Dear photos,
It feels kind of weird writing to pictures that are taken, but the more I started to think about it, the more it made sense to me. I grew up with photos being taking on every random and simple moment. There are so many photo albums made by my dad that I lost count and many of them are from before digital camera’s where a big thing. It didn’t even always have to be holidays; daily life was captured on those photos. For my family picture were also a way to keep my grandparents updated with what had been going on because they live more that 600 kilometres away. Exactly the simple moments that are captured are the ones we otherwise forget.
Honestly, I’m so grateful to have to photos, because every time when I look through the albums, I see things I didn’t see before and especially with the ones where I was really young, things I don’t remember. I’m aware that most of these photos won’t have a special meaning or look very important to outsiders, but to me they are, because they are part of what made me who I am today. To me they are precious, even if they captured just the simplest moments of life.
Looking at the meaning and worth of photos in society right now, so much has changed. Especially the ones that find their way into the public, more specifically social media. I would say that a couple of years ago this was even worse. At the moment we are definitely at a point where it becomes more and more clear that photos don’t have to be perfect or photoshopped, because that just messes with people’s head and is so incredibly unhealthy.
Unfortunately, that is exactly what is still stuck in the minds of so many of us. So many people talk about the “for more reality on Instagram” and even though I feel like that phrase is almost overused, it is the truth. Showing reality, shows people that they are not alone. Showing photoshopped shots just shows a non-existing reality that makes so many people even more self-conscious about different things.
It is time to really accepts the fact that imperfections make perfection. That you don’t need to be extraordinary to be seen or to be loved, but that you are outstanding and perfect the way you are. In a way it is beautiful that we live in a society that is definitely not there yet, but taking great steps into the right directs, even if there obviously will always be setbacks. It is beautiful because we are the examples for future generations, although it seems as if some still need to realise that.
Photos are a great way to capture memories and memorable moments. If I’m being completely honest, too often I forget to take them. That is something I’m really trying to work on, because it is so amazing if you have them to look back at in a couple of years. I want to have those memories and photos with the people I love and I want to look back many years from now and say something like “hey, do you remember how incredible that day was?” or “do you remember that moment?”.
All my love,
Anna
Dear Anna,
This topic you have written about, touches me deeply.
For me Photographs are also very important. Ialways carry my small canon camera with me and I use to say that like Lucky Luke (he always shoots his colt “from his hip”), I carry my camera in a small leather bag on my hip.
You referred a lot of Photo-Albums in wich there are innumerable Photos from you, I have made from the day you were born. And I am glad that you mentioned in your “letter” how you appreciate this. It is like “an archive of forgotten memories”!
In the last paragraph of your letter you wrote that too often you forget to make a Photograph…And later on you forget things that seemed important in your past…My father, your grand dad also made photos all the time and I think I inherrited that attitude.
So I am most pleased that you have written about Photos in this “letter”. It has been worthwhile.
Love,
Ed Silanoe.