THE MINDFUL PHOTOGRAPHY FIELD GUIDE
— FOLLOW THE LIGHT COURSE —

5: Chase Things that Sparkle

Ever notice how flowers instinctively turn toward the sun?

That’s not just poetic—it’s biological. They are created to follow the light. And so are we.

The light of God surrounds us;
The love of God enfolds us;
The power of God protects us;
The presence of God watches over us;
Wherever we are, God is.

—James Dillet Freeman

During this practice you will train yourself to notice glittering flashes of light—aka sparkles. You will see common things in an inspiring way—like observing glittering gold showering down through fall Aspen trees. You will also see things you once thought were insignificant in new ways, like the twinkling highlight in your dog’s eye, or the sparkle of your sweetheart’s earrings.

“Who cares?” you might say. “I have a long list of grown-up problems, and childish glitters are the least of my concern.”

Here is how this powerful mindfulness technique works: each time you notice a sparkle, you are turning your attention from thinking to noticing, from rumination to intense presence. Each sparkle is a beautiful interruption. Look up now and notice what sparkles at you. Stay with it for a second or two while you breathe. 

Give this practice a shot and observe your present-moment absorption. You’ll see light in a whole new way, including the light within yourself.

​Chase Things That Sparkle — A Mindful Photography Practice in Glenwood Springs​

Introducing:
FOCUS • CAPTURE • SHINE

1. FOCUS on body and surroundings

  • Hand on Heart

  • 3 Belly Breaths

  • Note Your Level of Inner Peace

  • Open Your Eyes

With your eyes closed or gazing softly, gently place your hand on your heart and take three deep belly breaths. Simply feel your various body sensations. Note your level of inner peace. Open your eyes wide and take in what is surrounding you. Just “be” for a few seconds—without commentary or categorizations.

2. CAPTURE the present moment

  • Act Opposite to Emotion

  • Turn Smartphone

  • Photography Mindfully

  • Note Your Level of Inner Peace

Now, note your resistance to this practice and choose action anyway. Demonstrate your aim to experience inner peace by turning your smartphone into a camera, with airplane mode on. Wipe off your lenses, turn from useless ruminations, get off your keister, and let’s have some fun. Trust me—before you know it you’ll start seeing sparkles everywhere. And each time you do, you’ll re-enter the now.

Capture five shots of sparkles of light as they attract you. Get close. See which materials sparkle. Is it a light-source or a reflection? What angles make them sparkle most? Do a few check-ins, hand on your heart. Keep coming back to the shot at hand.

Remain present while editing, capturing the look of the moment. Delete all but a sacred few. Pronounce your collection “complete” and do another hand-on-heart check-in of your inner peace.

3. SHINE your light on someone

  • Love Someone

  • Stay off Social Media

  • Note Your Level of Inner Peace

When you shine your light and bless others through mindful photography, you create the loving connections that each of us so desperately wants. You deepen your immersive photographic experience when you create images destined to touch others.

Refrain from putting your mindful creations on social media for ego-validation. Instead, directly bless someone with your thing of beauty through a message or print. How can you share a photo or two with someone and make their eyes sparkle with love?

Follow the Light,
Joe

Next Steps

  1. Set Your Intention​
    Airplane mode. Hand on heart. Three belly breaths.

  2. Commit to God​
    Say a little prayer or scribble a journal entry. Release control.

  3. Watch the Video​
    ​YouTube: Chase Things That Sparkle​

  4. Read the Chapter and Support Materials​
    ​Chase Things That Sparkle- chapter spreads.pdf
    ​    ​Chase Things That Sparkle- chapter singles.pdf​

  5. Do the Practice​
    Don't overthink it. Let yourself feel the joy in this active, immersive form of mindfulness.

  6. Integrate​
    Write by hand in your journal. Use the prompts in the chapter to deepen the experience.

  7. Your Next Lesson Will Arrive Soon​
    Savor this lesson. Keep practicing, keep noticing.

Photo Tip

A starburst is created when light bends around the aperture blades of your lens. Try shooting into the sun or letting the light “kiss” the edge of a subject. Shift your angle slightly to catch it just right.

Ready for a deeper dive with a beautiful printed book? Purchase The Mindful Photography Field Guide: 15 Smartphone Photography Practices for Inner Peace.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel for new videos each week that encourage and equip mindful creativity.

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