Since February 18, 2011, I have shot over 1 million iPhone photos, on 10 different devices in over 50 countries of the world.
Let’s pretend, for purposes of this discussion, that the average shutter speed for each of these 1 million photos was 1/100 sec.
This means that the physical time I spend pressing the shutter to take these 1 million iPhone photos was only 2 hours and 47 minutes.
Yep. I know. Weird.
It reminds me of this quote from photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. He once said, “Of the many pictures I took over my lifetime, only a few hours were spent taking them.” This quote captures the essence of how the actual time spent capturing images is minimal compared to the rest of life, emphasizing the fleeting nature of those moments that define a photographer’s work.
In this context, the quote highlights that while a photographer. you and me, may spend a lifetime involved in the process of photography—preparing, traveling, waiting, purchasing gear, learning a new technique, thinking, dreaming, culling, curating, editing, printing—the actual act of pressing the shutter button, the moment of creation, is incredibly fleeting. Click.
The photographer’s life is filled with experiences, observations, and preparations, but the number of hours spent actually capturing those decisive moments is surprisingly small in comparison.
This underscores the idea that photography is not just about taking pictures but about accumulating life experiences, the ability to see and anticipate, and the readiness to act when the perfect moment presents itself. The value of a photograph lies not in the quantity of time spent taking it but in the quality of the moment captured.
I repeat, “Photography is not about pressing the shutter but about seeing the world with intention, capturing the essence of a moment, and telling a story through the interplay of light, composition, and emotion.”
This completion emphasizes that photography goes beyond the mere act of taking a picture; it involves a thoughtful process of observation, creativity, and connection with the subject.
Click.
Jack.
