In a world where millions of images are shot every day and fast-paced environments can exhaust and stifle creativity, The Mindful Photographer proposes a simple antidote: slowing down. Through twenty concepts as varied as “Confidence,” “Gratitude,” and “Compassion,” combined with hands-on assignments, author Sophie Howarth invites readers to reflect on their photographic practice and learn to pause, pay attention, and become more attuned with the world around them.
Ranging from the canonical to the contemporary, The Mindful Photographer features the work of photographers including Edward Weston, Kali Spitzer, Nadav Kander, Thomas Merton, Sarker Protick, and many more. Their photographs are accompanied by quotes, stories, and anecdotes to both inspire the reader, and broaden their photographic knowledge and creative perspectives.
Putting aside preconceived ideas and the competitive pressures of picture-perfect Instagram posts, this book rewires our relationship to photographic practice as one to be understood as unconditionally joyful and rewarding. Howarth’s insightful texts work as a guide to both a mindful approach to photography, and as a photographic approach to meditation. Offered in an affordable format, this will be the must-have companion for anyone seeking a more mindful approach to engaging with their world through photography.
Contributors
Sophie Howarth
Author
Sophie Howarth is the co-founder of The School of Life, founder of Department Store for the Mind, and former Curator of Public Programmes at Tate Modern. She has coauthored several books about photography, including Street Photography Now and Family Photography Now, both published by Thames & Hudson. Today she teaches creative leadership and supports social and environmental activists in London. Training as a spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition, she is supported by spiritual practices that emphasize insight, presence, and compassion.