Old photos

I am in the process of producing two zines. Each zine features photos centred around a particular theme. I will not spoil too much since I would like to make a full announcement after I have print copies ready to distribute. For now, all you need to know is I am working on two zines and both of them contain photos.

In the process of producing these zines, I have been thinking about what photographs mean to me. Taking photographs, in the moment, is an engaging task. If I decide I am going to take photographs, I will think about where I want to go and what I want my subjects to be. I usually focus on buildings or scenes such as landscapes or streets. I then have to think about where I want to take the photo, go there, get positioned, and then take the photo. I usually take a few shots of subjects unless they are moving because the first shot does not always align with what I wanted to create.

And then those photos go in my photo album. That album exists on iCloud and, more recently, in my local backups. In any case, they are mostly hidden from sight. So many of the photos I have taken are not actively used or looked at. I am proud of many photos I have taken so I have been thinking about old photos and how to make the most out of them.

The activity of taking photos is only one part of photography, as I am learning. I have enjoyed curating my photographs around a particular theme, looking back in my photo album to see what I have and do not have. This is has been a particularly fun pursuit now since I am not actively travelling. When I feel comfortable travelling again, I will go back into photography mode. For now, I am able to relive the memories I made when taking the photos that are in my album.

Photos evoke memories of moments. The joy of getting just the right shot. The wonder in your subject. The happiness that comes from getting exactly where you want to be to take a picture. I have been reliving some of the feelings I had when I took the photographs I have been looking over and, at the same time, I have reminded myself that photos are an excellent way to archive your experiences.

Do you take photos? If so, why? If not, why? I'm curious to hear from other people on all ends of the photography interest spectrum, from amateurs (like me) to people who are more advanced.

Tagged in photos.