WHY I TAKE PICTURES EVEN AS OTHERS TELL ME TO “LIVE IN THE MOMENT”
Take pictures so you don’t forget! Actually, live in the moment and put your phone down. What team are you on? Yes, seeing people standing in the way for several seconds, taking multiple photos, is not a great way to experience events and places. It’s even worse when lines have formed gearing up to an apparently great shot, with all eventually getting the same thing.
I’ve “lived in the moment” only to discover I must not have a very good memory because all I remember are one or two things from the day. Years later I’d get asked about those days and shrug. I know we went to x and I liked that one thing. But I don’t really remember, was my usual answer.
the thing about taking pictures – memories suddenly grow limbs
But then something magical happens.
I’ll see someone else’s photos and suddenly little details trickle back into memory and I remembered way more than I thought. Then I get a sinking feeling. What else have I forgotten?
Take the above photo for instance, one of my favorites, the Canal Street Bridge in Chicago’s Chinatown. Yes, it was great to see in person but if I “lived in the moment,” I wouldn’t have been able to keep a piece of this myself. I would’ve remembered the landmark, and the feeling of how great it was. When I see the image though, even years later, I’m back to that day.
The Canal St. Bridge
I was shaking my legs for warmth, and even did a few jumps. The things you put up with taking pictures. While contemplating seeking refuge nearby to warm up, I didn’t want to miss taking this picture. Was excited as the picture was coming together. Worrying about the tips of my fingers, the gloves weren’t enough to keep me warm and they hurt. What’s the temperature for frost bite? It really felt that icy to me. I was familiar with lift bridges but this one was different. It didn’t actually lift and there was a little house covered in graffiti. I wondered what the point of the house was and how long had it been there? I couldn’t believe I was never aware of this landmark or that it was even in Chinatown. Why haven’t I seen more pictures of this?
After getting home, I searched through Google Images for the Canal Street Bridge. I was worried maybe several people got this shot and I’d be one of many. But pride and excitement set in when I really didn’t see the same image through the masses.
The cold, worry, and excitement of discovery and feeling of how great that day had been is what I remember when I see this image. It wouldn’t have all slipped through the cracks without the picture. But I definitely would’ve only gotten the gist. I would’ve remembered how great it felt and what a delight to see this giant industrial bridge close(ish) but wouldn’t be able to explain why exactly.
St. Patrick’s Day at the Chicago River
Being asked about the St. Patrick’s Day Chicago River getting dyed without really looking at photos, I would’ve said yeah it was fun but pretty crowded and yep, river was pretty green, almost neon. But looking at the photos I can also remember showing up at 8am thinking I was late for 10am display, only to find no one really around.
No worries, a slight panic, but it leads to a closer view
And then seeing people pile up on the bridges as the morning passed, only to be told some of bridges needed to be empty during the dye. People, myself included, were in a panic running around 20 minutes before everything started, looking for a good viewing spot. Seeing rows of people piled up against the railings. Going down one side of the riverfront, the other side was closed so it was pretty crowded. People stuck to the stairs.
On that cold March day, I struggled with my hot chocolate climbing down the stairs as people lined the railing and getting stuck in the middle as people climbed up on the other side of stairs looking for a better view. The crowd waiting around for a good amount of time in the freezing cold, occasionally hearing bag pipes in the distance followed by cheers.
The dye was surprisingly neon, and if I hadn’t been there, I would’ve thought the images were enhanced. But the river really did go Mountain Dew green. It was also super quick and delivered by lots of boats, massive cheers as they go by. A simple thrill of taking pictures as the swirls of the dye quickly blended into the water. A slight worry as to what kind of chemicals are being put into the river that can turn it green so quickly? And the show would be over in 15 minutes. All of a sudden my entire morning popped back into memory after seeing my pictures.
The surprise behind the “plain” arch at the art institute of Chicago
Or this image, I was pleasantly surprised to find this nugget. This is the back of the Art Institute of Chicago (art museum and its library). I weirdly have a knack for getting lost when coming from Maggie Daley Park. Nearly everyone enters through the main entrance at the front, yes with the lions, and the museum itself mentions entering the Modern Wing has nearly no wait time at all.
I saw it from a distance and was going to cross from the middle of the street instead of the corner. However, there was a small arch. It was completely blank from this end, so I didn’t think much of it. But it was late afternoon in autumn and the sunlight was hitting yellow trees which can be seen through the arch. I thought this would be a fun image so I took a few shots and figured I may as well check out the arch. I’ll leave what was on the other side for another post but I was personally blown away. It was intentionally facing away from what most people would see walking to the museum or Millennium Park so a nice surprise to those going out of their way or happen to be walking by it.
What other surprises are there?
Realizing this art museum had a few treasures encircling the building, I continued walking the perimeter. I was glad to see more of the modern wing architecture and benches to sit and enjoy a quiet moment. And further down, a full glass wall on the building exterior. Something I wouldn’t have seen without first seeing the arch, all in the interest of taking a picture. I might’ve just noticed the trees and the simple arch and made my way into the museum.
I’ve “lived in the moment and put my phone down” for years before I started taking pictures as a hobby. It doesn’t feel too good looking back at photos and finding very little. You wondered what you’ve done, what you’ve seen and experienced, and this isn’t to say, photos or didn’t happen. But I love taking pictures, seeing images that were way better than I remembered. Somehow photos feel like your memories suddenly grew more limbs and triggers more thoughts, concerns, your life at that moment. The chaos, or quiet surprises, you delighted in.
And for that reason, I take photos– lots of them. For all the times when a mental picture just won’t do.