09/08/2019
9.8.19. It is now exactly 6 months since I broke my ankle.
It is not often that I ask for help, but here is one such instance, so I would appreciate a moment of your time. There is a possible benefit to you too – and you also stand a chance to win something.
It’s strange how life works. It’s often when you are down and out that you are forced to reflect and search for positives. Sure there are many – a warm home, food, family, friends, etc… but sometimes these positives are clouded over by a mist of self-pity, doubt, and fear.
I found myself in this situation twice in the last two years. The 1st time was when I smashed up my shoulder and broke 5 ribs in a bicycle accident in 2017. The second time was when I broke my ankle on the 9th of February this year.
One minute I was in my happy place and the next I was brought back down to earth hard and was forced to lie around and reflect for the next few months. Like flicking a reset button.
I am a photographer and videographer, so being mobile is essential. This meant I could not work, which didn’t make matters any easier.
So I have been doing some serious reflecting.
It has been an interesting journey of recovery over the last few months and during this time I actually gained a lot more than I lost. I have learned a lot. I have met some inspiring people and I have heard some fascinating stories.
But what is the point of gaining knowledge if you don’t share it?
I learned to watch my step and tread lightly, to be mindful, enjoy the moment, live the moment, walk, talk, be brave, follow my gut, take time, make time, play, seek joy in small things and that lots of joy = happiness.
I clearly recall how excited I was when I got the go-ahead from the doctor to start walking. The 1st walk I took was to the beach with my camera. To strengthen my ankle I took a walk every morning – always with my camera. It was during these walks that I fell in love with photography all over again, after spending many years seeing it more as a job. I learned about the healing power of photography from a stranger on one of my walks and it really hit home.
The article was entitled “Photography as therapy: Why taking photos can actually improve your mental health”.
In a nutshell, photography can be compared to meditation and mindfulness.
You can use your photography practice as a tool to reframe the world around you. With photography, you can reflect your own values, thoughts, and desires, and to create the kind of world you want to see. You can choose what you focus on and what you leave out of the frame.
In life, much like photography, we have the opportunity to select the story that best suits us – to reframe the world around us – to edit our reality.
I will happily share this article with whoever is interested, just drop me a message and I will pass it on.
Through my daily walks, I also discovered the healing power of walking. I have always been an avid walker, but never realized how necessary it is to your wellbeing until it was denied from me. There are so many benefits besides the exercise itself. These benefits are well documented, which I won’t go into now, but once again I am willing to share these insights if you drop me a message.
The other thing I did was to start surfing again… well actually bodyboarding for now, until the ankle is strong. I always thought “boogie boarding” was for wankers that can’t stand. Boy was I wrong. It is really so much fun, and really a fun way to improve my fitness with the hope that I get surfing fit again… and I am slowly getting there.
There is really something quite inexplicably exhilarating to be right in the centre of an energy surge of liquid that detonates, expelling all that energy. Apparently, it has something to do with the negative ions that our bodies crave. Whatever it is – it is one of those things that for a few seconds require your utmost focus and attention. When you are in the zone then nothing else matters, and the feeling of finding the sweet spot on a great wave and getting barreled is just priceless.
I then decided to share my love for photography, combined with my love for walking, as well as seeking out those perfect waves. To share my philosophies of life, to seek out beauty and to tell beautiful stories and along the way experience a playful joy. To feel fulfilled. To have a purpose. To inspire. To be inspired. To live. To laugh. To be brave. To spread a positive message. To be a catalyst to positive change and in the process live a healthier, fuller life.
I will accomplish this by embarking on walks originally focused on my immediate surroundings – the deep south, Cape Town. This is a magnificent place to live – with so many interesting gems all within easy reach.
During these walks, I will shoot whatever inspires me. I am happy to share what inspired me to take the photo, the technical aspects, like what settings I used, a bit about the actual location - or character, etc.. Whatever questions you may ask I will try and respond to. I will also chat with people along the way. I will interview some of the fascinating people and tell their stories. We will discover interesting places, interesting people, learn about photography and learn about life.
My Instagram account is . Initially, it will mainly be photos, but I do have a lot of interesting video ideas that I will publish there as well.
I would be stoked if you followed me there.
And that’s not all! You stand to win a free photoshoot of your choice in the Cape Town area. Competition details on my Instagram account on the photos posted on 9.8.19.
If I can put a smile on one unhappy person's face each day, or if I can inspire one person to dust off their camera, or I can persuade one person to get out there into nature then I have achieved my goal.
If you like this idea then give me some love and feel free to share this post. It would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
SHOT-A-LOT.
Mark
https://www.instagram.com/markchipps/
“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
Elliott Erwitt
