Five Frames

A Quiet Reminder

I didn’t get out with my camera as much as I hoped this week. No sweeping views or golden light. But I did cross paths with this mountain bluebird, perched quietly, almost like it was waiting for me to notice.

There’s something grounding about moments like this. No big hike. No epic sky. Just stillness. Just a bird and a branch and a bit of space to breathe.

Bluebirds are often associated with renewal, hope, and joy. And this one felt like a gentle nudge to slow down and remember that those things are still here.

It’s a fitting reminder during Earth Day and National Parks Week that the wild doesn’t have to be grand to be worth protecting. Sometimes the most meaningful encounters are the smallest ones.

Creative Reset, No Road Trip Required

Sometimes, all I need is a little time outside to shake off a creative rut, but it doesn’t always have to mean a full-on hike or weekend getaway.

Here’s how I reset with nature when I don’t have the time (or energy) to go far:

• Pick a spot close to home. A nearby trail, park, or even a quiet corner of your neighborhood. Familiar is fine.
  

• Leave the goals behind. Don’t go out trying to get the photo or finish a piece of writing. Go without expectation.
  

• Take one tool. A camera, a notebook, or a sketch pad. Let it be simple.
  

• Set a soft intention. Something like: “Notice the light,” “Listen more than I look,” or “Follow whatever catches my eye.”
  

That’s it. A reset doesn’t have to be big. Sometimes just stepping outside, unplugging, and letting nature lead for a while is enough to shift everything.

10 Ways Creatives Can Help Preserve the Land

As creatives who draw inspiration from nature, we have a unique responsibility - and opportunity - to protect the places that move us. With Earth Day and National Parks Week this week, I’ve been thinking about ways we can do this. 

1. Leave No Trace - Literally
   Pack out our trash, avoid trampling delicate vegetation, and respect wildlife. Our art shouldn’t come at nature’s expense.
   

2. Share the Story, Not the Coordinates
   Geotag responsibly. Consider keeping exact locations vague to help prevent overcrowding of fragile or lesser-known areas.
   

3. Use Our Platform for Good
   Use our captions, blogs, or newsletters to promote awareness of conservation efforts or stewardship practices.
   

4. Highlight the Unseen
   Showcase the quiet beauty, like lichen, shadows, or bird calls, not just the epic shots. This helps shift the mindset from consumption to appreciation.
   

5. Support Local and Sustainable
   Buy from or collaborate with eco-conscious brands, local artisans, or park-based nonprofits for gear, prints, or publications.
   

6. Reduce Gear Waste
   Buy used camera gear, donate what we no longer use, and think twice before upgrading just because it’s new.
   

7. Print Responsibly
   Use eco-friendly papers, sustainable packaging, or carbon-neutral printers for photography or written work when possible.
   

8. Educate Through Art
   Write, photograph, or create with purpose. Don’t just capture beauty, tell the story behind it, especially if the landscape is threatened.
   

9. Be a Mindful Traveler
   Avoid off-trail shortcuts, and follow seasonal guidelines for sensitive areas.
   

10. Give Back to the Land
    Donate a portion of our proceeds, volunteer with park cleanups, or create art for awareness campaigns that help protect wild spaces.

Photo Prompt of the Week

Photograph a scene not as it looks, but as it feels - what emotion or memory does it stir in you?

National Parks Week and Earth Day remind us that the places we love aren’t just beautiful, they’re personal. They hold memories, emotions, and quiet lessons.

Instead of chasing the most epic view, try something different: capture how a place makes you feel. Use your camera as a bridge between your inner world and the landscape.

How to Approach This Prompt:

1. Pause Before You Shoot
   Stand still. Listen. Breathe. What does this space stir in you—peace, wonder, nostalgia, loneliness?
   

2. Choose Your Visual Language
   Let your feelings guide your decisions:
   

   • Stillness: Wide shot, soft light, clean composition
     

   • Melancholy: Deep shadows, blur, overcast tones
     

   • Joy: Vibrant colors, movement, playful light
     

   • Awe: Low angles, big scale, dramatic skies
     

3. Use Light as Emotion
   Think beyond “good” or “bad” light. Harsh light can feel honest and bold. Soft light can feel intimate or reflective.
   

4. Zoom In or Out
   Is the emotion in the grandness or the details? Follow that instinct. A single leaf can hold more power than a mountain range.
   

5. Ask Yourself: Would I Still Love This Image if No One Knew Where It Was?
   This is less about the place and more about your connection to it. That’s the spirit of Earth Day, honoring what we feel is worth protecting.
    

Get Involved: Citizen Science for Nature Lovers

One of the simplest ways to give back to the planet? Pay attention. And share what you see. These citizen science projects let anyone contribute to real research just by spending time outside. No lab coat required.

A few to check out:

• iNaturalist – Snap a photo of a plant, bug, or critter and help scientists track biodiversity.
  

• eBird – Record bird sightings to help monitor migration and population trends.
  

• Globe at Night – Report how many stars you can see and help map light pollution.
  

• Nature’s Notebook – Track seasonal changes in plants and animals to support climate change research.
  

• Project Squirrel – Yep, report squirrels! Or their absence. Every sighting helps monitor urban wildlife.

You don’t have to be a scientist to make a difference—just a curious observer who loves wild things. I use eBird to track the birds I see; it’s simple and kind of addictive.

Hope this week brings you a few moments of stillness, beauty, or whatever you need most right now. 

If you try the photo prompt or join a citizen science project, I’d love to hear about it.

I’d love to hear from you! Have a question, suggestion, or want to explore a collaboration? Get in touch!

 Help spread Five Frames. Share it with other photographers, artists, writers, and creatives.

If you were forwarded this message, sign up here to receive it each week. It’s free!