Active Aging Presented by Public Health Seattle-King County
As a new season approaches, it’s time to embrace the beauty that autumn offers around town. Photography is the perfect way to enjoy nature this time of year, so grab your camera and head out!
The Hidden Benefits of Taking Up Photography
Photography is a fantastic hobby at any age, but for seniors and retirees with more free time, the hidden benefits of photography really add up.
Physical Health
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends adults 65+ get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Unless you plan to only take pictures of your living room, photography is by nature an active hobby. Balancing your body to find the perfect shot and exploring your community for unique subjects are both ways to stay physically active.
Mental Health
Research shows that engaging in hobbies has a positive effect on mental wellbeing and happiness for older adults. Similarly, spending time in nature is one of the best ways to boost your mental health. Photography is a great way to combine the two!
Getting the Best Autumn Shots
Autumn is so lovely that almost any photograph will be good. If you want to take your skills to the next level, though, here are a few tips for choosing your subjects and locations wisely.
Time of Day
More than the location or subject matter, the time of day you choose for your autumn photos will be the driving force behind the best shots. Early morning light and the “golden hour” around 4-5 p.m. will help your photos shine. The contrast between shadows and light is strongest at these times, and your colors will look more saturated and pronounced. When you’re capturing the beauty of fall, you want to soak up as much color as you can!
Humans Meet Nature
Taking photos of landscapes on their own is lovely, but try to add a few where humans and nature interact to really capture the joy of the season. Head to the local park with your grandkids and let them play in the leaves, or capture your neighbors sitting hand in hand on the porch in the evening light with potted mums sprinkled about. Anything that helps make the natural features more immersive and dynamic will improve your photos.
Think in Multiple Dimensions
One of the best tricks for getting professional-quality autumn photos is to vary your composition. Choose a primary subject (maybe the gorgeous maple tree by the river), then move your camera so it’s off-center. Experiment with different perspectives until you have something interesting in the foreground, middle ground, and background. Don’t be afraid to experiment with angles, too! The local nature center is a great place to practice changing your perspective since there are so many beautiful trees and plants in a small space. Stand on a bench, lie down on the grass, or take a closeup of something that would usually demand a wider angle.
Embrace the Color Variety
Fall is famous for the reds, oranges, and golds, but you’ll find so many more vibrant colors this time of year to make your pictures pop. Head to a nearby body of water and try to find as many blues and greens as you can to highlight in the shot. You can find purples and pinks near rocky outcrops in the evening when the sunlight brings out the natural hues in the stones. You can even head to local fall festivals and photograph the colorful array of gourds, berries, and vegetables on display.
Choosing Your Equipment
The good news is that in this day and age, almost any camera is sophisticated enough to give you quality photos. If ease of use is your top consideration, this camera guide has several options that make photography a very accessible hobby, even if you’re not as steady-handed as you used to be! If you’re aiming to invest more money and time into professional equipment, this guide has some of the best cameras to start with.
Sharing Your Photographs
The joy of capturing photographs is only part of the fun this hobby brings! After you develop your film (or download those files), take the time to share them in a meaningful way.
Home Displays
Consider dedicating a wall in your home to photography. Online companies will print and mount your photos in a format that’s easy to display and change frequently. This way, you can have a different mix of photos for every season! You can also invest in a digital picture frame. Upload your photos on a regular basis, and they’ll rotate through the frame. This makes a wonderful gift for friends and family, too!
Community Contributions
Even if it’s outside your comfort zone, consider displaying your photos at local art shows, competitions, and small businesses. Check with your city’s events page, senior centers in the area, and your favorite shops and restaurants to see if they’re looking for art!
Just remember that no matter what photos you take this season, the joy is in the experience itself.
Active Aging is presented by Public Health- Seattle & King County. Public Health- Seattle & King County recognizes the important and untold stories of innovation, service, and sacrifice by the Black community and supports efforts to improve equity and achieve social justice. We want everyone to get health insurance and access health care. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/health for health insurance, flu and COVID-19 testing locations.
