I like to work on old cars, and during the often drawn-out process, I like to take pictures of what I am doing. Later, I made a book, using Shutterfy, to document the project. Each picture in the small books takes me back to that part of the build, and I enjoy reliving the progress I made at that point in time.
Larry, that is a perfect example of the power of picture taking! You are engaging in the moment by taking pictures and then also getting to relive the experience! Thanks for sharing!
Fascinating. This is news to me, but I know I have experienced happiness in proportion to picture taking. The sharing of pix is especially satisfying as a form of communication. Also, for gear heads at least, cameras and lens themselves - how they work, their quality, etc. - is a source of (mild) pleasure. Catherine, did your daughter go on to become a ballerina?
I love the idea that the cameras/lens is ALSO a source of pleasure - and that is certainly in line with research on the power of doing things with meaning!
And she still dances ... although not so much ballet these days!
I think of my phone's photo roll as my externalized memory... I take photos that will aid later in telling stories, help me remember key details, or contribute to projects. Constantly, for both work and personal use, those photos are a way for me to answer questions about my timeline, or documents I signed, or stuff from the internet I wanted to refer back to. It's extra powerful now that one can filter by location or date, or even search for key words embedded in the image. I'm also okay getting rid of old possessions generally as long as I have a photo to refer back to. The example study about visiting the museum reminded me of my own trip last weekend to see a Gustave Caillebotte exhibit at the Getty; I was able to quickly go back and see the pieces that had stood out to me in the moment. What wonderful tools, and thanks for highlighting the positive side of what I often feel a tinge of guilt for doing. Really enjoy your newsletters.
I love so many things about this comment - including the many different benefits of taking photos! I also love the recognition that taking a photo may help you discard of an old possession; my oldest child does the same thing and it's a clever idea!
Taking a picture of what you see, if indeed you've actually *looked* at the subject before the snap, is a good thing, but better still is making a sketch. I enjoy doing that, and sketching means you have to really look at the scene. The sketch doesn't have to be super realistic or even "good" -- and likely won't be unless you are a highly trained talented artist -- but it will be a more vivid record of what you've seen. I have both photos and sketches from places I've visited. Both are valuable, but the sketches bring back more valuable (and pleasurable) memories.
That's impressive! And I imagine it's particularly powerful because not only do you get to really look at the subject but you also have the feeling of creating something!
I really appreciated the detailed summary of the research related to photography, as well as the great personal reader comments. Interestingly, my numerous boxes of scrapbooks and computer photo files are always the first things I grab whenever our home is under evacuation orders during the California fires. For me, this is the best evidence of the power of photography--both initial taking and their later savoring.
This is a heart-breaking observation - and one I'm sure resonates with so many people who live in places in which natural disasters are far too common. I love that you prioritize photos and scrapbooks when you need to evacuate ... but hate that this is your reality!
Interesting that you found our frequent evacuation warnings "heartbreaking." Sadly, this is so common we've become disinhinited, and I thank you for your repeated emphasis on gratitude. I often remind myself of all I have to be thankful, including your weekly uplifting messages.
I am an IPhone picture taker so it’s fairly easy to capture a variety of images that appeal to me. I have a nice collection of flowers including my favorite, tulips. I have been fortunate to have captured a hummingbird within inches of me as well as a Monarch butterfly. I think one of my favorite pictures is of a squirrel that has his head buried in a pumpkin (enjoying a feast) and just his tale is sticking up. Although I try to be cognizant of not taking away from the moment by capturing a picture, I will say that I get great pleasure from looking back and seeing the pictures I have taken.
What great examples of the power of picture taking - and how interesting that these are all things in the natural world (flowers, birds, a squirrel)! And great point that taking the photos ALSO lets you enjoy them later on - yet another benefit!
I like to work on old cars, and during the often drawn-out process, I like to take pictures of what I am doing. Later, I made a book, using Shutterfy, to document the project. Each picture in the small books takes me back to that part of the build, and I enjoy reliving the progress I made at that point in time.
Larry, that is a perfect example of the power of picture taking! You are engaging in the moment by taking pictures and then also getting to relive the experience! Thanks for sharing!
Fascinating. This is news to me, but I know I have experienced happiness in proportion to picture taking. The sharing of pix is especially satisfying as a form of communication. Also, for gear heads at least, cameras and lens themselves - how they work, their quality, etc. - is a source of (mild) pleasure. Catherine, did your daughter go on to become a ballerina?
I love the idea that the cameras/lens is ALSO a source of pleasure - and that is certainly in line with research on the power of doing things with meaning!
And she still dances ... although not so much ballet these days!
I think of my phone's photo roll as my externalized memory... I take photos that will aid later in telling stories, help me remember key details, or contribute to projects. Constantly, for both work and personal use, those photos are a way for me to answer questions about my timeline, or documents I signed, or stuff from the internet I wanted to refer back to. It's extra powerful now that one can filter by location or date, or even search for key words embedded in the image. I'm also okay getting rid of old possessions generally as long as I have a photo to refer back to. The example study about visiting the museum reminded me of my own trip last weekend to see a Gustave Caillebotte exhibit at the Getty; I was able to quickly go back and see the pieces that had stood out to me in the moment. What wonderful tools, and thanks for highlighting the positive side of what I often feel a tinge of guilt for doing. Really enjoy your newsletters.
I love so many things about this comment - including the many different benefits of taking photos! I also love the recognition that taking a photo may help you discard of an old possession; my oldest child does the same thing and it's a clever idea!
Taking a picture of what you see, if indeed you've actually *looked* at the subject before the snap, is a good thing, but better still is making a sketch. I enjoy doing that, and sketching means you have to really look at the scene. The sketch doesn't have to be super realistic or even "good" -- and likely won't be unless you are a highly trained talented artist -- but it will be a more vivid record of what you've seen. I have both photos and sketches from places I've visited. Both are valuable, but the sketches bring back more valuable (and pleasurable) memories.
That's impressive! And I imagine it's particularly powerful because not only do you get to really look at the subject but you also have the feeling of creating something!
I really appreciated the detailed summary of the research related to photography, as well as the great personal reader comments. Interestingly, my numerous boxes of scrapbooks and computer photo files are always the first things I grab whenever our home is under evacuation orders during the California fires. For me, this is the best evidence of the power of photography--both initial taking and their later savoring.
This is a heart-breaking observation - and one I'm sure resonates with so many people who live in places in which natural disasters are far too common. I love that you prioritize photos and scrapbooks when you need to evacuate ... but hate that this is your reality!
Interesting that you found our frequent evacuation warnings "heartbreaking." Sadly, this is so common we've become disinhinited, and I thank you for your repeated emphasis on gratitude. I often remind myself of all I have to be thankful, including your weekly uplifting messages.
I am an IPhone picture taker so it’s fairly easy to capture a variety of images that appeal to me. I have a nice collection of flowers including my favorite, tulips. I have been fortunate to have captured a hummingbird within inches of me as well as a Monarch butterfly. I think one of my favorite pictures is of a squirrel that has his head buried in a pumpkin (enjoying a feast) and just his tale is sticking up. Although I try to be cognizant of not taking away from the moment by capturing a picture, I will say that I get great pleasure from looking back and seeing the pictures I have taken.
What great examples of the power of picture taking - and how interesting that these are all things in the natural world (flowers, birds, a squirrel)! And great point that taking the photos ALSO lets you enjoy them later on - yet another benefit!
Is there somewhere I can correct my name from Dibbke to Dibble?
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037829711-How-do-I-change-my-email-sender-name#:~:text=Sign%20into%20your%20Substack%20account,name%20and%20click%20%22Save%22.