Tara over at Sticky Fingers has created yet another meme that’s currently sweeping the blogosphere: the “Favorite Photo Meme”. The rules are pretty simple: pick your favourite ever photo and post it.
Interestingly enough the first thought that sprung to my mind was to try and find the most technically and aesthetically pleasing photo I’ve taken. Whereas I’ve noticed that the majority of people who’ve taken part in the meme have gone for one that has the most emotional resonance for them. I’m guessing that it’s probably a gender thing.
After a minute or two’s thought I picked out a photo I took during one of Evan’s stays in hospital for breathing difficulties:
When I tweeted it to Tara (@tara_cain) she replied:
@dghughes Oh brother. That pic with an explanation with it will have me blubbing! Can see why it would be a favorite.
Oh… yeah… um… yes. If I’m honest I’d not even really considered the emotive side to the photo – I was just smugly please with myself about the way I’d bumped up the redness of the oxygen monitor using photoshop.
I am a shallow, shallow man.
But anyway, I’m not even choosing this one now.
I’ve not been taking as many photo’s as I used to do recently. I’m not really sure why, but I suspect it’s a combination of lack of time and a general malaise that I’ve been under for the last nine months or so.
However Kerry, the real photographer in our family, has recently rediscovered her photography muse. She’s even had her own personal epiphany about using the camera in her iPhone. Instead of complaining about it’s crapness (and trust me, it’s notoriously crap) she has decided to embrace it’s flaws – much like the owner of a Holga camera might do.
The results she has been getting are stunning. Here’s one she took yesterday on the way home from work:
Of course the downside to her rejuvenated love of photography is that I keep finding her on my our computer uploading stuff to her flickr account, damn her eyes.
So anyway, as I’ve been inspired by Kerry’s use of the iPhone as an artistic tool I’m going to chose a photo of Amy I took with mine this summer:
Yes, it’s probably not going to be my favorite photo of all time – but it’s my favorite photo at this moment right now, and that’s about as much as I’ll ever be able to say really.
I didn’t get tagged by anyone for this one (no one likes me apparently) so I’m not tagging anyone else specifically. However if you do fancy doing it then make sure you let Tara know as she’s putting together a gallery.
Related posts:
That’s a lovely picture! My own muse has flown south for the winter. I should pay more attention to my iPhone camera.
I do love the Evan one, though. And the red light is very pleasing. Maybe it is a gender thing, as you say. Or maybe it’s about how geeky you get about photography (or anything) which isn’t necessarily to do with what sex you are. I’ve got some pretty raw post-c-section shots of little elf and it’s the balance of the figures clean blue theatre staff in them vs this tiny little blood-covered body I tend to think about. Though there are other shots from then which have no real aesthetic value but I love them.
.-= Dad Who Writes´s last blog ..Starting a new novel at lightspeed =-.
@Dad Who Writes, I was witness to a c section once as part of my nurse training. It completely traumatised me and I didn’t even know the woman. I’m not sure I could have taken a photo if it was my wife. You have a stronger stomach than me sir.
I’ve made some of my coolest photo’s with my cameraphone (only 2 megapics).
I think I’ll tag myself with this one..not really sure which one I’m going to use but I got a shortlist.
.-= Arjan´s last blog ..Micmacs à tire la larigot =-.
@Arjan, really looking forward to it Arjan.
Patience is a virtue. I’ve been tagged and haven’t done it yet. Maybe I was going to tag you?!
Kudos though for getting three pictures into a meme that is supposed to onlyh have one in it! They’re all lovely pictures, the top one in particular is breathtaking for many different reasons.
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..New Bird on the Block =-.
@Barbara, I’m nothing if not sneaky.
I like the one with the tennis player scratching her arse.
And you think YOU’RE shallow!
.-= Rol´s last blog ..Icebound =-.
@Rol, is that the one with Tim Henman in it? Each to their own.
Dan, the first photo had me welling up so now I can’t comment further. I have a similar one of my daughter, aged 1 hour.
.-= Rosie Scribble´s last blog ..Dieting to destruction =-.
@Rosie Scribble, Up to the age of two Evan had around 10 hospital admissions due to breathing problems, so we sort of got used to it if such a thing is possible.
He seems to have grown out of it now, fingers crossed.
Fantastic pictures Dan, a cut above, I’ve not been tagged either but then I stink.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Media request: ‘Age gap’ mums =-.
