Let’s get physical…

In my day job I’m a Professor of Exercise Physiology. Yeah, I’m not really sure what it means either! I mostly teach students about the principles of how the body works during physical activity and exercise, and do research studies on the same topic, usually when there’s wearable technology involved (like the Apple Watch). Having taken up photography seriously in the last 12 months, it got me thinking about how much I’m getting outside compared to before I bought the Z7ii. I realised that just by going outside I was doing a lot of walking and just enjoying nature. This has been great for both my physical and mental health. So I was really pleased to see that a photographer on YouTube, Ian Worth, recently posted a video on this aspect of photography. It was very pleasing to see a professional photographer acknowledge that photography pushes you to engage with nature and that this can bring both physical and mental health benefits. But the other point he made (and I agree) is that even if you spend a whole day outside and don’t end up with a single image that you’re happy with, then that doesn’t really matter. The whole point is that you’ve enjoyed yourself, and if you come away with a great photo then that’s a bonus. I think this is a great attitude to most things in life. Enjoy them for the pure joy of the activity, not what external rewards it might bring you.

GA