Wesley, another fine article emanating from heart and soul, I find your writing inspirational! You spoke of the therapeutic quality of photography. I'm grateful for this not only in the mindful sense but an actual form of mental and physical therapy. As a disabled vet living in pain for years and feeling limited in life, my newfound passion for photography has probably saved me, and definitely improved my quality of living. Through once cynical and bitter eyes, photography lifted a veil and revealed the miracle and beauty of life in even the simplicity of a still life scene. Or the minute perfection of details contained in a flower bloom, or of a vast rolling landscape in the country at sunrise. Photography got me out of the house and returned me to life, cancelling the blurring effects of the pain and meds, and looking forward to each day with my camera at my side. I share this personal note not for anyone's sympathy, but to share with others that through no fault of their own find themselves in a dark and lonely place due to some disabling condition. The therapy photography provides me definitely gives life new meaning, and for that I am truly grateful!
I am grateful of the opportunity to observe the world from a different view than I would normally observe if I didn’t have the camera around my neck. It just wakes up my curiosity.
I'm most grateful for photography being an outlet for helping with my depression and anxiety. There's so much more about it that's been great, like traveling, meeting new people, discovering new subjects, but for me it's been a longtime source of happiness and escape from bad mental health periods. That alone is something I'll always be grateful for.
Oct 8, 2023·edited Oct 8, 2023Liked by Wesley Verhoeve
I’m most grateful for the ability to travel through time. Photography has the power to make people young again. It has the power to bring people back to life. It can massage wrinkle lines away and reveal youthful joys long since masked by time and life’s challenges. Sometimes a look at an old image transports me to a specific time and place. Other times it brings back a much more generalized, though every bit as strong, nostalgic feeling. It’s funny because the former is literal while the latter can be all together false.
In my photography journey so far, I’m most grateful for being able to show people the way that I see them - it’s fascinating that some people only notice their imperfections, and you’ll capture them in a photo and there’s that incredible moment where they finally see themselves in a different light, in the way that everyone else sees them. It’s so incredible!
Oct 8, 2023·edited Oct 8, 2023Liked by Wesley Verhoeve
Photography gives me a reason to explore, to take the long way around, turn down this alley, climb this hill, curious about what person, place or thing lies around the next bend.
I’m definitely grateful for how photography has changed my eye, I definitely see the world differently now. As I walk around, I tend to see my environment as a series of opportunities for photos which I really enjoy.
I’m grateful having learned the craft of composition, lighting, creating an abstract photo. The art of capturing the moment either on film or digital, is always satisfying to share with others...
I’m most grateful for the photographers I assisted who showed me that photographing stories personal stories is incredibly important and fulfilling. I’m grateful for the places I’ve been, the hard work and the strangers I’ve approached who’ve been open to being photographed over the years.
Howdy Wesley, great post! I’m grateful for the things that photography has lead me to notice when traveling or just walking through the city. There are so many things I see that I’m sure never would have caught my eye previously, things like a group of people sitting in front of an interesting backdrop, that really make me appreciate just how interesting the world around me always is. It’s a mindset that there is always something interesting or unusual or beautiful around me, and it’s up to me to notice it (and hopefully make it into a great photograph).
I'm grateful for the many (many!) bad photographs I've taken over the years - every time I take a pic that doesn't come out as I intended, I learn from my errors, recalibrate, adjust, and try again. I'm not always successful, but photography has given me the permission to fail and fail big over and over again, which ultimately makes the good photos that much better.
