I’ve been an avid photographer ever since I received my first camera in 10th Grade! I always took pictures of everything, but my photographic topics were never focused. I would take pictures of signs, and cars, and flowers. Pictures that showed the whole building, or an interesting architectural pattern. My art teacher told me most of my photos did not have artistic merit. He asked why I was photographing things, what was the intent. I couldn’t figure out an intent. I took pictures to preserve information. What a street looked like, what a store looked like. how the signs were displayed.
I could never figure out what to do with them, just that I was sure my pictures would be helpful. You can blame it on my love of history, of realizing that things change before you know it and that these everyday pictures would one day have information others were looking for. Finding Local Guides gave a purpose to my pictures. Of course someone wants to see what the hours posted on the building are, or what their contact information is. Someone would love to see exactly what they might find at this store before driving the 1 hour in traffic to reach it. My photos are finally useful! To almost 3 million people at that! Photos also transcend language. My pictures are helpful to anyone who can see.
I hope one day my photos can be more than a record of the present but can be used as a record of the past. After the fire at the National Museum of Brazil untold artifacts were lost, not even their images preserved. I keep that in my mind whenever I go somewhere historic. I take more pictures than ever before. I take pictures of hinges, and baseboards, of wear patterns of the floor, of rugs! Thank goodness for Google photos! I hope others keep that in mind when they are out taking pictures. Someday your pictures can help rebuild history!
