The ABC book and the photo

HappyLady Level 1

November 1, 2018, 7:10 am

50

Write the reason you're deleting this FAQ

The ABC book and the photo

If you judge Dad, perhaps you have to remember he was a young parent at the time and they always do make mistakes.

I'm sitting in the big winged chair and not happy about the bunches my mother made in my hair, they pull so. But it is comfortable and cozy and I have my book with the interesting smell. I know one day, I will be able to read it and sometimes I can understand some of the letters. "A, B, C." The pictures take me into different worlds because that is what pictures do. I am wearing the dress with the frills down the front and behind me is the swing in the doorway. I like that swing hanging from the top of the door, but my parents rarely seem to put me in it these days. In front of me is the big old sideboard. It is dark black oak and we still have a coal fire and french windows opening on to the tiny garden where I cook daisies in an old saucepan.

My Father has his camera in hand and here he is in front of me, demanding I smile. I do not want to smile for a picture, I want to read my book, so I keep my head bent down. He is ruining the moment. This is a book moment, not a picture moment, but of course, I am the child and this is the days when kids do what parents say, so reluctantly, I have to pose with my book and sit and smile and have no idea that over sixty years later the photograph will still exist and bring back the memories.

Mainly I just remember being very, very cross.

I wonder how many parents do consider or even know their parents feelings when they take the photo.

Comments

Please login or sign up to leave a comment

Join

kammy143

kammy143

I guess it isn't just about parent insisting a child to take a photo, I think that they really genuinely want to capture a moment that can last. The thing is, it is a bit of a stereotype among people to take pictures with people smiling, that is why they instruct others to do so when taking a photo. It is what they are used to, unnatural but it happens.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Youngshark

Youngshark

Ooh yeaah am sure they wanted to create the moment which the poster is now reminiscing but they obviously did not know of the impact that the photo would have later on. We all get opportunities to be children and parents and I think there is a lot to both learn and teach.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I can relate to that. During the old days parents like taking photos of their kids all the time. I really don't know why?

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

nrnlss

nrnlss

I think it is because they know how fast we will grow and they want to have a lot of memories when we were still kids.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

menchuuy58

menchuuy58

Its great that you still have that photo to this day after sixty years. I can't have photo with my dad. He is already with our Creator.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Youngshark

Youngshark

i also have some photos with my parents and will continue to take some as i treasure the moments we share together. I am deeply sorry about your father not being available to do the same with you my friend @menchuuy58.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

menchuuy58

menchuuy58

Its okay. I miss my father very much. I also remember our happy times together as a family.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

stbrians

stbrians

Lucky are some people. My dad too passed on and Ibdo not have a picture of him. Itvis unfortunate that he died before the mobiles with cameras.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

jeffreyjose48

jeffreyjose48

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us when you were still small. Its really the Father's desire to make you smile first before taking the picture. Its also but natural for you as a kid to feel that way.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

stbrians

stbrians

"Smile. Say cheese " that is what they instruct.

Not all photos should bevof people smiling. We also need sad ones. Not all should be dine staring into thecamera. I feel surprising images are the best.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

nrnlss

nrnlss

I agree with you, but I feel like it is rude to take a photo of a sad person. That feeling that you want to capture that moment where the subject looks really sad that it looks like an art, but you don't want to look rude.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

nrnlss

nrnlss

That is true, and it makes sense actually. We love seeing our love ones smile and taking a photo of smiling person is really good.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

amelia88

amelia88

When I take photos of my own children I try and keep things natural. Of course, sometimes I do ask them to look at the camera and smile, but for the most part I’m content with having plenty of pictures of them simply being kids. Playing with toys, reading, enjoying the outdoors.

The natural shots are some of my most loved.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Exactly! Capture them without them even knowing that they are being snapped and you will see the real love in the picture as you look at them.

With just one glance at the pictures, it would rush back the exact memories on what they were doing when you took the pictures.

