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On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

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Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#321

Post by xnx »

planck_tonne wrote: post #11

There must be a balance. Recently I met some people that were constantly filming and taking pictures of everything. It was ridiculous IMO, for the same reasons OP mentions. This is not new. For me, it began with the rise of the smartphone. So I made it a point not to waste my time photographing things. 10 years later, I regret having essentially no pictures of anything. In particular, no "good" or "frameable" picture…

In another 10 years, it's very likely that the majority of our waking hours (especially on vacation) will be continuously recorded by some worn gadget (e.g. glasses or a locket). A separate "AI" will review that footage for photographically or narratively interesting stills and video clips. There will also likely be a tour-guide "AI" that will encourage you to see certain sites and pose for certain types of photos.

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#322

Post by j_bum »

haswell wrote: post #96
j_bum wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for sharing. It’s very nice to hear from others with similar experiences. I agree about the mindfulness component too. I’m curious how you capture pics. I use my iPhone. Over the past few years, I’ve also started taking short videos, as the iPhone video processing is just unbelievably good. The videos capture nice audio context, and really help me remember the “being” of the memory. iPhone pics are good too, b…

I picked up an Olympus OM-D E-M5 III (weather sealed) during the pandemic and started going on photo walks. Fell in love with it and have taken it all over the US on road trips and hikes. I’ve since purchased other cameras and have gone pretty deep down the photography rabbit hole. Recently I’ve been eyeing a used Panasonic GX85 to pair with my existing smaller lenses like the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 because it’s even s…

Thanks for the detailed overview and the channel recommendation, I’ll definitely check it out!

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#323

Post by exabrial »

I will say this works up until about 38 years old. My memory just isn't what it used to be. A few photographs every once in awhile help me remember neat events that happened I would otherwise not recall without prompting.

Instead of taking a photo to prove to other people you were at a place and gain likes, take a photo to remind yourself of an emotion. (another words, don't take pictures _just_ to post to social media)

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#324

Post by AlexeyBelov »

jay-barronville wrote: post #309
planck_tonne wrote: post #11

There must be a balance. Recently I met some people that were constantly filming and taking pictures of everything. It was ridiculous IMO, for the same reasons OP mentions. This is not new. For me, it began with the rise of the smartphone. So I made it a point not to waste my time photographing things. 10 years later, I regret having essentially no pictures of anything. In particular, no "good" or "frameable" picture…

This comment is so relatable. For years, I made the conscious decision to focus entirely on enjoying moments instead of taking photos and recording videos. I now regret having been so strict about that. Before I got married and settled down to work on building my family, I had so much fun as a single man. I traveled to so many places, enjoyed many concerts, went to lots of events/conferences, etc. Fast forward to now…

Nothing to show for it? You were there!

I don't get this mode of thinking, that if you don't have pictures there is no proof you were somewhere. Are we trying to prove something to the jury or what?

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#325

Post by muro »

xandrius wrote: post #302
vanviegen wrote: post #255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just came back from two weeks touring Thailand. No postcards to be found anywhere. None. Lots of Buddha and elephant souvenirs though... Not sure what to make of that, but I guess they just weren't selling anymore?

Hardly believe that. Been there a few years back and definitely found them.

just got back from there - same. They had various novelty postcards, e.g. build a bridge or elephant out of them - but no picture postcards from the region.

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#326

Post by coldtea »

throwawaybob420 wrote: post #315
coldtea wrote: post #310

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> There must be a balance. Why? I mean, why we cannot just NOT take pictures, or taken them very very very rarely, like on our wedding, kids first steps, or something major like that? We managed to do without immediate access to photography for some millenia, and with very ocassional and rare use of it for the best part of the 20th century.

Such an odd thing to say. You really think people 500 years ago didn’t yearn to capture moments?

Yes.

Like we didn't "yearn to capture" moments all the time, the way we do now, even in the 80s and 90s.

Even though regular and compact and even disposable cameras were available, few walked around with one or used within the year. At best somebody would take a camera on holiday or some major life event, which is like 1/100 of current use.

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#327

Post by __MatrixMan__ »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #267
__MatrixMan__ wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a friend who refuses to take pictures without people in them. It seemed dumb at first but after several years of pictures piling up I can see he had a pretty good point.

Made some sense when photos were expensive, but now they’re nearly free, less so.

It was never about scarcity, it was about setting up future-you to find those pictures (digitally or otherwise) and be reminded of the people you were with when you took them.

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#328

Post by RataNova »

wseqyrku wrote: post #150
RataNova wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That idea of just one intentional photo, like a group shot at the end, feels like a smart middle ground

I don't like those pictures, those almost always look artificial and empty. I think you can have your camera at your disposal and capture the picture of the moment as it happens. Sure, take a group shot but don't count to three as it most definitely ruins it.

I guess for me, it's more about setting a low-pressure boundary so the whole day doesn't turn into a photoshoot

Re: On Not Carrying a Camera – Cultivating memories instead of snapshots

#329

Post by mixmastamyk »

__MatrixMan__ wrote: post #327
mixmastamyk wrote: post #267

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Made some sense when photos were expensive, but now they’re nearly free, less so.

It was never about scarcity, it was about setting up future-you to find those pictures (digitally or otherwise) and be reminded of the people you were with when you took them.

Only a problem if you took no people photos at all. Thankfully there is a middle ground between 0% and 100% people photos.
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