Three days a week I get up in the half-bright morning, slip my iPhone in my pocket, tie my hiking boots on my feet, clip the leash on the dog and head out.
Every time I get out onto the trail, as my body and brain begin to wake up, I think, I’m not going to photograph anything today. I’m just going to walk. And every time, at some point, I reach into my pocket for my iPhone to take a photograph.
You see, like a child collects stones or leaves or twigs along the path, I collect photographs. Even with no intention to do so, inevitably something comes into my awareness that needs to be collected. I need to pause and revere the scene, the moment, as I frame an image.
Why does a child collect the stones or leaves or twigs? I’m not sure I know. Maybe because they are pretty or interesting. Or maybe because each one is different. “Look at this one, Mommy,” he says, holding out his hand. Look at this one, I say, taking a photograph.
Each one is a marker, a reminder, a special moment to later be pulled out and cherished. Each one has the possibility to be compared, contrasted, transformed into something new. Or, as is the case most times, to be filed away, like so many child’s rocks pushed into the corner of a drawer. Coming across them later I might think, Huh, why did I collect that?
Even so, I capture them and I keep them. I can’t seem to stop. I don’t want to stop. They are my collection, the possibility that I keep in my pocket, just in case.
I cannot find the superlatives I need to tell you how much I love this post!
Wow, speechless? How cool. 🙂
Nah, I’m never totally speechless. Ask anyone who knows me 🙂
(I have been known to stutter occasionally while searching for the right words, however.)
Like Rosie mentioned, I can really relate!
I can so relate to this, Kat and reading this made me smile 🙂
Have a wonderful day!
Thank you! Hearing from you makes ME smile. Hello!!!
This post really speaks to my heart, Kat. It reminded me of an assignment in one of your Find Your Eye classes, to take a “photo walk” without taking a camera. I tried…but I did have a cell phone in my pocket, and at one point I did use it to take a photo. I just had to. I’m pretty sure I picked up a rock and a leaf or two to take home, too. (I will always be that child!)
I love the images you’ve included here. They capture something of the mysterious, luminous nature of that early-morning forest.
Yes, Lee, we are kindred spirits in this! Too funny on the exercise! Not having an iPhone at the time, I didn’t realize the draw… I think the only reason I was able to go on a cameraless photowalk in the past: I didn’t have the iPhone. I would make the choice – big camera, little camera, or nothing. Now there is no real choice, the iPhone is always there and it’s become my main camera.
I love this commentary.
It exactly expresses how I often feel.
May I use a selection from your text as a quote on my blog?
Thank you.
Of course you may! You are most welcome to quote whatever you want from my blog. 🙂
Thank you!
My post with your quote was published June 30, 2013:
http://www.deborahcrecelius.com/2013/06/20130630-simply-collection.html
I do that too, just heading of with the dog & iphone now 🙂
It’s a great way to travel, isn’t it? A great companion and the ability to collect our photographs. What more do you need?
I hadn’t thought of them that way before but you’re so right . . . and there I was thinking I’d lost the child inside.
Nope, that child is definitely still there. Just collecting something new…
If I am ever without my camera I feel as though there is something missing from me. I take my camera rather than my handbag these days, I feel exactly the same as you do, I still collect leaves and twigs and stones and now photographs.
Yay for collections of all sorts of things in our pockets!
Oh how I can so relate to this post too! I have tried to do this in the past…but I just can’t stand it without my camera!! I can’t stop either! So glad there are others that feel the same! Keep sharing your thoughts…
I think for many of us, there is something about photography which helps us to interpret and more deeply experience the world around us. It must just be in our blood!
Guess I’m still a child at heart — I collect stones! Whenever or wherever we travel I tuck a stone or two in my pocket along the way. I have a couple that I picked up in New Mexico. I will look at them, hold them once again and think about those sun drenched days on the desert and it all comes back to me. These stones, as your photo’s, take me out of myself and into the world. They remind me of my short life as opposed to the natural world all around me. Your photos are a record of what lives and breathes outside your door – always a good reminder to have.
often pick up random pieces of metal, leaves, twigs, stones, windows…whatever catches my magpie eye. i love finding things and mixing them around. metal and stones, earth and twigs, you know, those things i’m always sticking in my pocket when out on a walk.
I must still be a kid then… I take a zillion photos whenever I have my camera–sometimes of just one blossom! I’ve been reviewing all my photos lately to both remove duplicates from my hard drive and transfer them to an external HD, to make space and, to move off my camera disk to make space… It has been inspirational to say the least–there are SO MANY reference photos I can use to paint from. This was very unexpected to find… It wasn’t why I was looking at them… Now, I’m re-energized!
I love the idea of collecting scenes as a child collects rocks, or pieces of glass. You have a way with words, Kat!