the power of a photo

1238 photos.   That is how many I managed to take in four weeks of travelling.  Ah, the digital age when a single memory chip just keeps going and going and going.   The idea of someone saying " do you want to see my holiday pics?" takes on a whole new level of meaning, or should I say, range of excuses for an early night.   But what does one do with so many photos?  I can't even find time to look at the them all.  

Yes they are categorised into places at least, and I have started the task of deleting duds or double-ups (admit you know what I am talking about), but surely these memories are worthy of more attention.   When I look at them I remember that day, that place, that heat (spain) or damp cold (cornwall).  I remember what inspired me to take the photo - well in most cases.  

As an aside, the more photos I take, the more I understand that some sights are just not, well, photographable.  Well at least not by me and my trusty lumix.  Even with my 25mm wide angle, I can't always capture the impression of the scene in front of me, the scope, the light, the feeling of being there.   I think that must be what makes professional photographers professsional.   The combination of 'seeing' just what to photograph and then knowing how to manipulate a camera, deal with lighting etc, to capture the feeling of the image.  

Back to the point, we have now passed the one year mark in Luxembourg and I can't help but remember many of the experiences of our first few weeks here.  And I remember all the things I took photos of then.  Most of them are still worthy of that honour.  (In fact, the reason I bought the pocket Lumix was so that I could have a camera on hand (or more specifically in hand-bag) if I wanted it to snap my time away). 

All of this leads me to wondering, in this age where we can collect memories so much more easily, do we remember more than we did before?   Are we changing ourselves by recording our lives and experiences in greater detail?   We literally covered so much ground in July that if we hadn't photographed it all, I fear that there are things we would not remember.  Perhaps one could argue they were not worthy of remembering, but the photos tell a different story.  

Maybe it depends on what you take photos of.  We saw many people taking photos of signs or of people posed 'stategically' to block out the main scene which made no sense to us.  I'm guessing that those photos will generate memories of "that's me on holiday somewhere" rather than a memory of what they saw.  At least they will remember they had a holiday, whereas while I remember seeing places, I failed to capture much proof that I was there.  On the occasions when we did click a pic of ourselves, I am almost surprised to see how happy we looked - we were actually enjoying ourselves, and not just on an expedition.  And that image of us smiling tells me that we had a good time, even if I remember being tired or hot and the pressure of trying to see the world in a day.  So I'm sure that this photo taking habit does have the power to influence me at least.   I'm not sure what my photos will do for you.

Finally, this is really just an excuse to show you more photos from my trove of 1238.  These ones are from Andalucia, a place that did make me very happy.   I'm sure it had something to do with that wonderful daily expanse of blue (which has been sorely missing back here in Luxembourg!).

doorways

For the last few weeks we have been looking at and walking through many different doorways.   Some into ancient tombs, others into palaces, forts and churches.  Some doors we could pass through freely, while others demanded a hefty fee.   Some doorways were entrances to humble private dwellings. 

Have you ever thought about the doors you walk through? Sometimes we talk metaphorically about doors opening for us into new opportunities.   And what about the feeling you get when you are glad to come home, and you walk through the door into your own 'castle', where you can put your feet up properly.

When I look at doorways I think of the people that have passed through them, the people who built them, what the door says about who is inside. 

It seems that people have always had doors, entrances into the places they live, to divide who is on the inside from who is outside. Doors often give an indication about what is inside, both through size and decoration. Simple and functional doors indicate simple purposes while ornate doors suggest importance of wealth or position.

When I know what is on the other side I don't usually give much thought to the door. Particularly if the door is unassuming and familiar. When a door is grand, I often wish I could peek behind and see what the door is hiding.  In Cordoba, Spain, many doorways hide beautiful inner gardens which sometimes you can peek at.   We went through some doorways where the gardens were anything but ordinary.

Some doors suggest that people used to be alot shorter - either that or they were happy to 'duck' through doorways alot.

Okay, so this last shot is a wall rather than a doorway, but as you can see, the key to going on a doorway tour is to take your own doorway model.    For those interested, the photos were taken in Andalucia (Spain), Les Baux en Provence, Canterbury (Kent) and Wiltshire.