It’s a great point and reminder. I’ll also note that my experience feels a little different. In some ways, the experience of a place or event drifts past me when I don’t have a camera. The act of photographing opens my senses to really “see”—all the little details or the big picture or the human connection. In some ways I think the camera enriches an experience for me. Keep in mind I am pretty introverted. That said, I enjoying being “in” an experience and also being distanced from it enough to “experience” it in a way I wouldn’t otherwise. Thanks for sharing the thought-provoking piece.
I think I understand what you’re saying. Most of the time, I also feel that photographing something encourages me to stop and examine it more closely. My overall experience has been that I’m a keener observer now than before I took up photography more seriously. Maybe it depends on what we’re photographing. I certainly find that I miss a lot when I’m documenting something that unfolds over time—especially an event where much happens quickly. It’s something I’ve started to think more about.
Your observation about “being ‘in’ an experience and also being distanced from it enough to ‘experience’ it in a way I wouldn’t otherwise” is very interesting. Some photographers like to place themselves in the middle of the action—sometimes to the extent that they become the main event. Others (or the same photographer in a different situation at a different time) might prefer to observe and record from a distance, unobtrusively. I suppose there are as many ways to photograph a situation as there are situations and photographers.
What subjects do you like to photograph, Richard? How would you describe your relationship to your subjects?
I enjoy street, architecture, and landscape. Landscape and architecture come easy—patient observation, using my feet and getting intimate with the details tends to give me payoff moments where I really see a place differently. Street and portraiture are much different experiences for me where I need to be more curious and outgoing and “in” the milieu to feel some level of intimacy with the subject. I doubt I’d engage as much without the camera. With it I definitely get out of my comfort zone and it tends to open up new experiences and relationships. Not sure I answered your question directly.
So true! Often when I've been photographing an event or press conference, Bernard will ask 'what did so and so say?" and I'll have to plead ignorance because while focusing on getting the shots, everything else is blocked out! Outside of 'work', I tend to make a decision now before going somewhere as to whether I want to enjoy the process of photographing it, or whether it is something I just want to experience.
I’m always a bit embarrassed when, after photographing a rally or other event with lots of speeches, I’m asked what I thought of the points made by so‑and‑so. Do I admit that I didn’t catch most of what was said, even though my lens was pointing directly at the speaker the whole time? I'm more likely to comment on the speaker’s mana, energy, and body language, because that’s what I was trying to capture.
This is so accurate and is something I've desperately tried to be conscious of whenever I go to an event over the past four or five years. It's not easy, as it can sometimes feel like a reflex to capture a photo or video whenever there's something worth seeing, rather than living in the moment and taking in the experience in person.
What I've been trying to do, depending on the event, is either stick my phone on a little pocket tripod and leave it to do its thing, or if a tripod isn't possible then I have to consciously keep my phone in my pocket and only take it out to video 30 seconds at a time when there's a particularly special moment. It's difficult trying to break that habit of capturing everything, but I find that I actually remember experiencing things a lot more now and have more of an emotional connection to those memories, instead of just a folder of videos I'll never watch again.
It’s a relief to hear that others struggle with this issue. It sounds like you’ve developed an approach that works for you. I suffer from FOMTS (fear of missing the shot), so I often arrive home with far too many photos to deal with. I can spend hours sifting through all the hay without ever finding a needle. I’m trying to be more disciplined, but I’m not a very disciplined person at the best of times. I’m afraid to upgrade my camera, since it would no doubt be capable of more than the 10 frames per second my current one can manage.
Oh Mark, the reflection here on what taking photographs does to your experience is perfect. It gets at why I’ve quit carrying a good camera on most of my hikes, because the camera takes me away and I just want to be in the experience. I still carry my phone, but the pictures I take with it are throwaways, diminishing my direct experience as little as possible (but still, diminishing it some; I’m happiest when I take no photos at all). You wonder, don’t you, how much your mad Scotsman spearing the haggis hammed it up knowing that he’d be photographed? Would he have been less theatrical if he knew there’d be no cameras allowed?
