In my eyes, this is one of the most underrated videos about photography here on youtube. Thank you Paul for this new perspective on one of the most beautiful hobbies in the world. Greetz from Hamburg, Jann

Thanks for the video. I broke my back in 2019 after being the victim of an unprovoked assault from behind in front of my children. I had to have full spinal fusion surgery and it went wrong resulting in me being paralyzed and severe nerve damage causing most of the time unbearable pain and have since suffered from severe depression and anxiety. I took up photography when I was bed bound reading countless book and watching KZfaq. When I git my wheelchair I got an em10mk3 and started shooting. I have upgraded as time gone but photography has helped so so much from going over the edge. When I'm out photographing I'm that invested that I get transported through the lens to a world where I'm not paralyzed, same when editing. I love photography so so much and like I say it stopped me from having a full on break down. I have since been published in 2 magazines and have started my own youtube channel with a series called a day in the life of a wheelchair-bound disabled photographer. I am also an affiliate for Skylum editing software and on the radar with Olympus. I totally agree and applaud you for you candor and would love to follow u and others on insta etc as I can relate to you with what you have gone through with mental health illness

I have been in my dream job as a full time photographer fornmore than a decade. But a burnout and depression turned things around. Realizing that you have to give up your dream job because it is no longer sane, is a really though one. Since then I have been looking for ways to use photography as a tool for a better and to provide and help others struggling. Thank you for your insights

There is so much pressure to be a success (usually defined monetarily) in our society. For me, looking through a viewfinder literally brings what is important back into focus. In two hundred years, our existence will be largely forgotten, live for today.

Thanks for your video After loosing my wife to cancer I fell into deep depressions. I felt God was suggesting I take up photography knowing my lifelong passion for it. My wife bought me a Nikon D90 for Christmas just before passing away. 8 years after I started taking photography seriously and discovered my how passionate I can get about it ….. I should have listed to God’s advice long before….. Photography helped me to focus on the moment, to observe the reality around me and appreciate art.

Excellent video. Hell, I struggle. Photography gives me some solace and my YT channel makes me get out and shoot new materials each week. Having a goal really helps me.

Thanks Paul and WEX , this really hit home, I use photography to get out of the House, and have found it very therapeutic, and a real help. I have also realised, I don’t care what other people think of my images, I do it for ME!

Thanks Paul for the bravery to share this with us. Wex this is the quality of subject that I hope you continue to put out on this channel.

Thank you Paul.

Paul, this was so helpful. I have always thought of photography in a ‘mindfulness’ way. I am a hiker and always just enjoy the journey and if I get some decently composed photos that is fine, if I only get some record shots, they are great to look back on and enjoy the experience all over again. I use both walking and photography as a stress reliever, and it works!

Insightful, like few others. All art is a spiritual exercise and for some of us it will lead us to the kind of peace this world can't offer. A peace not dependent on the accidents of this life.

Thank you Paul that’s very helpful and inspirational. I took up photography 4 years ago to help me deal with my stressful city job, depression and anxiety. I find I can totally lose myself in my photography. 🙏

Excellent presentation, Paul, thank you. And to Wex. This is really valuable work.

Good job. This let me see how I use photography for balance as well as mental health. I work as an ER nurse and Forensic Nurse, so I see a lot of ugliness. Photography lets me see that there is beauty in the world too.

Such a heart felt, honest talk about a tough topic. Thanks for your honesty Paul. Great insights.

What a great Video! Most of us experience burnout. Some never recover. Your video gives new hope.

Good words, well said. I work as a child mental health professional. Open conversations like yours helps to take away some of the stigma that can be unfortunately attached to human suffering. Over the years, as people talk more openly about mental health, I have seen young people themselves become much more open to psychological support, which can only be a good thing.

