Live the Moment, or Photograph it?

snegron · Oct 28, 2007

While taking pics on a family outing recently I began thinking about something; am I spending too much time behind the camera capturing precious family memories instead of being an active participant in those memories?

When I shoot weddings it is an entirely different philosophy, I get paid to be behind the camera capturing the "precoius moments". But, maybe due to force of habit, I find myself during my personal time behind the camera as well. Many years ago I thought that if I wanted good pictures I would have to take them myself. This included pictures shot during every family event.

Thinking back to the birth of my daughters, I was behind the camera as well! I was literally holding a camera filming the birth of my two daughters (second time almost got kicked out of the hospital due to an overzealous idiot nurse-luckily the PJ in me kicked in and I was able to shoot despite her protests).

When I look back to most of the memorable moments in my life all I can recall are the small images I saw through a viewfinder.

Anyone else here experience this? Will I regret my lack of "living the moment" later in life? Is there a time to put the camera down and be a participant in the action? Does anyone else here have trouble knowing when to put the camera down?

Alex Hawley · Oct 28, 2007

snegron said:
Anyone else here experience this? Will I regret my lack of "living the moment" later in life? Is there a time to put the camera down and be a participant in the action? Does anyone else here have trouble knowing when to put the camera down?

Yes and very recently.

A couple weeks ago, I was photographing in the Flint Hills. For those who are unfamiliar with that region, the Flint Hills are the last remaining Tall Grass prairie region in North America. Most of the region is far too hilly and rocky for farming, so its primary use is cattle ranching. Many of these ranches trace their lineage back to the first cattle drives of the Old West. Anyhow, the region in many ways still evokes the Old West. Horses and horse riding are still a necessity and a closely-kept tradition.

Just as I got out of my truck and placed my tripod, I noticed a man and woman on horseback about a hundred yards away. Nothing unusual about that. Then, a group of six or eight riders came up over the hill and proceeded past me. Then another group, and another and another. According to one lady whom I asked, there were one hundred eighty riders in all. I was in the middle of an annual trail ride that raises money for the cancer fund.

It certainly isn't everyday that you cross paths with nearly two hundred horse-mounted people, not even in the Flint Hills. I could have quickly assembled my camera and grabbed a few shots. But in my mind, that would have appeared pretty lame. Instead, I worked slowly and methodically as I always do, exchanging greetings and niceties with everyone as they rode by. Didn't even attempt a photo. Savored the moment and stored it in my mind instead.

walter23 · Oct 28, 2007

snegron said:
When I look back to most of the memorable moments in my life all I can recall are the small images I saw through a viewfinder.

Anyone else here experience this? Will I regret my lack of "living the moment" later in life? Is there a time to put the camera down and be a participant in the action? Does anyone else here have trouble knowing when to put the camera down?

This is one reason why I've switched almost entirely to large format photography. I mainly photograph natural or semi-natural scenes. My working method with this format is to immerse myself in my surroundings and, without even getting my camera out, become involved with it and look for pleasing compositions and study the light and look at the weather. Eventually I'll find exactly the right spot, and unpack my camera, and setup. Even this is a process where I'm involved with the scene around me; I'm always checking the levelling (or orientation) of the camera, comparing the ground glass to what's out in front of me in "reality", checking focus on different parts of the scene, etc.

When I used to go out in nature with my DSLR I'd spend almost the whole time squinting through the tiny viewfinder and hoarding images of everything around me. The same happened with my 35mm film camera while I was still using that. I could easily carry enough 35mm film for a couple of hundred shots. Now that I'm on the LF wagon I've learned to just enjoy some scenes without trying to "collect" them or "hoard" them on my virtually limitless memory cards (or 35mm film). I'll pass by dozens of things I would have shot on 35mm, enjoying them in passing, and focus intensely on one or two key shots instead.

When it comes to family events, as a consequence of my "artistic" focus on LF photography and the intensity of the process, I'm much more casual. I'll use an SLR to snap a small handful of key images without too much worry and then just go back to enjoying the event.

Get into LF photography! It totally changes your approach to photography.

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 28, 2007

I don't take too many family photos--just enough so it doesn't get in the way. I'm very glad I had my camera in the delivery room when Melchi was born. We got some great photos of his first moments, and since hospital rules prevented me from spending that night in the hospital, it gave me something to do (processing the film at 2 a.m.) when I got home, since I was too energized to sleep or do anything else.

snegron · Oct 28, 2007

Tomorrow is my day off. My oldest daughter will be off from school as well. Prior to posting this thread I had planned to spend the day with her at the park.

As usual I planned to go to the park with her and my F3, 35mm 2.0 lens, and several rolls of film. I was going to capture (or as Walter35 refers to it), "hoard" as many images of her having fun at the park.

