I would never call myself a photographer. My camera fits comfortably in my hand, and I always have it during vacations or special events. I think about whether I would want the picture I see framed in the viewfinder before I press the button. Sometimes, I change my viewpoint or refocus if I think I’ll like it better. I do my best to count to three so people aren’t caught off guard. I make prints for others and send out links online albums when it makes sense. But I just like to take pictures. I’m not a photographer.
I feel much more comfortable with words. Plain, black characters on a white background suit me much more than the world of color, focus, aperture, and light. I can tweak my writing so that it comes close to what I’m thinking, but with pictures, the moment is fleeting, and then gone. I suppose that’s what’s so mysterious and elusive about it. You have to be quick, anticipate the shot, and take it while you can. There’s less calculation, planning, and editing. I’m sure that others thrive in this spontaneity, but I am plagued by the knowledge that that perfect shot is just beyond my grasp. To make up for it, I take many pictures with the hope that a few good ones are buried somewhere within. I enjoy the challenge of pursuing those good shots, but I ultimately retreat to the comfort of a notebook or keyboard.
In rare, brief occasions, I get a flash of what it must be like to have that shock of knowing that a certain picture-making moment is at hand. I was preparing to roll Russian tea cakes recently, and I carelessly tossed my wedding rings onto the counter, like I do when I work with raw meat or wash dishes. It was a commonplace gesture for me, and the rings glanced harmlessly and settled on the fake butcher block counter. I had my camera nearby for the purpose of documenting the baking process, but I cocked my head to the side. The rings that I wear every day seemed at home on the counter, with that foreground of crinkled plastic wrap. I picked up the camera and tentatively snapped a couple of shots, and then I rolled my eyes at my feeble attempts to be artistic.
Yet, when I uploaded the batch of shots from the Russian tea cakes, I found that I loved the picture. Maybe it was the strange juxtaposition of the rings, weighty with significance, and the humble kitchen surroundings, and how it all seemed to be just right to me. Perhaps no one else sees that strange relationship of the life-changing and the mundane caught between silver rings and a sheet of plastic wrap, but I do. Perhaps no one else understands that, in the midst of rolling cookies, I was reminded of the quiet strength of my marriage within the context of the everyday routine, but I do. Perhaps no one else loves the picture, but I do.
But, no, I’m not a photographer. I just like to take pictures.
12 comments
beautiful post and beautiful photo. It’s really quite hard to get a good photo of diamonds/rings so I am impressed. Did you use a special setting for it?
I love taking photos as well.
I think I need a better camera though.
What a wonderful post RA.
I, too, love both the post and the photo! You were definitely able to communicate—with both the picture and with your words—the poignancy of “that strange relationship of the life-changing and the mundane.” I feel it, too, often: it catches me off guard and I wish I had a camera! I’m very glad you did, and that you were able to share what you felt with all of us.
i’m with you, i’ve taken a few photography classes but i would never call myself a photographer. but there is just something great about taking pictures. and i love the photo! simplicity can be great in photography.
Yeah, that totally worked. I think I have the same photo theory of “snap until you get a good one.” The thing is that I’m forever forgetting to pull out the camera, so I never get any better.
I really like the photo, especially the contrast you pointed out between the everyday and your diamonds. Beautiful post!
This is so sweet; what a lovely moment.
xox
I love the photo, the post, and your original post about your rings. Ditto what Janet said back in ‘06 — I feel the same way.
I’m no photographer by any means, but sometimes I wish I had a better camera. I get frustrated that my camera has such a slow shutter speed, often causing me to miss the moment I’m trying to capture. But I also have a hard time justifying the purchase of a new camera when the main thing I’d use it for is silly pictures of my dogs. But, hey, who says you have to be a photographer to have a nice camera?
I always think that I am a miserable photographer, but you remind me that I just need to try! That photo of your rings is gorgeous!
I love this photo! I take my rings off all the time to bake, and I get such a happy feeling seeing them sitting on the counter like that.
I’m not a photographer either, but I sure do love to take pictures!
You are a photographer. You are a writer. You do well at both (and I’ll bet your baked goods are delicious)!
Just change the settings to Black and White and throw Ted in the pictures and viola! you’re a photographer. So say we all.
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