Mindful photography is: the process of directing your attention first to your thoughts, and then to your environment.

Mindfulness has an undeserved reputation for being a passive activity, where you clear your mind and allow things to happen to you. Nothing could be further from the truth. The aim is not to empty your mind of thoughts (it’s not possible); the aim is to be actively aware of your thoughts, and by extension, your surroundings. And once you are properly aware of your surroundings, you can start to interpret them with your camera.

MindsetEmma Davies18 September 2018creativity

Affinity or Lightroom?

Is Affinity a good alternative to Lightroom? Yes is the short answer, but with a few critical caveats, especially if you are used to the speed of Lightroom.

EditingEmma Davies11 September 2018

What is dynamic range, in photography?

"Stops" are measures of light, just as inches are measures of length.

The human eye, at any one time, can see the difference between around 12 stops of light. A digital camera however can only see around 8-10 stops of light.

TechniquesEmma Davies4 September 2018

How to hold your camera

1. Hold the camera firmly, but not over-tightly. You don't want to be tense. You're aiming for solid but not rigid.

2. Support it with two hands - one to press the shutter button and the other to take the weight of the lens.

BeginnerEmma Davies28 August 2018

How to stop your camera club dying a slow death

Imagine how it would be to have a thriving club, with new members queuing up to join, recommending it to their friends and finding a new outlet for their creativity. I asked my students what they'd like to see camera clubs do differently for new beginner members. This is what they said.

GeneralEmma Davies21 August 2018

What is A Year With My Camera?

You might be considering starting A Year With My Camera in September. You might have a friend who has recommended it. You might have seen it on Facebook. But if you're new to it, you are probably wondering what it is, and why it's different.

AYWMCEmma Davies14 August 2018

We're building a well

A Year With My Camera is going to fund an entire project to bring clean water to a community that doesn't currently have it. You can be a part of it. You can make a difference.

GeneralEmma Davies7 August 2018