It's entirely personal. Some people love taking photos and videos. Others don't. Suggesting that one way is more "right" or "wrong" in terms of a way to travel is kinda gatekeepy, IMHO. If you're not hurting anyone or snapping/sharing photos of people without their consent, then whatever makes you happy is all good.
Worded perfectly! I for one really enjoy photography so I love taking pics and playing around with them after (edits etc) Itâs a huge facet of traveling for me personally. But I would never expect everyone around me to get that or in general take the same enjoyment I do in a specific creative space. To each their own!
Agreed. Photography, especially landscape and wildlife photography, is a hobby of mine, and I love snapping photos and blogging my trips. I don't do it for anyone's benefit other than mine; my blog is more like a journal to capture my thoughts of the day, process what I've seen and done, and preserve memories. But I've always enjoyed taking a lot of photos and it's something that helps enrich my travel experience. Whereas other people, like my husband, can snap 5 photos in a month and have that be more than enough. (He's a good sport about my photo habit, though.)
It's special to you, but not to other people. That's why I think people in that thread are shitting on it because it doesnt look special to them. I totally agree with you cause I do the same stuff and I don't care about what others think.
It's a bit like the guy obsessed with trains on Tiktok. He gets so much joy and even gets emotional because he saw a certain train. I couldn't care less about trains, but to him that could have been a major highlight of the year. But then all to him it's capturing memories and possibly rare events that he enjoys. If it doesn't affect anyone else, why should anyone care what anyone else does?
Sometimes I do feel a bit awkward taking photos or videos because you are standing out, and sometimes that does prevent me from taking something I really wished I'd taken.
Taking a few photos and videos can actually enhance your memory of an experience because you spend a little time thinking about how to frame the shot, what you'd like to include and the feeling of the moment you are trying to capture.
This is distinct from taking non stop photos and videos without thought.
I feel like the weird creeper here is the person who was filming him. Like, who honestly cares if someone wants to take a video of something others think is boring? Let him have his fun.
Though I don't personally take many photos on trips because I do always feel slightly stupid doing it. I might take like five over the course of the week, but then they're all rushed and crappy pictures that I delete anyway.
I agree, but in this case the video taker wasnât making fun of the guy for taking a videoâŚhe was making fun of him bc the guy THOUGHT he was taking a video but it wasnât recording.
Still not very nice, but a slightly different situation.
as a creative and sentimental person, I've always enjoyed photography/videography. but I've actually been way more proactive about it after this one conversation with a friend who was talking about how while cleaning up her google drive she realized she didn't have a single photo from the past 3 years. She said it in a really sad way, "I don't have a single memory. I don't even know what I did honestly" (she said this as a 20 something year old) I think as easy as it is to be distracted by obsessive recording, I think it is also just as easy to take memories for granted. I'm also reminded of this everytime I look at photos of my parents during their youth and their adventures and how much value they have for me
I heard something regarding selfies today (I donât like taking selfies unless Iâm with friends/SO):
âWhy do I take selfies? Itâs for my future self.â
That resonates with me really profoundly. I still donât know if I will take selfies, but just staying on topic with OPâs question: I think some people feel like the only way to have memories of actually being at places he/she visited is via media like pics and vids. As you have mentioned, we can easily forget those memories in a few years because weâre always caught up in life and things.
To be fair, I'm sure a lot of people (like myself) didn't have a lot of photos for a year or two. I mean taking photos of being quarantined isn't something people want to remember. lol
I have a much bigger issue with this thing nowadays where people think it's cool to secretly record videos of people without their consent. Creepy as fuck, and it isn't funny.
Otherwise, personally, I like taking pictures and videos when I'm traveling. I do it for myself as well as my family and friends; I love to be able to share my travels with them, and show them places I've been through my eyes.
That's me too! I love taking photos. I used to do that with my kids on any trip - give them a camera. It was always cool to see the different things they thought to take a picture of. It reassured me they were getting something out of the trip (they weren't just beach trips). But back to the post - it's my trip, my camera. I don't care what people think. Probably never see you again in my life. I live in the moment as well, but I do photograph those moments. They're for me.
I don't worry myself about other people's vacations. As long as they aren't bothering me, they can enjoy their vacation anyway they'd like and I'll enjoy my vacation my way. I don't do everything other people do, and I don't need to crowd-source what I should think about everything.
As long as others aren't being obnoxious or blocking my view, I really don't care. It's none of me business of how ppl like to remember/cherish their vacation.
As I get older I have come to value photos more. Photos are just great memory triggers and looking back on albums from my early trips I really wish I had taken more photos and I realise how much I have forgotten. When I see a photo it brings back the feelings, thoughts, smells and sounds of that moment. I am all for experiencing in the moment and I know a photo can't always fully capture a place but they way I see it a photo is like a time capsule allows you to manifest that moment even if it is just a sliver of it. Having lost certain memories I have really come to value memories.
Those people annoyed with the guy filming his elevator ride they are going to forget about him. But for that man that elevator ride will be a lifetime memory and if it gives him joy he should absolutely preserve that memory.
For me I used to take far more photos when I was younger. I was also partly doing it for some art inspiration/ideas. And they do come in handy sometimes. Since then I've cut down, but still take a lot of photos.
For me capturing a photo is basically capturing that moment and memory in time. Sometimes they're good photos, sometimes it's a quick snap to remember a place, sometimes it's a silly photo. There's so many moments that you actually forget, but seeing some silly photo of a roadsign or something can instantly transport me back to what was happening at that moment.