I walked to her bedroom to turn off her light but she was still awake. She asked me if it was alright with me if we went to the movies instead. She wants to go see some new animated kids movie about bees or something. At that instant it hit me, the movie theater is the only place we can spend together where I can't be behind the camera! The memory she will have when she gets older will be of a three hour bonding time spent with her dad. No picture can capture that feeling!

papagene · Oct 28, 2007

I have the opposite problem... I usually don't pick up the camera and choose to enjoy being with the family. There probably have been photos I missed, but I think I have clearer memories of them than if I had been witnessing them through a viewfinder. I guess it's a trade off.

gene

Shawn Dougherty · Oct 28, 2007

Interesting thread. I've pretty much stopped making snapshots or anything of the like since I became serious about my work... I think it's something that really depends on the individual and the kind of work they do. I wrote a bit about my experience in a blog entry this year.

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 28, 2007

Well, at 10-1/2 months, I think Melchi likes being on the shiny side of the film with daddy. If I start to take a picture now, he crawls over and starts climbing up the tripod. He even likes sitting under the tripod when I'm not using it. I think I'll work on a series called "Close-up of Melchi with Tripod Leg" for the next few weeks.

snegron · Oct 28, 2007

David A. Goldfarb said:
Well, at 10-1/2 months, I think Melchi likes being on the shiny side of the film with daddy. If I start to take a picture now, he crawls over and starts climbing up the tripod. He even likes sitting under the tripod when I'm not using it. I think I'll work on a series called "Close-up of Melchi with Tripod Leg" for the next few weeks.

That's when autofocus comes in handy! My youngest is 15 months old now. Thank goodness for the quick AF of my F100!

I sometimes wonder if my little one thinks that the black rectangle with funny letters and shiney round thing is a part of daddy's face?

I remember one time at the park when my oldest was about 3 years old. She got fed up with daddy following her around with a camera and told me, "Ok daddy. No more pictures please. You need to let me be myself!" Needless to say I found her reaction so cute that I just had to snap several more pics...

PVia · Oct 28, 2007

There's something to be said for NOT trying to photograph every single moment of family life and to savor the moment. I think you DO need to step back and realize that there are moments that you can never get back, and photographing them is a cheap substitute for emotions and actually a way of emotionally removing yourself from the situation. Of course, I've photographed my family at highly charged and emotional moments, but only after I've allowed myself to enjoy the moment as a dad, not photographer. Maybe the images aren't as arresting as those I could have made, but knowing, and my family knowing, that THEY and NOT the CAMERA were the most important thing, is what matters to me.

BrianShaw · Oct 28, 2007

I stopped bringing a camera to most family events about 5 or 6 years ago. I enjoy life a lot more now.

Kevin Caulfield · Oct 28, 2007

I think it's possible to have a balance between recording and participating. I videoed the births of both my sons (2 years old and 8 months), and took a photo of each one with the obstetrician, but also put the cameras away a lot. We have many hours of video of both the boys, but I also make a point of not filming too often, and have many happy memories as a participant in my family's lives.

Shawn Rahman · Oct 29, 2007

This thread has hit home for me too. I did not have my camera at my daughter's birth and was quite into the moment; great memories, but no pics. When my son was born seven years later, I was prepared. I was less "into" the birthing process, and more into what I captured with my camera. While I understand everyone's sentiments thus far, I ended up with some great pics of my son's first moments.

Thus, if I could "redo" my daughter's birth, I'd opt for the camera. I have great memories of those moments because I was very involved without the camera, but now, I think I'd rather have the pictures.

But count me in with those that vote for not bringing a camera to some things, nevertheless.

eddym · Oct 29, 2007

I generally don't take pictures at family events... but then, our families are about 1500 miles away in Georgia and NC!
However, I'm thinking about doing a portrait project of the family if we go to the States this year. I did that before we moved to Puerto Rico. I shot portraits of my aunts and uncles on my father's side with the Technika, as I knew that some of them may not be alive much longer. Now I might do that with the more immediate family as well.
But my wife is usually the one doing the "family snaps," since she makes albums/scrapbooks with them.

SuzanneR · Oct 29, 2007

I've been photographing my kids pretty consistently over the past four or so years. I find that I don't photograph the events. Yesterday, for example, my husband and boys were out batting some balls back and forth (go sox!! yes!!). I made a few portraits of my older son, he's a more reluctant model than the younger, and I want to have a few more pix of him!! It was just an ordinary day in the backyard. For events, I've broken down and gotten a digi gizmo to make snaps with. Sometimes, if I feel the moment is right, I will shoot an event for a few minutes with film. Often, events are best for snaps. Ordinary everyday, for me at least, is meant for making photographs.

