Memories or Photographs

[oldlongwalker]

This is now the norm:



When they are older their only memories will be of taking a video of the event, and not a memory of the event itself. For myself, I find memories much more significant than photos. I can't even recall the last time I pulled out an old photo album. My wife grew up with a father who made quite a few home movies. He had two subjects: his garden and his two children. Many years ago her brother had all of them put onto a cd. In our 24 years together, we have watched it a total of 1 time--shortly after we met.

I recall the first time I saw the movie Doctor Zhivago. It was in the theatre. At that time it was the best movie experience I had ever had. I have never watched it since then because I'm sure it will not live up to my memory, and I value that memory more than I do another viewing of the movie.

 

[CallMeKate]

For myself, I find memories much more significant than photos. I can't even recall the last time I pulled out an old photo album.

At the moment, I'm fine with either memories or photos/videos... but there's this nagging thought that if we/I start losing memory little by little in the future, I'd sure treasure those pics and movies.

 

[oldlongwalker]

At the moment, I'm fine with either memories or photos/videos... but there's this nagging thought that if we/I start losing memory little by little in the future, I'd sure treasure those pics and movies.

Interesting point, but if you start losing memory, will the photos still be of any use? Would be interesting to hear from someone with direct experience on this one.

 

[CallMeKate]

Interesting point, but if you start losing memory, will the photos still be of any use? Would be interesting to hear from someone with direct experience on this one.

I'm thinking at the onset of a minor memory fuzziness, pictures would be something that could give comfort. I have no direct experience... it's just the way I assume it would happen... not when one is deep into memory loss or something, but when a point is reached where a photo could give a little nudge and bring back something that had been lost.

 

[NorthernLight]

I've never been interested in photos, or in photographing things, people, or places.

I don't have any photos of loved ones, travel, etc. I prefer to rely on memory.

Now that it's easy to take and send photos on my smartphone, I sometimes use a photo to illustrate a post or text.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I’m excessively interested in photo taking for a variety of reasons ; to share memories, used for artwork, something exciting to do while exploring, to help tell a story etc. Photos are a wonderful form of expression.

 

[hollydolly]

I’m excessively interested in photo taking for a variety of reasons ; to share memories, used for artwork, something exciting to do while exploring, to help tell a story etc. Photos are a wonderful form of expression.

Absolutely agree.. couldn't agree more. As all long term members of this forum know, I am an Avid photo taker.. I have captured life and nature in many places in the world. Places I would not have been able to remember except a passing mental glance.. My photos.. not only capture all those places, but all stages in family and pets' lives...


ETA... This has been a long term thing for me.. not only since Camera phones arrived on the scene.. but long before with my Camera alone..

 

[Pepper]

I rely on memories. Did not have a camera for most of my experiences.

 

[hollydolly]

I rely on memories. Did not have a camera for most of my experiences.

you'd be surprised at things you think you remember but if you had a photograph of it, you'd see it differently sometimes..

Last night I was clearing up loads of photos into files .. and I came across photos of places I'd taken.. and people.. and thought..''wow, I didn't remember that so and so had that haircut''... or that I'd actually even been at a particular area...or and most importantly the time line. I saw some photos which I thought were taken about 4 or 5 years ago.. but they're date stamped 2013.. so it really helps with memories

 

[George1959]

I've never been interested in photos, or in photographing things, people, or places.

I don't have any photos of loved ones, travel, etc. I prefer to rely on memory.

Now that it's easy to take and send photos on my smartphone, I sometimes use a photo to illustrate a post or text.

In former times I was an avid photographer with some expensive SLR cameras. Since digital photography didn't exist at that time, I shot thousands of slides. But some months ago I brought most of them to our municipal incineration plant. We are planning to move and must downsize before as much as possible. If I can not even leave my tangible property how can I leave my body if it is time to do so?
For this reason memory now is my best friend. I'm doing the same with my hundreds of books until there is the essence of essence.

 

[David777]

Photographs can help our brains recall experiences from years to decades in the past that would have otherwise faded beyond any possibility of recall. I have old 35mm Kodachrome color slides from the 1970s and 1980s that if reviewed can bring back into awareness moments and experiences otherwise impossible to recall. Memories I greatly value. Our organic earth creature brains are incredible machines. I've re-hiked trails in places I haven't visited in decades and been astounded at how I can still recall some subtle features of trail and landscapes like what is unseen beyond the next trail bend. How do our Earth creature brains accomplish such amazing feats? How is that stored as memories? How do brains store sequences of time of events? Despite the fact, neuroscience of neuronal memory is an intensely studied and researched field, there still exists much unknown even at most elementary physical memory levels. Taking photographs that may be viewed years later or revisiting what was previously experienced, is the only way much of those hidden dormant memories may be recalled.