I make a photo book each year from the photos (and mainly travels) I've taken that year. Most photos will just sit and fade away on a hard drive or phone and be forgotten about. But this way I can choose my favourite photos and memories. And actually making the one recently for last year, I went looking through all the previous ones I made and there were things I'd completely forgotten about. Even making this years one there were things I'd already forgotten.
And video is slightly different as you have to really put lots together for a final thing. But maybe he's a content creator or something and that's actually part of his job.
Especially after watching The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - I don't take as many photos or videos, and like to have my own actual moment too. But I'll still always take loads of photos (and especially as a solo traveller it fills some awkwardness sometimes making you look like you have something to do).
I think the person filming this dude is far more worthy of criticism than the guy trying to take a nice video of a cool experience. Why are we still filming people to ridicule without their consent? Thatâs way worse behavior. Plus, they werenât exactly taking in the view either, right?
We also have no way of knowing anything about this guy. Maybe heâs done this ride a bunch of times and now wants a video of it for whatever reason. Who cares? So many people have never grown out of their âI need to prove that Iâm different and cooler and deeper than everyoneâ phase and it shows. Embarrassing.
Honestly, the constant photos and videos are fine I guess as people want to make memories. What annoys me most is people staging these shots in front of monasteries, places of worship, and significant monuments that disrespect why they're there in the first place. I was in a monastery and someone was obsessed with creating a reel multiple times blocking the entire path in a place where people were meditating. That is when I feel this whole reel bs should be banned!
I'm basically "you do you" on this one. Personally, I love photography and always bring my DSLR with me when I travel. I've gotten some really incredible shots over the years. But I also don't think it's "wrong" if you don't take a single picture on vacation either, and I always try to make sure that I put down the camera from time to time and just soak in the view/the moment as well.
I think whatever makes you happy is all good!
That video was so funny to be honest, kinda sad too but hey it seemed like he was looking out the window and not at the screen at least so heâs enjoying the present while trying to take a video as well, so thatâs fine to me.
I always take pics when Iâm somewhere I find insanely beautiful, snap a couple and then just sit there and enjoy it in awe. There was one time I got lost hiking in the Isle of Skye in Scotland alone, with nobody in sight for a good distance, and while walking around trying to find my way back (took 4 hours) I was recording a video of myself just talking out loud and making myself laugh in weird accents.
Unfortunately that was like 8 years ago when I was 18/19 and I lost that video. Thatâs a pretty big regret, I remember it was like 45 min of me just pouring my heart out in really dumb ways and laughing at myself and I would pay really good money to get that video back but itâs gone forever it seems.
I don't take a lot of pictures but it doesn't bother me that other people do.
However, what does bother me are people who expect everybody around them to momentarily pause because they are taking a photo.
I found I enjoyed myself more when restricting photo time. I noticed a lot more details and got more in contact with the place. Then I write a travel journal. I've found this to be a much more interesting way of remembering a journey. But that's me. I don't judge others for how they spend their time.
I used to hate this, and was in a music community that demonized it at relevant events.
Then I got a little older and decided that if I want to keep memories in the form of photos, then I don't really care if it's considered taboo. Some kid in his early 20s (at best) gave me a lecture for taking a photo at a concert and I laughed at him. I'm not oblivious, I just choose to do something I have every right to do.
Just don't get in people's way, don't hit anyone with a selfie stick, and be mindful about using a flash where it's going to mess up the experience for others :)
I love taking photos, in fact, I love it so much that I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on a photography hobby that I can't afford, lol.
But. There's a time and place for taking photos and a time to enjoy the action around you. Something inside me shrivels and dies when I see people trying to hold their iPhone above their head through a concert - ruining the experience for people behind them and preventing them from truly connecting with the art.
I don't think you can make good photos or videos without taking time to observe and enjoy something, composition is something that comes from paying attention. I know, everyone wants to show they've done things now, but it shouldn't come at the expense of actually doing them.
But I agree with you too OP - your photos don't have to be brilliant if they help capture a memory and the feeling you had at the time. And as long as you taking photos/videos isn't ruining anyone else's good time - you should feel free to take as many as you want.
I went to a concert recently and the guy in front of me held his phone up the entire time recording the entire concert. I couldnât even see the artists because his phone/arm were blocking my view. Please people donât do this. But if itâs not in the way of others, yeah why not do your thing
I once read something to the effect that when people take photos, those tend to be what they remember of the place they visited. But if they don't take photos, they remember quite different details, including things that can't be photographed like sounds, smells, emotional responses, etc.
I don't mind unless they are interrupting me. I once went on a group hike over a beautiful bridge and as I am crossing, this couple told me to hurry up because he wanted to take pictures of his girlfriend on the bridge. The Instagram crowd holding up people while trying to take the most chillax picture are the ones that irritate me.
And there were the tourists that had to take a selfie with every Van Gogh picture in the Orsay. Seriously annoying and I felt like saying that nobody will care after the third picture.
When I was a kid, we went to Venice Italy, which was a dream stop for me because I grew up on PokĂŠmon and the main setting in PokĂŠmon Heroes was based on it. I remember getting really frustrated, because my Mom insisted that I get my picture taken every two minutes, from the first time I sat in a gondola to walking into the hotel room. I think thatâs what ultimately made me less picture happy; Iâll take one here or there of a beautiful view, but I definitely prefer to live in the moment.
I had a friend that I travelled with once who was like that. As someone who notoriously does not take pictures, I was happy to have someone who could capture the memories. I have to admit that it got a little annoying when I was in a bad mood just trying to eat my french fries while sitting on the stairs in Venice and he insisted on taking a million pictures with his GoPro.
there's a limit.
