Photographs and Memories

I've been thinking a lot lately about photographs. Recently I had the chance to use an old 35mm film camera to snap a few shots, and so I got to wondering about the change in photography in the past 15-20 years. Photography has changed, yes. The way in which one actually executes the taking of a photograph is dramatically different now that digital cameras exist. Instantly, we can see the results of our efforts on a tiny screen built into the camera itself. This, of course, transforms the boundaries set by older, less-technologically advanced equipment.

The change in how photographs are taken is not really what has occupied my mind these days, though. Rather, it is about how many photographs now exist due to the existence of digital cameras. And, along with this, wondering how many photographs may exist of one person in his or her lifetime- many of which he or she may never be aware.

To illustrate this, I did a little observation of my own digital photography collection. As a case study, I chose to look into three sets of photographs, all taken in Paris, France at three separate times. Within these photos, I looked for shots I had taken of individuals that to this day remain anonymous.

The first one was taken in October of 2008 and is of a young gentleman reading on the lawn near the Eiffel Tower.

Apparently deep in thought, he seems to be a part of the natural scenery of this particular green space. I do not know him. I do not know what he was reading that day three years ago. And, he will never know that this image of him exists.

In June of 2011, I traveled again to Paris and took this shot of a

man walking past the entrance to the Metro near Notre Dame. This time, the photograph is of an individual in motion. He could be walking to work, home, university classes or a fashion show for all I know. However, as it is, I have this snapshot of a moment in his life. It is highly likely that he and I will never meet.

Finally, I went to Paris again just about two weeks ago. Many more photographs were taken.

The one I chose to look at for this little rabbit hole I've taken us down is of an older man sitting on a bench in Pont Neuf. To me, it seemed like he was waiting on someone. As time went on, however, it became clear that either that individual never arrived or he had just been doing a bit of, well, nothing. Which, to be honest, is what Luke and I were doing sitting in that same park, but under a tree when I shot this.

Many people do not like being photographed. Old Order Amish and some Mennonites forbid photographs being taken of themselves, citing the Second Commandment as their reason. However, it is nearly impossible to imagine a world now without the hundreds upon thousands of images on the Internet that people post purposely, not to mention anonymous photographs such as the ones in this post. The concept of space has changed since the storage of electronic files. It makes me wonder if some sort of e-landfill will have to be created to take all of the unwanted clutter leftover after this generation is gone. How many photographs will exist of children who were born in the time of digital photography by the time they are on their deathbeds? I'm waxing a bit morbid, but just sayin' is all.

Meh, some food for thought.