The Camera Before The Moment

When people get to a beautiful place the first thing they usually do is not to take in their surroundings but to unlock their phones. The sunset is there waiting while the camera searches for the best angle, the meal goes cold before anyone eats it, and the concert starts among a sea of screens that have been raised. At some point we have begun to record

experiences before actually experiencing them.

Photography has for ever been a method of keeping memories. The examples of family albums, graduation photographs and holiday pictures serve to remind us of people and

places long after time has passed. There is no difficulty in capturing the important moments in life; in fact, that is what enables memories to last.

The way we relate to the camera has changed. Nowadays, experiences are not merely lived but are also performed. A café is selected because it looks attractive on online platforms. A holiday seems unfinished if there is no collection of photos. There are situations in which we are more interested in asking ourselves, ‘Will other people think I had fun?’ than in asking, ‘Did I actually enjoy it?’ In a society focused on stories, reels, and likes, visibility has gradually become a criterion of value.

Social media should also be mentioned as having helped families remain in touch across continents, encouraged people to visit new places, and enabled us to celebrate

achievements with those who are not there in person. The issue isn’t the platform but rather the fact that the desire to document starts to take precedence over the experience itself.

The most significant moments don’t usually expect anyone to be present; they simply require our attention. Whether it’s a talk with a close person, the quiet that follows a mountain sunrise, or the pleasure of singing at a concert, these cannot be measured by the number of views or reactions.

Maybe the true luxury we have nowadays isn’t taking the perfect photograph, but rather having the freedom to put the phone down, be completely present, and allow a moment to be ours before it falls into the hands of the internet.