Every now and then (though not nearly often enough), I’d grab my camera and head out on a photo stroll. Nothing fancy, just the classic “clear-my-head-and-pretend-the-world-isn’t-a-dumpster-fire” routine. I guess it’s my feeble attempt to remind myself that there’s an entire existence beyond the glow of my screens.

And while the business of living seems to suck the life out of me, the simple act of pausing long enough to notice the unfolding circus seems to help me snap out of my funk, if even for just a moment.

But I’ve learned that the magic is in the simple act of taking the photograph, even if I never edit or share the images. So that’s what usually happens: I’d get overwhelmed, take a walk with my camera, instantly feel better, and never share the shots.

And granted, most times, the shots are quite unimpressive: poor composition, blurry images, out of focus subjects (and sometimes no subjects). But that really doesn’t matter, because it’s not about the result. It’s about the process – the act of getting out of my house (and my head) and exploring the world around me. The camera just so happens to be the thing I use to document it.

I mean, there’s arguably nothing special about an old chain link fence with a bunch of rusted padlocks on it, right?

But when I pause and take a moment to pay more than a passing glance, I get to read the tiny messages inscribed and I think about the persons who put the locks there. I take a few shots, do a little cropping and I’m reminded of how infinitely beautiful our world is. Even the mundane, observed through the right lens (pun intended) can be profound.

The images in this post are from the latest chapter in my ‘Snap Out of My Funk’ chronicles, captured during a slow walk around my not-so-exotic neighbourhood. It was a cold, overcast day that perfectly matched my mood, and, numb fingers aside, I’m really glad that I did take the walk.

I hope that we can collectively remember that there’s an entire mad, beautiful world out there, taunting us from beyond the screens we’re perpetually glued to. So here’s to escaping the digital abyss, filling our lungs with air and exploring the world around us, even if just for a fleeting moment.

Stay well and I’ll catch you in the next one.

Damion.

 

ps. did you have a favourite image? Mine might be the one with the guy on the bicycle next to the guy in the wheelchair. What about you? Feel free to drop a comment and let me know.