As I can’t trudge the streets looking for interesting subjects to photograph anymore, I wait for them to come to me. It’s again the tough inner zen master of my MND making me stop looking for life elsewhere and start noticing that it’s available right here, right now – all we have to do is stop. Sometimes being forced to stop really does have benefits.
These pictures were taken using the simple technique of just stopping and watching… waiting for the images to come to me like a fisherman on the banks of a river waiting for fish.
This type of people watching takes patience and a slightly longer lens than is normally used in “street” photography, which traditionally is shot with wide angles and up close. I use that technique as well, but these days from a mobility scooter. Stopping, watching and following my breathing leaves me feeling a lot calmer and, I think, helps me to squeeze the shutter at the right moment.
Motor neurone disease makes me improvise – I used one of my crutches as a monopod for some of these. However I end up taking photographs, I’m determined I will keep on shooting and will also develop my mindfulness practice in the process.
Apologies to any “trekkies” out there for my terrible misuse of a classic Star Trek line in this posts title. I couldn’t resist it.
Do take a look at the “About” page if you are interested in finding out more about the circumstances that have led to me writing this Mindful Photos blog.
These were all shot with an Olympus OMD EM5 and the Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 lens.
See you soon and be happy.
Miles
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words and picture © all rights reserved Miles Pilling
mindful photos 
Great series ! That is another way to shoot in streets
Thanks very much 🙂
I like the idea of being a fisherman waiting for a fish to come along. A good approach to lots of things actually.
Thanks. Glad you liked the post.