Detox
In today's world, surrounded by information overload and easy access to everything, it's challenging to maintain full concentration and freedom of choice. Social media, instead of facilitating communication and access to knowledge, often distract us, taking away our attention and freedom, replacing them with low-quality content. To quote Jay Shetty, whose podcast "On Purpose" I highly recommend: “Despite global connectivity, we have never felt so disconnected from loved ones; having access to an unprecedented amount of knowledge, we have never been more poorly informed...”. This phenomenon affects us on many levels, from habits to art to knowledge.
In this context, the heavily promoted culture of personal development often takes away the joy of learning and skill enhancement. Instead of inspiring us, it can overwhelm, leading to a sense of confusion. Even when we dedicate time to something of interest, we are bombarded with hundreds of courses, articles, and guides, leaving us unsure where to start. Eventually, we feel saturated and need a break—this is what we call detox.
I believe that detox is also necessary in photography. In a world where images are constantly published, judged, and filtered through social media, it's easy to forget what originally drew us to this art form. We stop creating for ourselves and start acting under external pressures. A photographic detox is a return to basics—to moments when photography was our means of expression, not just a tool for gaining likes. It's a time for reflection and rediscovery of the joy of the creative process.
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PLAN FOR DETOX
I have been considering what steps we could take to consciously undergo a photographic detox. I suggest dedicating one weekend a month to this. During that free weekend try to do all these steps:
1. **Awareness:** If you feel overwhelmed, uninspired, pressured, or like nothing is working out, the first step is to acknowledge this state. Remove all distractions. Put away your camera and editing tools, take a break from viewing and posting photos online. Rest, use your senses: look, listen, touch, taste, smell. Engage your primary senses.
2. **Inspiration:** If you're stuck, lacking joy, repeating yourself, or copying others, reflect on what initially drew you to photography. What made you enjoy taking photos? Instead of drawing inspiration from popular media, seek it in art, literature, nature, podcasts, or daily experiences. Visit an exhibition, listen to music. This will help refresh your perspective and find new, personal sources of inspiration.
3. **Review of Your Work:** If you've forgotten which photos you love or no longer see your style, review your previous photographs, especially those that were significant to you. Choose one photo, think about what attracted you to it and what you wanted to express. Write a brief note on it. This will help you return to the sources of your passion and redefine your artistic goals.
4. **Workflow/Time management:** If you're not editing photos, feeling overwhelmed by amount, and unsure how to start, check your photo workflow and ensure it includes these basic steps:
- **Step 1:** Prepare your gear and create a plan.
- **Step 2:** Set up and capture images.
- **Step 3:** Organize and sort photos.
- **Step 4:** Back up images.
- **Step 5:** Edit photos.
- **Step 6:** Deliver/publish final photos.
At the end of the detox, review each step and … remain calm.
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