I love this. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of losing my parents soon as they age and wanting to preserve their stories. It’s become very urgent to me in the last year, like I feel like I’m running out of time.
But here’s the thing: Despite, as you say, being “harder to understand its meaning while taking it,” you are among those who do see it, who know to stop and look and appreciate. Whether you can assign meaning in the moment is not, I think, the point. The world is full of people who would take in the same views, and it just wouldn’t mean anything to them. Worse still, the world is far too full of people who not only would never stop to take in these views, these fleeting moments, it would simply never occur to them for a second that there is anything to see. But you see.
I will be 70 years old this year. I have started to compile stories of my life and store them on a Google Drive. I have a journals from wilderness trips. I have taken only one has been digitized with pictures. I would like to leave these to my kids and grandkids and a few friends. Thanks for the reminder to get back to it. I’ll send you the link to one of my journals in another comment.
It’s perhaps no coincidence that I clicked this link to read this, having set it aside in my inbox, mere hours after returning from the tombolo you’ve so often photographed, where today of all days I also found myself contemplating my mortality, for no other reason than it is.
True. Few of us will make a mark that spans the ages. But I’m glad you continue to reach out and touch those near to you in your lifetime.
Thank you for sharing such personal thoughts on living and dying. And photos. I can really relate, even though I’ve never been able to visit the BWCA in person. Don’t go sailing- we need you!
Hey Bryan, thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I just turned 59 and think about these things as well. Even just yesterday another photographer I know was talking about it.
For me, I don't fear death (pain I fear), never have. Its how it end for all of us, there is no getting out of it. And statistically I have about 15 or so years left. My image archive and files are a mess. I am terrible at organizing all the digital files, negatives, slides and prints. But, I also know when I die not one will care about my images. Not even my kids. Everyone is to bombarded with visuals these days and we have been trained by tech to have short attention spans and old images do not matter to most people I'm afraid.
So why do I keep making nature photos? (those are not my images that pay the bills) I don't really know to be honest???
You stated in one of the photo captions, "I often feel most myself when I’m alone and outside." That is me without a doubt, 100%. And in that I can't not make pictures. I can't try and convey those feelings, emotions and love of nature in photographs. Even though I know 99.9% of people will not care. Making those images brings me even closer to nature and I my mind and body become one with the forest, even if only for a short time.
I do think you are on the right track with making sure a very small section of photos will live on when you are gone. meaning and feeling over quantity.
Not really sure what I'm trying to convey, I'm not the best with words. So again thank you for sharing. Its good to know other photographers think about these things.
So beautifully written, Bryan. I am now 78 with 2 sons we had when in our 40's. We have been so lucky as they are amazing. Your essay brought me to tears. Thank you.
I love what you've written and I get what you're trying to do. It's not easy and yet, you have such a good point. How will we be remembered by our loved ones? By others? You've given me some thoughts to ponder. And how I want to take the thousands of pictures that I've taken through my life and put them together in a way that my grandsons can remember Nana. They are my future and will carry on long when I'm gone. Thank you
"I often feel most myself when I’m alone and outside."
And yet, I really see you in your element when you are being a teacher, an educator, a guide. You really seem in my experience to jam to helping the rest of us make art.
This moment was the best…resting before I rise and reflecting on last nights church choir program, the first for my almost 5yearold great grandson…over all the corners of our family where God’s blessing still enfolds us, where this weekend a MN friend lost her husband and my favorite doctor of all time lies I’ll in a Mobile hospital…but I had the early morning blessing of your beautiful thoughts and this exquisite post straight from your life…thank you…you’re always a beautiful expression of God still touching us in our world!
Beautiful essay and photos! This speaks to me SO much as I am also a writer and photographer. Most of my photos are shared digitally, and they’ll disappear someday. You have absolutely struck a chord with me about paring down and leaving what’s most important. My two sons would appreciate that someday…
I love this. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of losing my parents soon as they age and wanting to preserve their stories. It’s become very urgent to me in the last year, like I feel like I’m running out of time.
