalm.substack.com/). Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
1 Mar 2024
Therapeutic Photography with Tracy Anderson
Welcome to a special edition of Capturing Calm. Today, I am thrilled to share an extraordinary conversation I had with Tracy Anderson, a remarkable woman whose story not only inspires but also sheds light on the profound impact photography can have on mental health. Tracy is a therapeutic photographer based in Glasgow, dedicating her time to volunteering at charity Quarriers (https://www.quarriers.org.uk/). Through her work, she helps others discover the positive effects of photography on mental well-being. Tracy's journey into the world of photography was born out of a personal struggle with anxiety and depression, which intensified following the birth of her first child. Describing her experience as being trapped in "the never-ending darkness," Tracy faced numerous challenges, including adverse reactions to medication that led to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. However, it was the act of stepping outside and eventually enrolling in a photography course that ignited a spark of hope and transformation in her life. Despite facing renewed challenges after the birth of her second child, Tracy found solace and strength in photography once again, supported by Quarriers. This Scottish social care charity played a pivotal role in her recovery. Driven by her own experiences and the support she received, Tracy is now passionately giving back to the community. She runs a Therapeutic Photography Group for new mothers facing mental health challenges, providing a safe and supportive space for healing and self-expression through the lens of a camera. Tracy Anderson's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of photography as a therapeutic tool. Her journey from darkness to light, from isolation to community, exemplifies how creative expression can aid in navigating the complexities of mental health. I hope Tracy's story inspires you as much as it has inspired me. To find more of her work, follow her Instagram here: @mental_photography_blog (https://www.instagram.com/mental_photography_blog/) And her blog is here: https://mentalphotographyblog.wordpress.com/ (https://mentalphotographyblog.wordpress.com/) For more insights and inspiration, follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) or visit my Substack at www.capturingcalm.substack.com (https://www.capturingcalm.substack.com/). Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
23 Feb 2024
Conveying Feelings and Emotions in Mindful Photography
In this insightful episode, host Ellie Macdonald shares how photographers can capture emotions and feelings in their creative process. Intention's Role: The episode emphasises setting a clear intention behind each photograph, guiding the narrative and emotional depth of the image. Emotions vs. Feelings: Distinguishing between these, Ellie offers insights into how photographers can more profoundly explore and convey the human condition through their work. Connect with Ellie: Follow @capturing.calm (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/) on Instagram and subscribe to her Substack for more insights into mindful photography. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
16 Feb 2024
A Walking Meditation for Mindful Photography
This week, I’m pleased to share a walking meditation that you can use before you set out for a mindful photography session. So many of you have asked for this so that you can use it each time you head out. I hope you like it. If you’d like to hear more mindful meditation practices, sign up for a paid subscription, and you’ll get access to lots more over the coming weeks. Find me online on Instagram: @capturing.calm (https://www.instagram.com/capturing.calm/), or on Substack: www.capturingcalm.substack.com. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
9 Feb 2024
7 Therapeutic Ways to Use Your Camera for Mindful Photography
In this episode, I wanted to share with you seven great ways you can use your camera for mindful photography. Therapeutic photography has been found to have numerous benefits for mental health and in helping people with mental health issues. It offers a creative outlet for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences, providing a form of catharsis and self-reflection. Here are seven easy therapeutic photography techniques you can try this week: 1. Self-Portraits: Explore your identity and emotions. 2. A Day in Your Life: Find beauty in everyday moments. 3. Observe Nature: Connect with nature's calming influence. 4. Daily Theme: Focus your attention with a daily photo theme. 5. Capture Joyful Moments: Embrace the present with each click. 6. Photo Series: Tell a story through a subject's evolution. 7. Weekly Assignment: Challenge yourself to see the world differently. For some inspiration, take a look at this wonderful Instagram account following a tree and field throughout the seasons: https://www.instagram.com/onetreefieldsg/ (https://www.instagram.com/onetreefieldsg/) If you enjoyed today's discussion, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Connect with me on social media and share your mindful photography moments using the hashtag #capturingcalm. Stay mindful, stay creative, and remember that every photograph can be a window to inner peace. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
2 Feb 2024
Mindfulness in Photo Editing and Post-Processing
