Memories of Sugar Bush 2008
Several unrelated things happened this past week that gave me pause to think about why we should take photographs. And I do mean take photographs in the conventional sense rather than make photographs. On Friday I attended the funeral of a distant cousin who I’d only met on a couple of occasions. She was just 33 years old but by all accounts she had lived them to the fullest.
The church was packed, standing room only with people spilling out the front door. While the eulogies were very moving, what touched me more was the slideshow at the tea that followed the service. Her life unfolded through the seemingly ordinary photographs that were strung together chronologically. Birthdays, family gatherings and holidays, and just fun times with friends were punctuated with images of life’s milestones–graduations, a wedding, and the birth of her two girls. The last frame was a picture of her behind the camera. These images will do more than bring a little comfort to her family in the days ahead, they will become the memories her children will have of their mother. I have no doubt that they will look at these in years to come and know that they have the love of someone very special.
Even the simpliest of photographs can convey powerful emotion. Take for instance a posting by New Jersey photographer Mark Krajnak called The Homecoming. At the airport a soldier returning home is greeted by his loved one, her whole body wrapped around his. Mark says it best: “the image…isn’t technically great or special. But what it is is an image capturing a supreme moment in time – the soldier is home and his gal is happy he’s home safe“. Last week one of my favourite photographers, Jeffrey Chapman launched his blog with a post entitled The Beginning. It included the very first photograph he remembers taking. While he describes as: “…not a very good photo. Actually, it’s a horrible photo“, it reflects the wonderful connection between a father and son who both share a love of photography.
Photographs can mark an ending or a beginning and everything in between. But they don’t have be creative masterpieces; sometimes they just need to be taken. Making memories is as important as any other motivation we have to create photographs. Don’t vex over the composition or let the moment pass because you’re hung up on something technical. Just go out today and make memories with your camera!
Very well said, Sabrina (and my condolences).
Mark
YES! Fantastic advice in your last paragraph. I have to remind myself of that.
Okay. I’m officially hanging up my blogging shoes.
How can I compete with this, Sabrina? First, the “Defining Moments” post and now this; two home runs in a row! Mark, David, Jeffrey, and the rest of us have quite a bit of work to do to match this run of terrific posts.
Well said and well done.
Not to worry Stuart, these so-called “home run” posts are few and far between. Besides these posts are inspired by other photographers like yourself. Check Experiment #10b on FB
Wonderful post, Sabrina! We get so preoccupied trying to take beautiful pictures, that we sometimes completely forget to capture some moments in our lifes. That thought has crossed my mind many times, but it is good to be reminded of it! Capture memories before it is too late.
Good post Sabrina. Photography is a tool for many things – and capturing memories is one of the most important. Photographs do not have to be art or have perfect composition. One of our jobs as parents is to make memories for our children and I have always been very conscious of capturing those memories for myself and for my children. My father always had a camera in his hand and gave me one at a young age – his photographs of our family events provide a great reference point for my life and many happy memories. So, although I like to make beautiful/meaningful photographs, sometimes a picture is just a picture capturing a fleeting moment that will be remembered with the assistance of a photo.
Thanks Queen Maureen. I bet you have some wonderful memories of your boys and you’ll whip them out at just the right time!
…sometimes they just need to be taken.
And if not by us, then who?
Wow, thanks for the mention here. I’m honored
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sabrina. How tragic for her family…
You’re right on the mark her with this post. I often work with genealogists tracing their family history. They are always thrilled to find images of relations. They don’t care about composition. They don’t care about lighting. They want to see a face.
There are so many images we don’t make because we feel either that we can’t make them as we want, or that they won’t be perfect. So many beautiful moments missed…
Some images are not made because we know or expect to much from ourselves. Sometimes an image is a memory and there is no greater loss than the ones you don’t make. Great post Sabrina and well said lesson.
Sabrina. Well said. You’ve a beautiful heart and mind, and these posts show us that more and more. Thanks too for the link to The Homecoming. Lovely image – emotion trumps craft every time!