we need the language of love

I just read someone's nice comment someplace and I had to write this thought down, this thought that I have been thinking for such a long time.

In the world of photographic art we run the risk of being alienated from what we do by the fact that we are so involved with machines to do it.

I specifically would like to avoid using the word "capture" for what it is that happens when there is a wonderful intersection between me and the world I am seeing.  That intersection is mediated by the camera, and with the aid of the camera I try to share with others something about what I was seeing and feeling when I clicked the shutter.

Does it make any sense to use the word "capture" to express what is happening in this intersection?  I think not.  In what sense do I "capture" anything?  Did I put that sunset in my little box?  I don't think so.

Maybe in some sense I "touched" it.  I would like to think that I embraced it.  And if by my embrace I am able to share something with you then maybe I have succeeded a little bit with my picture.

I hope that photographic artists will abandon the language of hunting with machines -- "shoot" and "capture" -- and take up the language of love to talk about what they do -- "kiss", "touch", "embrace", and "share".

I like this way of thinking about it much better.