I feel like such an idiot. I’m doing the 52 week project. I’m supposed to be taking at least one really good photo a week. Something that’ll remind me of that week, and any interesting things that I did.
So you’d think – given that I spent half an hour posing for photos outside one of the world’s most famous and recognisable doors on Wednesday – I might have remembered to take a photo of it myself. Even a phone photo.
But I didn’t. I didn’t take a photo of the 10 Downing Street door, or of the Downing Street sign, or of my fellow campaigners.
Instead, the only photo I have from my day in London is this one.
It’s a spectacularly mediocre shot of a poster I quite liked near the Save the Children offices in Farringdon. In fact scrap that. It’s not even mediocre. It’s just crap.
What a chump I am.
It reminds me a little of when DorkyDad and I went to Paris for a long weekend and got engaged. (I know, isn’t he the best?!) It was a brilliant weekend – champagne, smooches and a sparkly ring… Then we got home, developed our photos, and discovered that the only photo of me from the entire weekend was this one:
I love this photo. I genuinely love it. It makes me belly laugh every time I look at it. I’ve had my head cut off, and it’s a bit blurry, but it still reminds me of what a fun time we had that weekend.
Which I guess, really, is the whole point of taking photos.
I’ve become a bit too concerned about the techy bits recently – making sure I have the right lens on, and have it set at the right aperture, and then taking a hundred shots just to get one or two that I’m happy with.
The Paris photo, and the crap poster in Farringdon have reminded me that a photo doesn’t need to be perfect to bring back a flood of happy memories. That’s a lesson I’m going to try and remember as I move on with the 52 Week project.
Less stress, more fun, happy photos. It starts tomorrow.
Dorkymum | Stories from Tasmania 
Absolutely right!!
And…I actually like both these photos. I like the way the poster is framed by the bike and the van. And I like the colours.
I like the Paris photo because you can see your ring and if you took a look at most wedding photos these days, there would be at least one with the bride and groom’s heads cut off. A slightly more artistic cropping but still!
Photos are all about the memories. Keep on shooting. And let’s take our cameras out together one day and I’ll give you some quick lessons. Not that you need them. Just that you might like them! 😉 xx
That would be awesome – bring on some better weather! Thanks for the lovely kind comments xx
Oh I love that Paris shot! It’s brilliant. Love photos like that, perfect in its imperfection.
That’s a good phrase – perfect in its imperfection – I’l remember it 😉 xx
Well the ‘crap’ photo you took in London is still a million times better than any pic I’ve ever taken. So colourful and….. urban.
The least said about the headless shot the better ;-), but you’re right. Sometimes it’s fine if it brings back happy memories x
It definitely does 🙂 thanks for commenting xx
I actually love that London photo – the colours and the framing of the poster by the vehicles. Besides, everyone knows what 10 Downing St looks like – that would have been dull, this is unique!
Ahh, thanks lovely – maybe I should do a set of ‘alternative’ London postcards! x
I really like both photos! I also love the fact you can see your new engagment ring on your finger in the second photo.
Ahhh, thank you 🙂 You’re all helping DorkyDad feel better about it – I think engagement nerves had got the better of him xx
I love your London photo. I’d have it framed and on the wall there’s something very raw about it. A bit punk-y. It’s cool, be proud!xx
Oooh, I’ve not been called punky for a long time. Must be because I was wearing my doc martens that day 😉 xx
I like both your photos. It’s the memories connected to the photos that matter, not the photo itself. And you are improving your skills over the year anyhow 🙂
The Paris-photo looks a bit like it was planned, it really does show of the ring on your finger. And I like the London photo. There’s something about the red brick wall, and the bright red of the van.
Thank you for the lovely kind comment 🙂 x
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Great point. We can spend allour time chasing the shot and miss the moment.
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You need to publish a book of your photos so I can sit and look at them all day long! Everytime i see your #52 photos I just say ‘wow’ !
Thanks lovely 🙂 I love doing photobooks as presents, love the idea of a 52 week one!