Taking
this article at face value (and I am), please consider:
Ten percent of all the photos ever taken were taken in the past 12 months.
Every 2 minutes today we snap as many photos as the whole of humanity took in the 1800s. (and I'm pretty sure they aren't counting surveillance photos or video in that number.)
There are 2.5 billion camera phones. Almost all people who own dedicated digital cameras also own a phone with a camera. (I own both though I nearly never use the camera on my old not-very-bright-you-could-even-say-stupid phone.)
I'm a little ambivalent. When I see photographs featuring crowds holding up their cellphones snapping pictures? I sometimes think that behavior misses the point of actually being an eyewitness. On the other hand, the world is a rich and varied place and I've seen a lot more of it through photographic representation than I could hope to in person.
Past that? Taking and sharing photos are two of the chief pleasures of blogging here.
While I have you here for a moment?
Have a happy 4th of July!
(I won't say "safe" because I'm guessing happy and safe stay on the same page, and if they don't? That's your bidness, not mine.)
5 comments:
I couldn't agree more with your comment about those who obsessively snap photos, while not observing, whole-hardheartedly, an event. I know that I'm more focused on the camera (and my part in taking a photo) when I photograph something. Except for the gifted photographer, I think many people really miss the "real" action.
I find that I sometimes make myself keep still and observe rather than shoot, shoot away at something. Although, last week I went out with a friend at dusk to shoot - I had my big girl camera - and no phone. I wished for my phone by the end of the shoot because it is just so easy to share those shots on instagram and I find of late that instagram is my creative outlet of choice.
I hope you have a festive and happy 4th too. Your place looks ready!
Tina: I honestly have used my camera as a social buffer in certain situations, and there are other times when I haven't had a camera along and thought "wow- this would make a good photo for the blog" and then thought "OR I could just enjoy myself right this moment and quit framing everything in my mind for a post!" I am often my own worst enemy.
Cat: I envy your ability to be still and observe through the lens. I find it hard to do anything other than fidget with settings once I raise my camera. Instagram is an outlet I've avoided to date. Probably because I'll be the last person in the continental US to get a smart phone it seems (and that is not necessarily a complaint.).
I am SO ready for a holiday weekend. Despite a lack of substantive plans, the very idea of a midsummer holiday appeals to my sense of inner delight. And I'm one of those seasonal decorator types who can NOT resist any excuse to break out the doodads.
I agree. I would love to just visit gardens and not be thinking about taking photographs. That's why I enjoy our garden a GoGo visits. No camera needed. WHat the heck am I going to do with my 6000+ photos and all those on flash drives. My children will only be inheriting their grandparents photograph box!
Jen: Your photographs are treasures (because I said so). That said? My kids (and even my Hubbub) aren't nearly as enthralled with my many photos of flowers and plants as I am. I can only imagine how quickly and easily they'd delete nearly everything I've struggled with keeping. (not to mention the fact they'd probably let our garden beds go because they were not willing to do the maintenance required).
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