They Just Have to BE
Some might wonder why I made the post about September 11th. Well, it was two-fold. First, it was a reminder about the 20th anniversary of that horrible and devastating day. But secondly, which was never mentioned in the post, it was also about photography and videography.
Our first glimpse into what happened to the Towers that morning was through the news, which the majority of us watched on television. That was thanks to the journalists and videographers that were digitally filming the events that were unfolding. And then, too, were the digital photos from journalists but also from others with digital cameras. And probably the most recognized photo is of the Falling Man captured by Associated Press photographer Richard Drew. Other people also jumped from the towers that day and many were captured on video.
But, there were also many private citizens that captured the events digitally, on film, or on video. They recognized the importance of capturing these events for posterity, for history, for remembrance of how our lives changed forever that day. The images those people took that day are just as important as the photos taken when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated and when his brother John F. Kennedy, our President, was also assassinated. They tell a story – a story we can never forget, just as the films of the bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, and all the films we have seen of WWI, WWII, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and the many wars in the Middle East. The stories that did change our lives forever.
Many of us will never be so “lucky” to capture tragedy, as if we really want to be there to do so, but now with the increasing quality of photos and videos on our phones, we can be there.
And so, my post on September 11th was fitting even though there was no mention of photography of any kind. Photography is our way of preserving history, whether we capture major events or just the events and people in our lives. Photography, whether by amateurs or professionals, is important Don’t throw away or delete your photos. Save them. Print them. Put them in albums for future generations to see. They don’t have to be award winning. They just have to BE.
Posted in Perspectives, Reflections, View Point by Jason with no comments yet.
September 11, 2001
This year marks the 20th anniversary of that horrible, shocking, and devastating day. Some of you may remember that day; some of you were probably too little to remember that day. All of us, though, either watched in disbelief, were there in some way, or….. This year is not a celebration, per se, although we should celebrate the lives lost – who they were, what they did in their lives, and how they, the innocent, live forever in our hearts. And then, of course, we should remember those that were in the towers, terrified beyond belief, desperately wending their way down flights of stairs to get out and away with their lives. These people especially need our continued prayers and support, hugs virtual and real, because they grapple with survivor guilt and PTSD every day. We cannot, and should not, ever forget them. Nor should we forget the brave men and women in and out of uniform fighting to save lives and eventually recover bodies when possible. They, too, have suffered in unimaginable ways.
Know that this day, September 11, 2001, was like none in the history of our country, and God willing we should never know another day like it ever in our future. The days that followed pulled the people of this country together in ways we’d never experienced, even during WWII. This happened on our soil, in our house. We were wary, yes, but we also were a country of family. We BONDED together. Our music was patriotic and though flags flew at half staff there were flags everywhere showing the love we have for our country and our fellow neighbor. For a few weeks love surrounded us and protected us and if there was any hate, I don’t remember it.
So, this September 11th, remember and say prayers for the survivors as well as for those that lost their lives. And make note…..this is not a celebration, but a remembrance. We will never forget!
Posted in Perspectives, Reflections, View Point by Jason with no comments yet.
The “Season”
It’s been a while since I have written anything, and that has been for a number of reasons, one of which is I didn’t have much to write because I have not been out taking any photos, or, at least, not many photos. And now, I am beginning a move, which will mean that a new life begins for me after this move; a new year and a “new” life. I am excited about moving, but for a while I might still be limited in the ability to get out and take photos. Hopefully that limitation will only be short lived.
For me, as a Christian, this is the season our Christ was born. At least, December 25th is when we celebrate His birth, even though it is estimated that He was probably born in September. I consider the fact I am moving into an apartment as an early Christmas present. I won’t be fully moved in by Christmas, but hopefully will be by New Year’s. At least that is the plan. About the only packing I have to do is where I live, and then I have to find someone to help me move the furniture out of here. After that I can worry about the storage sheds, but my concentration now is the place I am currently at.
I love Christmas. I love everything about it, well, for the most part. I don’t like most of the commercialism about the holiday [holyday], but I embrace the lights and some of the decorations. I really like the lighted trees – I can stand among them and revel in them and feel SO alive. They remind me of the Star of the East that guided the three wise men to where the baby Jesus was born. Christmas carols, religious and secular both, have people humming and singing and in a lighter mood, at least most of the time. It seems as though the month of December literally comes “alive” with sharing and good cheer, giving, bringing family and friends together. In some ways, it is a rebirth in us all. It is sad, however, that after the New Year all the positive energy fades slowly away and brings us back to the stress and reality of the secular world.
It is the season of celebration, a time of reflection, a time of renewed or new faith. It is not about receiving, but about giving. The giving doesn’t have to be an expensive gift, but can be a hug, spending time with loved ones or someone in the hospital that might not have visitors. There are many ways of giving, and giving doesn’t necessarily belong to one religion or another, one belief or non-belief.
This is a photo I took several years ago at Christmas time that I turned into a Christmas card. I share it now with you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
From my heart to yours
Posted in Faith, Holidays, Seasons, View Point by Jason with no comments yet.
Is It Art, or Is It Pornography?*
art: (noun)
· the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
pornography: (noun)
· obscene writings, drawings, photographs, or the like, especially those having little or no artistic merit.
obscene: (adjective)
· offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved: obscene language.
· causing uncontrolled sexual desire.
· abominable; disgusting; repulsive
I find it rather interesting that here in the United States of America for our First Amendment Constitutional rights to freedom of speech pornography is still undefined and has been debated for years, so for the most part we try to categorize pornography into decency or indecency; for the biggest part whether something is seen as pornographic or not is determined by an individual[s] upbringing and religious views, which can be conflicting within an individual. For example, Michelangelo’s David presents us with full frontal male nudity, yet a photo of a woman posing nude with full frontal nudity is more than likely to be considered pornographic, risqué, or possibly sexually erotic. Early Victorian nude photographs [almost always of women] from Europe, most notably France, tend to be classified as erotic for the times, especially if there is a clothed male involved, or two nude women, but not pornographic. Today, we see these classic images are more in line with art than pornography, but in the time between 1890 and 1930 these were considered racy and not to be viewed in mixed company, although people of class may have regarded these in “good taste”. In museums of art we see Renaissance nudes, again, mostly full bodied voluptuous women, and even when viewing the Sistine Chapel with Biblical images depicted in the nude, we see nothing pornographic or erotic in nature as there is nothing implicitly suggestive in the painting. Obviously there is a difference between art [paintings, drawings, sculpture] or photography that is made to elicit a sexual response and gratification, but these usually depict sexual acts, legal or illegal.
So, where is the line drawn? Is it drawn in the eye of the beholder or is it drawn in the subject and object of intent by the creator? Does a photo of a person nude stop being art when a second person is involved? Or does it become pornographic when eroticism is implied? Would a photograph of two individuals in a loving embrace be considered pornographic/risqué/erotic if they were naked, or would it be considered art if the same two people were casually dressed in the same embrace?
We all see art from different points of view based on our upbringing, knowledge and understanding, and religious teachings. Consequently, our definition of art vs. pornography will be a personal one. As individuals, we are the ones to decide what we find in artistic taste as opposed to what we consider pornographic. And as artists, whether as a painter/drawer, sculptor, photographer, or other media artist, our decision on style is based on the emotion we intend to convey to the viewer, but is not always based on how the viewer may ultimately interpret what we present.
*The views expressed above are solely mine and meant only as consideration for thought. I declare no right or wrong in the above discussion; this is left to the reader to decide for themselves. This discussion is based on the classic artistic mediums, and not on the written, auditory, or video-graphical mediums.
Posted in View Point by Jason with no comments yet.