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When we witness something amazing, many of us instinctively pull out our phones and snap pictures. Is this obsession with photographing everything impacting our experiences? In a meditative talk, Erin Sullivan reflects on how being more intentional with her lens enhanced her ability to enjoy the moment — and could help you do the same, too.
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I literally ask myself this everytime I post something on social media
same, and within 10 seconds I’ve convinced myself not to share.
I legit have always thought about it
A photograph is making some archive of the moment, capturing it for the future. How people perceive the meaning of this picture is subjective.
I used to stay away from photography because I thought it did take away from fully experiencing the moment. Instead I found myself more engrossed in what’s happening around me because I instinctively try to “find the shot” whatever I’m doing. Things that I would never have noticed become more interesting and become their own subjects. So I can’t speak for others, but photography has actually immersed me more in everyday life
Sometimes I feel like that…
I just want to just be in the moment and enjoy while it lasts….
But if I take a photograph then I can recreate the exact scenery and I can feel it
But don’t you think the time spent on taking the perfect picture could be used to have a better experience for yourself?
I’m very curious about this
Everybody has a TED lecture now a days…
Ahmen to that….
Your point being?
When you ignore the moment, it hasn’t happened.
When I see a recorded/streamed press conference for an event where the crowd is full of people holding up their phones recording this same presentation I feel critical of these people. There are much better produced broadcast systems capturing this stuff beyond what their measly phone can do. Catch the professional upload later and live in the moment.
4th of July fireworks are the worst.
Honestly, I feel the same way about the topic.
Same thing with clubs and concerts. There’s no point of taking a shaky, bad quality, low light, absolute garbage sound video of the thing. It serves no purpose other than to brag to people that you were there and they were not.
This is literally the best TED talk published in several hours
lol
Dont prefer taking photos… Im an in the moment person..
The simple answer :- Yes, yes it does
Same as we watch the firework.
It becomes stupid when we film it.
It is just for that particular moment that firework really works.
watching the 3 minutes of this video stole the time from me
The crowds in nature have always scared me. I go to nature to find silence and peace so it is better in an ordinary wood nearby than at these exposed famous sites. Beautiful photos 🙂 wow
I like balance by taking photographs but also sitting back and absorbing the moment, so I can hopefully replay it in my mind forever.
Beautiful photographs Erin Sullivan, and a thought provoking talk.
❝Remember this moments only comes ones .❞ this hits so hard.
A few years ago I was on a safari when there was a stand off between a couple lions and an alligator. I was recording the event to show people back home. Soon after, I realised I had been watching what was right in front of me through a screen instead. I always regret this because I wasn’t really in the moment and missed a magical moment.
This is the question that I usually ask when I am taking photos.
But in the other hand, i like to see old photos to recreate the memories
This is especially relevant to me in the context of concerts and nights out. I noticed people filming everything forever instead of enjoying the moment, which cannot be captured by a little camera. So I now force myself to never record more than 10 seconds. And if the music is really good, then I’d rather enjoy it to the fullest rather than have to think about filming.