Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Like many people here, I have albums full of photos and I have various electronic media full of photos.
For the past few months I’ve been scanning negatives from photos I made in the 1970’s and I’m seeing these photos for the very first time (back then I could afford only to develop my own negatives and print only perhaps 1% of my work). I’m adding notes and comments to these photos. I would like to think that someone would enjoy them and cherish them - not only the photos I’ve made, but also very old family photos that are from the 1890’s as well.
Perhaps you have relatives who will appreciate your collection of photos 100 years or more from now. I’ve envied people with large families, children and grandchildren, whose family legacy they will receive.
In my case, I feel like a failure, because I have nobody to inherit the photos - or even the book that my aunt wrote and the book I’m writing (which also contains photos). I thought it ironic I should now be the family historian when I have no children to pass things to. The only family left now are cousins, 2nd cousins, etc., and they are young - they care nothing of old photos or of our ancestry. Seemingly they care about nothing that is more than a few weeks old.
Yet, seeing this, it occurs to me that if I did have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, they might have turned out the same: uninterested in anything beyond last month.
Perhaps, like the Pharaohs, I should bury these photos and writings in a pyramid in my back yard to be discovered far in the future. More realistically, I could upload them to something like Flickr where at least others could view them. But for how long? Perhaps the best is to create photo books.
So what will become of your photos, your work? Do you believe your family will cherish them and pass them on? Do you care?
For the past few months I’ve been scanning negatives from photos I made in the 1970’s and I’m seeing these photos for the very first time (back then I could afford only to develop my own negatives and print only perhaps 1% of my work). I’m adding notes and comments to these photos. I would like to think that someone would enjoy them and cherish them - not only the photos I’ve made, but also very old family photos that are from the 1890’s as well.
Perhaps you have relatives who will appreciate your collection of photos 100 years or more from now. I’ve envied people with large families, children and grandchildren, whose family legacy they will receive.
In my case, I feel like a failure, because I have nobody to inherit the photos - or even the book that my aunt wrote and the book I’m writing (which also contains photos). I thought it ironic I should now be the family historian when I have no children to pass things to. The only family left now are cousins, 2nd cousins, etc., and they are young - they care nothing of old photos or of our ancestry. Seemingly they care about nothing that is more than a few weeks old.
Yet, seeing this, it occurs to me that if I did have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, they might have turned out the same: uninterested in anything beyond last month.
Perhaps, like the Pharaohs, I should bury these photos and writings in a pyramid in my back yard to be discovered far in the future. More realistically, I could upload them to something like Flickr where at least others could view them. But for how long? Perhaps the best is to create photo books.
So what will become of your photos, your work? Do you believe your family will cherish them and pass them on? Do you care?
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
Like many people here, I have albums full of photos and I have various electronic media full of photos.
For the past few months I’ve been scanning negatives from photos I made in the 1970’s and I’m seeing these photos for the very first time (back then I could afford only to develop my own negatives and print only perhaps 1% of my work). I’m adding notes and comments to these photos. I would like to think that someone would enjoy them and cherish them - not only the photos I’ve made, but also very old family photos that are from the 1890’s as well.
Perhaps you have relatives who will appreciate your collection of photos 100 years or more from now. I’ve envied people with large families, children and grandchildren, whose family legacy they will receive.
In my case, I feel like a failure, because I have nobody to inherit the photos - or even the book that my aunt wrote and the book I’m writing (which also contains photos). I thought it ironic I should now be the family historian when I have no children to pass things to. The only family left now are cousins, 2nd cousins, etc., and they are young - they care nothing of old photos or of our ancestry. Seemingly they care about nothing that is more than a few weeks old.
Yet, seeing this, it occurs to me that if I did have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, they might have turned out the same: uninterested in anything beyond last month.
Perhaps, like the Pharaohs, I should bury these photos and writings in a pyramid in my back yard to be discovered far in the future. More realistically, I could upload them to something like Flickr where at least others could view them. But for how long? Perhaps the best is to create photo books.
So what will become of your photos, your work? Do you believe your family will cherish them and pass them on? Do you care?
When I was ages 6 to 9, I spent a fair amount of time with 70+ year old men who lived in a trailer park (long story), who would fish with me at the lake surrounding the trailer park. Teaching me to fish for carp and catfish using doughballs.
