Photos That Tell Stories
I love to take pictures! Whether it be animals, landscapes, children, foliage, winding roads, mountains, and a hundred other things. It takes me what seems like forever and a day to actually go through them, to edit and choose which one is best in any given set. I often end up saving several of each because I like them all, which is probably not a good practice given the amount of space so many pictures take on my computer!
Regardless of my interest in taking so many pictures, I am not anywhere close to being a professional! The light isn’t always right, nor the angle—especially since I’m short and often have the camera (or phone) looking up, and often not even the optimal background. It’s just something I enjoy doing so I can go back and look at them later to see where I was, or remember something I enjoyed at the time. And besides, the pictures I take are usually just for me, so I’m not overly concerned about the particulars that would make any a photo ‘professional’.
All that said, I am amazed when I see those outdoor photos which seem to defy gravity or are a close up of a wild animal or very intimate picture of a momma and her babies. Photos of people intrigue me as well, as expressions can be so powerful. Sometimes eyes look particularly sad, or lost; other times they twinkle with mischief, or adoration. It seems like you can see into the mindset of the person in the photo. I’m particularly in awe of people who can photo other people, and do it well, capturing their personality and the essence of their soul!
I’m one of those people who does not photograph well. I smile too big—making me look like I’m wearing a silly grin, or my eyes look half closed, or in my opinion, several other things, that make me a very unsuitable subject! While I have this less than stellar perspective about myself, there are others who also feel they should not be in pictures!
Sometimes a picture which doesn’t turn out like you like, has more to do with the way it’s taken. The disability people group have dealt with this problem for years. Many of the photos taken of them are more focused on the disability instead of the person they are! Or the opposite happens, and the effort is to not include, minimize, or attempt to alter the situation. This makes them seem unnatural, awkward, or even occasionally less than an optimal human being, without even the ability to have any kind of relationship!
It’s wonderful that there are those in the disability world who have taken on the challenge, despite their personal disability to change the perception of disabilities through their own photographs! They are working to provide photos of a life within the disability framework filled with love, and a fulfilled, rewarding life. They desire to create photos which share hopes, ambitions, desires and perhaps even a glimmer of their story.
Their goal is to look past the disability—but not ignore it, and expose their joy, love of life, personality, abilities and a life well lived! These kinds of photos demonstrate it’s not about what you cannot do, but about what you can; both behind the camera, as well as, in front of it! It’s all about attitude.
Life can be challenging for everyone, and usually is in some form. But promoting positivity is a powerful tool for everyone who shares in not only the problem but some of the solution! It’s inspiring and motivating when we can look past ourselves and see the potential in someone else. These moments of clarity can help each of us look inside ourselves and help us move forward, even when there are barriers we hadn’t counted on, or obstacles we had no choice in.
As you grab your camera and snap those photos that mean something to you, remember that photos have a way of telling stories we can only imagine. Share your photos when you can, because sometimes a person only arrives in this particular ‘space’ through a photograph, which can bring understanding, joy, or a sensation of being in someone else’s ‘shoes’.