...is that they preserve memories.
Memories which fade from our minds with time, memories that we hold on to despite everything because we cherish the happiness in the moment – with photographs you don’t have to struggle so hard, they capture the moment exactly as it is, the head thrown back in laughter, the coffee cup tilting to a side threatening to spill, the fingers which are barely touching, the perfectly-plated food that was eaten with gusto…. The photograph transports you back in time to that exact moment of happy perfection that is sure to make you sigh. Sigh with the incapability of the human race to create a time machine to transport you back and forth.
The thing about photographs is that they preserve only happy memories.
A year from now, the photograph will not immortalize the terrible fights, the words flung, the vodka drunk, the pain felt and the despair drowned in. Two years from now, someone will look at the photograph and comment that you looked so happy, what ever happened to it. Kisi ki nazar lag gyi hogi. Three years from now, the photograph will have documented the ecstatic highs but not the depressing lows that have left deep scars. The scars which serve to be the antonym of the photographs.
Should we leave the perfect moment alone because, well, it was perfect? Or erase it off because nothing good ever came out of a photograph that gave the false impression despite the good memory?
P.S: This is the result of having browsed through old photos, both legal and illicit, under the hangover of “The Fault In Our Stars”.
Memories which fade from our minds with time, memories that we hold on to despite everything because we cherish the happiness in the moment – with photographs you don’t have to struggle so hard, they capture the moment exactly as it is, the head thrown back in laughter, the coffee cup tilting to a side threatening to spill, the fingers which are barely touching, the perfectly-plated food that was eaten with gusto…. The photograph transports you back in time to that exact moment of happy perfection that is sure to make you sigh. Sigh with the incapability of the human race to create a time machine to transport you back and forth.
The thing about photographs is that they preserve only happy memories.
A year from now, the photograph will not immortalize the terrible fights, the words flung, the vodka drunk, the pain felt and the despair drowned in. Two years from now, someone will look at the photograph and comment that you looked so happy, what ever happened to it. Kisi ki nazar lag gyi hogi. Three years from now, the photograph will have documented the ecstatic highs but not the depressing lows that have left deep scars. The scars which serve to be the antonym of the photographs.
Should we leave the perfect moment alone because, well, it was perfect? Or erase it off because nothing good ever came out of a photograph that gave the false impression despite the good memory?
P.S: This is the result of having browsed through old photos, both legal and illicit, under the hangover of “The Fault In Our Stars”.
I suffered from a terrible hangover after reading The fault in our stars too..I believe photographs bring back memories of the pasts..be it good or bad,it reminds us of who we are
ReplyDeleteTake Care <3
I like that... reminding us of who we are :)
DeleteThe fact stated. Photographs capture the happiness, not the struggle part of the story. That is the thing about photographs.. They create a false image of perfection that doesnt exist beyond the picture.
ReplyDeleteVery true as well
DeleteSometimes, I feel that all photographs must be burned and the slate must be cleaned. Restarted, and never recorded. But then, I am searching for decent DPs in few minutes from then and hounding my pals for sharing their quota of pics. :P
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Blasphemous Aesthete
Ah, the dilemma that we all face :)
DeleteIt's a nice way of saying relish only the wonderful memories and dont dwell on the memories that bring pain. Its always nice to look at old photos and relish the happiness that it brings :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when that happiness does not remain in the 'right now' anymore?
DeleteI loooove photographs too. Each and every picture makes me smile now.. may be with some tears sometimes. But people think that I am crazy about getting captured :/
ReplyDeleteLogon ka kaam hai bolna :) Get captured as much as you like!
DeleteWell photographs sometimes help you revive what you had lost. You lose touch with a friend because of a massive fight and then after a few days you find a picture somewhere saved where you too are fighting over the last slice of pizza and laughing...and that makes you pick up the phone and say Hello Woman! I missed you.
ReplyDeleteHappened with me. :)
Awww... that way they are awesome :):)
DeleteYes... Photos really sum up our whole life.. My fav past time is to browse thru the old photos.. the ones which are already faded, sides torn and many faces blurred. They bring in a sense of belonging. But nowadays am scared. We rarely takes out the hard copies and almost all memories are inside this virtual reality. My worst nightmare is losing all the photos that are on the system and cds. cant afford to take hard copies of all too!! :-/
ReplyDeleteSO TRUE!! I'm dead scared my HDD is gonna get screwed up :O
DeleteI feel it's best not to overrate the capturing the moment thing. Yes, it is good if you capture a happy memory, see that years down the lane and feel happy about it. But we shouldn't be obsessed with capturing them and miss enjoying the moment then and there.
ReplyDeleteAnd true that capturing memories that might trigger heaviness is not a good idea, some things are best left forgotten.
Perfect summation :)
Deletephotographs are good-ish
ReplyDeleteGood-ish... I like :D
Deletea very interesting take.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! :)
Delete