17th July: Non-Photography Day

[clarence]

http://www.nonphotographyday.com/info.html
http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/newswire/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002801140

I know it's over. But I would like to know what you think.

The particular philosophy behind this is not very clearly stated on the website (how 'Zen'). It seems that the primary inspiration was a sort of tourist photography.

As photographers, I believe that we all connect with and disconnect from our subjects in varying degrees, and the two states co-exist all the time.

It's summer in Oxford now, and the streets and colleges are overrun by camera-happy tourists. I don't have the arrogance to believe that their experience of this town will be enriched if they shot any less photos. I have, however, enough self-awareness to know that my photography in this town is an important means for me to know the essence of the town.

Please share your views.

Clarence

 

[Rich Silfver]

My personal thought is that even reading the description of it was a waste of time. People are way too keen on creating 'days'. It makes people feel as if they are creating a legacy or having an impact on others life and action.
Sometimes that is for a good cause..but then there are situations like this when it's a brainchild of a 22 year old and her friends that is getting way too much publicity for an idea that is based on assumptions and personal projections of what they believe other people feel/see when taking photos.

I have no problem celebrating 'the moment' with or without a camera in my hand.

 

[Finder]

Sounds like a snob who thinks what he is doing is somehow superior to what others do. Probably an Oxford academic. 🙂 What a pretentious philosophy and it is not even original. It is certainly not "Zen."

 

[SDK]

This story makes me feel good, that I took a few shots today. I also experienced life and 90+˚F heat.

What's the sound of one shutter clapping?

 

[clarence]

Sounds like a snob who thinks what he is doing is somehow superior to what others do. Probably an Oxford academic. 🙂 What a pretentious philosophy and it is not even original. It is certainly not "Zen."

Hence my original quotation marks around 'Zen'.

Also, the dons at Oxon are much too cynical and self-absorbed for this sort of stuff.

Clarence

 

[rpsawin]

I celebrated by having knee surgery. Due to the pain meds I am unable to focus my mind much less a camera. If it we not for the surgery I would have made it a point to shoot alot today.

Bob

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Ooops, my bad. I took a few pictures at the supermarket today, trying to finish off a roll while shooting with my Canon 85 f/2.

I'll try not to not take no pictures some not other day...

I guess I had my "Pay No Attention Unintentionally Day"

 

[amateriat]

20 years ago, this stuff might've made a smidgeon of personal sense to me, but little more. Now it strikes me as little more than silly-precious. Either one is aware and in-the-present or not; the presence of a camera, generally speaking, neither noticably improves nor impairs the condition. I'd imagine a Sony PSP or iPod having a far-higher distraction-quotient than most any camera, anyway.


- Barrett

 

[RML]

I liked the idea of having a "day" on which photographers could take time to think about the why and the how of their photography, a kind of one day photographic retreat. Not that I would have thought of participating, but I like the idea. Sometimes it's good to reflect on what you do and why you do it.

But yesterday my little girl had a sporting day at school, and I was one of the parents to lend a helping hand. And I shot a sweet bunch of photos. 🙂

 

[PeterL]

I noticed that the people around me were living in these moments through their camera

I know the feeling, however, it's life: people like to store images for later. Because most of these don't call themselves photographers, they won't be reading the message, so it's in vain. I noticed that, when I'm carrying my LTM, I interact with the world in a slightly different way, but I'm definitely very actively involved in what happens around me. When I look for a photo opportunity, I'm taking in much more of a landscape, or of the people, than I usually do. So me putting down my camera would achieve exactly the opposite of what the writer's intentions are. So the "non-photography day" misses the point both for photographers as well as for tourists.

Finally, even if Zen had commandments, there sure would not be one saying "Thou shalt not photograph the world." There's even meditation-and-photography courses in respectable Zen sites. I'm afraid the site is more a "the way to hell is paved with good intentions" kind of site.


Peter.

 

[methinks]

I can't stand the appearance of all these silly "days" all of a sudden... I think there should be a "Non-Day Day" just for the irony of it all.
Talking of irony, I find the whole notion of this Non-Photography Day a tad ironic... if those of a touristy point and shoot disposition are indeed the ones targeted for Non-Photography Day, then I find it ironic that they are the least likely of all photography groups to be surfing photography forums like this, checking out photography related news on the BBC news site or even typing strings like "crazy photography publicity stunts" into google to stumble across "Non Photography Day" anyway! On the other hand, those of us who are generally more "into" photography and know when to take a camera and when not to are surrounded by these references to Non-Photography Day that remind us that obviously photography is a chore to us and for us to take a break by forcing... no, sorry, "freeing" ourselves from another day of photography! *rolls eyes* Zen my arse 😀

Oops, perhaps I'm grumpy this morning, I'm usually nice and chilled out about these things! :angel:

 

[bsdunek]

Too bad I found out about this on the 19th. - I would have taken even more photos on the 17th. if I had known.

I, like many others, take photos because I do enjoy where I am and what is going on, and want to preserve a little of it for the future. If it weren't for the slides and movies my Father made when I was a kid, I couldn't enjoy my past as much as I do.

The premise reminds me of the old joke:
Question: How was your vacation?
Answer: I don't know, haven't gotten my pictures back yet. 😎

 

[rbiemer]

Man do I love the internet! Now I can be condescended to by people I have never met.
I sure hope I never get to be that enlightened.
🙄
Rob