Research into Art therapy through photography and how this links in with tranquility
What is Art therapy and how does it link to photography?
Art therapy is form of psychotherapy involving the encouragement of free self-expression through painting, drawing, or modelling, used as a remedial or diagnostic activity. This includes phototherapy; the use of photos in order to aid those in therapy.
Why Art/Phototherapy?
Humans are visual creatures and we are bound to be biased towards visual stimulation. We have evolved to the point where our vision tells us very quickly if the environment is safe (evoking happy/positive emotional responses) or risky (evoking more anger or fear based emotional responses). A significant proportion of our brain and our emotions are attached to processing what we see. This brings me to the use of photography; positive and tranquil images may aid in the reinforcement of someones mentality, showing how the images I take during this project may link in with art therapy, as well as embodying the tranquil briefing I have chosen.
What types of photography am I going to use?
In this project I will utilise the photographic genre, nature photography as i feel this genre is in direct line with both phototherapy and tranquillity.
Nature photography, as shown in an NIH study, can give us a "physical and mental sense of being away from the monotonous urban environment. Whether images or the real deal, nature scenes give us visually-rich stimuli that nourish the brain."
Here are some prime examples of Nature Photography:
A prominent figure in photography, Ansel Adams, has followed this idea of art therapy through nature photography.
Adams believed in the "therapeutic power of nature" and would express it through his work as seen here:
His images of these landscapes, such as the Yosemite National Park, have been used in various therapeutic settings, promoting relaxation and emotional well-being, ultimately bringing us closer to tranquility.
A few scenarios in which Adams' work has been used in a therapeutic setting are: healthcare settings, including hospitals in areas such as books, calendars and posters. On top of this, his work may be commissioned by or acquired by these healthcare facilities to be displayed in public areas such as corridors and waiting rooms.
The podcast, "The Ansel Adams photography series" by Jeff Curto goes into great depth about the life and work of Adams. Adams reinforces his ideals, mentioning that "when words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate I shall be content with silence". This tells me that photography is another form of communication that enables us to articulate our thoughts and emotions when words cannot.
From this, i truly understand that nature photography has the ability to reduce stress and anxiety and I now have a much deeper understanding of what makes images tranquil in the context of art therapy. I will use this newfound knowledge in my work for this project, allowing me to create a photoshoot that is truly tranquil.
