The Power of Light: Photography & the Healthy Mind

the eilean donan castle near kyle in the highlands of scotland

This week we’re stepping slightly off the usual path — not away from macro photography, exactly, but into one of the reasons it matters so much to so many of us.

the highlands

If you’ve been part of this community for a while, you’ve probably noticed that the conversations here aren’t just about lights, lenses, and Lepidoptera. Somewhere in the middle of all the technical chatter, there’s a heartbeat — a shared understanding that this hobby does more than produce pretty pictures.

Monument to fallen commandos at spean bridge, scotland

For some, it’s been a lifeline during difficult times. For others, it’s a steady, creative anchor in a noisy, unpredictable world. And for all of us, it’s a way to connect — not just with the tiny subjects in front of our lenses, but with the people who share our passion. Our world is in turmoil, with explosive technological advances, building international tensions, and a deteriorating domestic order. People from Bismarck to Brisbane are worried about their future, and the futures of their children and grandchildren. Many have been struggling to cope for decades. One result of this almost universal angst has been a meteoric rise in the incidence of depression and anxiety; the CDC has reported a 60% rise in prevalence of anxiety disorders in adults and adolescents in the last ten years, an estimated 42.5 million adults in the US alone.

On Tuesday, we’ll be talking about the role photography — and the communities that form around it — can play in helping people manage anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges. I’ll share a bit of my own story, along with some thoughts on why technical, focused activities can be such a balm for the mind, and how the connections we make here can be part of the solution. We have talked about health before, but never with this focus. I will try to keep it positive and upbeat, but will not be avoiding the tough questions. I will try to leave time for questions. Your link to this livestream is here - https://youtube.com/live/odQh0iSv1yk?feature=share

the magnificent forth rail bridge

Then, on Thursday, we’ll turn the conversation toward prevention. What can we do, as healthy, engaged individuals, to keep our community vibrant, positive, and supportive? How can directing our energy outward — encouraging, mentoring, and celebrating others — help keep us strong, too? It’ll be a lighter, forward-looking discussion, and I’ll be looking for your ideas to take into the months ahead. I am proud of the community that you have built around this little channel and I want to do what I can to keep it a safe and healthy resource for anyone who finds us. Here is a link to this livestream - https://youtube.com/live/ntkXC273Fx4?feature=share

These aren’t just “feel good” topics — they’re at the heart of why so many of us keep picking up the camera. The gear and the techniques are important, but they’re part of a much bigger picture.

the high road, or the low road - can’t remember

So, whether you join for the technical tips, the conversation, or just to be among like-minded souls for an hour, I think you’ll find something worth your time this week. I hope you’ll tune in — and bring your thoughts, your questions, and maybe even a photograph or two to share.

That is not everything, of course! We have Pzoom on Saturday morning at 10AM - a two hour face-to-face discussion forum that I host for my wonderful Patreon supporters. If you are among them, you invitation to this week’s Pzoom is over on Patreon, in today’s post.

It seems like it has been a while since our Tangent group met, but that will change on Saturday afternoon when we get together for some 3D modeling chat from 12:30 until 2:00pm. This is open to everyone and it is one of my favorite events on the channel! I never fail to learn a ton of new stuff every time we meet. Please join us - here is your invitation -

Allan Walls is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Tangent

Time: Aug 16, 2025 12:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6916802815?pwd=TS9tZi9ZL1NXeVUvOUF4eTg5YjdlZz09&omn=87030017757

Meeting ID: 691 680 2815

Passcode: 678122

Join instructions

https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/87030017757/invitations?signature=UV03znmr9vhgNcUREYFR-mtkVjyxQuwAkswqyB-Lsuc

a hairy coo enjoys a nostril lick

I hope you can make it to some of this week’s activities. Next week we will be jumping right back into technical macro photography with a couple of streams I have already started working on.