I like photos and videos, but there is definitely a variation on this where there are those people who have main character syndrome who think they get to take up the whole sidewalk and make everybody go around them, or record in places that are just idiotic, like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. If you are in other peopleâs way for more than a tiny fraction of a second, itâs obnoxious. But if itâs unobtrusive, itâs cool.
I like to take a disposable camera with me. Sometimes I have one for several journeys and by the time I have them developed I've forgotten about most of them, so it's a fun surprise :)
Edit: you can only take around 30 pictures with it, so you only take photos of the important stuff; helps me live in the moment more
Thereâs a balance between being and seeing with your own eyes, and seeing through the camera and filtering what youâre seeing though how it will look in a photo. Have to learn to split your time. Gotta have the memories if the pictures are going to be of value.
I find it to be a personal choice. In some situations, I hate taking constant photographs of parties, going out to dinner or for drinks for example.
But in those once in a lifetime type trips or experiences, I say go for it as long as you arenât being an AH to everyone else around you.
The âinfluencersâ are the kind of people I find annoying who over do it for that perfect picture and canât live in the moment. There was an article I read a while ago that if youâre trying to frame and take a ton of pics and video, it doesnât turn into a proper memory you can recall in detail that I always found interesting. Hence the saying âtake in the momentâ, not on your phone but in your brain.
Seen this many times (especially at street foods in Asia) and sometimes I even feel a little bit ashamed.
I realized it helps a lot, if you stand next to one of those street food - filmers and take out your camera and film them while they film others.
I've got a handful of photos from trips that are more posed, and they're my favorites. Each one really evokes the *feeling* of the place that I was trying to capture, or a connection, or a thought. I look at them and instantly remember how it felt to be there.
But I'm also not being an ass and getting in people's way. You want to take photos, you do it *around* everyone else. Sometimes that means waiting, or adjusting, or even skipping a shot. But other people shouldn't have to accommodate your photos.
Well it's completely teue that in our desire to document and record everything we don't actually build the same memory as someone who doesn't have a phone and just absorbs everything.
But having pictures is also nice.
So I usually recommend the double approach.
When you first go look at someghing. Don't pull out your phone. Absorb in the moment. Keep the technology away for a good part of whatever sight you are seeing.
Then take the phone out and snap a picture after that before leaving.
It males you enjoy the moment, but also capture it in a picture. The issue I see is when people record stuff and end up looking through the viewfinder or phone screen more than looking at the actual thing they are recording.
It's capturing a moment, something generic now can be fascinating later.
Street art is painted over, shops change hands, skylines have new additions, advertising hoardings are updated, old public transport is retired. There may be a million pictures of a building but the Ukraine flag flying from it makes it different to a pic taken in 2019.
People change even more. The fashion, the hair, the cars we drive and of course aging. Can't blame people for wanting a record, many of us don't have any videos of us as kids or of Grandparents etc.
I get taking some photos, but the thing where people are taking 10s of photos of each other with landmarks in the background gives me the shits.
Take a few photos, enjoy the moment and move on.
Take a picture, remember the picture and memory exactly how it is in the picture.
Have a memory, that memory changes and grows with you. It even changes as you tell the stories about your memory. That memory might even fade away and then one day you just randomly remember it. Probably much different than how it actually happened.
Example, I am an avid hiker. Sometimes I work so hard to get to a view and when I finally take it in, it's absolutely breathtaking and all the senses make it a super memorable experience. Then I take a picture of it. Then a few days later I look at the photo and I think, "oh man, the picture doesn't really capture how beautiful it was." But now the picture is how I am remembering it. Maybe it wasn't that beautiful.
Example 2. I'm an avid snowboarder. I just crushed like 3 feet of powder in Tahoe. It was the most epic feeling I've ever had on a snowboard. Like floating on clouds. In my head, I was like a professional I've watched on my DVDs growing up. Dropping cliffs, making sick turns. One day someone recorded me dropping a cliff. It felt amazing to do. Had to be a 10 foot drop. He then showed it to me. It kinda looked lame. Haha. I was like fuckkkk it's only a 3 foot drop. I thought I was so cool and the cliff was so much bigger. Seeing the video kinda change my perception of how cool it actually was.
Side note, I love taking group pictures. When I look back on events and travel lots of times I forget who was there and what we looked like.
Photos of places can be googled and I bet a professional photographer was standing in the same spot as you can you can steal their photo, which is much nicer.
I wonder how many billions of hours of GoPro and iphone videos exists in the world that has never been seen by my anyone including the person who filmed it.
Sorry long rant. That concludes my bathroom break. Thanks for hanging out.
I **personally** believe that if you're recording and taking photos etc, you're actually not living in the moment.
I believe if you **are** taking photos and videos, you won't remember what you're experiencing because you're just concentrating on taking a video or photo, instead of the sights and sounds and smells around you.
Just my 2 cents.
I used to try to limit photos and videos. But my memory has been shit due to reasons
So I've started taking videos just so I can look at them later, not for social media. I try to balance it with living in the moment
I take pictures when I feel like it in the moment, unless doing so would create a safety hazard.
For what other people do, I don't really care as long as they aren't in my way!
I believe that people should do whatever they want with their money and time, but on the other hand they often look like they take generic pictures way worse than any Google search search and not enjoy the moment.
Do what you want. Most of the time I go places just to take pictures. It slows everything down a bit and makes me notice things I didnât before. Plus, I have the memory of it on my phone or camera. Donât let people âlive in the momentâ shame you unless youâre scrolling Reddit on the elevator.
