在手機非常普及的現代,人們幾乎每天都在拍照,從早餐的咖啡、街角的風景,到朋友聚會與旅行點滴,拍照早已成為生活中不可或缺的一部分,很多事情,在當下看似平凡,不過,有可能在多年後成為珍貴回憶,我也常用手機拍照來寫日記,分享生活的大小事,而這些照片不只是個人的紀錄,也逐漸形成一種與世界交流的方式,也有人說,照片或影像的意義,在於幫忙把那些生活裡的小片段保存下來,讓我們在未來某個時刻還能重新想起。
逛到這個應該是攝影社成果展的地方,一開始我是覺得有些錯愕,因為這個時代還有用實體照片發表的成果展,不過,其實在手機還未普及,數位相機還未出現的時候,人們就是用實體照片來寫日記的,那時候,除了相機的花費之外,還要買底片,一捲標準底片通常可拍 24張 或 36張照片,拍照之後,還要到實體店沖洗出來,才可以看到拍照的成果,拍照還有拍壞而不能用的可能性,所以,每一張照片都是得之不易的珍貴回憶,這個成果展是在致敬那個時代嗎?
我又想了一下,音樂好像也是類似的軌跡,實體黑膠唱片近年來也意外地重新流行起來,人們從拿出唱片、擦拭表面、放上唱盤,到輕輕放下唱針,到音樂播放出來,不只是聆聽音樂,更像是一種生活儀式,聽黑膠唱片不僅是懷舊,更反映出人們對生活的重新思考,黑膠唱片的回歸並不意味著數位音樂的退場,而是一種共存的狀態,數位提供便利,黑膠提供深度,再回到這個展覽,搞不好,對於年輕世代來說,這樣的成果展才是最潮的。
In today’s world, where smartphones are extremely common, people take photos almost every day, from a morning coffee, a street corner view, to gatherings with friends and travel moments. Photography has already become an essential part of daily life. Many things may seem ordinary at the moment, but they can turn into precious memories years later. I also use my phone to take photos as a kind of diary, recording the small and big moments of my life. These photos are not only personal records, but also a way of communicating with the world. Some people even say that the meaning of photos and images is to preserve small fragments of life, so that we can recall them again at some point in the future.
While walking through what seemed to be a photography club exhibition, I was initially a bit surprised. In this era, I didn’t expect to still see an exhibition made with printed physical photos. But actually, before smartphones became popular and before digital cameras existed, people used physical photos to document their lives. Back then, besides the cost of the camera itself, people had to buy film as well. A standard roll of film could only take about 24 or 36 photos. After shooting, you had to bring it to a photo shop to develop the images before you could even see the results. There was also the risk of photos turning out badly and being unusable. Because of all this, every single photo felt like a rare and precious memory. I started wondering—was this exhibition meant as a tribute to that era?
Then I thought about it again, and realized music seems to have followed a similar path. Vinyl records have unexpectedly become popular again in recent years. From taking out a record, cleaning its surface, placing it on the turntable, to gently lowering the needle, the whole process is not just about listening to music. It feels more like a ritual. Listening to vinyl is not only about nostalgia; it also reflects a deeper reflection on how people experience life. The return of vinyl does not mean digital music is disappearing; instead, it shows a kind of coexistence. Digital music offers convenience, while vinyl offers depth. Coming back to the exhibition, maybe for younger generations, this kind of physical photo exhibition is actually the coolest thing of all.