'MEMORY BOOM'

"Memory is in the ascendancy these days"- Winter (2006)

Throughout literature, arts, history and other many other disciplines, memory documentation has always been a vital aspect used to collect, identify and reflect on occasions of the past.

With the emerging number of readily available technologies and advancements in such, memory documentation has become more popular than ever. The 'memory boom' has been happening over the last few decades when the prominence and significance of memory has risen in academic and society.

Photography, along with videography is one of the most frequently used art forms that nearly everybody uses to document their memories, whether this be significant events or just everyday activities.

Despite the advancements in technology, allowing us to have more frequent access to capture these memories many argue that the digital media forms may lead to a loss of control over personal as well as cultural memory. Suggesting that these digital forms manipulate what is really there.

This is one of the reasons why I'm really wanting to focus on analogue photography and only include a few digital shoots here and there. I like that analogue is honest and reveals your mistakes, that sometimes it doesn't go to plan, you see scratches, odd framings, over-exposed photos or some frames are completely blank. Analogue photography, in particular point-and-shoot and disposable cameras challenge you with the task of thinking about how the photo will turn out without your input, without changing settings or editing in post.

It's been really refreshing to not edit my photos as frequently as I would normally, as I felt myself getting stuck in a style that I liked by wasn't entirely true to how the images were captured. With analogue photos, the only editing I really do is cropping, I like the authenticity of them and how what you take is what you get in the end.

Documenting Photographic 'Memories' on Social Media Sites

The documentation of pretty much anything and everything is becoming ever more present across social media platforms as well. With people frequently updating their social feeds, posting regularly about events with their friends and families to the public. I argue that the documentation of these 'memories' has skewed the actual definition of the word and feeling behind a memory itself.

The introduction of instant online content sharing has eliminated a factor of 'memory' as we have no time away from our images to come back and reflect. They are always there, visible to all with the internet (depending on privacy settings) at a click of a button. Personally, I feel for a memory to truly be one that evokes nostalgia, you have to spend time away from it, and reminisce when provoked, whether this be by a photograph or other artistic form. Social media withdraws this factor and creates a new nostalgia for the present.