Walking in Nature | by Jill Johnson
Hello, I’m Jill and I live in beautiful rural Northumberland in the North East of England. I am fortunate to have endless countryside and forests on my doorstep.
Walking in nature has always been my happy place. Somewhere I can just be me, enjoying my surroundings with no other noise other than the sound of nature. It has been part of my everyday life since I was young.
Late Beginnings
My journey into photography did not start until I was into my fifties when I was given a DSLR. I had no idea how to use it, never mind taking photographs with it! I enrolled on a basic online photography course and the rest is history! I was hooked and spent hours learning how to take photographs of just about everything. I think I tried most genres but I realised quite quickly that I was at my happiest when I was out walking with my dog in nature.
Finding My Way
The next few years saw me entering monthly photographic competitions and getting awards and qualifications. Eventually, I realised I was no longer enjoying my photography. I did not enjoy the pressure of having my work judged by someone else’s idea of good, bad or indifferent.
When I look back at the photos I was producing then, they were ticking a lot of technical boxes. However, I didn’t have an emotional connection to them.
I suspect that we all go through phases where we feel our photographs are not good enough for whatever reason. It is so easy to lose motivation. We put pressure on ourselves to deliver the perfect photo. In reality, the only person we should please is ourselves.
Sadly my husband passed away and for a long time I stopped taking photographs altogether. I lost my motivation and my confidence.
A New Mindset
Gradually, my interest began to return and I started to enjoy photography again. Walking in nature got me thinking about a personal project, so for a year I photographed the woods and fauna throughout the seasons. At the end of the year I had a photobook made. It felt like such an achievement and more importantly, like the first step back to a hobby I had once been so passionate about. This time though, photography felt different. I wasn’t taking photographs for competitions or wondering what someone else might think of them. I was taking them for me. I began to slow down, notice the small things around me and photograph what I felt drawn to, rather than looking for the perfect photo. Looking back, I think that was when I started to find my love of photography again.
Photography Opportunities Everyday
Photographing plants and flowers in the garden or out on my walks brings me so much joy. I can totally lose all sense of time when I am wandering with my camera. I love every season, although autumn is probably my favourite. Exploring through a macro lens is challenging, but opens a whole new world. It is so rewarding when you can see minute details that you would not normally see. I quite often use my phone with macro attachment for insect photography.
Walking In The Woods
My other love is woodland photos. To me the paths I walk can be transformed by light, snow, rain, sunlight, the seasons. Each can create an atmosphere and sometimes magical moments.
I like finding words and quotes that describe something about a photo. One of my favourites is Komorebi - the scattered light that filters through when sunlight shines through the trees.
An Unexpected Find.
Quite by accident I came across The Framed Focus on Facebook and Instagram and joined the 100 days of nature challenge. I am absolutely loving being part of a group of creative photographers that support each other everyday.
I also recently joined The Mindful Lens Course which is about reconnecting with creativity by slowing down. I can honestly say this course has been a wonderful and thought provoking experience.
My current camera system is OM System OM-1 with Zuiko 40-150mm (My favourite lens), Zuiko 90mm Macro, Lensbaby Velvet 56, and my iphone 16 Pro with Reeflex Lens and macro attachment.
The Full Circle
Photography, nature and mindfulness are now completely linked in my world. Each part being as important as the other. In a world that can feel so busy being able to step outside, slow down and reconnect with nature through my camera is my idea of heaven.
Perhaps, that is what photography has become for me. Less about creating the perfect photograph and more about noticing what is already there.