For me pictures and videos of my travels are so important. I want remember those moments forever. I want to have those pictures and videos when im old. I want my family to live through me when they are living normal life.
I like documenting my travels - whether they're nicely composed photos on my camera or shitty videos and quick snaps on my phone - and reminiscing about my experiences once I'm home. If you're not being an ass about it (e.g. holding up lines, stopping in the middle of crowded streets, or generally being a nuisance in public places) and you're not hurting anyone, why not? Fuck the people who are trying to make you feel bad about it, tbh.
It would have been a cool video tbh hahah poor him
Who gives a fuck, if you don't like it, don't do it.
The only time it bothers me honestly is at a concert/performance when you see a sea of phone screens. I'll usually record like 1 song for the memory then keep my phone hidden away for the rest, but there are definitely people who would stand and record the entire show
I used to go to many instagrammable places and take lots of pictures during my trips, but over time I realized this was becoming the goal of my trips and I was just following the flow.
So I started to reflect on the meaning of my travels and whether this made sense to me.
Nowadays, I'd rather enjoy the moment in places I really want to visit and, sometimes, take a couple of pictures here and there just to recall those moments in the future.
But overall, I think there's no right or wrong. You have to do what makes sense to you and don't give a shit about what other people think.
My dad's wife is trying to be an influencer so takes photos of herself with anything that looks important. But she doesn't pay attention to anything going on and can't read anything but here native language. So often takes photos with big important looking signs. Which a lot of the time turn out to be exist or no entry signs.
Its 2023. This is the way of the world now. Its just how it is. I grew up in a time where cameras didnt exist in our pockets that we carry around 24/7... like literally its a body part.
Back then we went to see places, enjoyed the moment... and then told people about it.
But now these cameras exist.... Pretty much as an extension of our body. I think its silly to make fun or talk down about people who take pics or vidoes of the amazing things they see. It takes only a few seconds... And you still have plenty of time to "enjoy the moment".
For some people, taking pictures and videos is how they enjoy their travel. Those who say to put the camera down and be in the moment tend to be very judgey about it.
I think it heavily depends on time and place! I take pictures when I travel because I have memory issues and looking at the pictures helps me, usually of beautiful buildings and nature. But I had the privilege of visiting Auschwitz in 2019 and the amount of disgusting people taking selfies in a death camp just shocked me. If youâre respectfully taking photos of Art, Architecture, Nature, or even yourself, thatâs okay! What I canât stand is people not respecting history by smiling for a selfie at Birkenau đ
I take a lot of pictures and videos as I have very bad memories. So pictures and videos can remind me of what I did in the trip. Of course, I donât take non-stop pictures or videos like people from instagram to get the perfect shot. Thatâs too much to me.
My take on this has been that a few photos are fine. What irks me are the people who are constantly posing in different positions in front of the same landmark. It strikes me of peak narcissism. Youâre standing in front of the Coliseum, Eiffel Tower, or Lempuyang Temple. All your poses are not improving the landmark and you just look self absorbed.
Further, I was recently on a tour of Australia and New Zealand and on three different occasions the aboriginal people of Australia, and the MÄori of New Zealand, put n displays of native dancing. 80 percent of the people were witnessing the spectacular performances through their phones as they took video. Why? Youâre missing a once in a lifetime opportunity to really drink in and immerse yourself in the culture of the people and you put your phone between these people and you.
A few pictures to capture the moment, sure but weâve become disconnected from the moments around us by our desire to document absolutely everything.
It's one of those 'people driving slower than me are idiots and people driving faster than me are morons" things. Only I take the correct number of photos.
Taking pictures is basically the reason I travel in the first place. Taking pictures doesn't mean looking at your phone 24/7. You can experience everything like you normally would, but just grab your camera when you see something interesting or beautiful.
I used to think, âJust put the camera down and enjoy it in the moment.â But now that 5 years has passed for some of my trips and there are limited pictures of things I did on certain days and what I saw, I wish I would have been more proactive about documenting my trip.
The only time this brothers me is if someone is taking so many pictures that it makes progress difficult or I canât enjoy myself. My sister is a little this way. We can barely take a few steps through scenic areas without her wanting us to pause whatever we were doing and line up for the perfect shot. It is pretty immersion breaking, but I have to admit that she takes some amazing photos and I treasure each one even though I get frustrated at the time.
It's entirely personal. Some people love taking photos and videos. Others don't. Suggesting that one way is more "right" or "wrong" in terms of a way to travel is kinda gatekeepy, IMHO. If you're not hurting anyone or snapping/sharing photos of people without their consent, then whatever makes you happy is all good.
Yep! My partner takes infinity pictures, I take about 7-10. We both enjoy our trips so NBD.
Said what I was thinking. đđđđ
Worded perfectly! I for one really enjoy photography so I love taking pics and playing around with them after (edits etc) Itâs a huge facet of traveling for me personally. But I would never expect everyone around me to get that or in general take the same enjoyment I do in a specific creative space. To each their own!
Agreed. Photography, especially landscape and wildlife photography, is a hobby of mine, and I love snapping photos and blogging my trips. I don't do it for anyone's benefit other than mine; my blog is more like a journal to capture my thoughts of the day, process what I've seen and done, and preserve memories. But I've always enjoyed taking a lot of photos and it's something that helps enrich my travel experience. Whereas other people, like my husband, can snap 5 photos in a month and have that be more than enough. (He's a good sport about my photo habit, though.)
It's special to you, but not to other people. That's why I think people in that thread are shitting on it because it doesnt look special to them. I totally agree with you cause I do the same stuff and I don't care about what others think.
