Yesterday I paid my last respects to my grandfather. At the end of a beautiful, long life, the week before last, he fell asleep on the couch with a smile on his face while watching his favorite TV show and simply never woke up. This is how I want to die – hopefully many years from now. Without pain, without machines, looking back with satisfaction...
The funeral was yesterday. At this meeting I noticed how small the family has become. My grandfather had 6 siblings, only two still alive. My mother showed pictures she found in my grandfather's closet that brought back the memories of his brothers and sisters. Old black and white photos.
This suddenly made it clear to me what an important task we really have as people with the gift of being able to use cameras: to capture memories. And especially as someone who takes photos of people, we should always keep in mind that with one click we can bring faded memorabilia of dear individuals to life for brief moments. This gives us human photographers a special responsibility.
Many years from now there will be nothing left of us except bits and pieces in the memories of our families and friends - and perhaps some cheap paper with our likeness. In a time when a Facebook entry from yesterday or a tweet from an hour ago rarely gets any attention, this is quickly forgotten.
This makes it all the more important for me to approach my face with my camera responsibly and with dignity. Even with a snapshot. This photograph may be the last and will bring the wonderful shared experiences back into the memory of the bereaved at a funeral service.
By the way, the above-mentioned photos from the closet that my mother found were mine. I made them many years ago at a family gathering. Of course just snapshots. Certainly not masterpieces, but I don't have to be ashamed of them. And that made me relieved.
RT @CanonSchubser: Food for thought! RT @rim_light Some basic thoughts on photographing people http://wp.me/pzzwW-ZL
My deepest condolences, Stefan.
Just recently I was discussing with someone whether photography is about transience or about capturing things. It's probably a mix of both when you look back at the photos of your loved ones, reminisce, feel sad and happy at the same time. It's good that you often have the camera with you. Mine is not missing from any family celebration. Who needs masterpieces when faces say so much more.
My deepest condolences Stefan. I had to do this too
year to say goodbye to my grandfather. Unfortunately for him, it was
not quite as peaceful but I have to say he has the best of it
the situation, for which I give him a lot of respect. for
For me too, these were days in which you got to think a lot.
I completely share your views on this. There is almost nothing
more important than photos to keep the memory alive. thats why
it is still important, especially today in our digital world
to expose such things and especially with family and friends
split. >Of course just snapshots. >Truly
not masterpieces, but I don't have to be ashamed of them. Why
Also, when it comes to snapshots in family pictures, that's what counts
Wait, that's the most important thing. If you then do something with the photo
can connect and remember, then it's a direct hit, too
without great composition, sharpness etc. etc.
RT @rim_light: Some basic thoughts on photographing people http://wp.me/pzzwW-ZL
Right! RT @rim_light: A few basic thoughts on photographing people http://wp.me/pzzwW-ZL
RT @rim_light: Some basic thoughts on photographing people http://wp.me/pzzwW-ZL
Something to think about! RT @rim_light Some basic thoughts on photographing people http://wp.me/pzzwW-ZL
My sincere condolences.
It really is like that. You capture memories with photos. Even snapshots bring you back to people you love years later!
My condolences Stefan, losing a loved one is always difficult.
Preserving the memories is also a reason why I turn more and more to photographing people; these memories are important for everyone involved and those close to them.
My condolences Stefan!
For me last year it was my mother's uncle and my partner in quick succession and the first question that came up was, do we have a photo?
Regarding your photo, what would a cemetery be without the obligatory watering cans, if you need one there aren't any, you were lucky that they were all hanging on the hook. 😉
Greetings Frank
Speaking of @rim_light – read his post about "Responsibility and Dignity" http://bit.ly/h0Lr4J I can only agree with him
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"...and maybe some cheap paper with our portrait on it."
It is important to take the most valuable photos down on paper every now and then. Many people only have their entire photo collections available electronically. And the next hardware crash is guaranteed.
…..well written, it is even a bit of proof that we even lived. if the data carriers hold out...
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