Later, when I was 18 or 19, one of those gentlemen died, and it was relayed to me that, because he had no children, he had left something for me, a 200 page hand written manuscript of a history he had written about the local area, even though I had not seen him for years. I still have it, and it means a great deal to me.
You never know who you might be able to pass personal memories on to, even if they are not your children. Or how much it might mean to them.
monochrome_joy
Analog Enlightenment
The photo agency VII recently hosted three conversations with two archivists as a series: https://viiphoto.com/recordings-resources/ - Highly recommend anyone interested in the long-term care of photographic work watch these.
Having a well thought out catalog, with context, and with specific info for your own archive greatly increases the odds of accession to a museum/historical society, etc.
I'm currently working on a long-term photo project that has historical implications, and have already started discussions with the local historical society. These videos helped me think about what I can do today that will be of value to researchers and archives in the future. For instance, a detailed catalog for my film archives and robust metadata in my born-digital archives.
For my personal collection, I want to take responsibility for creating the photo books and what not for my heirs. They shouldn't have to wade through hundreds of thousands of photos trying to figure out what I felt was important. And it should be printed, because a physical object is harder to ignore than an uncertain disk full of unknown.
Having a well thought out catalog, with context, and with specific info for your own archive greatly increases the odds of accession to a museum/historical society, etc.
I'm currently working on a long-term photo project that has historical implications, and have already started discussions with the local historical society. These videos helped me think about what I can do today that will be of value to researchers and archives in the future. For instance, a detailed catalog for my film archives and robust metadata in my born-digital archives.
For my personal collection, I want to take responsibility for creating the photo books and what not for my heirs. They shouldn't have to wade through hundreds of thousands of photos trying to figure out what I felt was important. And it should be printed, because a physical object is harder to ignore than an uncertain disk full of unknown.
markjwyatt
Well-known
...
For the past few months I’ve been scanning negatives from photos I made in the 1970’s and I’m seeing these photos for the very first time (back then I could afford only to develop my own negatives and print only perhaps 1% of my work). ...
I find my self in the same situation. I have contact sheets, some 3x3 or 4x4 proofs of lot of my pictures. I did not have access to a darkroom after about 17 years old, so lot of my pictures were unappreciated. I am displaying a lot of the better ones on Flickr.
Andrea Taurisano
il cimento
As I just told answering another thread, I'm spending these pandemic months printing a fairly large selection of my photo archive, about 25 years of work, 99% film based. I must say the result is pretty stunning. So many good single photos, so many good series and documentary stuff, not only from Europe, but especially Japan, ex-Soviet countries, Mongolia, China, Iran, Afghanistan.. Again modesty aside, an awful lot of photographs that - if taken in another epoque - or in our time by someone with an established name - would be displayed in galleries and printed in books. But that, being istead mine, no one will ever see printed.. Aged 48, I have no kids who will treasure my work. As soon as my wife and I are gone, all of it will probably just be garbage. I take it as a form of meditation on my own impermanence.
PS: No, sharing on social media does not appeal to me. I'm a bad editor, can't choose among my images and what I dump on my little website is more a random selection than a curated one, and certainly a drop in the ocean compared to the rest of the archive.
PS: No, sharing on social media does not appeal to me. I'm a bad editor, can't choose among my images and what I dump on my little website is more a random selection than a curated one, and certainly a drop in the ocean compared to the rest of the archive.
gabrielelopez
Established
I totally care about these stuffs, to answer your last question. I have now like 50 boxes of photo-prints done during the years, mostly darkroom.
During the different lockdown I have made a massive archive work, scanning thousands of slides (mostly family stuffs from 20+ years ago), printing what deserved to be printed and making boxes. Maybe my daughter or someone else will care about those prints.
As soon as I can, I make a little book of my work. It may be a single copy project for a family stuff, or a some hundred self-printed project for the "photo world".
My opinion is that the personal work will someway remain and be maybe precious for someone, all the rest may go and disappear without any problem.
Only print can someway survive, since everything else electronically archived (lightroom catalogs and similar especially) would require knowledge and work by someone to be used and saved, websites and clouds would disappear as soon as I would stop paying for the services.
My last words would be to try to print what you think is precious and valuable, in some forms, someway. What will happen AFTER us is something that I don't want or care to having control over. But chances that the most significant parts can survive if you care enough to print are real.
