7 Ways To A More Observant Life - Beyond Photo Tips

A photographer’s visual awareness skills aren’t often given due attention, yet it is a core ability that a photographer needs to develop. Let’s fix that with this article… I contend that having a keen eye is the sole job of the photographer. Sometimes novice photographers can get so entranced by photography equipment, that they don’t build the visual awareness & observation skills that they need to succeed as a photographer. But that can be fixed.

The foundation of a strong photographic vision centers on focus, attention, and care. Do exceptional photographers simply care more deeply about visual details? Or are they more intentional about what they notice? I’d argue it’s both. You are reading this because you care about having an eye for detail. Here are a few ways in which you can build habits into your daily life so that mindful, intentional observation skills become a part of your daily life, and photography routine.

This is the second part of a two-post series on why a good photographer is also a good observer.

In the first post, we discussed some things that you could pay attention to, to help you become more visually aware. Today we’re looking at some habits that you can develop to help you along.

Table of Contents

• How To Build Habits That Boost Visual Awareness?
• A Few Words About “Focus”
• 1. Learn to Draw or Paint:
  • How Do You Get Started?
• 2. Take Note of Yourself:
  • How Do You Get Started?
• 3. Be a Mental List-maker:
  • How To Get Started?
• 4. Be Present In The Moment:
  • How Can You Prevent Distractions?
• 5. Listen to What People Say, Watch Them Closely:
  • How Can You Get Started?
• 6. Know What To Ignore:
  • How To Ignore Some Things in Life?
• 7. Remember That You Need to Observe Things:
  • How To Remind Yourself That You Must Practice Being Mindfully Observant?
• How Will Being A More Visually Observant Photographer Help You In Your Daily Life?

How To Build Habits That Boost Visual Awareness?

Becoming more aware of all that is around you, is not something that happens overnight, or that happens accidentally. It is a trait that is developed intentionally. One develops it over time, and so it takes some care, diligence, and nurturing to become an intentionally observant photographer.

A Few Words About “Focus”

As we mentioned earlier being an observant photographer means having intense focus. Focus is more about removing distractions than it is about learning ‘how to focus’. For example, if you’re supposed to watch a pot that shouldn’t overflow, but you’re distracted by playing Angry Birds on your phone, you have lost your focus and are likely not observing the pot for the moment it’s about to overflow. Mindful Observation needs focus.

Here are a few habits that help you build your focus, to become more observant on a daily basis. With time, and care, some of these habits will become part of your daily life, and you will not have to focus on taking these steps intentionally.

1. Learn to Draw or Paint:

Drawing and painting depend very heavily upon your powers of observation. This one step could be a double-edged sword as it will also improve your understanding of light, materials, and shadows.

Since photography is, in many ways, an extension of the tradition of painting, you will find that these are very useful skills to have, and will develop your ability as a photographer too.

So, we’ve got off to a good start: two skills that you could develop from just one activity… Observation and an understanding of the fundamentals of art. Developing this skill requireds intense focus for short periods. This is a good starting point.

How Do You Get Started?

This one is easy … you could take an art class, or set aside time daily to learn how to draw or paint.

The next steps are a bit harder to achieve.

2. Take Note of Yourself:

Your handwriting and other things that come to you subconsciously – like the way you speak, and the words & gestures that you use – are all part of who you are. If you want to be more aware of others, first become more observant of yourself and your habits. Know Thyself.

This is easy to say, but getting started is much more difficult, and it is a journey … a lifelong pursuit.

How Do You Get Started?

You can start by taking 5 minutes to meditate and so become aware of your body. This will help you focus on yourself.

Once you feel comfortable doing that, you can extend your mindful observations to include everything else about yourself. Your likes, dislikes, habits, biases, and preferences…

All this is part of becoming a photographer that dwells in the moment, and is able to take the best advantage of the situation they’re in, while also expressing themselves.

3. Be a Mental List-maker:

Don’t get lost in your own thoughts when you’re moving through any space. Make it a habit to make a mental record of things around you see how they’re placed. The next time you go by the same space, check to see whether they’re the same or whether they’ve changed in any way. Soon it will become second nature to you.

How To Get Started?

We tend to get drawn inwards into our thoughts at times. While there’s nothing wrong with this, there is a time and place for it, and when you’re outside is not the right time to be aware of your thoughts. Instead, it is time to use your senses to become aware of, and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the places through which you’re traveling. Use all your senses, and you will find that you are able to observe and remember things much better.

4. Be Present In The Moment:

If you’re focused on whatever task is at hand, you will be able to notice and remember the minute details and nuances that would otherwise be lost. They say “God is in the details.”

Paying attention to the little details in front of you keeps your mind more alert and always on the watch for interesting bits that you could use later.

