Photolalia
June 26, 2004
The Mariachi band
I finally knew I'd never be a real photographer when I heard a Mariachi band start playing at a wedding across the road at St Joey's The Worker church in Berkeley, and I just couldn't bring myself to take any photos. It was a dozen years ago now, but I remember just soaking in the busy familiar sound, the sheer delight on the kids' faces, the enthusiasm, the riots of colour and movement, the whole event. I failed as a photographer -- I couldn't spoil it by capturing the moment rather than just (!) experiencing it. A fatal failure in anyone who aspires to be a Photographer rather than a dabbler...
I finally knew I'd never be a real photographer when I heard a Mariachi band start playing at a wedding across the road at St Joey's The Worker church in Berkeley, and I just couldn't bring myself to take any photos. It was a dozen years ago now, but I remember just soaking in the busy familiar sound, the sheer delight on the kids' faces, the enthusiasm, the riots of colour and movement, the whole event. I failed as a photographer -- I couldn't spoil it by capturing the moment rather than just (!) experiencing it. A fatal failure in anyone who aspires to be a Photographer rather than a dabbler...
