automatic nostalgia.

Hello everyone! I'm sorry that it's been so long since I've had a chance to write.  I'm sure you were all on the edge of your seats anxiously awaiting an entry about scarves or boots or some other accessory in detail with collages, however I write today with another topic in mind.

Last night I went to this party and took absolutely no digital photos. It was strange, because that's very unlike me.  I am the one who is attached to my camera, the one making everyone take forced group shots before we leave for an event, the one uploading pictures the next day to my computer and shortly after that to facebook.  That's just always been me, and people come to expect it.

A problem: my camera is dying.  After dropping it over a year ago (almost fatally) it has steadily been decreasing in reliability.  Although it usually still works, the pictures are not as good quality as they used to be, and the battery life is long gone - even with two, fully charged batteries, my camera decides to take several pictures then courteously remind me to "change battery pack" if I would like to continue to use it.  So yesterday when I was getting ready to go out, I requested that my friend Lauren bring her camera since I wasn't bringing mine.  She responded to me via text "WHY NOT" and I was suddenly unnecessarily angry that my camera decided to quit on me.  I do have other cameras, that's not the issue.  The issue is, none of them are so tiny and trusty, and ready to party.  And none of them offer to take instant frames of ironic nostalgia that the subjects of these photos cluster around and "ooh" and "ahh" at together, fondly remembering what it was like 30 seconds ago.

some instant nostalgia on new years eve.

I've taken to using these other cameras quite often since my original digital camera has deteriorated.  I have upgraded to a 35mm digital camera (not ideal for full on dance parties) and I also have a polaroid camera, two lomographic cameras (the action sampler takes 4 shots in one second and puts them all on one frame when developed, while the fisheye just provides an effect I enjoy) and a disposable camera lying around somewhere.  Out of the non-digital cameras, I use my polaroid most often.  In fact, I pulled out my polaroid camera before we left for the party and snapped the one and only picture of the evening.   And the events of last night made me consider something.  Digital photography provides that automatic nostalgia I mentioned, but so do polaroids.  Part of the reason I love them is for the aesthetic value that they bring - that moment captured onto one, neat little picture framed in white with room for a caption if necessary - but they also provide instant nostalgia.  We watch them develop before our eyes and still "ooh" and "ahh" at the memory we just made.

summer '09 in tolo, greece

It's an odd feeling, nostalgia at something that has just happened.  I've thought about it before, and it makes me a bit uncomfortable.  It makes me wonder why we feel that it's so necessary to be nostalgic.  I often look back at pictures and revisit those memories, but there is something to say about the fact that we can do that immediately.  Frustratingly enough, it makes me live in the moment even less and doesn't really provide a lasting memory when the memory is the act of taking the picture itself.

My new year's resolution, or one of them anyway, is to live more in the moment.  I am trying to move past the urge to partake in the automatic nostalgia of photographing everything and every event I attend.  sitting back and looking with our eyes instead of through a lens allows for a refreshing perspective and a little dose of reality my life has been missing.  I still love the aesthetic value of a photograph - whether that be the crisp clarity my 35mm provides, the distorted edges of the fisheye image, or the one and only slice of polaroid magic - but I have also realized that it can be much more fulfilling to put down the camera, back away from the lens, and return to the experience.

ocean city, nj

What have you done recently that has been an experience?  I have some suggestions.  And there are no cameras allowed:

• Try a new restaurant! In Philadelphia right now, restaurant week is happening.  All next week there are discounts and deals, and if you go with the right people you are guaranteed good conversation, a great meal, and a new memory.  Two restaurants I've been eyeing up are Estia and The Melting Pot.
• Walk around magic garden! If you're unfamiliar, this outdoor work of art on South Street is amazing and unforgettable.  I admit, I've taken lots of pictures while exploring this mosaic masterpiece, but try to just explore and take it all in.  (Although it's a bit cold, the weather forecast looks promising for Monday!)
• Do a little wardrobe update.  I know I'm guilty of indulging my shopaholic tendencies by buying needlessly at times, but last weekend I decided that instead of getting a new coat I would pick out some buttons to spice up my old one instead.  I bought metal buttons with lions heads carved onto them, and I can't wait to replace all of the buttons on my coat!  Perhaps a weekend project.

So try something new.  And tell me about it!  I hope you make a memory.
Molly