Draw the View
With smartphone cameras so easily accessible, it’s easy to whip them out at a moments notice and take a quick snap. But how often do you honestly go back and look at those photos? How many photo albums have you really made from your holiday snaps?
It turns out, taking photos can actually impair your memory of an event. Therefore today’s exercise involves looking. Really paying attention to detail and the best way to pay attention is to draw.
Instead of using your camera’s viewfinder, you’re going analogue and making a viewfinder from a piece of card. Rather than point and shoot with your camera, you’ll point and draw.
Image Source: Children’s Museum of the Arts - I love how this cardboard viewfinder has been upcycled and decorated. A fun activity for the kids.
Ingredients
For this creative exercise, you will need:
A5 Card. Use cardstock, or upcycle and use old delivery packaging or a cereal box.
Scissors / Craft Knife
Ruler
Pencil
Paper or sketchbook for drawing on
Lovely view, an interesting object, a mirror, a window or whatever inspires you!
Instructions
Take the card and draw a 10cm x 10 cm square in the middle, using a ruler and pencil.
Cut the square out from the centre of a card and you will be left with your viewfinder frame.
Point your viewfinder frame at an object or a view from your window. Zoom into an object, or pan out to take in the wider scene. Do this inside, or go outside to your garden, balcony or local park.
Draw what you see in your sketchbook. There are no rules here other than to put all screens out of sight and enjoy the process of really paying attention.
Reflection & Enquiry
Ask: What details did you notice when you drew the scene or object? Did anything surprise you? Was your experience enhanced by drawing?
Try: Consider going out without your camera or avoid using your smartphone to photograph your experiences. Notice how you are in the moment. Did you feel the urge to pull the camera out and take a photo? What about after the event?
Instead of showing a friend the images you took, try telling them about the experience instead. Tell them about what you could see, smell or feel. I’ll bet it will be so much more interesting and enriching than looking at a 2d flat image!
I would love to see pictures of your creations. Email your images and thoughts to info@georgiestclair.com or tag me @georgiestclair on Instagram
Have an inspired day!
Georgie x