Seeing and Writing 3 discusses how there are two different categories of how we see and here important events in our life: There are events that we expect to be important, and the events that spontaneously become important. Because of tradition and culture, there are events that we anticipate that will become meaningful such as birth, graduation, marriage, buying a home, etc. Because we know these events are supposed to be important, most of us try and preserve these memories through photographs. I find it interesting how the book describes how photography is not only used in preserving events, but also that taking pictures has become an event in and of itself. The book uses an example of how a wedding would not be a wedding without photographers.
I have really enjoyed these readings because I have always felt that I don’t have the best memory, and the book has inspired me of ways I can better remember important events. There are many events in my past that I have difficulty recalling in detail. I have come to realize that the moments I remember most are the important events that were unplanned. They were things I saw and heard that made a difference on my character; and they are usually relationship oriented. Examples include: Meaningful conversations with my Mom and Dad, when my friends kidnapped me and took me to Denny’s for my 16th birthday, or playing Secret Santa for a family in need, etc. Moments like these need no picture to help me remember for they have become permanently impressed upon my soul forever.
Other events like birthdays, vacation trips, or holidays often become fuzzy. Although these events are meaningful, the details often fade away with time. I am grateful for the gift of photography and the means it provides to help me remember important moments in my life.
When it comes to challenging images, I suppose I react differently depending on the nature of the image. If the image’s purpose is intended to help educate and change behavior in a positive way, then I respond well. Examining challenging images is a powerful method to promote pondering as well as changing one’s behavior. In many instances, I believe the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words.
The photographing has become the event, more then the actual event. Nice.
ReplyDeleteYour insight into taking pictures has helped me understand this "craft" better. In many ways, I have also thought that taking pictures were to preserve memory, keeping it, letting it live longer than we ever can. But I think you're right. Taking pictures can also be an event of itself.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your memories that the book helped inspired you to remember. I, too, sort of felt this way myself. The picture of the lady vacuuming helped me remember the time I dropped a bag full of flower seeds all over the carpet. Amy Tan's Christmas Eve Dinner memory made me remember the many times similar to hers. I really enjoyed reading these chapters.