I dedicate this piece to the loving memory of my baubie (grandmother) who just recently passed.
For those of us who grew up before the digital age, photography meant buying film, putting it into a 35mm (or other type) camera, taking photos, dropping the film off at the lab and picking up prints. We held in our hands, images of smiling faces full of birthday cake, kitties playing with ribbon, high school graduations, first cars, vacations with friends and all of life’s other incredible moments. Those photos are a timeline. They are our history, a collection of cherished times kept safely in albums for decades and generations to come.
Somewhere along the line, many bought new cameras that use memory cards rather than film. Hundreds upon hundreds of time stamps held in the palms of their hands and sadly, that’s where they’ve stayed.
Sure, you can download photos to your computer and save those precious moments there but what happens when your hard drive crashes. All is gone. Backing files up on CDs or DVDs is an excellent choice but what happens when technology changes and CDs become 8-tracks and DVDs the new laser disc. We’ve already witnessed Smart Media Cards, XD Cards, and various versions of Sony Memory Sticks become extinct.
Digital photos should be backed up whether you copy them to compact discs, external hard drives or online storage sites. Multiple copies keep things safe. However, most importantly, print your photos. Take your memory card to a camera store and use the kiosks to crop, eliminate red eye, and enhance your pictures. Upload them to a website that’ll print them out and ship them to you. Create a hardcover book filled with weddings. While you’re doing all of that, make extras for family and friends.
When we sat shiva (mourning) last week what every single person there wanted to do and did was to look at photos. My grandparents have framed pictures on the walls and nearly every flat surface. They’ve kept photos and photo albums from their great-grandparents all the way up to my mom’s birthday party last Spring.
No one suggested we look at photos on the computer monitor or television. No, rather they picked up in their hands, framed pictures of my grandparents smiling and deeply in love. Long-time friends sighed at prints of my brother and I as children, pondering where time has gone. Cousins peered through albums infatuated with black and white proof of our family tree.
Nothing compares to the feeling and emotion one gets from physically holding a photograph because it’s more than just a photograph, it’s life preserved.
Lisa,
My condolences to you and your whole family. I hope that the memory of your grandmother is a comfort and blessing for all of you.
Ha’makom yenahem etkhem betokh she’ar avelei Tziyonvi’Yerushalayim
–Adam
Lisa, so very sorry for your loss. My family just said goodbye to our aunt this last week, and as I sat there looking at photo albums, I realized how much we’re missing without printed pictures. I have been thinking about printing all of my digital pictures and now, after reading this, I am going to!
Thanks for sharing your story and my condolences to you and your family on the loss of Baubie.
Lisa,
I am sorry for your loss and completely agree with your thoughts on this.
So sorry for your loss, Lisa.
Can’t say enough how important and comforting pictures are. And yes, how I wish people would go back to printing them. Deepest sympathy to your family.
Becky
Oh Lisa,
I am so sorry for your loss. I miss my Gram each and every day. Keep the memories with you and the photos too!
Brenda
Sorry to hear about your loss, she still lives in your heart and photos. It is amazing how many picture books you flip through and laugh at pictures of way back when.
Lisa, loved today’s column. I am a grandmom who misses holding those prints in my hand. Look forward to all your great blogs not to forget the pictures you send us. Good blog day !!!
Lisa, that’s beautiful and very moving. You are absolutely right. My grandmother is also nearing her final moments, and you made a wonderful reminder to me to go through those photos right now.
I am very sorry for your loss.
-J
Lisa, your baubie would be proud of this loving and well-written article; she’d also agree with you about the need we all have for physical evidence of our lives’ major events. I hope folks will heed your words and print out all those precious moments sitting in electronic storage devices, waiting to be remembered and cherished all over again. L’chaim.
Dear Lisa,
My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family at this time of great loss. Grandmothers/Baubies are the most precious of family members. She will live forever in your heart and memories.
Take care,
Carol