Capturing Memories through Lens Vs. Being Present in the Moment

 

The invention of smartphones has revolutionized the way we capture and store our memories. With a single tap we can capture moments and preserve it forever. However, the act of taking a photo can also detract from the present moment, and as the author of "Smartphones and our memories: Don’t take a picture. It’ll last longer" argues, rob us of a unique experience. We'll be exploring our options of how taking fewer photos and being more attentive to the present moment can enhance our overall memories and experiences.

It cannot be denied that capturing photos and videos can be a distraction from our presence in the current moment. Everyone is guilty of trying to click a perfect picture and end up constantly viewing the world through the lens of the smartphone camera, and not truly experiencing the event. Viewing the world through the lens deprives us of the sensory experiences that make each moment unique. Ambrosino, B. (2018, Mar 17) mentions, "the act of taking a photo can shift our attention away from the present moment and into the future, where we are preoccupied with preserving the memory."

There’s an increasing body of research that says taking pictures can impair the ability of recalling details of an experience. A study published in Journal of Experimental Social Psychology suggests that people who clicked pictures of museum exhibits were less likely to recall the exhibit details than those who just observed it. The study suggests clicking pictures and taking videos can create a "photo-taking impairment effect," where our brains neglect our own senses and attention to capture the experience and use the lens of a camera to capture it.

Despite the drawbacks, it’s important to note that clicking taking photos and videos can be a valuable tool for preserving memories and experiences. Pictures are a tangible evident reminder of having experienced important events, people and moments in our lives.  They allow us to share our experiences with others in a more tangible way than a verbal description and allow us to relive the experiences.

A balance between living the moment and taking pictures can be done by limiting the number of photos clicked during the experience. One suggestion is to select a few photos that capture the essence of the moment than the entire moment. This not only increases of sense of presence at the present moment but also encourages to be more intentionally aware of the memories we want to preserve. Some also suggest to first take a step back and appreciate the experience of the moment by observing the surroundings and being aware of our environment to help create more vivid memory.

We can enhance our memory of an event by consciously taking time to reflect on our experiences. Reflection can reinforce our memories, whether by journaling, discussion of experience with others to make our memories more vivid in our minds. 

To conclude, although the act of taking pictures can distract us from being present in the moment and impairing us our ability of recalling the details of an experience, it is a necessary tool for preserving our memories to be able to shared with others. It’s all about finding the right balance between experiencing the moment and capturing the moment through photographs. By being intentional about the photos we take and reflecting on our experiences, we can enhance our memories and overall experiences.

 

 

References:

Ambrosino, B. (2018, Mar 17). Don't take a picture, it will last longer: By trying to capture every moment on camera, we've removed the moment itself. There is no memory left to document. The Globe and Mail https://libaccess.senecacollege.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/dont-take-picture-will-last-longer/docview/2014455769/se-2