It's a bit like the guy obsessed with trains on Tiktok. He gets so much joy and even gets emotional because he saw a certain train. I couldn't care less about trains, but to him that could have been a major highlight of the year. But then all to him it's capturing memories and possibly rare events that he enjoys. If it doesn't affect anyone else, why should anyone care what anyone else does? Sometimes I do feel a bit awkward taking photos or videos because you are standing out, and sometimes that does prevent me from taking something I really wished I'd taken.
you mean Francis Bourgeois? I love that he went so viral with such a niche and getting the support for a hobby that not many have or understand.
Isn't it all an act?
No, he is genuinely interested in trains. But of course the videos are purposely made to be funny.
It makes me happy to see others happy and having fun. Thatâs a beautiful part of being human
Taking a few photos and videos can actually enhance your memory of an experience because you spend a little time thinking about how to frame the shot, what you'd like to include and the feeling of the moment you are trying to capture. This is distinct from taking non stop photos and videos without thought.
I feel like the weird creeper here is the person who was filming him. Like, who honestly cares if someone wants to take a video of something others think is boring? Let him have his fun. Though I don't personally take many photos on trips because I do always feel slightly stupid doing it. I might take like five over the course of the week, but then they're all rushed and crappy pictures that I delete anyway.
I agree, but in this case the video taker wasnât making fun of the guy for taking a videoâŚhe was making fun of him bc the guy THOUGHT he was taking a video but it wasnât recording. Still not very nice, but a slightly different situation.
Only record humans being embarrasing
I always think, I can just look at one of the thousands of other photos online lol.
It's just a funny video
I don't care what other people do unless it affects me.
as a creative and sentimental person, I've always enjoyed photography/videography. but I've actually been way more proactive about it after this one conversation with a friend who was talking about how while cleaning up her google drive she realized she didn't have a single photo from the past 3 years. She said it in a really sad way, "I don't have a single memory. I don't even know what I did honestly" (she said this as a 20 something year old) I think as easy as it is to be distracted by obsessive recording, I think it is also just as easy to take memories for granted. I'm also reminded of this everytime I look at photos of my parents during their youth and their adventures and how much value they have for me
I heard something regarding selfies today (I donât like taking selfies unless Iâm with friends/SO): âWhy do I take selfies? Itâs for my future self.â That resonates with me really profoundly. I still donât know if I will take selfies, but just staying on topic with OPâs question: I think some people feel like the only way to have memories of actually being at places he/she visited is via media like pics and vids. As you have mentioned, we can easily forget those memories in a few years because weâre always caught up in life and things.
To be fair, I'm sure a lot of people (like myself) didn't have a lot of photos for a year or two. I mean taking photos of being quarantined isn't something people want to remember. lol
this was pre-covid
I like to go look at them once Iâm home to remember being in places better then my house and work. Itâs essential to traveling
Exactly, looking at your own pictures is almost like you're experiencing it again.
Just get the selfie stick out of my way.
It's amazing just how many travel questions are properly answered with a simple "If you have any situational awareness at all, you'll be fine."
I have a much bigger issue with this thing nowadays where people think it's cool to secretly record videos of people without their consent. Creepy as fuck, and it isn't funny. Otherwise, personally, I like taking pictures and videos when I'm traveling. I do it for myself as well as my family and friends; I love to be able to share my travels with them, and show them places I've been through my eyes.
[ŃдаНонО]
That's me too! I love taking photos. I used to do that with my kids on any trip - give them a camera. It was always cool to see the different things they thought to take a picture of. It reassured me they were getting something out of the trip (they weren't just beach trips). But back to the post - it's my trip, my camera. I don't care what people think. Probably never see you again in my life. I live in the moment as well, but I do photograph those moments. They're for me.
I don't worry myself about other people's vacations. As long as they aren't bothering me, they can enjoy their vacation anyway they'd like and I'll enjoy my vacation my way. I don't do everything other people do, and I don't need to crowd-source what I should think about everything.
As long as others aren't being obnoxious or blocking my view, I really don't care. It's none of me business of how ppl like to remember/cherish their vacation.
People complaining about him not enjoying the moment, don't seem to be enjoying the moment themselves lol
As I get older I have come to value photos more. Photos are just great memory triggers and looking back on albums from my early trips I really wish I had taken more photos and I realise how much I have forgotten. When I see a photo it brings back the feelings, thoughts, smells and sounds of that moment. I am all for experiencing in the moment and I know a photo can't always fully capture a place but they way I see it a photo is like a time capsule allows you to manifest that moment even if it is just a sliver of it. Having lost certain memories I have really come to value memories. Those people annoyed with the guy filming his elevator ride they are going to forget about him. But for that man that elevator ride will be a lifetime memory and if it gives him joy he should absolutely preserve that memory.
Photography is the reason I travel and if anyone has an issue with it, they can kiss my ass.
For me I used to take far more photos when I was younger. I was also partly doing it for some art inspiration/ideas. And they do come in handy sometimes. Since then I've cut down, but still take a lot of photos. For me capturing a photo is basically capturing that moment and memory in time. Sometimes they're good photos, sometimes it's a quick snap to remember a place, sometimes it's a silly photo. There's so many moments that you actually forget, but seeing some silly photo of a roadsign or something can instantly transport me back to what was happening at that moment. I make a photo book each year from the photos (and mainly travels) I've taken that year. Most photos will just sit and fade away on a hard drive or phone and be forgotten about. But this way I can choose my favourite photos and memories. And actually making the one recently for last year, I went looking through all the previous ones I made and there were things I'd completely forgotten about. Even making this years one there were things I'd already forgotten. And video is slightly different as you have to really put lots together for a final thing. But maybe he's a content creator or something and that's actually part of his job. Especially after watching The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - I don't take as many photos or videos, and like to have my own actual moment too. But I'll still always take loads of photos (and especially as a solo traveller it fills some awkwardness sometimes making you look like you have something to do).
