By I think it’s time we show a little gratitude for the camera.
Whether it’s a traditional camera or the camera app on our phones, photography helps us document our lives—the milestones, the fashions, the moods, and even the spirit of an era. Our photos become a visual record of who we were and how the world looked around us.
Today, taking a picture is effortless. We simply pull out our iPhone, tap a button, and instantly capture a moment. But many of us remember when photography required a bit more patience. You’d carefully take pictures, finish an entire roll of film, drop it off to be developed, and then wait days to see the results—only to discover that your thumb had partially covered the lens in half the shots.
Some of my favorite photographs are far from perfect. I have blurry vacation pictures from childhood, faded black-and-white portraits of ancestors I’ve never met, and countless snapshots that captured moments more than technical excellence. I also loved the spontaneity of Polaroid cameras, watching a photograph slowly appear before my eyes.
For years, I filled scrapbooks with photographs, museum admission stubs, theater tickets, and other mementos from life’s adventures. Then came digital cameras, smartphones, and photo apps. Scrapbooks evolved into digital albums stored in the cloud. While I still enjoy creating printed photo books, actual cameras have largely become the domain of dedicated photography enthusiasts.
Technology has changed how we capture memories, but the purpose remains the same: preserving the moments that tell our stories. And for that, I’m grateful for the camera.
Some song quotes for you as you express love for this workhorse…see if you can name that tune:
“And when you smile for the camera, I know I love you better!”
“Take a picture, baby! I ain’t got time to wait!”
“..smile and you’ve just made a million…”
And your challenge – what’s the last picture on your phone? This is pretty funny! I was taking a picture of a door jam for my contractor. Not my best picture!
Here’s the last ‘real’ picture involving, no surprise to me, Buddy. He is on my bed, chewing on his Broccoli toy.
