Another crisp afternoon photographing some ocean art on the Gold coast over the past weekend. With the forecast offshore winds it was perfect to capture some cleaner conditions, something I’ve been eagerly anticipating for a while now.
Whilst my fiance’ and I were snorkelling I managed to capture this incredible image of oxygen reaching for the surface. I thought this was a clean and simple image of something usually so mundane. But then I got thinking, I’m sure many of us can relate to what I’m about to say and research shows this affects around 14% of people. I’m sure we have all had those dreams when we were younger or maybe even as adults, the feeling of drowning, sinking beneath the surface and struggling for air, gasping for our one last breath before we wake up and realise it was all just a bad dream.
I’ve often thought this somehow relates to anxiety with an overwhelming feeling of struggle and too much pressure in our day to day lives. Although I’m sure there are plenty of different reasons for this type of dream. I know this is deep, dark and somewhat difficult for people to talk about at times but I honestly hope that if anyone feels this way they speak up and talk about it. There are loads of different people you can talk to including Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au and with mental health issues becoming more and more common you are certainly not alone.
So how does this relate to my photograph? If we strip away the physical elements of this image and interpret this through an abstract view, to me, the image portrays the moment where you are finally able to release all those anxietys and feelings of pressure allowing you to finally be at peace once again. Back on track to being the best you can be. At first I thought maybe this was one last breath but then I realised it’s about letting go of your fears and enjoying the world around you. Exhale
