See the World Through Landscape and Wildlife Photography
As a landscape photographer, I am sometimes so focused on creating a fine art print that I forget to step back and see the value of the simple enjoyment of a fine art landscape photograph. Landscape and wildlife photography can truly be a window to the world we live in.
Why are Windows Important?
We all know the importance of having windows in our homes and places of work. A window will allow natural light into the room which makes the room seem brighter and more inviting. An open window can allow fresh air into the room. And best of all, windows offer a view of the outside world. This allows us to feel more connected to our world. This gives us a positive impact on our mental health and sense of happiness.
Landscape and wildlife photography are not in themselves physical windows. But they can offer the same benefits as windows in your room as I will explain below.
The importance of Travel and a Change of Scenery
2020 and 2021 were challenging years due to the Covid pandemic. One of the greatest challenges was the decrease in travel. People stopped taking vacations and going places. Many of us felt stuck inside and after many months, desperately wanted a change of scenery. Our mental health and well-being were suffering.
Travel allows us to enjoy the wonderful scenery of a new place. Seeing beautiful landscapes in person can make you feel happy—which sounds simple. Yet the truth is, doing something you enjoy is important for your sense of well-being. It is an important aspect of self-care.
That is one reason that landscape and wildlife photographs are so important. They allow us to trade places for a few moments—give us a way to explore. As you view the photograph, you can “stand” next to a stream or in a mountain valley – it is a way to travel without moving. It is a window that allows you to see the outside world.
The Early Days - Postcards – a Window to the World
For those of us from the predigital generation, we can remember traveling across America and buying postcards to send back to family and friends. We did not have the ability to capture the beauty in front of us and share it instantaneously with others. But we still wanted to share the view from our travel window, so we bought postcards.
We also used postcards as miniature travelogues or pictorial journals. You could make notes on the back of the postcard to record thoughts about your trips. It allowed you to record your trip in photographic form. It was a way to share what we were seeing – a window to the world we were visiting.
Bucket Lists - So Many Places – So Little Time
A bucket list is a list of things that a person wants to do before they “kick the bucket”. They help a person define their dreams, goals, and desires. For many of us, travel to many places is on our bucket list.
Yet the truth is, there are way too many places and not enough time. This is where landscape photography places a role in our lives. It is a window that allows us to enjoy the scenery that we may never see but still want to feel connected to.
Why Photography is a Window to the World
Photography allows us to see and experience things that we may not have been able to do otherwise. It is truly a window to our world.
Photography allows us to explore different places and can capture the beauty of the world around us. Sunsets, flowers in bloom, the changing colors of fall, the majesty of wildlife —all can be captured and conveyed by a photograph. We are given a glimpse of places we may never go.
Fine art landscape or wildlife photographs are truly windows to the world– and as we look through those windows, we will have a deeper appreciation for the world we live in.
