I love playing with my camera. My camera has served me well over the years. During the past eleven years, since the time I’d purchase my first digital camera, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph some of the most beautiful places I’ve had the privilege to visit. From Niagara Falls all the way to Nova Scotia, I have an archive full of memories I’d love to share with you this Freedom Friday.
To start—I’ve learned a lesson. The lesson I’ve learned is this: To enjoy what I’m doing while I’m doing it. What I mean by that has a lot more to do with experiencing the moment than it is to relive the moment. Photography has a way of capturing a photographer’s imagination to the point where the subject becomes just that—the subject. I had that happen to me where I did what I could to capture the subject that I’d forgotten to capture one thing. I’d forgotten to live the moment.
Nowadays, I’m careful to put my camera away and take a deep breath to look at what’s going on around me. It’s amazing what I see when I do that. Gone is the worry of thinking I’d miss a shot if I don’t have my camera readily available. Now I see an event for what it is—an experience. And because it’s an experience, I enjoy myself more knowing it’s there to capture not with the camera, but with my heart.
Pretty sentimental stuff, eh?
Okay, I have a whole lot of photos I want to share with you, so I think I’ll start with a few of my favorites from the East Coast. My wife’s family comes from Nova Scotia. Every time I’m there, I end up taking a gazillion photos of the area. One of my favorite places happens to be Citadel Hill in Halifax. The first time I’d visited there, the clouds hung low and gray, and my family and I were afraid of a thunderstorm catching us unaware. Luckily, subsequent years provided a different experience. Here, have a peek:
Next up, Niagara Falls. I love this place. It’s one of my favorite places on earth. Since it takes less than a couple of hours to get there from where we live, we end up going there quite often. You can read about some of our trips I’d written from past posts. Whenever we go to Niagara Falls it’s a mini vacation with lots to do and plenty of restaurants to visit during our stay.
Lastly, here is a collection of some of my favorite photos I’ve had hanging around collecting dust (not really). Some are random shots I’d taken in the heat of the moment, and some I’ve planned. Try to guess which is which, ’cause honestly, I can’t remember.
I hope you enjoyed this little slideshow of memories. Granted, they are my memories, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them, too. Nevertheless, they are but a glimpse into my life and why I think experiences are special to have and to hold as captured moments of time to relive forever.
[Author’s note: In celebration of spring, I’ve changed the header color to reflect the season. I hope you like it!]
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Do you like photography? Have you taken many pictures that remind you of the memories?
Looking to God 
Great photos, Jack. Wish I could say I’ve been to Niagara. One on the ever-increasing to-do list. (Actually, the farthest northeast I’ve been is Philadelphia.) That’s definitely important in our age with the technologies that we have–to slow down and enjoy actual experiences rather than the experience/act (for me, it’s sometimes a trial!) of recording said experience. It can remove the emotion, if we let it, from the process, which can be good if that’s what you want to do. [Of course, if you really enjoy the process, that’s cool, too. I do, too, at times, depending on the art form.] But even photos can distort history and memories, so I have to remind myself to enjoy the happiness while it lasts.
“Buried in Snow” brings the hush of a winter’s night to life when viewed. An exceptionally fine photo, a visual haiku.
Yay for Nova Scotia! That’s where my fiancé is from and I’ve been many times! great pics! And so cool that you make sushi.
Ha! Thanks, Molly! Love the east coast. Music, food, people–they’re all so wonderful!
I know that feeling: when photography interrupts the moment. I spent twelve months going out without a camera because it was becoming so intrusive. Now I decide before I go out if the trip is a photographic project – in which case the full gamut of equipment goes with me – or is the trip an experience. I take a compact with me if it’s the latter; point and shoot, photograph done in a few seconds and I can get on with living the moment.
With all that snowy fog I can see where the zombie imagary comes from. And Mousetrap was one of the few board games I didn’t have as a kid.
Chris
What awesome photos. Canda is so beautiful
Thanks. I really do love the country where I live!
Nice pics Jack.
Thanks Sylvie!
Great shots! As a Canadian who’s been living in Virginia for the past 8 years, these made me feel warm inside, regardless of the weather. 🙂
Beautiful! But I have to agree…it’s much more meaningful to live in the moment! Great post!
Interesting ! I have a Canadian e – mail friend that I gave the ” photo – bug ” to after showing her some of my work – mostly done with a cell – phone camera. 🙂
Some of the photos in this article are with my cell!
I tell folks I did this photo or that with a cell camera & they can’t believe it. I can’t wait until Google Glass becomes affordable to the average consumer !
Reflections of a life are a treasure for the eyes.
These pictures mirror some I have taken over the years. We live in such a beautiful and diverse country.