Sep 234 min read

The Therapeutic Benefits of Curating Your Own Photography

As a photography amateur - who only rediscovered photography seriously when I moved from glasses to contact lenses just before the Covid-19 pandemic, I’ve found immense joy in curating my own work. With just under four years’ worth of photography in my archive, I feel like I now have enough material to start thinking about curating some of it into photo-books. While I’m not sure if these books will ever see the light of day, the act of curating them has been incredibly fulfilling. In this article, I’d like to share the therapeutic benefits of curating your own work, how it can help you hone your photography skills, and how it can add purpose to your hobby.

A black and white image of a gathering of people around a guitarist in Greenwich Market in 2021. — During the Coronavirus crisis, I spent a lot of time wandering around my neighbourhood of Greenwich, trying to capture moments like these where people found a means to come together and do what humans naturally do - socialise. Coronavirus was a hard time for everyone, needless to say, and photography was a means for me to motivate myself to get out and about rather than lull in a funk at home.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Curating Your Own Work

While I've previously talked about photography as a therapy in and of itself, curating your own photography can also be a deeply therapeutic process. It allows you to revisit moments captured through your lens, providing a sense of nostalgia and reflection. This process can be particularly beneficial for mental health, as it encourages mindfulness and presence. Engaging in creative activities like photography has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of relaxation and overall well-being.

When you curate your own work, you’re not just selecting images; you’re telling a story. This narrative can be a powerful tool for self-expression and identity. It allows you to communicate your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a way that words alone cannot. This form of self-expression can be particularly empowering, helping to boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.

A black and white photograph of two people socially distanced during coronavirus in Greenwich, London — Outside of a few run-and-gun closer up shots like the first image in this piece, I had a chronic fear of getting close to people and taking their photograph, so I'd use longer lenses or shoot from further away and crop in. This is an example from earlier in the Coronavirus crisis where I did the latter - shooting the standard 53mm lens on my wife's Fed 4, from across Trafalgar Road in Greenwich. I liked particularly the perpendicularity of the people in this scene.

Honing Your Photography Skills

One of the most significant benefits of curating your own work is the opportunity to see how your photography has evolved and matured over time. When you look back at your earlier work, you may notice technical flaws or compositional mistakes that you didn’t see at the time. This retrospective view allows you to learn from your past mistakes and improve your skills.

A black and white image of a couple browsing posters on the South Bank at Waterloo Bridge in London. — I don't necessarily always get closer up these days, and I still have a chronic dislike of approaching complete passers-by for photographs, even if they have distinctive features or clothing, or whatever. This image at the book stands underneath Waterloo Bridge on the South Bank in London was taken with the standard lens on a Pentax 6x7 camera, and so while it was a little closer than the previous photograph, the people were likely unaware they were being snappped. I think what has changed between the two is that I'm more aware of the surroundings and the precise moment to click the shutter, rather than randomly snapping and hoping for the best. And I'm more likely to not press the shutter than to do so these days, regardless of whether I have a profusion or scarcity of film.

Curating your work also involves a process of selection and elimination. You’ll need to let go of older, less well-executed photographs that you once thought were good. This can be a challenging but necessary step in honing your craft. By critically evaluating your work, you develop a keener eye for what makes a good photograph. This improved judgement can help you make better decisions before you even raise the camera to your eye.

A black and white photograph of Neil Marriott, bagpiper from Australia, busking on Westminster Bridge to raise funds to get to Glasgow to the World Bagpipe Championships — Today, I'm more able to approach strangers who are "putting themselves out there" - like Neil Marriott (above), an Australian who was busking his way up to the World Bagpipe Championships in Glasgow in August, on Westminster Bridge in London. Certainly, it feels easier now to approach and strike up a conversation than when I rekindled my passion back in 2020.

Focusing Your Future Photography

Curating your work gives you a focus for future photography projects. As you go through your images, you may notice recurring themes, subjects, or styles that resonate with you. This can help you identify your photographic voice and guide your future work. Having a clear focus can make your photography more intentional and purposeful.

A colour photograph of a pair of men choosing drinks at a bar in the City at night. — A rare colour image! I realised that if I didn't learn to shoot at night, I was cutting out a massive amount of the day where I could be practicing during autumn, winter and early spring while I was commuting home from work. It took a while to work out what worked, as well as to understand how better to see the light, to allow the shadows to fall to black and not worry so much about the odd blown-out highlight (after all, it is a high contrast situation, despite the low light). In the end I probably binned 90% of my night photography but the ones I did keep I really enjoy, like this sneak peek into a bar in the City.

For example, you might find that you have a particular affinity for street photography or landscape photography. By recognising these patterns, you can set specific goals for your future projects, such as capturing the essence of urban life or exploring the natural beauty of different locations. This focus can make your photography more cohesive and meaningful.

Adding Purpose to Your Hobby

Curating your own work adds a sense of purpose to your photography hobby. It transforms your collection of images into a cohesive body of work that tells a story. This sense of purpose can be incredibly motivating, encouraging you to continue pursuing your passion and improving your skills.

Moreover, the process of curating your work can be a rewarding creative endeavour in itself. It allows you to take pride in your achievements and share your unique perspective with others. Whether or not your photo books ever get published, the act of creating them can be a source of personal satisfaction and fulfilment.

Improving Your Judgement

As you curate your work, you’ll develop a better understanding of what makes a good photograph. This improved judgement can help you make more informed decisions when you’re out in the field. You’ll start to recognise the elements that contribute to a strong composition, such as lighting, framing, and subject matter.

A black and white photograph of people milling around Borough Market in Southeast London. — The continuous practice of photography, as well as curating the images that I've made, has allowed me to see what it is I like to see in my images, as well as to see what works and what doesn't work. Being able to cast a small group of people into the light against a mass of people in the shadows, like in this photograph in Borough Market, is the result of numerous failures in the past, as well as a general improvement in my patience, vision and focus that comes from looking back over my work, paring the lesser accomplished images out (however painful that might be given at the time I took them, I thought I was the absolute bee's knees, God's gift to photography), and focusing on what I did create that really worked, then repeating and practicing that.

This heightened awareness can also help you anticipate potential challenges and opportunities before they arise. For instance, you might become more adept at spotting interesting scenes or predicting how the light will change throughout the day. This proactive approach can lead to more successful and satisfying photography experiences.

Curating your own photography can be a deeply therapeutic and rewarding process. It allows you to reflect on your journey as a photographer, hone your skills, and add purpose to your hobby. By critically evaluating your work, you can improve your judgement and make more informed decisions in the future. Whether or not your curated photo books ever get published, the act of creating them can provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment.

So, if you’re an amateur photographer who has never attempted curating a photo book, I encourage you to give it a try. You might be surprised at how much you learn about yourself and your craft in the process. Happy curating!

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Michael Elliott

Fine Art Film Photographer at Large