by Nikolas Nies

Created on: May 21, 2007   Last Updated: May 22, 2007

How much is it worth? How much value do you put on it? They say that pictures are priceless, that a picture is worth a thousand words. Where do pictures fit in your life? Do they tell a story, or are they non-existent?

Recently, I have done a few slide-shows for the graduates in the family. Upon viewing them at receptions, there have been a lot of watery eyes present. We all treasure the past history, and enjoy reminiscing over the growth of our children. We have heard it said many times to enjoy them while they are young. If we do this then the tears we shed when viewing photographs are tears of joy, savoring the times we shared with those we love. If we don't spend time with the people we love then looking back is a time of regret, for the things we should have done.

I have run across a lot of people who do not find importance in photographs, or nostalgic memories. I do agree that you can't live in the past, but the past is history, and if our memories are good ones, then we will want to have something to help us preserve those memories. Some of the very people that don't value photographic memories are the ones that tear up when they are presented with pictures of their past. Every one of us will at one time in our lives, wish we could look back and cherish the times of our youth. Photographs and videos help us to do that.

Last winter, during a visit with my grandparents, I took my computer and scanner with me. We spent the day going through boxes of old photos. I was able to scan several hundred photos; some of myself that I didn't know existed. It gave us a chance to visit and tell old stories, while allowing them a chance to reflect. I now have copies of photos that will go to some fortunate person in the future, perhaps never available to me again. I will treasure these photos, and will have them to pass down to my children. I will not have to worry about how to divide them, because they are digital and making copies is a matter of burning a CD.

In doing a slide-show for my mother-in-law for her 60th birthday, it became evident that there were plenty of pictures of her and her daughter, but not many of her with her sons. I thought this to be a shame. But then I got to thinking about my own mother, and searched for photos of her and I. Sadly, I found very few. I have since made it a point to try to take as many photographs of my mom and I as possible. Photographs are priceless, and it would be really disastrous to lose the ones we have. However, it is even more catastrophic to never have captured the moments in your life that you cherish and will one day want to reflect upon.

So I say, make a conscious effort to pack that camera with you when you go visiting family, or when that little one is doing something cute. With today's technology of digital media, it doesn't cost anything to take photographs. If you choose to, you can print them out, or you can just store them on a disc. You won't be sorry!

Learn more about this author, Nikolas Nies.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.