In the olden days it was much more difficult to show off photographs of babies, family pets or vacation gatherings.
In those days, unless the photos were carried in a wallet or purse, there was less chance of being asked “Do you want to see my pictures?” Of course one always replied in the affirmative for fear of causing hard feelings or lost friendships if one declined.
So much has changed since cell phones have invaded our lives. As the phones become our lifelines to everything going on in our world and the world of everyone else, the camera capabilities of the communication devices have negated the need to carry a bulky camera and lenses in order to document moment by moment growth spurts of every family baby, toddler, and the fur babies that we used to call dogs and cats.
Phone cameras are so advanced that the quality of photos, whether stills or action, has become top-notch, several hundred percentage points beyond the quality of the instant Polaroid shots of days gone by. And there’s no comparison when one puts selfies up against the ancient strip of photos from the photo booth at the bus depot.
It is perhaps the “instant” feature of phone photos that is the most important aspect of sharing with friends and family. Click a phone photo and suddenly, without hesitation, in appears on the phones of family members and friends near and far. Amazing indeed.
When we turned in our outdated flip phones for our iPhones, all I really wanted was a device that made phone calls. I got that and so much more, including a camera and the ability to have a photo album with me whenever I remembered to stash my phone in a pocket or purse. After taking a wide range of photos of desks and floors, I figured out how to take a fairly decent phone photo, if I do say so myself. I still prefer our Canons from Wells but in a pinch, the phone does the job. In fact it somehow develops albums by date and topic and even location.
I don’t often whip out my phone to show off my photos. And there’s a reason: I have no baby or pet photos on my phone to share with unsuspecting acquaintances.
On my phone I have images of Housemate eating ice cream, Housemate eating cake, Housemate sitting in a backless hospital gown, Housemate learning how to use his new iPhone, Housemate sitting at a concert in the park, Housemate supervising the towing of his vehicle on a cold winter morning, Housemate putting bird seed in the feeder, Housemate counting money in his wallet, a close-up of Housemate’s ear, a close-up of Housemate’s long hair and sideburns during the first months of the pandemic lockdown, a close-up of Housemate’s sock-clad foot, Housemate on a gold rush tour in Yukon, Housemate and friend Phil at a cadet banquet, Housemate contemplating nature in the back yard, Housemate not paying attention to the on-ice action at the Scotties, Housemate peeling apples for apple sauce, Housemate opening Christmas presents and Housemate sleeping in his armchair.
I also have dozens of photos of: flowers in our yard, bowls of potatoes grown in Housemate’s garden, a car blocking our driveway, a car being pushed out of a snowbank, water main replacement work, a photo or two of Sister in her home, the nephews’ birthday party, a photo taken by Housemate of me wearing a bright red bandana to cover my pandemic hair style, Kelly Bourdages singing at Sidewalk Days and an assortment of other events that seemed photo-worthy at the moment.
But the photos that I know folks would absolutely stand in line to view on my phone are the photos of the bruises on my legs, feet and chest following my car accident on March 21, 2020. I could also provide an audio description of each bruise.
I even know how to share those photos if there’s any interest in having my bruised leg available on a compatible phone. All you have to do is ask!!
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
