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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

#51
post #39

[flagged]

> When in 5-10+ years you'll really regret not having a few pictures (and videos!) here and there.

I can't say I ever have. I think that different people are happy with different things (hot take, I know lol). That doesn't make the advice bullshit, it just means that it will be valuable for some and not sure others.

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

#52

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…

At least for my father in law, the habit of recording everything started when personal camcorders were first release. We have countless tape of completely random day to day life when my wife was little. There are obviously tapes of more important or memorable moments too, but he just always had a camcorder rolling.

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

#53
I like taking photos. Not to an excessive amount, but I do think it's important to capture memories with people. I recently went through Google Photos with my partner and we had so much fun looking back at our year together. Each month had maybe 10 photos, but each of those photos was full of so much history and stories.

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

#54
post #34

I think moderation is key. With a modern smartphone with a camera button, it’s not a burden to take a few quick pictures while still being in the moment. I certainly enjoy having a few pictures and maybe a short video of a concert to help stimulate my brain later on when I’m reflecting on the experience. But then I put my phone down and enjoy myself, and to try to not be rude to anyone else (and I hold my camera no h…

I agree, and I would add that experience helps with not having to spend all your energy on taking the picture. I know intuitively now where to stand, when to take the picture, how to frame it.

I did lug my DSLR into the delivery room, I got decent pictures without asking the medics to move, and I was present in the moment too. If anything, I wish someone took pictures of me that fine day.

My biggest challenge is making sure I don't lose it all due to corruption (local) or a shuttered service (cloud).

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

#55
I'm a designer by profession but the majority of my actual schooling was in photography. Capturing a great visual moment feels second nature to me and the process feels so involuntary that you'd rarely even notice I've taken a photo. You can absolutely live in the moment and still have something to show for it.

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

#56

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…

My son and I went to Rome, and the ridiculous behaviors from people getting their must have shots is ridiculous.

My favorite shots are selfies… one with the two of us on the tarmac in front of the plane on arrival, the other on a random street.

I lost my wife to cancer, and regret that pre-kid, we took very few pictures relatively speaking, and I cherish the ones I have.

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

#57

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…

At least for my father in law, the habit of recording everything started when personal camcorders were first release. We have countless tape of completely random day to day life when my wife was little. There are obviously tapes of more important or memorable moments too, but he just always had a camcorder rolling.

If it is not too personal, I suggest uploading it to Youtube as a public record of the past.

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

#58

I picked up photography for a bit and definitely lived in the lens for about 2 years. What broke me out of it, I got the idea of a sunrise shot. I stayed up all night, left home about 2am. I hiked through the woods to find 150+ people already there with the same idea. I didn't know it until I asked, but there was a parking lot 100 yards from where I was at. I looked around just really confused, waited for the perfect…

I’m confused. What about that experience made you stop taking pictures?

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

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think I’m living in the moment. I still take 50-100 pictures on a day trip to a new place. I don’t feel like that means I don’t enjoy the moment. took a ski lift up a mountain, too maybe 3 pics up and 3 down. 20-30 seconds total of a 5-10 minute experience If I was to guess what might take me out is if I was addicted to instantly posting them, watching the likes and comments flow in, and viewing my friends posts, a…

Have you ever gone on a day trip with no camera of any kind?

Yes, I was an adult before digital cameras were a thing. I have what feels like zero pictures of my life before about 1996. Comparing the two I will gladly take having a camera over not having a camera.
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