Blog Post 3: Jan 24th

For years now, on my Facebook page, I only jointed down for my “activities” that I “capture moments.” But, I’m not necessarily implying the actual camera and the click of the take. When I capture something, I preserve that moment. A moment that can live, like freezing those extras peas in the freezer for another time, or drying that lavender flower in my Robert Frost book.  Capturing, to me, means seizing that moment as if I were winning over somebody’s love. As basic as it sounds, it’s incredible. It’s beautiful.

As I observe the Martin Parr’s photo album of people (like me) taking pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or posing next to the rainbow, I realize that we are not just taking a picture, but capturing. But, why? Perhaps it’s a documentation of something that interests us, or that grabs us by the shoulders, shaking us: “This is what I want you to see!” And then comes the questions, “What should I see?” James Nachtwey compels us to see the apocalyptic streets of New York. I can hear him as he heavily breathes through his hat, hiding from the monstrous ash that assaults him. What does he want me to see? This tragedy is horrifying, yet evokes an immense warmth of compassion. What has happened to this world? The Flag Raising on Iwo Jima brought a surge of hope and motivation. There was also compassion. I find that is one reason why we capture moments. It’s the recognition in ourselves that here is the powerful play: it’s beauty, it’s tragedy, it’s horror, and it’s movement. As I look at these pictures, even Richard Bilingham’s photographs, there is empathy. Perhaps, it’s this human bond that derives from the human experience, “I know how you feel.”

This leads me to another observation. By engaging in these moments, there requires of me much humility. I can’t describe how challenging it was to observe Omayra Sanchez. As I brisked by the photograph, I passively mistaken her raisined hands, discolored from the toxic chemical, as plastic gloves. After reading her story, I examined it again and (honestly) was about to cry. How oblivious was I? For that, capturing moments makes me realize that I am also seeing and hearing this powerful play, and I too must “capture” moments.