What Photography Means to Me

    In his article, Photography Changes Everything, Marvin Heiferman describes photography as coming from a humanistic "idea that we need to see more in order to know more..." Like what Heiferman is saying, photography to me gives the opportunity for people to see more than what is right in front of them. The uniqueness of different countries, people, cultures, even perspectives, giving someone the chance to see more in order to then learn more. Without photography, people can go their entire lives without seeing the Great Wall of China for example, or the Pyramids of Giza. These are just two examples, yet places we call "wonders of the world." This idea doesn't just work for places either, ones own personal experiences, ideas, beliefs, and culture can all be portrayed using photography. To me, photography is a chance to open ones eyes to something never seen nor experienced before, a chance to grow as an individual or society. 

    Also in his work, Marvin Heiferman describes photography as slowing "time to a standstill in order to corral and flash-freeze information. But just as impressively and importantly, photography is active; it keeps things moving..." When I think of photography, I initially think of photos I have with family members, friends, and even pets. Every time I have a chance to look at these images, I see a moment in time frozen, whether it be emotions, attire, activities, the location, or even the weather. Despite not truly understanding why we do it, I think parts of us chose to photograph moments in order to hold them still, as if we understand time fails to stop, but an image opens the possibly to hold onto something. I really feel this when viewing photos of lost family members or pets. No where else do these individual exist in the physical world besides memory, but having a physical image of them eternalizes them in a way, keeping them active and current. 

    Most frequently, I find myself taking pictures of landscapes, mountains, the sky, and nature. From these images, I always take the perspective of how small we all really are. Not just physically small, but figuratively. The world revolves around not one individual person and instead functions through forces not often seen. It is because of this that Heiferman's statement, "photographs can transport us to worlds beyond the boarders of everyday experience," resonated with me. Through photography, we see something that is so much bigger than any given person. When I think of everyday experience, I think of work, school, relationships, even food and cellphone use. The world photographs take us to, beyond boarders as Heiferman describes, is in my opinion not physical national boarders, but a world right in front of us yet under appreciated. Aspects of our world we must slow down, freeze, and develop in order to truly notice.