Photographing The Weather Can Change People's Lives
- Editor OGN Daily
- May 30
- 2 min read
It is a well known fact that spending time outside can improve our health and wellbeing, but could there be benefits from taking a camera along to photograph the weather?
The answer seems to be a very decisive "yes" from BBC Weather Watchers, an online crowd-sourcing group, set up to help showcase the best of the day's weather in pictures, across the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. There are now more than 355,000 members who have posted in excess of seven million weather photographs since it launched in 2015.
Aside from encouraging people to get out and observe their surroundings, people also say that it has helped with depression, grief, fitness and added a new sense of purpose and pride in their lives.
The benefits of walking and taking pictures has had a marked impact on some people's wellbeing, while for others it has given them a renewed sense of purpose in looking back at their photographs and recalling the memories they invoke.
For some, like Liz Scarff, it was a way to help her through some really bad times. "It's become a reason to get out in rain or shine, even when leaving home is tricky," she said. "I sometimes have to kick myself out of the door for a walk but as long as I have a camera I feel happy and ready to face the day."
She said it makes her take more notice of everything around her from the sky and clouds, to the light, trees and buildings and she comes home calmer and in a "more positive state of mind". And she added: "It's even more rewarding when you get an Editor's Pick and see your efforts on BBC Weather!"
