Just a Memory Away - by Clay Gill

There is treasure in your home you have probably overlooked. The inquisitive are rewarded as you ponder old photographs contained in stacks of albums from decades of collecting. Family outings and fond memories return as if yesterday. Most everyone has a cabinet full of family and vacation photographs. Even the old black and white’s have their interesting appeal and special tones.

We call the old fish photos- “hero shots”, of glory days on the water. You see these photos of old men and grandkids holding some big Catfish beside the farm truck. Who would be the most proud? Those old images have the ability to transport you back to once-was action and excitement. That rare glimpse of the past becomes a renewal of memories, fun, and outrageous events, as if yesterday. Frozen in time, images often have power to tug out a tear or two.

The sounds of laughter and squeals of children can once more be heard over the wind, waves, and Gulls. You can almost smell the wood smoke, hear the quiet of snow-covered forest, or north winds rushing through the pines in a canyon. How can you top a re-run of your life?

A photo is worth a thousand words they say. I am thankful for the times we stepped out of the picture to encapsulate a moment in time. You literally illustrate a whole lifetime one shot at a time. Photos are invaluable. People have fled to storm cellars only with photos.

Photography has become amazingly complicated and powerful. It can be fun and easy. Some of the very best images you make will be captured when you are lucky enough to simply have a camera handy and take time to utilize it. Get close in good light.

A good friend taught me the fundamentals of good photography. Have a cheap throwaway at all times and use the flash for fill- in. It is just that easy. Converted to cheap throwaway water-fun cameras, photo quality and content rose to amazing heights. It was not the dollars spent on high-tech digitals, but merely keeping a few fun cameras in reach at all times. At five bucks each, they even float! Availability was the key.

Now I see why my kids left them all around on their wedding reception tables. Discounting a few self-portraits and anonymous “moon shots”, -once developed, these galvanized images become the “times of your life”. Throw a fun camera in the kayak or boat and see what develops. You may need more photo albums soon.

Remember the number one rule is to have fun! Top of the day to you, and make some memories soon. Tight lines to all!