The first major hiking trip I went on was a four day trek on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. I remember stopping and taking a number of pictures along the way. One of the members of our group was a seasoned adventurer and gave me some advice.
“Pictures are for friends and family back home. Above all, make sure you stop and take time to soak everything in. You want to capture the moment and create a memory for years to come.”
He was right. I was too busy trying to capture the “perfect shot” that I wasn’t appreciating the moment. For the rest of the trip, I kept his words in mind. I became keenly aware of not only my surroundings, but how they made me feel. It released me to experience the journey and allowed me to reexamine myself with every step. Because of his advice, it transformed into a spiritual walk that became a turning point in my life. I am grateful he pulled me aside and shared his words of wisdom.
Sometimes I tend to heed good advice, but forget to find balance. I’ve been on a number of trips since Machu Picchu without many pictures to show for it. I’ve come of the mind that I can have both, memories and photos. Both are important, especially as I get older and my memory begins to soften. Pictures provide a visual sensory, enhancing the remembrance of the experience. A few years ago, I bought a camera, but I’m still stuck in the automatic settings mode. I’m going to look for a photography class nearby. It’s never too late to learn something new.
The Cure released Pictures of You in 1989 and is one of my favorite songs from the band. Robert Smith was inspired by a personal disaster.
The inspiration behind the song is actually quite poignant. Robert Smith was inspired to write the song when a fire broke loose in his home. Among the charred items that survived was his wallet which contained pictures of his wife.
– ShotKit
The version in the link above has a two and a half minute intro before any lyrics begin. Normally, that is way too long because I just don’t have the attention span. But the melody is so beautiful, I literally get goosebumps listening to the instrumental. Music and photographs are similar, each laying lasting imprints inside us, never leaving, quietly waiting to be recalled. It could retrieve a memory, a moment, a person or just a feeling. For me, Pictures of You evokes an indescribable feeling that I can’t let go. It’s simply beautiful.
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For a complete playlist, please click here.
For the Spotify playlist, please click here.
I've been looking so long at these pictures of you
That I almost believe that they're real
I've been living so long with my pictures of you
That I almost believe that the pictures are
All I can feel
Remembering you
Standing quiet in the rain
As I ran to your heart to be near
And we kissed as the sky fell in
Holding you close
How I always held close in your fear
Remembering you
Running soft through the night
You were bigger and brighter and wider than snow
And screamed at the make-believe
Screamed at the sky
And you finally found all your courage
To let it all go
Remembering you
Fallen into my arms
Crying for the death of your heart
You were stone white
So delicate
Lost in the cold
You were always so lost in the dark
Remembering you
How you used to be
Slow drowned
You were angels
So much more than everything
Hold for the last time then slip away quietly
Open my eyes
But I never see anything
If only I'd thought of the right words
I could have held on to your heart
If only I'd thought of the right words
I wouldn't be breaking apart
All my pictures of you
Looking so long at these pictures of you
But I never hold on to your heart
Looking so long for the words to be true
But always just breaking apart
My pictures of you
There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to feel you deep in my heart
There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to never feel the breaking apart
All my pictures of you
MyGenXerLife 
I took a master photography class on Skillshare several years ago and it was a game changer with my knowledge of photography. Skillshare subscriptions got changed to annual, and they are kinda pricey, but if you can swing it they have some great classes on photography (including that master class) and many other things. I’m sure YouTube, Udemy, and all the others have some great options too. I need to heed that advice of enjoying the moment over taking pictures, but I love, love, love taking pictures and it is hard for me now that I always have a camera on me in my phone. Hah!
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Thank you! I’ll check it out. It will be nice to take a step up from automatic mode!
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yes, being in the present moment is likely why i have so few photos! taking a photography class sounds exciting! LOVE the cure 🙂
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I love the cute, too. Boys Don’t Cry was the first Cure song I heard. It was one of thirst songs that got me into new wave back in the day
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Ok, way too many typos…
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i knew exactly what you meant! 😉
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What do the kids say? Pics or it didn’t happen? I think that’s one good thing about cell phones – you always have pretty darn good camera with you. And you’re right, the pics sure do aid our aging memories. Great song choice!
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Cell phones are so handy and convenient. Sometimes easier when I’m on my hiking trips. Yes, my memory could use a little help sometimes!
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I am so glad that you learned that lesson to be present in the moment. My husband and I went on a trip to Rome for our 30th anniversary. He brought all of his photography equipment, including a 360 degree camera and a long pole to mount it on. As we toured these awe-inspiring ancient monuments, he spent the entire time shooting pics instead of enjoying our surroundings. Now, we have great pics of our time in Italy, but it brings back memories of frustration for me that he’d rather take pictures than be with me.
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I’m sure he enjoyed your trip together. It sounds like he was excited about being in Rome and his passion for photography that he fell out of balance. I’m learning to look for balance these days. Sometimes I can be a little “lopsided” without realizing it.
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You’re absolutely right about getting out from behind the camera and enjoying the moment
I always laugh at people who record entire concerts or sporting events on their phone. Because they’re really not experiencing the moment.
“Pictures of You” is a song I discovered during my sophomore year in high school. I went to France that summer and remember the French countryside rolling by as i traveled by bus and listened to the Disintegration album.
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Listening to Disintegration while the French countryside plays out a bus window. I don’t think it gets better than that
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Oh yay! I can comment!
I wasn’t able to comment for the last several days.
This is one of my favorite songs by The Cure, too. 🖤
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I love it, too!
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There is a program called “A Year With My Camera” or AYWMC by Emma Davis. It’s free, but there an optional community with an $ app, and you sign up and get weekly emails. There’s also a facebook page that goes along with it to share pictures and she has an instagram page for herself and the program. I started but never got all the way through and started again and am just gathering the emails 😂
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Thank you!! This sounds really cool. I bought a book and was reading it, but I think I need small bite size pieces instead. I really appreciate it. Thank you!
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Love this. Yes, the impressions that last….
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Thank you!
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Love this song! Thank you for sharing this.
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One of my favorites!
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