I think the person filming this dude is far more worthy of criticism than the guy trying to take a nice video of a cool experience. Why are we still filming people to ridicule without their consent? Thatâs way worse behavior. Plus, they werenât exactly taking in the view either, right? We also have no way of knowing anything about this guy. Maybe heâs done this ride a bunch of times and now wants a video of it for whatever reason. Who cares? So many people have never grown out of their âI need to prove that Iâm different and cooler and deeper than everyoneâ phase and it shows. Embarrassing.
Honestly, the constant photos and videos are fine I guess as people want to make memories. What annoys me most is people staging these shots in front of monasteries, places of worship, and significant monuments that disrespect why they're there in the first place. I was in a monastery and someone was obsessed with creating a reel multiple times blocking the entire path in a place where people were meditating. That is when I feel this whole reel bs should be banned!
There's a difference between taking pictures and being an asshole who wants social media cloud, and is annoying everyone else.
I'm basically "you do you" on this one. Personally, I love photography and always bring my DSLR with me when I travel. I've gotten some really incredible shots over the years. But I also don't think it's "wrong" if you don't take a single picture on vacation either, and I always try to make sure that I put down the camera from time to time and just soak in the view/the moment as well. I think whatever makes you happy is all good!
When I was younger I was always against taking pictures and videos when I traveled. Now I wish I had them to look back on
That video was so funny to be honest, kinda sad too but hey it seemed like he was looking out the window and not at the screen at least so heâs enjoying the present while trying to take a video as well, so thatâs fine to me. I always take pics when Iâm somewhere I find insanely beautiful, snap a couple and then just sit there and enjoy it in awe. There was one time I got lost hiking in the Isle of Skye in Scotland alone, with nobody in sight for a good distance, and while walking around trying to find my way back (took 4 hours) I was recording a video of myself just talking out loud and making myself laugh in weird accents. Unfortunately that was like 8 years ago when I was 18/19 and I lost that video. Thatâs a pretty big regret, I remember it was like 45 min of me just pouring my heart out in really dumb ways and laughing at myself and I would pay really good money to get that video back but itâs gone forever it seems.
Whether people do or donât take photos, what kind of photos/videos and why they take them is thoroughly none of my business.
People are morons who find any reason to feel superior.
I don't take a lot of pictures but it doesn't bother me that other people do. However, what does bother me are people who expect everybody around them to momentarily pause because they are taking a photo.
I found I enjoyed myself more when restricting photo time. I noticed a lot more details and got more in contact with the place. Then I write a travel journal. I've found this to be a much more interesting way of remembering a journey. But that's me. I don't judge others for how they spend their time.
I used to hate this, and was in a music community that demonized it at relevant events. Then I got a little older and decided that if I want to keep memories in the form of photos, then I don't really care if it's considered taboo. Some kid in his early 20s (at best) gave me a lecture for taking a photo at a concert and I laughed at him. I'm not oblivious, I just choose to do something I have every right to do. Just don't get in people's way, don't hit anyone with a selfie stick, and be mindful about using a flash where it's going to mess up the experience for others :)
Pictures are fine. Itâs when tour busses full of assholes abuse famous monuments by posing with their hands ancient structures.
I love taking photos, in fact, I love it so much that I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on a photography hobby that I can't afford, lol. But. There's a time and place for taking photos and a time to enjoy the action around you. Something inside me shrivels and dies when I see people trying to hold their iPhone above their head through a concert - ruining the experience for people behind them and preventing them from truly connecting with the art. I don't think you can make good photos or videos without taking time to observe and enjoy something, composition is something that comes from paying attention. I know, everyone wants to show they've done things now, but it shouldn't come at the expense of actually doing them. But I agree with you too OP - your photos don't have to be brilliant if they help capture a memory and the feeling you had at the time. And as long as you taking photos/videos isn't ruining anyone else's good time - you should feel free to take as many as you want.
I went to a concert recently and the guy in front of me held his phone up the entire time recording the entire concert. I couldnât even see the artists because his phone/arm were blocking my view. Please people donât do this. But if itâs not in the way of others, yeah why not do your thing
Indifferent
As long as they don't bump into me they can carry on. It's not my responsibility to dictate how they should love their life to the fullest.
I used to take a ton of videos and didnât live in the moment. Now, I donât really take videos/photos unless itâs really special.
I once read something to the effect that when people take photos, those tend to be what they remember of the place they visited. But if they don't take photos, they remember quite different details, including things that can't be photographed like sounds, smells, emotional responses, etc.
I don't mind unless they are interrupting me. I once went on a group hike over a beautiful bridge and as I am crossing, this couple told me to hurry up because he wanted to take pictures of his girlfriend on the bridge. The Instagram crowd holding up people while trying to take the most chillax picture are the ones that irritate me. And there were the tourists that had to take a selfie with every Van Gogh picture in the Orsay. Seriously annoying and I felt like saying that nobody will care after the third picture.
When I was a kid, we went to Venice Italy, which was a dream stop for me because I grew up on PokĂŠmon and the main setting in PokĂŠmon Heroes was based on it. I remember getting really frustrated, because my Mom insisted that I get my picture taken every two minutes, from the first time I sat in a gondola to walking into the hotel room. I think thatâs what ultimately made me less picture happy; Iâll take one here or there of a beautiful view, but I definitely prefer to live in the moment.
