Taking Pictures

Take in the world you see, then set aside time for taking pictures. This applies to any country, in any part of the world, except if you are working as a photographer/videographer or the like. And even then.

Many people who travel to a new land are armed with cameras. Still pictures or video, these can present a real problem. While studying abroad in Ireland, we were told to just experience the place, and not hide behind a camera lens. It was the best of all possible advice. When you experience a new culture, you need to take it in, and you simply don’t have that opportunity when you’re hiding behind a camera.

No matter how desperately you want your Instagram to be filled with pictures of the Northern Coast in Ireland, of the colosseum in Rome, or with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the fact is that the lens cannot capture what your eye can. The immensity and historical umph packed into everything you see should overwhelm you, but when you look through the lens of the camera, those four sides of the picture can pretend to contain more than they are able, and you’re left with more brochure memories than real ones.

Oh, and make sure people are in your pictures of important sights in the world. Otherwise it really would be just as good to Google it or buy a brochure.