Once upon a time there lived state of mind called "Imagination". Today we all live under the façade of a reality called "Photography". The new age social media like Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest have largely empowered the likes of everyone who clicks pictures. We've already made these people the butt of the DSLR jokes, when in stark reality we all are turning into one of them. And these realists look like this. .
Oh there! I've now clicked you reading my blog as well. Say thanks to the technology that has brought in a camera in every pocket (read smartphones) and for the more inquisitive and eager, there is the regular range of SLRs and DSLRs. Eat, shop, laugh, cry, travel, marry, etc everything has to be suffixed with the usual- Pose, Click, Share and Upload for everyone to stare. :) As simple as that.
They say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." My elders beg to differ. I've heard amazing stories and anecdotes from my grandparents and believe me, Nothing! Absolutely nothing beats the experience of watching, and cherishing memories that can be retold vividly as a story and passed on. Its a different joy.
I was once out for an errand and had left my phone at home. On my return, it was nearly dawn and the Sun was setting in the horizon under the lovely shades of crimson and vermilion mixed with a hazy blue. I fished around for my camera, only to find that I'd left it back. The inability to capture that moment left me with a tinge of frustration and restlessness. But then again, I thought not every moment could be captured for life. I accepted that wisely and I stood there savouring the moment of solitude until the last shade of orange had set. It was unexplainable. I know one day I will look back at that simple moment, relate it to many people and not have a single picture to show how it felt to stand there. I agree photographs are keepsakes and you needn't delve deeper into your memories to look back or revel on a particular moment. But try as you might, you can fill better gaps with your imagination.
And yes, I have tried very very unsuccessfully to click a decent picture of the Moon. Failed miserably.
Maybe what my mother says about this is true, "Not everything is meant to be clicked. Don't click. Just Stare."
In the meanwhile, while I stare and admire Click me! Maybe. :P ;)