Since I was doing the birthing, well... I wasn't photographing at the start! And my husband really isn't very good with a camera. Once I was recovering from it all, I mad a few pictures of them both in the hospital nursery, and visiting with relatives.

snegron · Oct 29, 2007

SuzanneR said:
Since I was doing the birthing, well... I wasn't photographing at the start! And my husband really isn't very good with a camera. Once I was recovering from it all, I mad a few pictures of them both in the hospital nursery, and visiting with relatives.

There was always the option of a tripod and infrared remote release...

snegron · Oct 29, 2007

eddym said:
I generally don't take pictures at family events... but then, our families are about 1500 miles away in Georgia and NC!
However, I'm thinking about doing a portrait project of the family if we go to the States this year. I did that before we moved to Puerto Rico. I shot portraits of my aunts and uncles on my father's side with the Technika, as I knew that some of them may not be alive much longer. Now I might do that with the more immediate family as well.
But my wife is usually the one doing the "family snaps," since she makes albums/scrapbooks with them.

You bring up a very compelling point; photographing family members who might not be around much longer. Capturing them as they were in that moment of time is probably the fundemental basis for the existance photography. Otherwise we would just use a paintbrush and a blank canvas to recreate our memory or interpretation of what that person was like.

A perfect example would be photographing my children. I wish to record them as I see them. Their expressions during moments of joy, sorrow, discovery. I am on what appears to be an eternal quest to capture their emotion on film. Everytime I create what I think is the definitive example of an emotional moment, I view the print and think to myself that I captured the moment, somewhat. After viewing it several times I think to myself, "It shows emotion, but I'm sure I can capture that feeling at its peak next time." It is a never ending quest.

Steve Smith · Oct 29, 2007

I don't have a problem with taking a camera to a family event as the amount of time spent photographing can be quite low. Just an occasional photograph here and there.

The people who I can't understand are those who insist on video recording everything so they have a record of it. The problem is that they only ever experience a third party view - either via the viefinder at the time or replayed later. They miss out on the actual occasion altogether (then probably never watch the video again!).

Steve.

Akki14 · Oct 29, 2007

I wonder that about people with their dumb camera phones, holding them above their heads... blocking people's views just so they can get a blocky-looking little shot of someone on stage. It really bugs me. It might just be perception but they seem to keep their arms up longer than I would for a picture... and sometimes they are recording video, not taking a photo. I don't know how they enjoy that. It certainly makes my enjoyment go down as I'm short and it's hard enough seeing past people as it is before they start sticking their appendages in the air!

If I take people pictures, it's only a few. I hardly ever finish off a roll of film at any event, the only exception was when I was photographing my friends' wedding because they asked me to. It was very important as my friend's mum was there and she was dying (she died a week after the wedding, in fact). Those pictures are very important to her as she was so busy being the bride that she might have missed out on some of those moments completely. So there can be a balance between photographing and living. Sometimes it's equally important to document as it is just to live.

edit: just wanted to add that my dad was REALLY into photography when my older sister was born. When I came along 10 years later he started getting more into computers so I literally have half (or less) the photos of when I was a baby as when my sister was a baby My sister has several(7 or more) albums and I only have maybe 2.

snegron · Oct 29, 2007

hkr said:
This thread has hit home for me too. I did not have my camera at my daughter's birth and was quite into the moment; great memories, but no pics. When my son was born seven years later, I was prepared. I was less "into" the birthing process, and more into what I captured with my camera. While I understand everyone's sentiments thus far, I ended up with some great pics of my son's first moments.

Thus, if I could "redo" my daughter's birth, I'd opt for the camera. I have great memories of those moments because I was very involved without the camera, but now, I think I'd rather have the pictures.

But count me in with those that vote for not bringing a camera to some things, nevertheless.

You have been fortunate enough to experience both sides of the issue; living the moment and at another time photographing the moment. I had a small camcorder during the birth of both of my daughters also a camera with flash hanging from my shoulder. On both ocassions I held my wife's hand with one hand while I video taped with the other. As soon as the babies were out I grabbed my film cameras and snapped away.

While I do remember the ocassions, my memory shifts between what I observed in person and what I observed through the viewfinders. As I get older I find that my memory is not what it used to be. There have been several ocassions when people have walked up to me, said hello and began talking about when we were young. Sadly, a few of these people I had absolutely no memory of! Even after speaking with them for awhile I politely acknowledged what they were telling me but I had no memory of them whatsoever. They were my same age, knew me by first and last name, knew my parents, talked about places we used to go as kids. I remember the places, but could not for the life of me remember who were these people! Even after writing this post I still can't remember who they were.

