Photograph historic times (right now)

Saturday 4 April 2020, 13:31 by Elvira Smit | 4,635 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

I often find myself looking jealously at a photographer in a museum who had the (mis)fortune to be present at a historic moment. Your images give you a significant head start.

But now. Now I am living through such a historic time. And so are you. What's more, I have extra time on my hands. Now is the time to take photographs!

Maslow's pyramid

A few weeks ago, we all came tumbling down Albert Maslow's pyramid. It shows the universal needs of human beings, in order of priority.

The base of the pyramid consists of our physical needs, such as food, drink and the absence of pain.

As each need is fulfilled, you move one step higher. Many Dutch people are at the top of this pyramid.

Until the beginning of March.

Because then we all needed toilet paper. And pasta. Rice. Tinned beans. We feared that the base, our physical needs, would soon no longer be met.

In such a state of panic, it is difficult to focus on the highest step, self-realisation. Such as photography.

Our base is shaking

But now that it turns out there is simply enough food for everyone, it's time to think about where you want to be in that pyramid over the coming period.

Perhaps you can give yourself a little push upwards. Even if the base is no longer completely in order. Because all your assignments have been cancelled. Because your home has suddenly become an office and a school. Because you can no longer visit your (grand)parents.

Everyone's base is shaking.

But visiting the top of the pyramid can make things a little more bearable.

How I gave myself a little push upwards

Three weeks ago, I decided that I would take photographs every day. I don't go out with my camera, but simply stay at home. There's plenty to photograph there too. At the end of each day, I choose one photo to hang on my noticeboard.

Like this image:

Look down from the top

What happened was that after just a week, my photography brain was switched back on. Ideas started floating to the surface by themselves. And suddenly I look at the world from the top of the pyramid. I see photographic potential.

And instead of neurotically reading every new post on the NOS live blog, I limit myself to the news twice a day. So I can look at it from a distance, with my camera.

For later. And for now, for my peace of mind.

So. Go and take photographs, today. It doesn't matter what of, but please do follow the RIVM advice and stay in and around your home. Just pick up your camera and start. Today is historic, capture it.

Later, children will ask you what it was like to live through these times. Make sure you have something to show as part of your story.

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