I used to hate looking at pictures. I always felt like I was being forced into moments that weren’t mine. A strange sense of voyeurism that was thrust upon me. Of course, this was before digital cameras were pervasive and when phones were used to call people. You know, way back when – like the year 2000.
Since then, I have upgraded to a digital camera with more memory than could be found on my first computer. And I travel everywhere with it. Just the other day, I was trying to sort through my travel photos from trips abroad. And they all started to blur together. There were buildings, landscapes, and the occasional self-portrait. You know the one, arm stretched out, head tilted back trying to get as far from the camera lens as possible. A look of half concentration mixed with an awkward half smile dominates the screen. Like when I went skiing at Chamonix (which, by the way, has to be one of the best places to visit in Europe. Especially when it doesn’t stop snowing.).
I realized just how dominant photographs had become when I traveled. There were plenty of memories to sort through. And plenty of pictures which were just that – pictures. Places I couldn’t remember seeing and things I couldn’t remember doing. Sometimes it seems I had spent more time on trying to take pictures than I did on enjoying the moments those pictures were trying to capture. Technology and traveling with a camera had become such a part of my trips that it had seemingly gone from being a blessing to a curse (Karen wrote about this very topic when traveling with a netbook).
Then it happened. I forgot my camera. And it was kind of liberating. I didn’t have to constantly be pulling it out to snap a photo. I didn’t have to worry about forgetting it. I didn’t have to charge the batteries or upload pictures or take awkward self-portraits. Instead I bought a couple of postcards. Turns out their photography skills are just a bit better than mine.
Would I suggest traveling without a camera all the time? Absolutely not. Some things you just have to have pictures of. But I would definitely suggest putting it away. If only for a day.
Marcus – Pphotos are a crucial part of the Europe a la Carte Blog but I think you’re right that sometimes instead of enjoying that wonderful view, my first thought will probably be, I must take a photo of it.
I am testing a Sony NEX-5 compact digital SLR camera, the photos are fantastic but the camera is still pretty large. So although my camera phone’s photos are not such good quality, especially on zoom, the size of the camera phone makes it so much more user friendly, as I can just slip it into my handbag.
I absolutely agree. I’m the kind of person who comes back from a 6-day trip with over 1,000 photos. I’m so busy focusing on memorializing moments that I forget to internalize them. That’s the one thing I mourn about the loss of film–you lose the ability to really think about whether something is worth capturing and snap-snap-snap away. The madness has to stop. I’m thinking of putting myself on a 36-exposure/day diet on my next trip, even though I’m shooting with a digital.
Karen – absolutely agree! I have the same reaction, and I think the reaction we should have is enjoy the view first, take the picture second. But you’re right, it sure helps to have a smaller camera that you can slip in your pocket or handbag and kind of forget about.
@Marsha – oooh, I love that idea! I might have to try that next time.
I used to love taking pictures but I have to agree with you: now with digital cameras we take so many pictures we don’t even have time to organize them!
Sometimes I think the secret is to only take a few good photos. Quality instead of quantity. It is so hard for me to cancel the pics that were not so great, but maybe this would be a good idea.
Can you imagine how many photos we’ll have in 2040 if we keep taking hundreds every moment?
Good article!
Ciao
Barbara
I travel solo and taking photos is often one of the things I do to get used to a city. But I definitely have days where I just choose to put it away.
I saw the photo from this post on my Daily Twitter Newspaper and recognising the Mont Blanc Massif in the background, guessed it must have been taken at Flegere. I just had to read this post.
I used to have a Pentax SLR and an Olympus XA2 in my pre digital days. The cost of the photos meant that I had to limit the amount of photos taken and sometimes when the photos came back a photo that I had been waiting for expectantly turned out to be out of focus.
Now I use a digital compact that fits in my pocket, so if there is a one off photo opportunity I can take photos such as the riot police and water cannons against the setting sun at Porte de Namur last Saturday.
I had one trip also a Winter Sports break to Lombardy in Italy and my camera was broken at the time and my girlfriend was supposed to bring hers but she didn’t. I saw some wonderful sights including Monte Isola, the pyramids of Zone, Lake Como, Bellagio and hiked up San Primo in the snow via an abandoned ski station as well as snowboarding at Passo Tonale. I had a great time but no photos.
I do agree with Marcus though that not having a camera can be liberating. I find it difficult to socialise and take photos at social gatherings so tend not to take photos unless the event really needs to be recorded.
I remember being told that the best way to appreciate a location is to make a sketch of it rather than take a photo. I am not a good artist though.
great comments everyone, seems like I wasnt the only one that ended up spending more time behind the camera instead of enjoying the scenery!