Wesley, another fine article emanating from heart and soul, I find your writing inspirational! You spoke of the therapeutic quality of photography. I'm grateful for this not only in the mindful sense but an actual form of mental and physical therapy. As a disabled vet living in pain for years and feeling limited in life, my newfound passion for photography has probably saved me, and definitely improved my quality of living. Through once cynical and bitter eyes, photography lifted a veil and revealed the miracle and beauty of life in even the simplicity of a still life scene. Or the minute perfection of details contained in a flower bloom, or of a vast rolling landscape in the country at sunrise. Photography got me out of the house and returned me to life, cancelling the blurring effects of the pain and meds, and looking forward to each day with my camera at my side. I share this personal note not for anyone's sympathy, but to share with others that through no fault of their own find themselves in a dark and lonely place due to some disabling condition. The therapy photography provides me definitely gives life new meaning, and for that I am truly grateful!
thanks so much for the kind words Paul, and for sharing the issue. Much appreciated.
Happy to!
I am grateful of the opportunity to observe the world from a different view than I would normally observe if I didn’t have the camera around my neck. It just wakes up my curiosity.
It does teach us to really see!
right on steph! thanks for sharing!
I think I'm most grateful for how it has pulled me out of my comfort zone to get out into the world more and experience things.
that's a beautiful thing Tré, thanks for sharing!
I am most grateful for the endless opportunities to see the world and my own self in different ways, allowing me to accept who I am and where I am.
thanks for sharing Phoenix!
I'm most grateful for photography being an outlet for helping with my depression and anxiety. There's so much more about it that's been great, like traveling, meeting new people, discovering new subjects, but for me it's been a longtime source of happiness and escape from bad mental health periods. That alone is something I'll always be grateful for.
beautifully said Daniel, thanks for sharing!
I’m most grateful for the ability to travel through time. Photography has the power to make people young again. It has the power to bring people back to life. It can massage wrinkle lines away and reveal youthful joys long since masked by time and life’s challenges. Sometimes a look at an old image transports me to a specific time and place. Other times it brings back a much more generalized, though every bit as strong, nostalgic feeling. It’s funny because the former is literal while the latter can be all together false.
beautifully said Omid!
In my photography journey so far, I’m most grateful for being able to show people the way that I see them - it’s fascinating that some people only notice their imperfections, and you’ll capture them in a photo and there’s that incredible moment where they finally see themselves in a different light, in the way that everyone else sees them. It’s so incredible!
beautiful answer! thanks for sharing, Jacob!
I'm most grateful for the people I've met through photography. Especially in the community darkroom where I live <3
that's wonderful Zach!
Photography gives me a reason to explore, to take the long way around, turn down this alley, climb this hill, curious about what person, place or thing lies around the next bend.
super relatable! thanks for sharing, Jaden!
I’m definitely grateful for how photography has changed my eye, I definitely see the world differently now. As I walk around, I tend to see my environment as a series of opportunities for photos which I really enjoy.
Love this Wes ❤️
thank you Rebecca!
I’m grateful having learned the craft of composition, lighting, creating an abstract photo. The art of capturing the moment either on film or digital, is always satisfying to share with others...
great answer Frank!
I am most grateful for composing my mind to the present moment, both on conscious and subconscious levels.
this is everything!
I’m most grateful for the photographers I assisted who showed me that photographing stories personal stories is incredibly important and fulfilling. I’m grateful for the places I’ve been, the hard work and the strangers I’ve approached who’ve been open to being photographed over the years.
beautiful notion Tash!
Howdy Wesley, great post! I’m grateful for the things that photography has lead me to notice when traveling or just walking through the city. There are so many things I see that I’m sure never would have caught my eye previously, things like a group of people sitting in front of an interesting backdrop, that really make me appreciate just how interesting the world around me always is. It’s a mindset that there is always something interesting or unusual or beautiful around me, and it’s up to me to notice it (and hopefully make it into a great photograph).
That's exactly right, and exactly how my book NOTICE came about!
I'm grateful for the many (many!) bad photographs I've taken over the years - every time I take a pic that doesn't come out as I intended, I learn from my errors, recalibrate, adjust, and try again. I'm not always successful, but photography has given me the permission to fail and fail big over and over again, which ultimately makes the good photos that much better.
yes! forever learning in our craft!