A simple tip to help you be in the zone and boost your photographic creativity

I discovered the concept of being in the zone in the excellent book Drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards. It’s a state of deep focus that can boost your creativity as an artist. Here’s a simple tip to help you be in the zone. Read on.

My personal experience in being in the zone

When I first discovered the being in the zone concept in Betty Edwards’ book, I was surprised cause it looked like a mental state I had experienced for years without knowing what it was. When daydreaming or listening to music, I remarked that my mind was very fluid, fast, non-verbose, more visual, and more contemplative. I also noted that my imagination was boosted. When I started photography, I had confirmation that this was the same pleasant and creative mental state.

Being in the zone or the flow state: what it is and what it does

Being in the zone means—from my personal experience—being in a deep focus and being completely absorbed by what you are doing. It also means, for me, switching away from the verbose and rational left side of the brain to the dreamy and creative right side. This is also called the flow state, I’m no psychologist so I’ll point you to this wiki page. 

For a photographer, being in the zone has two benefits from my experience. The first one is a boost to your reactivity, you won’t be hindered by the left side of your brain and your doubts, you’ll just do. The second benefit is what I’ll call the blossoming of your creativity. You’ll be liberated of this rationally toxic left side of your brain, you’ll shoot more freely and you may experience new ideas and desires. You may even end up shooting much more than usual. It’s mentally draining so don’t expect to be in this deep focus mental state for the whole day. I’m exhausted after just 2 hours.

A simple tip to be in the zone/flow state

I discovered a simple tip to enter in the zone for those days when the mind is too chaotic and worried. For it to work, it’s important to relax. You’ll do it where you want to take photographs. Basically, the idea is to use holotropic breathing (it was taught to me by an experienced therapist) to relax the mind and body and to slowly shift to the right side of the brain.

1. Get your camera ready
2. Sit somewhere, preferably a calm place
3. Empty your mind. If you can’t, focus your mind on an image
4. Close your eyes
5. Inhale slowly and deeply from your nose for 4 seconds
6. Block your breath for 4 seconds
7. Exhale from your mouth slowly and deeply for 4 seconds
8. Repeat 5-10 minutes
9. Grab your camera, and do the photography you want to do

A few words of warning: avoid all distractions, don’t talk, don’t check your phone! If you talk, you’ll get out of the zone! Don’t be disappointed if this doesn’t work at the first try. Take your time to learn to relax your mind and to dive into the flow state.