During the different lockdown I have made a massive archive work, scanning thousands of slides (mostly family stuffs from 20+ years ago), printing what deserved to be printed and making boxes. Maybe my daughter or someone else will care about those prints.
As soon as I can, I make a little book of my work. It may be a single copy project for a family stuff, or a some hundred self-printed project for the "photo world".
My opinion is that the personal work will someway remain and be maybe precious for someone, all the rest may go and disappear without any problem.
Only print can someway survive, since everything else electronically archived (lightroom catalogs and similar especially) would require knowledge and work by someone to be used and saved, websites and clouds would disappear as soon as I would stop paying for the services.
My last words would be to try to print what you think is precious and valuable, in some forms, someway. What will happen AFTER us is something that I don't want or care to having control over. But chances that the most significant parts can survive if you care enough to print are real.
So what will become of your photos, your work? Do you believe your family will cherish them and pass them on? Do you care?
I'm into making art... and people seem to care on the surface. However, when the burden of actually dealing with my photography comes... I'm sure they will just keep a few books (out of guilt!) and trash the rest. It's ok. I'm making art because I love it and I can't help but do it. If I'm ever good enough... hopefully it gets remembered in a legitimate book form or ends up in gallery / museum collections. Those are long shots. It is what it is... only a few can really be remembered.
Franko
Established
I faced up to the reality some time ago that my life experiences, while important to me, mean little to others - they're too busy with their own. Most of the young don't seem to care about anything but "smartphones," certainly not about history. I do believe that future generations will not know much about us because so little of what we create is being printed.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Two problems. People and Profit.
Most people are amoebas. Their life is limited to here and now. I think, nature regulates it. They say centuries ago people were smarter. They had to deal with much dangerous and more significant things. Now we are mass of stupid. Only few are willing to look back and realize what something is going wrong.
Ignorance for images as history is part of it. In Canada we still have libraries, with lavish salaries paid. They have no interest in digitizing, saving images about regions past. Only few regional archives are willing to do it.
Canada Archive is total disaster. Photo archive basically not exist. I forgot, was it at RFF or else. Spouse of photographer was trying to find the place for historical photos, zero interest. In Canada, don't know how it is in USA, it is like during Soviet time. Landmarks are getting destroyed to build some ugly high-rises. Of course nobody wants old neighborhood pictures. Because people might start to realize what they are getting hosed.
Another disturbing fact is obesity. If people will start to look at old photos more, most will realize here what they become pigs. Then they might start to ask question. Profit don't need questions to be asked.
Most people are amoebas. Their life is limited to here and now. I think, nature regulates it. They say centuries ago people were smarter. They had to deal with much dangerous and more significant things. Now we are mass of stupid. Only few are willing to look back and realize what something is going wrong.
Ignorance for images as history is part of it. In Canada we still have libraries, with lavish salaries paid. They have no interest in digitizing, saving images about regions past. Only few regional archives are willing to do it.
Canada Archive is total disaster. Photo archive basically not exist. I forgot, was it at RFF or else. Spouse of photographer was trying to find the place for historical photos, zero interest. In Canada, don't know how it is in USA, it is like during Soviet time. Landmarks are getting destroyed to build some ugly high-rises. Of course nobody wants old neighborhood pictures. Because people might start to realize what they are getting hosed.
Another disturbing fact is obesity. If people will start to look at old photos more, most will realize here what they become pigs. Then they might start to ask question. Profit don't need questions to be asked.
PaulDalex
Dilettante artist
Hi Pal,
similar story here.
Started photographing in the early fifties but the early negs went lost. My archive starts from 1960 circa.
Over the years trying to finish a first album, but I have had three epsons in a row that broke.
For the moment little money and little time to try to finish.
In any case my only hope hope that my one and only fan, my daughter, who has hanged some of my work at her home, will take care of my archive so that it won't get lost
similar story here.
Started photographing in the early fifties but the early negs went lost. My archive starts from 1960 circa.
Over the years trying to finish a first album, but I have had three epsons in a row that broke.
For the moment little money and little time to try to finish.
In any case my only hope hope that my one and only fan, my daughter, who has hanged some of my work at her home, will take care of my archive so that it won't get lost
benlees
Well-known
Worrying about legacy stems from fear of death and the meaninglessness of life! Show people your work now. Person to person. Talk about the context and meaning- which will be lost to nostalgia otherwise. Be merciless with your editing and make curated (words about your motivations for making the work) collections. If you want someone to carry on then make it as easy on them as you can: A few prints, collections (books and what not), and an easy way to make copies.
