The Comfort of familiarity in the landscape. Good or bad?
To begin with this thought, I had to consider the meaning of comfort within my photography.
Perhaps this feeling comes from a place of needing comfort, a place to connect, something familiar in an ever increasingly unfamiliar world?
I think comfort of familiarity in the landscape refers to the sense of security and peace that comes from being in an environment that feels known, predictable, and connected to past experiences.
Landscapes that evoke familiarity might be those that remind us of our home, our childhood, or places we've visited often enough to recognise their details. It can be the rolling hills of a rural countryside, the predictable waves at a beach, or even the trees in a local park where one has spent years walking. Places we have grown up in, walking with family and friends. These memories etched into our soul.
This familiarity fosters a feeling of belonging and stability. It may be the smell of woodland in spring or the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on the shore, over time, have become intertwined with our personal memories or daily routines. These landscapes offer a sense of continuity and assurance, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Yes, the familiarity of a landscape can influence creativity, but in complex ways. On one hand, familiar landscapes can provide a sense of mental calm and stability, which might be conducive to certain forms of creativity, like reflection, writing, or problem-solving. When we're in a place that feels comfortable and safe, it might help clear away mental clutter, making it easier to focus and tap into creative thoughts.
However, can too much familiarity can sometimes have the opposite effect? If a landscape or environment feels too predictable, it may lead to mental stagnation because there are fewer new stimuli to spark fresh ideas. Creativity often thrives on novelty, change, and the challenge of navigating new perspectives, and unfamiliar environments can push our brains to think in different, innovative ways. For example, being in an unfamiliar city or in a nature setting can introduce new textures, sounds, and visual cues that might prompt fresh ideas.
Do you find that your environment helps or hinders your creative process?
I have been thinking about this question over the last few weeks. Personally I enjoy the familiar, that sense of comfort and connection to a place. Knowing a location intimately with local knowledge can bring flexibility. I believe my work has benefited from this thought process.
However on a recent trip away from my usual environment and locations I had a chance to explore a new landscape. While at times with new sensations and feelings it felt overwhelming, the senses struggling taking it in. But there was also the excitement of a new place. As a group we wandered a birch woodland, and as if just for us, a blanket of mist rolled in. The heart raced with a mix of anxiety and excitement, hoping to find a picture in the unknown. Taking a breath and wandering among these old trees, slowly compositions started to show themselves. It was an interesting exercise as the skills used at home had travelled with me and the flow of photography began.
This image below was one made on this visit to this new place, if only for an hour or two. I enjoyed the process, the practise, looking back at these twisted branches am reminded of that wonderful trip. New experiences and new friends. It has suggested to me to not be afraid of the new, the unexpected, to embrace, enjoy and just see what we see. Stepping out of our comforts could be ideal for stimulating creativity.