The enemy of this trait is anything that pulls your attention away, any distraction. Each person is different, but for many people today, the prime distraction is their smartphone, and more specifically either social media, or games.

I know because I constantly face this challenge myself. Instead, focus on your surroundings, keep your camera at the ready, and know your camera settings.

How Can You Prevent Distractions?

Turn your phone off and move it outside your field of vision. Do the same for a TV or whatever else distracts you. Set yourself up in a space that allows you to focus on the task that you have at hand. You can enjoy Instagram reels, or Twitter once you have finished your task.

Allow these moments where you are totally present to add up, and very soon you’ll find that you are completely aware of what’s happening around you and observant of everything that is relevant to you. This is perfect for a photographer!

5. Listen to What People Say, Watch Them Closely:

This point seems like an extension of the previous one… But it deserves its own space.

Yes, you do listen to people. But are you ‘really’ listening? All too often, we find ourselves ‘listening’ to somebody while working at the computer, or watching something on the television.

Make it a point to give your full attention to the person who is talking. Making this a habit could pay unseen dividends personally and professionally. Remember that listening is an art in itself.

Focus on other people.

How Can You Get Started?

Sometimes, even a photographer has to put away their camera, or at least put it out of the focus of attention…

Put away your distractions, and listen to people. Often, you will be able to understand them a lot more by keenly watching their gestures, expressions, and other nonverbal signs and cues.

To understand nonverbal communication, you could spend time people-watching in public spaces (but don’t be a stalker, and don’t be creepy).

Watching people communicate without knowing the intimate details forces you to notice smaller nuances in their expression, gestures, and body language. You can then apply this learning to your own daily communications.

Since really understanding communication is a very important part of being observant, remember to ‘really listen’ (set aside all other activities, and focus on the speaker), and then to also be aware of yourself as you share your thoughts with others – what words are you using, your gestures, your facial expressions. Notice it all, and it will help you to be a better communicator, while also gaining insight into others.

It works both ways.

6. Know What To Ignore:

It is impossible to know everything about everything. We simply do not have the capacity to do so. While there are some gifted individuals who can train themselves to be hyper-aware of the world around them, it ultimately needs to have a purpose.

How To Ignore Some Things in Life?

In your quest for the ability to be more keenly aware of the world around you, one of the key things to realize is that you must eventually learn that there are things that you will have to ignore, to be able to pay more attention to what matters to you.

For example, you must ignore the television that’s on, if you want to have a meaningful conversation with your family members or friends.

If you find that you’re being distracted, pause to re-centre yourself. If needed shut down, move away from, or turn off the distracting element, and re-focus on what matters.

Sometimes, you will find that it’s your thoughts that need to be shut down while listening to someone else, whereas at other times, it will be others who are intruding on your thoughts.

Evaluate your priorities and take appropriate action to ensure that you focus on what matters to you.

7. Remember That You Need to Observe Things:

If you’re not in the habit of being self-aware and observant, it can be rather easy to forget the task at hand – visual awareness.

Find a way to remind yourself about your daily mission to be observant, to be visually aware, and don’t let a day pass when you don’t practice this skill.

How To Remind Yourself That You Must Practice Being Mindfully Observant?

As you begin this journey of increasing your ability to be more aware and mindful of the world around you, you will probably need to be reminded of your mission. There are many ways to remind yourself of your mission:

• You could do this by scheduling a photography assignment at the same time each day or week. Pick up your camera, and spend some time practicing your visual awareness skills.
• You could set yourself an alarm or repeating/daily note on your phone to remind yourself.
• You could have a note placed next to your mirror which you use every morning. Every time you see this note write down the date on it (or check off the date on a calendar) to make sure that you make note of how often you follow this ritual.

Small reminders like this add up, to help you stack your skills.

How Will Being A More Visually Observant Photographer Help You In Your Daily Life?

1. It will offer you an amazing insight into how people think, react, and behave in general. This could have startling revelations in your work, no matter what you do for a living.
2. It will help you understand how many pieces of equipment work because you’ll find yourself observing the buttons and symbols on the equipment. You’ll also observe how people make things work and learn skills more quickly from those observations – I learned Adobe Illustrator solely by watching people use it, and not asking questions; weird … I know!
3. It will help you choose the right moment to release your camera’s shutter as the crowds part when watching a particular person walk down the street, or the right moment as your child smiles at you so sweetly.
4. It will help you appreciate people around you better and possibly help you know what they are feeling and thinking.
5. It also brings calmness to you. You are no longer centred within yourself but are selflessly involved in other people’s worlds.

Can you think of any more tips? Share them in the comments.

Note: This article focuses specifically on visual awareness for photographers. If you’re looking for general information about being observant in daily life, you might want to check other resources.

This is part of the Beyond Photo Tips Birthday Special Series. Go here to see all the posts so far.

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