pictures.

i still do not get why people love taking pictures of things.

there are pictures for recording events, for letting other people see things when they aren't there to witness it firsthand.

but why do people love taking pictures of random things? why do people love taking pictures of... groups of people in an event, or some get together between couples, or pictures of random garden subjects, maybe even dust...

i loved photography before because it put focus on things that are usually not noticed by people, but i noticed them. it's a sort of personal gratification to capture that moment, let people see what i saw. maybe give it value by putting it on its own frame.

i guess i understand that part, but it also feels like altered pride. like, hey, look at this photo, i saw it, bet you wouldn't notice it if it weren't for me.

that's just my feeling though. some people claim to use photos as a sort of self-expression. maybe if it was a staged photo, like photo shoots and modelling stuff. i kind of... cannot relate to this "self-expression", maybe besides the idea that some people may see your personality based on how you compose your photos, whether you like em dark and dreary, or bright and fluttery, soft and warm, etc.

anyway, what i'm trying to get to is that, i don't think pictures would ever be able to capture the most precious things. the most precious things only happen when you least expect them to. and they're only ever precious when you experience them firsthand. and taking a photo during a happening pretty much removes you from the happening, removes you from the event and the feelings it radiates towards viewers and maybe third-hand participants/onlookers. you do not feel shock from snapping a photo. you do not SEE shock from behind the lens. you feel shock from seeing things with your own eyes, and thus experiencing them at your core, not being blocked by this... this solid item in your hand, maybe in front of your face, shielding you from fully sensing the event.

just me though.