Thank you for your honesty Paul, though I was never really into photography in a big way ( wish I had been ) I always enjoyed taking photos from a very early age, more so after taking my mum’s 110 camera to Norway in 1982 I think it was, when I went with school, , could be a year either way, and then to France a few years later as well as day trips, family holidays to Wales things like that. I started again with the snapshots in my mid 20s, only used a compact camera and the best I could which, back then, wasn’t much at all, but that seemed to get left by the wayside as all my life my health got in the way. I was diagnosed with Reflux Nephropathy aged 2 1/2 years old which is basically a leak in the bladder which eventually leads to Chronic Kidney Disease, or it did, as these days they are able to treat it much better, even reverse it in babies sometimes. Anyway, after I got divorced I did go off the rails for a couple of years but picked up a camera again, still only a compact but this time o was going to Tenerife with a friend and bought a little 5mp Kodak digital camera which cost me £125 in the sale in 2003, not much in photography terms but for a compact this was quite a lot, I met someone else and my wife has children I kept up to date with my compact camera the best I could afford, then about 12 years ago I bought a Canon Powershot something or other and really started taking more and more photos but then won a Canon G7 X, the first one which was newly released, at the same time, or a year or so later I went few a few near death episodes with my health so took the camera out more but the presets on the G7 X, like the “ Background Defocus “ as they called it, later I came to know meant Bokeh, well they really got me interested and I wanted to learn more but it was the major health issues that made me get out more, I got very low, on the brink of severe depression but getting out, on my own with my camera saved me from going over that edge. It still does today. P.S. my apologies for the long comment, I dumber it down as best I could, maybe too much.

Thank you Paul for sharing your story, so grateful. I took up photography initially to just record my holidays, and to improve my skill as a photographer, joined a camera club. This while educational has become so competitive that I have become disillusioned with photography. So This has been truly inspirational and encouraging to take up photography again, and to just do it for my enjoyment. Thank you.

First, your photos are stunning. The use of contrasting light with simple yet beautiful subject composition is nothing short of inspirational. Second, chops to you for discussing how photography has helped you with your MH challenges. As one who has also struggled also with MH and has found the joy photography gives back to me, vlogs like this do nothing but good. The chance to reconnect with our environment with the chance to produce a creative piece of work has been a blessing for me. The benefits of this are better than most drugs/ therapy I've personally experienced. Thank you for such a lovely, insightful 16mins.

As someone who always felt like a failure for burning out from a career I had spent many years developing (which was going to kill me eventually) I can identify with a HUGE amount of what you've presented here. Even down to shooting with Fuji ;) Thank you for making this video. I hope your workshops really take off and you can bring this "therapy" to all of the many people out there who need it. Have a great day! 🇨🇦

An extremely interesting new way of looking at photography.

wonderful! Thank you for the stories and your work!

Thank you. Inspirational and great to focus on the real values of shooting.

Very helpful thank you Paul and Wex for making this video.

Very informative.

Thanks Paul for sharing your experience of being a professional photographer and someone who has struggled with mental health difficulties. Your mindful photography work with Mind etc is truly inspirational and I will be drawing on this video as research for my therapeutic photography course.

A very interesting and heartfelt talk so very much appreciated thank you

Thank you so much, Paul, for your insights. As someone who has suffered depression, I’ve found photography a way to escape work and other pressures by looking into a landscape or other subject that’s attracted me. The photographic process evokes feelings of wonder and awe in the world in which we live - relieving me of my petty worries. Time slips by. With your excellent video, I will make sure to be even more mindful of the joy I experience. So much appreciated.

Thank you for this Paul. It came at the right time for me and everything you said resonated deeply with me. I too focus on black and white photography and enjoy shooting subjects that have a deep connection or meaning to me. If you ever make your way to Scotland with your workshops, I would be more than happy to attend. It makes me wonder how many ‘like minds’ there are out there, who would benefit from hearing your words.

Great video sharing your experiences x

Excellent video. Best of luck with your projects

Thanks Paul. That was very helpful. You put into words things I have been struggling with. Good luck with the project.

Thanks for sharing your story. Good luck with your future endeavors

Thank you for sharing your experience. It was really inspiring to hear how photography can be such a powerful therapeutic tool. As a hobbyist photographer of only a few years, I find my ‘happy place’ when I am out with my camera. An important message for me from your talk was to take images that I like and not necessarily to please others. Thank you for your openness and allowing us into your world which will be helpful to so many.

Thanks Paul really appreciate you taking the time to talk inspirational.

Incredibly insightful and thought provoking. Really enjoyed this video and it’s made me reflect on my own photography and why I take the pictures I do

What a wonderfully honest and deeply inspiring video. You will help many many people with that Paul. Good luck with the charity you’re setting up.

I love your outlook on photography, Paul. Hopefully it will inspire more people to go out with a camera and just take the photographs that catch the eye. It's hard to let go of expectations but so rewarding when we do. Good luck with your plans and thank you for this inspirational video.

Great video, thanks!

beautiful

Very interesting

Thank you Paul.