Making sure this account doesn't get purged, part 2

[zyzyly]

I took this picture back in the first part of 2006, as part of an assignment for one of my first photography courses. I forget what the assignment was--something about capturing an event or something. This was an immigration rally at the state capital. I was nervous about being there, because I had no idea how to shoot in crowds. I tailed one of the Sacramento Bee reporters for a while to see what she did, but eventually just wandered around on my own.

I started out at the back of the crowd, but eventually made my way to the front, just below the people who were giving speeches. I took some pictures of them, but eventually turned and looked at the crowd. I raised my camera and looked through the viewfinder as I panned across the people.

I started shooting, and there was this transcendent moment where I stopped paying attention to the mechanics of what I was doing and just went with the flow of what was before me. I remember very clearly seeing this woman in my viewfinder and taking her picture. It was the moment when I felt like a photographer for the first time. It's hard to explain.

I have this picture up on my wall at home. It's not really all that great--I would learn a lot more about how to make good pictures later, but it is a reminder of the moment I became a photographer.

Comments

[saltdawg.livejournal.com]

They sent me a bunch of purge notifications too. ZFor accounts I don't remember.

I shudder to think what will happen to the accounts I started with a Hotmail account...I don't even remember my addresses over there.

But I DO remember my e-mail for the first incarnation of this account: Maxlove@Elvis dot com. Then elvis started charging money for email...It was all a slippery slope from there.

By the way, if I didn't mention it, I loved the chair with the red backdrop. It reminded me of something poignant, but still, something I can't put my finger on...

All my best to you and yours. I've really missed your posts, but I'm not guilt-tripping because I post even less than you do.

XO

[jadeejf.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you have it as a reminder of that moment. It is a *great* shot.

[brendamom.livejournal.com]

I am not sure i understand this "purge" thing.
Today, there are photos everywhere. We are a recorded society. It is often a good thing. Last week showed me that.
On the other hand, no one that I know , prints much. Here today and gone tomorrow. It is ephemera. Well, is it? Or isn't it?
We can print that photo that we think is the most beautiful thing ever. And tomorrow someone posts a different or better one. We can record our daily life. Is this important or not?
I am starting to print the "artsy" things I have done. Also the records of family lives. We all think the digital age is so safe...but I wonder.
So now, I am thinking a lot of philosophical stuff about photography. What really is worth saving? It may have no importance now. But in the future? Even prints are things that dissolve in time.
Maybe the photo doesn't matter at all. Maybe it is the act of taking it that is important. And sharing it.