I have the habit of taking pictures of my kids when they are sleeping. They look like little angels.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

amelia88

amelia88

@martinsx1 oh, I hear you on them looking like angels when they are sleeping! Often it's the moment of the day where they are just quiet and peaceful...my kids are like little tornadoes during the day, so when they are asleep and angelic it is the perfect time to snap a pic.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

Yes, I agree with you because you can capture the real them the simplicity of them in the picture that you took.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

vinaya

vinaya

my parents did not have a camera when I as a child. However, these days we have at least camera phone and can take pictures of out child when ever we want. Even though my parents did not have a camera when I as a child, they did took me to the studio for photo shoot. My parents treasured those photos and then one fine day they give it to me. Hopefully I will show them to my child when he begins to under stand things.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Youngshark

Youngshark

I love this story of how generations continue to create memories to be treasured and a continuation of those that exist.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

theresajane

theresajane

I agree with you. Candid moments and stolen pictures of those times are the best. When your child grows older, it will be more fun discussing with him/her what happened on that moment and it is more meaningful.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Youngshark

Youngshark

It will also be fun having the pictures and remembering the days that they were taken. I can testify to this since I have the best pictures from my childhood and the reminiscing is always a great moment for all in the family.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

I agree. Natural photos are special as it will only come out naturally without any acting of being happy. It shows how genuine a smile could be.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Martinsx1

Martinsx1

When it comes to taking pictures of anything, I'm more of a fan of motion and sudden capturing. Motion pictures looks more real to me because there is no pretence or preparation before taking the pictures, so you get to capture the subject in its real form.

Some parents can be demanding, I know that because my mother was such kind of person but I learnt to understand that tolerate her with anything she gets on edge with for me to do.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

amelia88

amelia88

Some of my absolute favorite pictures I have of my kids are when my daughter was first learning to ride a bike. I snapped a few pictures of her with her mouth wide open with glee and excitement, since she couldn't believe she was actually doing it by herself. Not posed at all, just that natural childlike wonder. It still makes me smile looking back on that pic!

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

theresajane

theresajane

It's not bad to ask someone to smile while taking pictures, especially if it's a happy event. It is like retaining the happy memory through the photo. It feels great to someday go back through your old pictures and find yourself smiling and remember the happy moments in your life. Well, if you ever had a child who won't stand still and wouldn't want a picture to be taken happily, then, just capture him while he's doing something, to make it more natural.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

mark8625

mark8625

Yeah for sure it is not bad asking them to smile but we should also consider the feelings of that person. Maybe she was not happy or else she had a problem that is why she was not the mood to smile. But anyhow still smiling in the photo is better and has a good aura and vibes.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Youngshark

Youngshark

It is even happier and the picture is greater if it is taken while the child is manoeuvring around. I treasure a couple of photos from my childhood that have me doing some things and not focusing on the camera. It is always great to capture a moment.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

anyone01

anyone01

I began reading at a younger age and that i couldn't stop. And the pile of books stored increasing. Books entered my room beneath the cover of the night, from hidden corners, smuggled in by means of woodland creatures, and then they never left. Books gathered on every floor I believe that somehow they managed to reproduce. Now that i have some free time and i'm determined to maintain from being filled with books. i have just weeded out approximately 10 boxes worth books I may not read and don't want, duplicates, unnecessary souvenirs.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

sonnyisabeast

sonnyisabeast

I kind of miss the old cameras, those with film that you have to take out and wait days to get developed. I remember an uncle of mine who designated himself the photographer in one of our trips. When we finally got the pictures developed, all we see are our chins and some parts of our lower lip and more of the floor, asphalt and dirt. There was even one where uncle's finger was covering half of the lens! To this day, we still tell that story to the young ones in the family. They cannot imagine the process of pictures and the developing film is beyond their understanding and comprehension.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

mark8625

mark8625

I missed that too. I remember when I was a child. My parents was asking me to go the Kodak store to develop our photos in old camera. I was waiting for so long to develop all the photos and I was wondering why there had a negative film and we still keeping it.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

mdayrit

mdayrit

I am guilty of always asking my kids to smile at the camera. It's very fortunate of me that they enjoy having their pictures taken also so it's not really that hard to ask. I think it is natural for parents to take photos of their kids, trying not to miss every single moment.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

vinaya

vinaya

My child is too young to follow my instructions, yet I want him to smile on every photo I take of him. When I was young and when father used to take pictures of he, he always the best of you will come when you say cheese. When I look at the photos where I aid cheese, I kind of look funny.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