Wonderful shots, Mark! I'm the official photographer for a band that plays at numerous festivals and parades. I have to focus on the band, primarily but even when I'm taking a break I can attest to how hard it is to shoot the event and enjoy it at the same time.
Thanks, Juliette. I’ve seen some of your band photos—they’re terrific, and it looks like you’re all having a great time. It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one who struggles to both photograph and follow live events. I suppose we just do our best.
This is really interesting Mark. Is it possible that there is a false dichotomy here? Isn’t everyone, including the photographers/videographers having an experience? Would a blind or deaf person have a less “authentic” experience? And is this phenomenon specific to digital devices? I take your point about the circulation of these images on the Internet, which is related to their value as objects of exchange. In times past we delegated the documentation of events to ‘experts’ - professional photographers whose view we had to accept. Now we can document an event in any way we so choose. Do you think photographing on film would have made a difference to the quality of your experience?
Great photos, Mark, and Matt Ryan certainly looks like quite the character.
I’ve often been to events where people view the whole thing through their phone screen while filming it. I just don’t get it. Having said that, I have to be careful not to get too carried away when I have my camera with me. Experiencing the real time event is much more satisfying than seeing it later on a screen.
It’s hard to imagine opting to see the big wide world live on a 6 inch screen, just in case we want to see it again later on a six inch screen. Oh, well, they say you can see the universe in a cup of tea.
It’s a great point and reminder. I’ll also note that my experience feels a little different. In some ways, the experience of a place or event drifts past me when I don’t have a camera. The act of photographing opens my senses to really “see”—all the little details or the big picture or the human connection. In some ways I think the camera enriches an experience for me. Keep in mind I am pretty introverted. That said, I enjoying being “in” an experience and also being distanced from it enough to “experience” it in a way I wouldn’t otherwise. Thanks for sharing the thought-provoking piece.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Richard.
I think I understand what you’re saying. Most of the time, I also feel that photographing something encourages me to stop and examine it more closely. My overall experience has been that I’m a keener observer now than before I took up photography more seriously. Maybe it depends on what we’re photographing. I certainly find that I miss a lot when I’m documenting something that unfolds over time—especially an event where much happens quickly. It’s something I’ve started to think more about.
Your observation about “being ‘in’ an experience and also being distanced from it enough to ‘experience’ it in a way I wouldn’t otherwise” is very interesting. Some photographers like to place themselves in the middle of the action—sometimes to the extent that they become the main event. Others (or the same photographer in a different situation at a different time) might prefer to observe and record from a distance, unobtrusively. I suppose there are as many ways to photograph a situation as there are situations and photographers.
What subjects do you like to photograph, Richard? How would you describe your relationship to your subjects?
I enjoy street, architecture, and landscape. Landscape and architecture come easy—patient observation, using my feet and getting intimate with the details tends to give me payoff moments where I really see a place differently. Street and portraiture are much different experiences for me where I need to be more curious and outgoing and “in” the milieu to feel some level of intimacy with the subject. I doubt I’d engage as much without the camera. With it I definitely get out of my comfort zone and it tends to open up new experiences and relationships. Not sure I answered your question directly.
So true! Often when I've been photographing an event or press conference, Bernard will ask 'what did so and so say?" and I'll have to plead ignorance because while focusing on getting the shots, everything else is blocked out! Outside of 'work', I tend to make a decision now before going somewhere as to whether I want to enjoy the process of photographing it, or whether it is something I just want to experience.
And where would we be without those photos from you at the end of Bernard's post?! Our palette cleanser after reality, thank you, Lynn.
Your approach sounds very sensible, Lynn.
I’m always a bit embarrassed when, after photographing a rally or other event with lots of speeches, I’m asked what I thought of the points made by so‑and‑so. Do I admit that I didn’t catch most of what was said, even though my lens was pointing directly at the speaker the whole time? I'm more likely to comment on the speaker’s mana, energy, and body language, because that’s what I was trying to capture.
