In case you guys haven't caught on, I am a big picture person. I bought myself a fancy DSLR camera. I use my iphone for photos of anything and everything. From selfies, to food, to beautiful places I have been. Pictures make me happy. Pictures help me remember where I've been, what I've done, and who I was with...or at least I think they do?
Yesterday on the way home from work, I was listening to NPR and they had a piece on taking photographs and how it effects our memory. Long story short, there was an experiment done where people were asked to go to an art exhibit. Some people were told to only look at the art, where others were told to take photos of the art. After all they were done, the participants were given a quiz and asked to describe the art work they saw. Naturally, the ones that only snapped photos did not remember nearly as much detail as those who only looked at the artwork.
Guys, this is my fear with technology in general. As much as I love it, I am afraid that sometimes it takes away from my experiences. Am I took focused on getting a good photo for instagram that I forget to take in everything around me? I don't want to be that person who cannot remember what I did years from now, because I was too busy on my iphone trying to document it so I don't forget later.
There is a silver lining though - in the article they talked about how they added a third group to the art patrons. This group was asked to take more specific photos of details within the pieces of art. When the people had to focus more and capture up close and detailed photos it helped them remember more of what they saw.
I guess my takeaway from the interview and technology in general is. Yes, photography and technology is a beautiful thing and can help us recall events and places and things we have done...but be mindful when you're taking photos. Make sure you enjoy the present. Cherish the details and the experience you're having in the moment, so you have better memories when you go look back on the pictures later !
<3 BB
ps. listen to the piece here, if you missed the link above.
20 comments
NPR helps so much for non-link up days :) I feel you on this. So much life lived in the photos on my phone and not through my own eyes.
Such awesome pictures. I love all the different vantage points!
I love NPR and these photos!
I think, like with everything, that balance is the key. I try to take in moments and only snap pictures when I really feel drawn to. I used to take thousands of pictures of sunsets, and now it's very few and far between. I try to really feel and experience most moments and make mental memories.
I like a good mix. Stopping every six seconds to take a photo of everything is ridiculously unnecessary. A photo or two to prove you were there is fine. Then put the camera away and MOVE ON.
that's really interesting. i can totally see why they wouldn't remember as much as the ones that take pictures. but i love taking pictures and looking back at my memories. i do need to remember to enjoy the moment tho
I feel like I have to remind myself Laur, look through life with your own eyes not a lense. I am a huge photo person as well so it's hard for me. Also I have the worst memory so I kinda need those pictures. Lol
I love taking pictures as well. But sometimes being behind the camera does have you missing out on the memory. But shoot...one day we will be old and need those pictures!
I love my sister SO much... but she definitely has a problem with letting taking pictures get in the way of actually just ENJOYING events, so, I totally get what you're saying!
I actually wish I took more photos. Mostly because I think it's fun to look back at good times with good people. But I agree that some people can get crazy about "documenting" a goodtime instead of just enjoying the good time.
your photos are so awesome! i wish i was as talented as you, these are seriously fabulous.
i realised once, many moons ago, that i had gone to a concert and couldnt remember anything because i spent the whole time taking horrible blurry photos. when i went out with my friends, i was always the one with the camera, i took so many photos it was ridiculous. which was great for my friends, but i didnt have any photos (this was before selfies...) and i didnt have a ton of fun because i was taking photos. definitely learned to be in the moment, and i still take a crap ton of photos, but i live in the moment too. fabulous post my dear!
I love taking pictures but when I'm having active fun I don't think about taking them.
As a picture person I like to study what I'm taking a photo of to try to get the picture that will best help me remember later.
I hope with those two things I'm not missing out on anything!
^Yes, to what Lauren said! Great read friend!
I try to remember to just enjoy the moments when I am in them. Maybe take a picture to have it...then leave my phone alone. No need to tweet/facebook/instagram my every move and thought at the event because then I wouldn't enjoy actually being there. I think you are so right that we remember it more experiencing it.
ugghh!! this worries me too. But then I look through all my photos and most of them are of my dog and cat...
I have been trying to be more "in the moment" lately, but then when I'm bored I like to look through my photos and I don't have any new material.
you pictures?? nah i wouldn't have believed it even if you wrote about it in a blog post ;-)
I couldn't agree with you more - I think that sometimes we get so caught up in taking pictures that we forget to live in the moment and enjoy it.
I'm glad someone likes taking pictures! (Not me #bloggerfail)
I feel like the opposite is true. So many of the events I have photos of from high school are the only things I remember, and other memories people will bring up and I'm like OHH YEAH! totally forgot about that because there are no pictures.
i need to remember this NPR discussion more often.
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