My fear is that inevitably sometime in the future my memory will fade. All I will have will be the pictures I captured. I just hope that the emotion I cature in these pictures of my daughters and family members is not one of sadness or frustration because I'm not participating with them in the action.

Schlapp · Oct 29, 2007

Some years ago I gave up taking a camera on my travels around the globe as I found I was living life thrugh the viewfinder rather than enjoying the moment. So I went without and bought postcards for a few years. Now I am back taking images again but not usually at events. Leave that to the 'experts' - those who have big lenses and chimp!

bcostin · Oct 29, 2007

Memories and experiences are wonderful. Unfortunately they fade a lot more quickly than photographs, and they're pretty much non-transferable. My father took hundreds of photos of us kids and other family events and thirty years later those are often the only memories of those times we have. He's gone now but every one of those pictures is a moment seen through his eyes, and even if the subject matter is mundane there's still something special about that.

I think it's all about balance. If you spend all your time looking through a viewfinder, have turned your whole family into unwilling models, and define family events by the number of photos you can take then, yeah, you're probably too detached. Back off a bit. On the other hand, it's also not all about us - there's a certain responsibility tied to being the de-facto family photographer. And we don't need to obsess over every photo, even a set of snapshots (he said with a derisive sneer) will do the job just fine. If you don't take any photos at all then you may leave a lot of people wishing that you had, including yourself.

Tomasz Segiet · Oct 29, 2007

Sort of the same issue applies to travelling, as Schlapp above observed; it is quite easy to lose something from the experience when just chasing the images to "hoard"; be it candids or nature. These holidays, a couple of times I've realized that I behave like a member of Japanese round-the-world-in-three-days tour (no offence meant); looking almost only for opportunities to burn film, missing other valuable things in the process. Therefore, I've tried to restrain myself from taking pictures that I did not deem necessary, in a certain aesthetical-ethical sense. Of course, it's not always easy to balance between this factor and the desire to remember - as some said above, memories do fade quickly.
In my opinion, the attitude of "hoarding" is a part of the general and major trait of Western civilisation - a desire to conquer and appropriate, that stood behind the development of technology, exploration of the globe (and space), colonisation, but also climbing mountains and traveling as such...Not a very pleasant drive, and one that should be kept in check, as it is already quite late.

rexp · Oct 29, 2007

Interesting thread...

I typically fall into the always-with-a-camera camp. This past weekend we were at a relatives wedding. I took some shots during the rehearsal, but left my camera in the car for the wedding as they had hired a photographer. 20 minutes or so before the ceremony starts & I notice the photographer standing in the back of the church, sort of watching everyone. Now I know there are lots of emotional moments going on in the bride's & groom's rooms, so I head to the car & come back with a digigizmo & (get this) Fast Non-Zoom lens & no flash (I highlight this 'cause the photog only brought zooms). I captured some wonderful moments between the bride & her mom, her father looking rather misty-eyed, etc. I was glad to have the camera available.

About 6 weeks ago there was a rather large family gathering, for my father-in-law's funeral. Afterwards at the luncheon I was arguing with myself about the "appropriateness" of taking family snapshots... I finally went to the car to get the camera (B&W film for those wondering). Captured a few worthwhile shots, one of an uncle. Unfortunately he is now in the hospital.

I certainly don't regret taking that photo.

Maybe I take photos because they end up being more archival than my mind.

matti · Oct 29, 2007

With the birth of my now two year old son we were a bit late going to the hospital.

As my wife likes to point out, I thought it was a good idea to shave and find and load my Nikon FM2 with some Delta 3200. No hurry, right? They always tell you that you will have to wait for hours and days at the hospital before the kid comes out.

Not this kid. I hadn't even called a taxi, when we suddenly understood it was too late to go.

So I couldn't really take any pictures as I had the midwife in one phone, the lost ambulance guys in the mobile phone, and doing all the rest of the work as my son was born. I shook him slightly, so he started screaming and gave him to my wife. When she said "go get the camera", i know everything was fine.

I see no contradiction here between living the moment and taking pictures.

/matti

snegron said:
Thinking back to the birth of my daughters, I was behind the camera as well! I was literally holding a camera filming the birth of my two daughters (second time almost got kicked out of the hospital due to an overzealous idiot nurse-luckily the PJ in me kicked in and I was able to shoot despite her protests).

When I look back to most of the memorable moments in my life all I can recall are the small images I saw through a viewfinder.

Anyone else here experience this? Will I regret my lack of "living the moment" later in life? Is there a time to put the camera down and be a participant in the action? Does anyone else here have trouble knowing when to put the camera down?

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