Are we missing the moment by trying to hold onto it?
My brother graduated from university the other day and I had the privilege of being able to attend the graduation and celebrate the achievement with him. As he walked up the stage to shake hands with the president I got my phone out to take a photo — looking through the digital display I took two photos then put my phone down. I tried to get in a late clap but the time had passed — he was off the stage. Immediately I was angry with myself. Here in this brief, special moment I had chosen to take a photo instead of being present. I’d missed his graduation. I looked at the photos in the hope that they were at least decent. They weren’t. Just blurry shots that I will not look back at, let alone get framed. I made a mental note to not make this mistake
again, and felt like it was worth writing about. Taking photos is nothing new. Since the dawn of the camera people have been drawn to photos — their ability to freeze and capture moments in time. But in recent times there have been some technological shifts that have profoundly changed things. The first leap was the digital camera. Once upon a time each press of the shutter was valuable and care was taken. Now each press is free and the only slight limitation is your storage capacity. The second leap was the smartphone. Now that your phone is also a decent camera that is always on you and requires no technical skill to use, you no longer need to lug a heavy contraption around and a photo can be taken at a moment’s notice.
Together these factors result in a vast number of images being taken and shift our view of a photo from something rare that is to be cherished to something common with very little value.
This constant access to a camera has changed how the general populace experience the wondrous, interesting and important things in life. How often do we see something beautiful like a sunset or a cathedral, or surprising like a street performer or a dolphin in the sea and the first thing we do is get our phones out to take a photo or video? Our impulse response is not to be still in awe or listen in wonder but to choose to miss the moment as we gaze through an artificial lens, trying to hold on for safe keeping a moment that is meant to be transient. We are like squirrels stealing away our nuts only to forget all about them later.
Imagine receiving an amazing birthday cake but instead of eating it, you place it on a shelf so that whenever people come over to your house you can show them how beautiful the cake is. If you met this person what would you say? You’d probably tell them that they were being silly and that the cake has now spoiled and has gone to waste. A cake is meant to be eaten not looked at. Why then when presented with an amazing, beautiful sight do we try to preserve it for later instead of enjoying it in the moment.
The ability to capture an experience of reality is incredible and valuable. Obviously there are times to take a photo or record a video but let’s pause before we do so, thinking whether it’s really necessary. Let’s be people who priorities telling others how great the cake looked and tasted, telling captivating stories of life lived instead of showing just another emotionless photo or video on a screen.