But here’s the thing: Despite, as you say, being “harder to understand its meaning while taking it,” you are among those who do see it, who know to stop and look and appreciate. Whether you can assign meaning in the moment is not, I think, the point. The world is full of people who would take in the same views, and it just wouldn’t mean anything to them. Worse still, the world is far too full of people who not only would never stop to take in these views, these fleeting moments, it would simply never occur to them for a second that there is anything to see. But you see.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/102wUUYs7NulTpKT_VwYvXThNQ1vqJNdx/view?usp=drivesdk
I will be 70 years old this year. I have started to compile stories of my life and store them on a Google Drive. I have a journals from wilderness trips. I have taken only one has been digitized with pictures. I would like to leave these to my kids and grandkids and a few friends. Thanks for the reminder to get back to it. I’ll send you the link to one of my journals in another comment.
It’s perhaps no coincidence that I clicked this link to read this, having set it aside in my inbox, mere hours after returning from the tombolo you’ve so often photographed, where today of all days I also found myself contemplating my mortality, for no other reason than it is.
True. Few of us will make a mark that spans the ages. But I’m glad you continue to reach out and touch those near to you in your lifetime.
And that last line is just gold.
Thank you for sharing such personal thoughts on living and dying. And photos. I can really relate, even though I’ve never been able to visit the BWCA in person. Don’t go sailing- we need you!
Hey Bryan, thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I just turned 59 and think about these things as well. Even just yesterday another photographer I know was talking about it.
For me, I don't fear death (pain I fear), never have. Its how it end for all of us, there is no getting out of it. And statistically I have about 15 or so years left. My image archive and files are a mess. I am terrible at organizing all the digital files, negatives, slides and prints. But, I also know when I die not one will care about my images. Not even my kids. Everyone is to bombarded with visuals these days and we have been trained by tech to have short attention spans and old images do not matter to most people I'm afraid.
So why do I keep making nature photos? (those are not my images that pay the bills) I don't really know to be honest???
You stated in one of the photo captions, "I often feel most myself when I’m alone and outside." That is me without a doubt, 100%. And in that I can't not make pictures. I can't try and convey those feelings, emotions and love of nature in photographs. Even though I know 99.9% of people will not care. Making those images brings me even closer to nature and I my mind and body become one with the forest, even if only for a short time.
I do think you are on the right track with making sure a very small section of photos will live on when you are gone. meaning and feeling over quantity.
Not really sure what I'm trying to convey, I'm not the best with words. So again thank you for sharing. Its good to know other photographers think about these things.
Oh, and that last image is wonderful. Great memory for you.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing , human to human. ♥️
Bryan, you have a tender and thoughtful heart. You’re a good man.
It shows throughout your essay and choice of photos.
So glad you wrote it! I’m hoping you keep it in a folder on your desktop.
So beautifully written, Bryan. I am now 78 with 2 sons we had when in our 40's. We have been so lucky as they are amazing. Your essay brought me to tears. Thank you.
I love what you've written and I get what you're trying to do. It's not easy and yet, you have such a good point. How will we be remembered by our loved ones? By others? You've given me some thoughts to ponder. And how I want to take the thousands of pictures that I've taken through my life and put them together in a way that my grandsons can remember Nana. They are my future and will carry on long when I'm gone. Thank you
Nicely done Bryan. You are very much alive...
"I often feel most myself when I’m alone and outside."
And yet, I really see you in your element when you are being a teacher, an educator, a guide. You really seem in my experience to jam to helping the rest of us make art.
I love doing what I do for sure.
This moment was the best…resting before I rise and reflecting on last nights church choir program, the first for my almost 5yearold great grandson…over all the corners of our family where God’s blessing still enfolds us, where this weekend a MN friend lost her husband and my favorite doctor of all time lies I’ll in a Mobile hospital…but I had the early morning blessing of your beautiful thoughts and this exquisite post straight from your life…thank you…you’re always a beautiful expression of God still touching us in our world!
Beautiful essay and photos! This speaks to me SO much as I am also a writer and photographer. Most of my photos are shared digitally, and they’ll disappear someday. You have absolutely struck a chord with me about paring down and leaving what’s most important. My two sons would appreciate that someday…
Fascinating essay. I kinda feel what you write. It's hard to put into words but