They Takin' Pictures...

I know I will be in the minority when I say that I dislike taking pictures. Every event, get together, bar, short trip, restaurant, birthday party, casual visit, and random running into has become, "Wait, let me get a picture with you." Not "can I?" or "would you like to?". Now let me be clear, I actually like the people that ask so it's not like I mind being seen with and or standing close to them. I just do not understand the need to take a picture every 2 seconds. Yes I am at a social gathering and I am publicly being seen but I don't want to take thousands of pictures of the same thing over and over again. I genuinely do not like the whole picture taking movement that has been happening for the last few years. Consider me to be a private person that enjoys company. I blame social networks such as Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter. They have created the new wave of amateur photographers and models that have no business doing so. So think about how many terrible pics you have seen lately of that chick who really thinks she is cute with her goofy look and jacked up hair with a gut in some random place and tubby over there thinks he is built so he has decided to take off his shirt being all baby oiled up for no reason.



In all seriousness, I would like to share a story with you. This actually happens a lot although people don't like to admit it. Picture this if you will, I am at a random event and I run into a married woman. She was there with a couple of female friends and I was flying solo at that time. We haven't really seen each other in a while so while her and I we catching up briefly, her friends suggest we take a few flicks. She grabs me close and after a few smiles and being blinded by the flash later, we go our separate ways. That's it that's all. Now a few hours later I see the pictures on Facebook because her and I were tagged on them without her or my consent with a certain type of caption. Now my understanding is that her husband saw these pics and thought the worst. He didn't like what she told him (the truth) and knew of me through reputation alone. Now one thing lead to another that out of respect, I will not go into details. That was an extreme case but it has been brought to my attention that his happens often and there are many fights and issues cause of it. The trust issue comes into play and it's one of those instances where not everything is as it looks.



I do think that there is an art in photography when done right. I am a big fan of art and photography as an extension of that culture. There are many photographs that are powerful and beautiful in their own right and I thoroughly enjoy them. I actually know some who are involved in the field such as Jarvis, Rocio, Thomas, and even my youngest daughter to name a few. It is cool to look back at certain places you have been and who you were there with but just like anything, all things in moderation. Don't ruin the moment because you are too busy trying to capture it.