In today's episode, we delve into the enriching practice of mindfulness during photo editing. We'll discuss how being present and intentional during the editing process can profoundly impact the quality of our work and our personal satisfaction and creative expression. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Capturing Calm. Listen to the full episode for more insights, and join me on Instagram @capturing.calm or on Substack for regular updates and discussions on mindful photography. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
26 Jan 2024
The Connection Between Mindfulness, Nature, and Photography
Welcome to the latest episode of Capturing Calm, a podcast for those who find solace in the lens and peace in the natural world. In this episode, we journey through nature's intrinsic beauty and diversity that draws photographers in. We explore how nature's unpredictable and ever-changing canvas offers unique photographic opportunities that challenge our skills and ignite our creativity. We then delve into the meditative and mindful aspects of nature photography, discussing how patience, observation, and presence are essential skills for photographers and pathways to a more mindful and balanced life. So, whether you're an experienced photographer or someone looking to reconnect with nature and mindfulness, join us on this transformative journey as we capture the essence of nature's beauty and explore the power of mindfulness through the lens. Join me on Instagram @capturing.calm and on Substack at capturingcalm.substack.com for regular updates and discussions on mindful photography. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
19 Jan 2024
The Art of Mindful Seeing
Photography and mindfulness may seem like disparate paths, but they converge beautifully when we talk about 'seeing' versus 'looking.' In mindful photography, 'seeing' is an immersive, intentional act. It goes beyond capturing the obvious to perceiving the subtle interplay of elements, emotions, and the essence of the subject. Mindfulness shapes my approach to photography in profound ways. It enhances my perception, allows for deeper emotional resonance, nurtures patience, and fosters a strong connection with my subjects. For those interested in incorporating mindfulness into their photography, I recommend starting with presence. Engage fully with your surroundings, observe with all your senses, and let go of preconceived notions. Mindfulness is a journey, and its practice will gradually refine your art. I hope this episode opens a doorway to seeing the world through a lens of mindfulness and presence. Join our community for regular updates and discussions on mindful photography on Instagram @capturing.calm. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
12 Jan 2024
Where Photography Meets Mindfulness
Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Capturing Calm," where the art of photography intertwines with the practice of mindfulness. I'm Ellie McDonald, a nature photographer and a student of Mindfulness and Compassion at the University of Aberdeen. I'm thrilled to embark on this journey with you, blending the realms of visual art and meditative awareness. Photography is more than just capturing images; it's a unique way of seeing and experiencing the world. As we delve into mindful photography, it's essential to first understand the core concept of mindfulness, especially in today's world where its true meaning often gets lost in translation. Mindful photography teaches us to accept our surroundings - the weather, the environment, the light - and capture them as they are. This practice aligns with mindfulness principles like present-moment awareness, acceptance, and non-judgmental observation. Unlike traditional photography, which focuses on technique and composition, mindful photography is about the journey. It's a form of meditation that allows us to connect deeply with our surroundings and appreciate the present moment. I invite you to reflect on how mindful photography can transform your perspective on life. In upcoming episodes, we'll explore various aspects of this practice, speak with experts, and learn how to integrate mindful photography into our lives. Thank you for joining me on "Capturing Calm." Follow me on Instagram at @capturing.calm, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for updates on future episodes. Until next time, keep capturing moments and let each photograph be a mindful discovery. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
4 Jan 2024
Capturing Calm - A New Mindful Photography Podcast
Welcome to the tranquil world of Capturing Calm: A Mindful Photography Podcast. In this special trailer episode, host Ellie Macdonald introduces the unique concept of the podcast, blending the art of photography with the practice of mindfulness. Discover what 'Capturing Calm' is all about and how it aims to transform the way you perceive and engage with the world through your lens. This podcast is dedicated to exploring photography not just as a visual art form but as a meditative, mindful practice. Whether you're a seasoned photographer, a beginner, or simply someone looking for a mindful escape, this podcast invites you to see the world differently. Tune in to get a glimpse of what's to come in this journey of creativity, mindfulness, and serene photography. Get full access to Capturing Calm at capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe (https://capturingcalm.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
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- 2 ratings
- Spotify
- 3.7 / 5
- 3 ratings
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