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| February 12, 2011 |
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
February 22, 2011
To Photograph, or Not to Photograph
A few weeks ago, I was asked to photograph a funeral service for an elderly man who was part of my church. In the past, I've taken pictures at emotionally charged sporting events, weddings, and various other social events, but never a funeral. This won't be my first funeral service I've been to, so I kinda had an idea of what to expect in terms of how people and the family would be feeling. In fact, I've taken part in my own father's funeral service which was a glorious example of how a truly Godly man can positively impact so many lives. Going into this funeral, I had no idea what type of obstacles I'd be facing.
In general, I love to take pictures that capture people's emotions and have the picture convey the subject's feelings. So I love getting shots of people smiling, being surprised, and making goofy faces. On the flip side, a picture of someone sad or crying can be powerful too. As I was looking for great shots of the family, I found myself torn. Torn because I was seeing and feeling the pain the family was going through through the camera lens, especially the widow. I reached a point where I had to physical step out of the building because I felt wrong freezing the moments someone is so deeply sadden. Is it right to preserve these moments of intense pain and anguish, when someone is so vulnerable?
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
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probably the hardest thing is smiling at a funeral. the death of a loved one can be overwhelmingly sad, yet to resist acknowledging the joy of having known a person to love and respect could be considered a disservice to their memory and the impact that person has had in the lives of others. taking pictures of pain (physical or emotional) is hard, too. but if you were ASKED to take pictures, to me that suggests that the experience of having friends/family gathered together to share in the memory of a person loved means something greater than the immediate pain of the loss. and if people are getting together to share in a good memory, and smile, how is that a bad picture? just don't ask people to pose. in my opinion, candid pictures are the best way to go.
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