Many times thoughts connect in seemingly odd ways. I was watching a movie, The Color of Magic. In it, one of the main characters, Twoflower, was a tourist and a photographer. He marveled at most everything and wanted to photograph it. Later in the show, his reluctant companion, Rincewind, asked him why he took so many photos. He answered: Because later, when I’m old, I want to sit by the fire, look through my pictures, and remember what it was like. This is not a direct quote, but something similar.
Earlier that day I had decided to finally clean up my hard drive and organize my photos. I’ve been through a number of Lightroom upgrades, a switch from Windoze to Mac, a move, etc.
I came upon this one from February of 2007, taken at the North Carolina Zoo at Asheboro. It brought back some fond memories. I remember that this particular day was cool and it was rather slow. Not many people were around. I was able to stand in front of the gorilla exhibit and be in the presence of this fellow. There were no kids making ape noises, nor adults doing same. Just me and the gorilla. It was really cool to go back and look at this, to remember that time.
I started thinking after I heard the quote in the movie and saw these old pictures about how really transient digital captures can be. They can disappear in a hard drive fail, get lost during a transfer from computer to computer, become corrupted. Sure, similar fates can befall prints and books. They can get damaged, lost, destroyed, whatever, but there is something special about a book. I’d rather not sit next to the fire with my laptop!
I started thinking about cruising through my photos, by year, and making a book of my favorite ones for each year, say about 35 (Can someone say SoFoBoMo size?). I have photos going back to 2003. That would be a task that might be fun, but sounds daunting. Doing it each year wouldn’t be bad, but catching up from the past 8 years … kind of tough. Geez! I’m starting to sound like Anita … dreaming up projects! LOL
Well, certainly, this would probably be the cover of my 2007 book. It’s one of my favorites.
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I say go for it! I have a collection of pictures which are my favorites going back all the way to 1984. Ah, the days of Film.
Oh, no, another project idea. Paul Lester, when I am pulling out hair over this assignment, I will be able to blame this one squarely on you. What a terrific idea and this photo could make the cover for a book covering several years, in my opinion. This is a stunning portrait. And, thank you for passing on the quote. I hits a nerve with me.
By the way, I am already thinking about this seriously, (that took about fifteen seconds) along with possible variations: portfolios in archival boxes, e-books (stored in multiple places) until I reach the point where a tablet, or whatever gizmo comes along, isn’t appealing. Multiple possibilities, any of them doable, and any one of them offering great satisfaction.
But … but … but … Ummmm. I wasn’t assigning it to you, Anita. LOL! I just knew that you couldn’t resist this one. I need to get started on it before you do!
I see that your mind has spun off in 5 different directions already.
As Hedley Lamar said in Blazing Saddles:
That’s you, Anita! That’s you.
Oh, it wasn’t an assignment? Oops! Oh, well, the “raging torrent” has already reached cascade proportions and I am awash in “creative alternatives”! Too late, now. You have provided a number of needed chuckles this morning. Thank you, thank you.
By the way, you will have no problem getting a head start on me. I am in a bit over my head at the moment. Besides, sometimes—as we know, my mind spins off and I never catch up with it and get the job completed.
I forgot, again, to say how much I like the title of this post. Well said.
Phantastic portrait! I actually seem to remember you posting some shots of apes a while ago. I wasn’t aware that it was such a WHILE ago. 8 years – impressive, I guess you’re blog is becoming one of the ancients on the web…
Putting together a book of “all time favorites” is a nice idea – sounds like something for a rainy day. Without haste, just slowly and enjoying the process. Nice!
And yes, a book certainly feels much more real than anything electronic. With the slight drawback, that it’s even harder to make a backup…
Great photo, Paul. Believe it or not, I have had a similar idea and have a keyword assigned to the project.
You and your secret keywords.
I hope that you go for it. I plan to start this evening with 2003.
Paul, that’s a great idea for a project. I don’t generally look at my work in terms of “greatest hits” but what a great way to see where we’ve been. Assignment or not, I like it!
Thanks, Tom. I don’t think that it will be a greatest hits, but more of a ‘favorites’. I think that there is some distinction, though I’m not sure what, exactly just yet.