Do we really make a difference?

I see your point, but I've never really given too much energy to considering whether what I do as a photographer really matters in the scheme of things. I do most of the things because it's what I love to do.

I do find it odd that a person's photo is the only thing that was taken. Makes absolutely no sense to me...

Dmab wrote in post #8105277
I see your point, but I've never really given too much energy to considering whether what I do as a photographer really matters in the scheme of things. I do most of the things because it's what I love to do.

I do find it odd that a person's photo is the only thing that was taken. Makes absolutely no sense to me...

I question whether it's really true. It's possible, but doesn't seem quite right.

The message still applies, though.

James Robert Gratiot wrote in post #8100851
Which is exactly why more photographers should be charging more money for their pictures.

I think that misses the point. Besides, most people don't place the sentimental value at the time, but rather much later.

I concur, Curtis. My family teases me and calls me The Paparazzi but everyone is happy when I walk into a family event with my cameras. It can be a simple a function as a get-together BBQ swim party at my sister's, taking funny snaps of my 2 grandsons or doing my niece's and nephew's weddings and baby's baptisms. The important thing is that my photos will be passed down long after I am gone

Maureen Souza wrote in post #8106060
I concur, Curtis. My family teases me and calls me The Paparazzi but everyone is happy when I walk into a family event with my cameras. It can be a simple a function as a get-together BBQ swim party at my sister's, taking funny snaps of my 2 grandsons or doing my niece's and nephew's weddings and baby's baptisms. The important thing is that my photos will be passed down long after I am gone

My mother was the same way. Always had her little Kodak camera taking snapshots at family outings... and pretty much any time we were awake ... and everybody always whined and complained, but guess who they sought out after an event was over and they wanted pictures?

Dmab wrote in post #8105277
I do find it odd that a person's photo is the only thing that was taken. Makes absolutely no sense to me...

The gentleman who told the story did not specify whether or not the cash, credit cards or other items were taken. I assume anything of potential monetary value was gone, and the thief probably pulled out the photo and tossed it while searching for something more valuable. That's just an assumption.

Family photos, what can I say? One of my most moving experiences with photographs was while scanning old photos belonging to my wife's cousin. Included were some photos of my wife's uncle who neither she nor I ever knew because he was killed in Europe in WWII, at least 5 years before we were born. Some of the pictures were of him while home on his last leave. Now again, I never knew the man, but believe me, I shed a few tears when I saw those pictures.

That's a heart breaking story...though I can relate to it...

I do old photo retouching for people on commission hire. I've had small tattered 5x7" portraits of old passed on great relatives from wartime restored and reprinted in full black and white resolution on new archival paper; restored in their full glory for the client to appreciate...and appreciate is what they do.

I couldn't describe the emotion people feel when they see a passed on loved on in print, full and whole again as if it were taken just yesterday.

It's where I fill in the satisfaction blanks when I feel my regular work doesn't have the moving impact that I want it to.

That sounds like a real cool thing to do. I would have to get much better with the photo editing software to do that. Maybe someday.