Photography as a Medium for Self-Reflection
Self-Reflection Through Art Forms
All art forms are, at its core, self-reflection. Communication arts like advertising, billboards, posters, etc., which are considered design, is infused with the soul of its creator whether they did it consciously or subconsciously. Albeit at a more discrete level than with what artists does with their work. This is not to discount designs as less of an art piece. Rather, it’s to put into perspective the differences I see when it comes to self-reflection between the two.
When we look at photography, a historically technical craft, photographers need to learn and perfect usage of big and bulky equipment to record reality. They then need to carefully process the record using a scientifically meticulous method to draw out the final product that is the photograph. One could argue that in the early era of photography, it was nothing short of science experiments in the optical and chemical category. However, in the modern era of photography, as camera gets smaller, more affordable and more capable, post processing gets easier, more accessible and quicker, photographers of all level and skills can pick up a camera and start shooting rather easily. The technical aspect of photography being relegated to a background hum that assists and enhance instead of requiring mastery. Therefore, putting photography closer to art form than ever before since its inception.
Anecdotes on Photography Role in Self-Reflection
With that being said, here comes the question, is photography now a capable medium for people, not just photographers, to use in self-reflection? The quick answer is yes, whether you shoot intuitively or rationally. Taking photographs is inherently introspective, as best illustrated by Ernst Hass words:
“There is only you and your camera. The limitation in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are”
In other word, what we see is a reflection of our perception, emotion and identity. All shaped by our lived experience, interests and state of being. Therefore, one could make the argument that photography, like any other forms of art, is a reflection, a mirror into the photographers’ soul through the lens they carry around their necks.
Great photographers of the past have described their work as self-discovery and introspection. This applies across multiple genres of photography. History has seen many famous photographers affirming the idea.
“The photographer projects himself into everything he sees, identifying himself with everything in order to know it and to feel it better.” — Minor White
“My portraits are much more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” — Richard Avedon
“Photography is a discovery of life which makes you look at things you’ve never looked at before. It’s about discovering yourself and your place in the world” — Trent Parke
Minor White is a strong example of someone who turned to photography to express his emotions and reflect his inner state of mind. Some account cites his closeted homosexuality as a driving force in his work. While account of his actual interview is scarce, we can observe the nature of his work. Always intimate, always up close, always black and white, always soft. Calling out and yearning to be understood. His fear of not being understood drove him to keep teaching photography so people could understand his work. For he thought that without such understanding, his creativity would subside. He went so far as to write a photographic essay at one point in his life called Memorable Fancies, in which he invites viewers to read photographs through intended possible implication of subjects.
Minor White: Manifestations of Spirit, With Curator Paul Martineau
Empirical Studies on Using Photography for Self-Reflection
While anecdotes on the practice of using photography as a medium for self-reflection are strong, I will also take another look from a scientific perspective just to be thorough and not mislead anyone into thinking it works without empirical backup. Studies on using photography as a means to understand self-perception, self-concept and as a therapeutic tool date as far back as 1968.In recent years, multiple studies have shown positive outcomes on participant mental wellbeing and using it as a tool for personal development. This includes Tourigny & Naydenova study titled Using Therapeutic Photography Techniques to Increase the Wellbeing of College Students, which showed significant improvement in mental health after 4 weeks of the subject taking photos of things that make them happy. It also decreased their depression and anxiety scores. Similar methodology and findings are shown again in a study from 2023 by Read, Mason & Jones. I have linked a few more studies below for so you can explore them on your own. For those interested in taking up photo therapy with a professional that has been practicing since the 1970s, check out Judy Weiser PhotoTherapy Center.
How Can We practice Using Photography as a Medium for Self-Reflection?
I spent a lot of time thinking about this section as I was writing the article. It’s rather tough to tell people how to conduct something as personal as a self-reflection exercise without falling into the cliche of an armchair psychologist. So, I will keep each one short. Here is what works for me (based observation and coaching result) and what I plan to do more of
1. Photograph your emotional trigger
An effective way to start out would be to shoot what that attracts your attention or illicit an emotional response. This could be places, objects or a street scene that evoke certain emotion within you.
2. Review your photos regularly
While shooting your emotional trigger could be a form of release and recognition, it is not enough to understand the patterns of your emotion. Look back into your vast catalogue and start grouping photos into sets. Give it a name and see where it goes.
3. Mindful photo walks
This one is a bit of a cheat. It combines treating photography as a form of meditation with photograph your emotion. But rather than being completely reactive like the first point, here, try to get into the flow of creating and pay attention to what attracts you. Photograph those things no matter how small, how positive or negative.
4. Write your feelings (reflection)
Complement number two by writing out how you feel when you see each photograph in a set or just how you feel about a set in general. Dig deeper in you to find where these feelings are coming from. This is the reflection part of self-reflection in photography.
Conclusion
In the end, any art form, including photography, is a powerful tool for self-reflection. In photography, it is dual in its nature. The outward looking and the inward revealing. Each time you snap a photo, a piece of history is recorded (external) along with your emotional interpretation of the scene (internal). The exercise above should help you go through the process. Remember there is no right or wrong here. Therefore, as Minor White suggested, the camera is an instrument for your self-discovery, so let it reflect your vision without judgment.