Photo Essayby
ubiqueComment by insteps: Paul,
Your essays, photographs for that matter, always make me stop and think. You have a private guest house in the bush?
The snapshot is probably the most important photograph for most of us. Family, friends, and events that we didn’t seek out. It’s life unfolding while we’re making plans and go about our business. We might not remember the capture date but we know our outlook at the time.
For the analog snapshot, in particular the polaroid you mentioned, there is typically only one. We can make copies but there is only one original. It’s the photograph that’s been passed around and viewed by so many. The finger prints, rubbed edges, creases and maybe handwriting become a part of the photograph. It’s a fragile piece of our history. A matter of fact document.
All that being said, it’s just a photograph. Photographs are flat, silent, have no odor, and ignorant of everything outside the frame. The photographer, you in this case, knows so much more. It’s history now and can’t be recreated only interpreted.
Great essay!
Photographer found comment helpful.
