The Tribune

By Deidre Bastian

Aren’t you a little tired of being perfect all the time? Does art always have to be so pretty and seamless? What if you tried posing for a shot in the rain? Sounds exciting, right? I fancy the worst thing that can happen is perhaps getting water on your clothing and a little on your face, which is the purpose behind taking photos in the rain. But if you ask an innovative photographer, he’d just describe it as “Art”. And I cannot disagree.

Some models are uneasy about the way they look behind a camera, even though I do not think there are any bad pictures at all. Abraham Lincoln has already sealed the deal by saying: ‘There are no bad pictures; that’s just how our face looks sometimes.”

Nonetheless, the hot button question remains: Why does everyone love taking pictures? Well, perhaps it is because photographs connect people through interest, locations and cultures, and act as a bridge between worlds.

Is that it? Is that really why everyone is crazy about pictures? Some would say it is a love for self. I might just disagree, as we all have our reasons. But there has to be some common thread, otherwise it would not be such a universal phenomenon.

Let us look at this unifying factor. Through photographs we evoke the essence of places we have not been, preserve the history of our child’s first steps, and recall our grandmother’s last smile or our son or daughter’s college graduation. Perhaps they are also a platform to make a statement that says: “Hey, I was here, remember me? Oh yes, right here in this here photo.

Facebook is the most popular place to upload photographs, and I believe every picture that is taken ends up there. Every minute 208,300 photos are uploaded alone. In a recent presentation, it was predicted that if current trends continue, we will take about 880 billion photos in 2014.

Furthermore, many admit to snapping themselves with mobile phones and cameras. This is a new craze, and although the word ‘selfie’ did not make it into the English Dictionary this year, I would be surprised if it is not included in 2015.

I do not enjoy seeing photos of myself, but my children, grandchildren and their children would wish to see them when I am long gone. I really do enjoy looking at old photos of my mother, father and grandparents, who have moved on.

What we remember may not actually be what “was” thus, so pictures do help us remember. They are the closest we get to time travel, which allows us to go back and experience the feelings we had and remember.

I am in the process of constructing a ‘Family Tree/Booklet’ depicting one generation and picture at a time. Tedious, but the payoff? A treasured heirloom that will be passed on from generation to generation, which justifiably outweighs any challenges ahead. Memory is malleable, and over time details become lost or changed.

Documenting our lives and experiences, for the purpose of sharing, helps us recall with greater clarity our past experiences, which is incalculable.

I have learned so much about life, nature and people through the connection of pictures, and I am always amazed at how much detail is captured that was not noticeable at the time the image was created.

With this in mind photographers, lighten up and quit overstressing so much on the technical aspect. Shoot on instinct and give yourself the freedom to have fun and ‘go nuts’, as it will add a refreshing dimension to your images and life. And models, never worry about whether or not someone likes your image. After all, it is subjective, but expressing a feeling or capturing the moment is all that should really matter.

We often say: “I took a picture”, and sometimes that is all we did. But my premise is that the highest form of art is when one is able to cross the threshold between taking pictures to capturing emotions.

I will digress and say that photography should always be fun, even though it is nice to make money from it. The best gift you can give someone is to make them happy, which is more than just a documentary but, rather, a memorable journey by means of photos. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

• NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT COLUMNIST: Ms Bastian is a professionally trained graphic designer/marketing coordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.