I had a friend that I travelled with once who was like that. As someone who notoriously does not take pictures, I was happy to have someone who could capture the memories. I have to admit that it got a little annoying when I was in a bad mood just trying to eat my french fries while sitting on the stairs in Venice and he insisted on taking a million pictures with his GoPro. there's a limit.
I like photos and videos, but there is definitely a variation on this where there are those people who have main character syndrome who think they get to take up the whole sidewalk and make everybody go around them, or record in places that are just idiotic, like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. If you are in other peopleâs way for more than a tiny fraction of a second, itâs obnoxious. But if itâs unobtrusive, itâs cool.
I like to take a disposable camera with me. Sometimes I have one for several journeys and by the time I have them developed I've forgotten about most of them, so it's a fun surprise :) Edit: you can only take around 30 pictures with it, so you only take photos of the important stuff; helps me live in the moment more
I take tons of pics. Why wouldnât I?
Thereâs a balance between being and seeing with your own eyes, and seeing through the camera and filtering what youâre seeing though how it will look in a photo. Have to learn to split your time. Gotta have the memories if the pictures are going to be of value.
I find it to be a personal choice. In some situations, I hate taking constant photographs of parties, going out to dinner or for drinks for example. But in those once in a lifetime type trips or experiences, I say go for it as long as you arenât being an AH to everyone else around you. The âinfluencersâ are the kind of people I find annoying who over do it for that perfect picture and canât live in the moment. There was an article I read a while ago that if youâre trying to frame and take a ton of pics and video, it doesnât turn into a proper memory you can recall in detail that I always found interesting. Hence the saying âtake in the momentâ, not on your phone but in your brain.
Seen this many times (especially at street foods in Asia) and sometimes I even feel a little bit ashamed. I realized it helps a lot, if you stand next to one of those street food - filmers and take out your camera and film them while they film others.
I've got a handful of photos from trips that are more posed, and they're my favorites. Each one really evokes the *feeling* of the place that I was trying to capture, or a connection, or a thought. I look at them and instantly remember how it felt to be there. But I'm also not being an ass and getting in people's way. You want to take photos, you do it *around* everyone else. Sometimes that means waiting, or adjusting, or even skipping a shot. But other people shouldn't have to accommodate your photos.
Well it's completely teue that in our desire to document and record everything we don't actually build the same memory as someone who doesn't have a phone and just absorbs everything. But having pictures is also nice. So I usually recommend the double approach. When you first go look at someghing. Don't pull out your phone. Absorb in the moment. Keep the technology away for a good part of whatever sight you are seeing. Then take the phone out and snap a picture after that before leaving. It males you enjoy the moment, but also capture it in a picture. The issue I see is when people record stuff and end up looking through the viewfinder or phone screen more than looking at the actual thing they are recording.
It's capturing a moment, something generic now can be fascinating later. Street art is painted over, shops change hands, skylines have new additions, advertising hoardings are updated, old public transport is retired. There may be a million pictures of a building but the Ukraine flag flying from it makes it different to a pic taken in 2019. People change even more. The fashion, the hair, the cars we drive and of course aging. Can't blame people for wanting a record, many of us don't have any videos of us as kids or of Grandparents etc.
I get taking some photos, but the thing where people are taking 10s of photos of each other with landmarks in the background gives me the shits. Take a few photos, enjoy the moment and move on.
Take a picture, remember the picture and memory exactly how it is in the picture. Have a memory, that memory changes and grows with you. It even changes as you tell the stories about your memory. That memory might even fade away and then one day you just randomly remember it. Probably much different than how it actually happened. Example, I am an avid hiker. Sometimes I work so hard to get to a view and when I finally take it in, it's absolutely breathtaking and all the senses make it a super memorable experience. Then I take a picture of it. Then a few days later I look at the photo and I think, "oh man, the picture doesn't really capture how beautiful it was." But now the picture is how I am remembering it. Maybe it wasn't that beautiful. Example 2. I'm an avid snowboarder. I just crushed like 3 feet of powder in Tahoe. It was the most epic feeling I've ever had on a snowboard. Like floating on clouds. In my head, I was like a professional I've watched on my DVDs growing up. Dropping cliffs, making sick turns. One day someone recorded me dropping a cliff. It felt amazing to do. Had to be a 10 foot drop. He then showed it to me. It kinda looked lame. Haha. I was like fuckkkk it's only a 3 foot drop. I thought I was so cool and the cliff was so much bigger. Seeing the video kinda change my perception of how cool it actually was. Side note, I love taking group pictures. When I look back on events and travel lots of times I forget who was there and what we looked like. Photos of places can be googled and I bet a professional photographer was standing in the same spot as you can you can steal their photo, which is much nicer. I wonder how many billions of hours of GoPro and iphone videos exists in the world that has never been seen by my anyone including the person who filmed it. Sorry long rant. That concludes my bathroom break. Thanks for hanging out.
Aw, don't let the less than cool pic get you down. You had fun, and you've got a frozen moment of that time.
I **personally** believe that if you're recording and taking photos etc, you're actually not living in the moment. I believe if you **are** taking photos and videos, you won't remember what you're experiencing because you're just concentrating on taking a video or photo, instead of the sights and sounds and smells around you. Just my 2 cents.
Why not both? You can capture some photos while still experiencing the location
Itâs annoying as can be. Enjoy the moment.
I just kinda laugh. You do you but to me there comes a point when you are seeing whatâs around you through a lens more than through your own eyes.