Oh, yes!!! I'm with you, Mark. The killing of experience by one thousand cellphone clicks.
Only one thousand? I usually keep clicking until my phone overheats or my finger gets sore. Maybe I should just shoot videos.
Isn't it: "death by a thousand cuts"? So probably, enough for one time!
Matt Ryan looks like an ancient pagan king!
He does! He gave a spirited performance, playing the role of host, historian, and comic in equal measure.
This is so accurate and is something I've desperately tried to be conscious of whenever I go to an event over the past four or five years. It's not easy, as it can sometimes feel like a reflex to capture a photo or video whenever there's something worth seeing, rather than living in the moment and taking in the experience in person.
What I've been trying to do, depending on the event, is either stick my phone on a little pocket tripod and leave it to do its thing, or if a tripod isn't possible then I have to consciously keep my phone in my pocket and only take it out to video 30 seconds at a time when there's a particularly special moment. It's difficult trying to break that habit of capturing everything, but I find that I actually remember experiencing things a lot more now and have more of an emotional connection to those memories, instead of just a folder of videos I'll never watch again.
Thanks, Michael.
It’s a relief to hear that others struggle with this issue. It sounds like you’ve developed an approach that works for you. I suffer from FOMTS (fear of missing the shot), so I often arrive home with far too many photos to deal with. I can spend hours sifting through all the hay without ever finding a needle. I’m trying to be more disciplined, but I’m not a very disciplined person at the best of times. I’m afraid to upgrade my camera, since it would no doubt be capable of more than the 10 frames per second my current one can manage.
Oh Mark, the reflection here on what taking photographs does to your experience is perfect. It gets at why I’ve quit carrying a good camera on most of my hikes, because the camera takes me away and I just want to be in the experience. I still carry my phone, but the pictures I take with it are throwaways, diminishing my direct experience as little as possible (but still, diminishing it some; I’m happiest when I take no photos at all). You wonder, don’t you, how much your mad Scotsman spearing the haggis hammed it up knowing that he’d be photographed? Would he have been less theatrical if he knew there’d be no cameras allowed?
I’m sure the mad Scotsman would have hammed it up for an audience of one, camera or not.
I like your strategy of just taking a phone, or no camera at all, especially on nature hikes. Sometimes, the best camera is the one you left at home.
Wonderful shots, Mark! I'm the official photographer for a band that plays at numerous festivals and parades. I have to focus on the band, primarily but even when I'm taking a break I can attest to how hard it is to shoot the event and enjoy it at the same time.
Thanks, Juliette. I’ve seen some of your band photos—they’re terrific, and it looks like you’re all having a great time. It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one who struggles to both photograph and follow live events. I suppose we just do our best.
This is really interesting Mark. Is it possible that there is a false dichotomy here? Isn’t everyone, including the photographers/videographers having an experience? Would a blind or deaf person have a less “authentic” experience? And is this phenomenon specific to digital devices? I take your point about the circulation of these images on the Internet, which is related to their value as objects of exchange. In times past we delegated the documentation of events to ‘experts’ - professional photographers whose view we had to accept. Now we can document an event in any way we so choose. Do you think photographing on film would have made a difference to the quality of your experience?
Very thoughtful, and I still very much appreciate the photos you took and shared with us.
Thank you for reading and commenting (and, in doing so, making yourself visible). It’s good to see you.
Thank you so much for your generous, kind comments and likes. I enjoy your photos very much. That's why I read and comment. :)
Great photos, Mark, and Matt Ryan certainly looks like quite the character.
I’ve often been to events where people view the whole thing through their phone screen while filming it. I just don’t get it. Having said that, I have to be careful not to get too carried away when I have my camera with me. Experiencing the real time event is much more satisfying than seeing it later on a screen.
It’s hard to imagine opting to see the big wide world live on a 6 inch screen, just in case we want to see it again later on a six inch screen. Oh, well, they say you can see the universe in a cup of tea.