@Linda, tara mentioned to me that she didn’t tag you because she hates you. Sounded a bit harsh to me, but there you go.
Put the big wooden spoon away Dan …
.-= Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..The one where I learn to appreciate the little things =-.
Tracey got me a digital lomographic camera for Christmas that I absolutely love simply because it is purely point and click inside a shoddy casing in order to create really spontaneous photos and effects.
So a lot can be said for the simplicity of the iPhone camera.
Great photos too by the way!
.-= Lee´s last blog ..Buying Nintendo games has finally paid off! =-.
@Lee, I didn’t know you could get digital lomographic cameras. I shall file that information away for Kerry’s next birthday.
It is really fascinating to see which photos everyone has chosen and why.
I adore photos, all photos, anyone’s photos and have found this meme to be really interesting.
My husband bought me a fancy pants digital camera for my 40th last year and I take it everywhere and never ever think to use my ‘inferior’ iPhone camera but boy does that last pic show me wrong!
And by the way Barbara, he doesn’t get away with cheating. Only one photo in the gallery per person – even though I have no idea how the hell to choose between the first and the last one here. Sheesh, thanks Dan!
@Tara, to be fair, the last photo had a little bit of processing done to it – but all using apps on the iPhone, so it still counts.
Tear jerker Dan – I have black smudges! I post – tagged you, it’s tagging in reverse!!!
.-= Kelloggsville´s last blog ..Two Beautiful Countries =-.
@Kelloggsville, retro tagging. I like it. I hereby retrotag you back.
Fantastic photos Dan, the last one is incredible. Envious!
.-= notSupermum´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: You rub my tummy, I’ll rub yours… =-.
@notSupermum, it was more luck than tallent, but I like it.
Amazing photos mate. To my complete surprise, the camera in the iPhone is not a complete pile of poo. As long as there’s decent light mind you.
.-= Kevin Spencer´s last blog ..Movies I’m Looking Forward To In 2010 =-.
@Kevin Spencer, yes, it’s useless if it’s dingy. I think the newer iPhone camera’s are a little better too if I remember rightly.
All great photos
Mostly loving the great photos you’re getting with the iphone – I love having a camera on it but still at the frustration stage with its problems in low light etc
.-= Muddling Along Mummy´s last blog ..I admit it, I have a high maintenance baby and there are times when I really can’t cope =-.
@Muddling Along Mummy, it is frustrating, but Kerry is taking that frustration as a challenge rather than an anoyance and it seems to be working.
Pick one–near impossible.
Though you did a very good job. Love the petulance one–or was that reflective and pensive?
.-= Ed´s last blog ..Fashion Fail =-.
@Ed, definitely petulance. She was very very sulky at the time for a reason I can’t remember.
That’s very shallow. :-)
I still don’t believe it’s an accident they’re both photos of your kids.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..What to do when a two year old decides to try being terrible? =-.
@Mwa, no, there is that.
In fact I rarely take any photos of anything else (apart from my beloved chickens obviously)
All are terrific photos dan. I couldn’t take a good photo if I was channeling Annie Liebowitz.
@Seattledad (Luke, I am Your Father), i think you’d have difficulty channeling her – isn’t she still alive?
Great photos by both of you. None of us take good photos Chez Aspie so I wont be doing this meme. Not that I’ve been tagged for it anyway. :(
.-= DJ Kirkby´s last blog ..What a great way to start my 2010 working year =-.
@DJ Kirkby, I hereby officially tag you.
Go on, have a go. It doesn’t have to be a good one, just a favorite one.
Micro images
Check the post GB Snow from space,it just looks awesome. * I know it’s unrelated, but it’s cool nonetheless.
.-= Arjan´s last blog ..Micmacs à tire la larigot =-.
Wow! They are all great pictures :-)
.-= Jo Middleton´s last blog ..Nick Clegg vs Gina Ford – I know who I’d rather have putting me to bed =-.
Great shots. Do you know what I don’t understand about the iPhone camera – that black matting effect that you get on photos. I noticed that on my Mom’s iPhone. It’s really annoying. Is it a technical flaw or some effect that Apple thinks people would like?
.-= A Free Man´s last blog ..May no man’s reins ever chain you =-.
If I were you and Amy was mine, I’d blow that picture of her up to about 3′ x 3′ frame it and hang it on my wall. Outstanding!
.-= Jeff´s last blog ..MN discriminates against vampires =-.