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
Worrying about legacy stems from fear of death and the meaninglessness of life! .......
I see “Psychology Today” is still in print. Good to know! My subscription lapsed around 1971.
Shac
Well-known
I decided (but have yet to follow thro') to gather together at least one image of each of our direct ancestors and with a few notes put them into a book. I can't see that anyone in my family in the future (except perhaps my daughter) will want to wade through a bunch of prints. I am expecting a book (one for each current living family member) might look at it, unlike boxed prints.
Just got to get off my butt and do it. At least I have the images scanned in.
As to my other thousands of images - they will very likley disappear but that is for my children and grandchildren to decide. They will have much more important things to deal with when they are adults the way the world is headed.
Just got to get off my butt and do it. At least I have the images scanned in.
As to my other thousands of images - they will very likley disappear but that is for my children and grandchildren to decide. They will have much more important things to deal with when they are adults the way the world is headed.
markjwyatt
Well-known
A book is a good idea going forward. The cost of producing books is reasonable today.
benlees
Well-known
I see “Psychology Today” is still in print. Good to know! My subscription lapsed around 1971.
No kidding! I'm glad someone figured everything out and has moved on to greener pastures.
AntonioC
Established
This is extremely interesting, to be honest I keep wondering about it on a daily basis (which is an answer by itself, somehow).
I have kids, but I don’t think it makes any difference. On the opposite, I don’t want my photo extravaganzas to become a liability for them, or a PITA to keep and sort out. Unless they develop a genuine passion for photography and an interest in what their old dad has been doing once, I’m ok with it all being forgotten after me.
A dear friend of mine once told me, you should only take pictures of what you really care about. And that’s what I’m doing now, which means documenting our family life day in day out. When I look at my past works, I kinda like them aesthetically, but they leave me cold on so many levels. Unless they mean something to me. And when it happens, they give me pleasure and make me happy for a few hours. I’m not asking for more, right now...
I have kids, but I don’t think it makes any difference. On the opposite, I don’t want my photo extravaganzas to become a liability for them, or a PITA to keep and sort out. Unless they develop a genuine passion for photography and an interest in what their old dad has been doing once, I’m ok with it all being forgotten after me.
A dear friend of mine once told me, you should only take pictures of what you really care about. And that’s what I’m doing now, which means documenting our family life day in day out. When I look at my past works, I kinda like them aesthetically, but they leave me cold on so many levels. Unless they mean something to me. And when it happens, they give me pleasure and make me happy for a few hours. I’m not asking for more, right now...
Franko
Established
Once you find the truth of this idea you can stop carrying thirty pounds of gear "just in case" and enjoy the moment. No one is going to care whether you got the picture anymore because fifty people with cellphone cameras saw and photographed it as well. I used to love photographing rock concerts till all my foregrounds started looking like a phone screen test facility. One camera, one lens and Tri-X will do. Look at Zeno's Rollei 35 threads.
On the subject of storage, a power loss caused one of my 1tb hard drives to become unreadable as I transferred files few days ago. Thankfully, I have another identical mirror image drive.. It's all still on the rogue drive but a corrupt file has made it useless. If you are not printing your pictures, the future may not matter.
On the subject of storage, a power loss caused one of my 1tb hard drives to become unreadable as I transferred files few days ago. Thankfully, I have another identical mirror image drive.. It's all still on the rogue drive but a corrupt file has made it useless. If you are not printing your pictures, the future may not matter.
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
The only photos of mine that people want to look at are those of people, especially those that have passed away.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
No children, no family of real meaning...
hence it will all be Garbage like most things
once we leave this World. All very Existential
Just Beautiful Memories ... like those we have Loved, Touched, Shared with
hence it will all be Garbage like most things
once we leave this World. All very Existential
Just Beautiful Memories ... like those we have Loved, Touched, Shared with
Franko
Established
No children, no family of real meaning...
hence it will all be Garbage like most things
once we leave this World. All very Existential
Just Beautiful Memories ... like those we have Loved, Touched, Shared with
Please excuse me for being a contrarian but the work you've posted on this site is far from being Garbage! Shoot for yourself and be pleasantly surprised when others get it.
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