Seeing Differently: How a Simple Qigong Exercise Can Transform Your Photography

A couple of months ago, I shared a video on YouTube about a simple Qigong exercise—one where you extend your index finger in front of you and slowly move it to the side, guiding your awareness into your peripheral vision. While it might seem like a basic movement, its implications go far beyond physical exercise.

This practice has become a powerful tool in my photography, helping me not only to see more but also to feel more connected with my surroundings. In this post, I want to share how this technique can serve photographers in two key scenarios: when nothing stands out to photography, and when there’s so much beauty that it feels overwhelming.

It all starts with your index finger

The technique is simple:

1. Extend your index finger straight out in front of you.

2. Fix your gaze on something behind your fingertip.

3. Slowly move your arm out to the side, keeping your focus soft yet focused in front of you, allowing your awareness to spread into your peripheral vision.

4. Repeat on the other side

What begins as a calming, meditative practice quickly becomes something more—it teaches us to expand our awareness beyond the tunnel vision we often default to. In Qigong, this helps cultivate mindfulness and sensitivity. In photography, it helps open our eyes to the world that often goes unnoticed.

The Benefits of Combining Qigong with Photography

1 - When You Don’t Know What to Photography

We’ve all been there—arriving at a location that, at first glance, appears to offer nothing inspiring. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing there—it just means we haven’t seen it yet.

Practising using our peripheral vision allows us to start noticing small movements, subtle shifts in colour, and interesting shapes we’d otherwise overlook. It invites us to slow down and tune in. Instead of searching for a subject, we start receiving visual information, gently guided by what catches the edges of our awareness.

2 - When Everything Is Too Beautiful to Choose

Ironically, the opposite problem can be just as paralysing. Sometimes we arrive somewhere and everything is stunning—light streaming through trees, textures on the sand, a sky lit up gold. It’s sensory overload, and we don’t know where to start.

This is where the Qigong exercise becomes an anchor. It centers us. It slows our breathing. It shifts our mind from capturing to connecting. From that calm, expanded place, we can notice what truly draws our attention. What stirs us emotionally. And from there, the act of photographing becomes more intentional and expressive.

Slowing Down to See More

At its core, this exercise is about slowing down—and that’s one of the most powerful things we can do as photographers. Slowing down allows us to see the beauty we’d otherwise miss. It trains our eye to detect nuance, and our mind to quiet down enough to appreciate it.

Incorporating this simple Qigong practice into your photography routine—even for just a few minutes—can shift your mindset, deepen your awareness, and open up a whole new world of visual possibilities.

Here are some examples of what I photographed when I did this:

The Waves

The vibrant blue colour of the waves caught my eye straight away

Marram Grass

I next noticed the motion of the marram grass beside me.

Pebbles

In the corner of my peripheral vision, I could see a dark shadow over the pebbles.

Try It Today

Next time you're out with your camera, take a moment before you start photographing. Try the exercise. Let your field of vision expand. Then let yourself wander—not just physically, but visually and intuitively. You might be surprised by what you start to see.

Photography isn’t just about what’s in front of the lens—it’s about how we perceive the world. By training our peripheral awareness through a simple Qigong exercise, we can become more receptive, more mindful, and more connected to the beauty that surrounds us.

If you want to see the original video where I demonstrate the exercise, you can check it out here.

Experience more

I’ve found this exercise so beneficial that I will be implementing it in my upcoming photography courses and workshops. If you’re interested in learning more about the mindful approach to photography, why not join us? You can find all upcoming classes and workshops at www.kimgrantphotography.co.uk/events

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