Thoughts of a Photographer

Let me start with a fun story:

A couple weeks ago, my niece, my mom and I were out shopping and the subject of photography came up. Particularly how images can be photoshopped/made to look the way you want them to instead of how they actually are in reality. I honestly was encouraged that my niece had noticed this and had the courage to bring it up in conversation. Also, I found that, for her age, she had quite the eye for photo art! We talked about what she didn't like about this kind of photography, she basically said you can tell it is fake and photo shopped and why wouldn't you just leave it as is? She added, I don't know why you would want a picture that doesn't even look like you. 😊 Amen! I told her that after high school I had received a photography career certificate, and although I didn't ever have a photography business, I completely agreed with her and that the questions she was asking were exactly why I never did. So we talked about how my classes required me to use a 35mm camera, no digital cameras were allowed. I was required to do everything manually. Her mind was BLOWN! And I told her after I completed my certificate, photo shop had became a HUGE phenomenon, and everybody was using it. I even tried a "internship" with a photographer, but quickly knew it was not for me because the art of photography was not the focus, but rather get the pictures and then we will photo shop to make perfect. Just not my cup of tea. So I decided my photography work would be put towards being the family photographer 😊 and that has been way more fun! 💕

This week, I have been pondering this a bunch will I have been attempting to convert all my pictures from CDs to backup digital files on my computer before CDs disappear as fast as floppy disks! I also have converted slides to digital files this year too. And all these pictures remind me of how increasingly important the fleeting value of a moment truly is. At the time the slides were taken, it took time just to even take the picture, then process them, then they would be placed into a carousel, and then find a projector to actually view them! Then came film! What a breakthrough! But still there was a delay- collect all your rolls, take them to be processed, and return 2-3 days later (at best!) for your pictures. And hopefully you had a handful of decent pictures 😊 Then came the digital camera!! Memory cards and instant print kiosks, and everything could be put on to a cd so you could come back and print more! Now we have phones, and we hardly ever print pictures anymore. Either we don’t have time, don’t want to have the clutter, or just don’t put the emphasis on the value of a moment captured. Odd how I was born right as slides and 8mm film was the THING! And we have come so far in 35 years! However, most days I would like to go back to the simpler times…

My heart comes alive when I look back over the years. Seasons of friendships, activity, sitting, loss, birth, rest and solitude, child care, Indeed shows and traveling, health ups and downs and in-betweens, caregiving, being cared for… Blessing after blessing.

My heart and mind are also not okay. Here’s why: it’s not the 1950s or 1980s or 1990s, it 2023 and it’s time we live in the right now. It’s time that we ALL, whether you have children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or you don’t, there are children all around. It’s time that we educate ourselves on the realties. So I’ll give you a springboard.

Photo Shop Warnings: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/the-ugly-truth-behind-pretty-pictures

Tips: Posting Pictures online of your children: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/is-it-safe-to-post-pictures-of-my-kid-online

12 is the average age for exposure to porn. Be aware of where and how they are viewing. BIGGEST THING: educate them on reporting without fear! https://www.defendyoungminds.com/post/teens-pornography-new-common-sense-media-report

Children are watching. They are observing what we view and say is valuable, good, and worthy, and what is not. This shapes their view of themselves and the world around them. I want every child to be safe, and know it. And also know they are worth the time for those who love them to educate themselves on what’s going on.

To wrap up today, let me conclude with this: I encourage you to slow down, find some pictures that are printed, sit down and spend time looking through them. (Extra credit if you sit down with a child!) It is not a waste time, so throw this lie out the door. Find your camera, go on a walk, have a fun family photoshoot, let your kids take some pictures! And if you really want to go wild, print those pictures and the ones off your phone!

You will not regret it!

Picture today: My paw-paw’s last visit to our lake house. Now this is a moment of a lifetime.

Book of the Week: You’re Missing It! by Brady Smith