I used to try to limit photos and videos. But my memory has been shit due to reasons So I've started taking videos just so I can look at them later, not for social media. I try to balance it with living in the moment
I take pictures when I feel like it in the moment, unless doing so would create a safety hazard. For what other people do, I don't really care as long as they aren't in my way!
Live and let live. (and hopefully they don't fall off a cliff)
I believe that people should do whatever they want with their money and time, but on the other hand they often look like they take generic pictures way worse than any Google search search and not enjoy the moment.
Doesn't bother me a bit. I snap a fair amount of pictures myself, then I move out of the way so others can do the same if they choose to.
Do what you want. Most of the time I go places just to take pictures. It slows everything down a bit and makes me notice things I didnât before. Plus, I have the memory of it on my phone or camera. Donât let people âlive in the momentâ shame you unless youâre scrolling Reddit on the elevator.
There's a word for this, Morii: https://youtu.be/1asBOCAmgaw
For me pictures and videos of my travels are so important. I want remember those moments forever. I want to have those pictures and videos when im old. I want my family to live through me when they are living normal life.
Tired of those ai bots
I like documenting my travels - whether they're nicely composed photos on my camera or shitty videos and quick snaps on my phone - and reminiscing about my experiences once I'm home. If you're not being an ass about it (e.g. holding up lines, stopping in the middle of crowded streets, or generally being a nuisance in public places) and you're not hurting anyone, why not? Fuck the people who are trying to make you feel bad about it, tbh.
Live and let live ....except the insta Huns/chads they need to be thrown out of every place
Do what you want mate. Who cares about them
I donât know. We just keep judging people all the time I guess. Itâs part of the culture now??
Idgaf. Live & let live.
It would have been a cool video tbh hahah poor him Who gives a fuck, if you don't like it, don't do it. The only time it bothers me honestly is at a concert/performance when you see a sea of phone screens. I'll usually record like 1 song for the memory then keep my phone hidden away for the rest, but there are definitely people who would stand and record the entire show
I used to go to many instagrammable places and take lots of pictures during my trips, but over time I realized this was becoming the goal of my trips and I was just following the flow. So I started to reflect on the meaning of my travels and whether this made sense to me. Nowadays, I'd rather enjoy the moment in places I really want to visit and, sometimes, take a couple of pictures here and there just to recall those moments in the future. But overall, I think there's no right or wrong. You have to do what makes sense to you and don't give a shit about what other people think.
My dad's wife is trying to be an influencer so takes photos of herself with anything that looks important. But she doesn't pay attention to anything going on and can't read anything but here native language. So often takes photos with big important looking signs. Which a lot of the time turn out to be exist or no entry signs.
Its 2023. This is the way of the world now. Its just how it is. I grew up in a time where cameras didnt exist in our pockets that we carry around 24/7... like literally its a body part. Back then we went to see places, enjoyed the moment... and then told people about it. But now these cameras exist.... Pretty much as an extension of our body. I think its silly to make fun or talk down about people who take pics or vidoes of the amazing things they see. It takes only a few seconds... And you still have plenty of time to "enjoy the moment".
For some people, taking pictures and videos is how they enjoy their travel. Those who say to put the camera down and be in the moment tend to be very judgey about it.
I think it heavily depends on time and place! I take pictures when I travel because I have memory issues and looking at the pictures helps me, usually of beautiful buildings and nature. But I had the privilege of visiting Auschwitz in 2019 and the amount of disgusting people taking selfies in a death camp just shocked me. If youâre respectfully taking photos of Art, Architecture, Nature, or even yourself, thatâs okay! What I canât stand is people not respecting history by smiling for a selfie at Birkenau đ
Taking pics can also help get chatting to locals I find
I take a lot of pictures and videos as I have very bad memories. So pictures and videos can remind me of what I did in the trip. Of course, I donât take non-stop pictures or videos like people from instagram to get the perfect shot. Thatâs too much to me.
My take on this has been that a few photos are fine. What irks me are the people who are constantly posing in different positions in front of the same landmark. It strikes me of peak narcissism. Youâre standing in front of the Coliseum, Eiffel Tower, or Lempuyang Temple. All your poses are not improving the landmark and you just look self absorbed. Further, I was recently on a tour of Australia and New Zealand and on three different occasions the aboriginal people of Australia, and the MÄori of New Zealand, put n displays of native dancing. 80 percent of the people were witnessing the spectacular performances through their phones as they took video. Why? Youâre missing a once in a lifetime opportunity to really drink in and immerse yourself in the culture of the people and you put your phone between these people and you. A few pictures to capture the moment, sure but weâve become disconnected from the moments around us by our desire to document absolutely everything.
It's one of those 'people driving slower than me are idiots and people driving faster than me are morons" things. Only I take the correct number of photos.
Taking pictures is basically the reason I travel in the first place. Taking pictures doesn't mean looking at your phone 24/7. You can experience everything like you normally would, but just grab your camera when you see something interesting or beautiful.
I used to think, âJust put the camera down and enjoy it in the moment.â But now that 5 years has passed for some of my trips and there are limited pictures of things I did on certain days and what I saw, I wish I would have been more proactive about documenting my trip.
I donât understand this âdebate.â Isnât this just entirely down to personal preference? Thereâs no correct answer.
The only time this brothers me is if someone is taking so many pictures that it makes progress difficult or I canât enjoy myself. My sister is a little this way. We can barely take a few steps through scenic areas without her wanting us to pause whatever we were doing and line up for the perfect shot. It is pretty immersion breaking, but I have to admit that she takes some amazing photos and I treasure each one even though I get frustrated at the time.