mdayrit

mdayrit

I was a shy kid. Whenever I was asked to smile, I would often turn my back till my parents ran out of film to take a shot. Now that I am a parent, I realized that I should have gave in to what my parents wanted. There would be more photos for me to look at now that I am older and give my kids a glimpse of my childhood.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

vinaya

vinaya

Well I liked to be photographed. However, photography was expensive back then, you had to buy films and then print those films after taking photographs. Therefore, I do not have a lot of pictures from childhood. However, my child is being captured every moment. When ever I see my parents looking at my old pictures, I can see a kind of pleasure in their eyes, I might have the same exprience when my child will grow old.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

jeffreyjose48

jeffreyjose48

I cherished all the moments when I or my husband got pictures of our daughters when they were very young. I am blessed that both of my kids like that their photos be taken. The hard copies of their photos are still with me. It brings relief and joy as I view them again. Now that they are teenagers, I miss so much the time that I can take pictures of them except when there are family gatherings. Teenagers are always with their friends and love to have picture taking with them.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

stbrians

stbrians

A parent is normally always intrigued with their children's photos. They have some memories of the progress, shortcomings and strong points of their children. The photos tell a story.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

mark8625

mark8625

Asking someone to smile while capturing photo is not actual hard, it is all depends to the person if he or she likes to smile. I knew someone from relatives that every time we taking photo and she was in there too, she did not smile but she looks angry. I asked her after I printed the photos and she told me that she did not smile because she felt like she was not pretty when she smile. I told her that smiling is much better than look angry in the picture. And she just agreed on what I had said.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

vinaya

vinaya

I don't know why everyone wants us to smile in the photo. Perhaps they want us to look happy and smile is a sign of happiness.
I believe the best photos are the photos that captures our true nature. The natural pose and natural expression bring real us in the photo.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Barida

Barida

Yeah, most people always believe that smiling behind the camera is a sign of happiness, but I beg to differ. The photos will always say a lot and telling me that I should smile on it is not a must as I always want to showcase my mood at a particular moment.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

anyone01

anyone01

Due to the fact that we click on camera in order that we are able to create reminiscences. And every person loves satisfied memories. When we cross down memory lane or turn through youth pictures, the form of joyous high we get, can't be as compared to any material possession.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

mosesoscar

mosesoscar

Glad you included the part of the retained memory, 6 years! I bet after that six years you were glad that picture was taken, and more glad that your face wasn't looking all gloom in it. It isn't nice for parents to always compel their kids to do as they wish, but that doesn't mean the parents can never get a kid to do what they want.

In your story for instance, an adult —or even, your parents may have thought it this way— that the picture won't take much time to prevent you from reading your book. Which is true, and since they may not be able to get you to understand this, maybe that's why they chose to just leave the explanation and get you to smile for the picture

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Barida

Barida

I always want to feel the moment when we are talking about taking pictures. The thing is that there is always greater thing that comes with taking the picture when I am unawares as it adds to the fine touch of doing so as well. The dad may have a different view to that, but I think he should be considerate as well.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I felt the same when I was a kid. All I can think of then was to play with my toys or my playmates who are mostly neighbors. Whenever there's a party or occasion at home, my parents would always make me pose for some photos which I really hate doing then. But all that changed when I was in highschool. That's when I began to like photos and photography.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

mitan143

mitan143

It reminds me of my childhood days way back few years ago. I remember how my grandparents always asked me to smile at the camera when they tried to capture a scene with me being included. Honestly, I'm not a fan of photo before and in fact I hate seeing myself in the photo with my face not looking nice there. Maybe it is because I'm an extrovert person that time. I just started to like taking photos when I reached my legal age in which I became a friendly person and now I like taking 'selfie' with my little sister.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

That was a very envy photo you have. I miss my parents because of what you post. I wish I had photo of themwhen I was a child too.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

DenisP

DenisP

I’m not a parent myself, but I can imagine the reasons that parents want to capture distinct moments of their children growing up. Most people by that age are aware that their children are going to grow up someday, and that this experience of being a parent to a small child might never happen to them again. Sure, plenty of people go on to have other children, but many (such as my own parents) only ever have one child. They want to capture every moment and keep the precious memories in picture form.

I understand it from their perspective, but having been a child myself (yeah, who would’ve guessed, right?), I understand it from their perspective as well. Heck, I understand it today as well. Nothing infuriates me more than when I go to a lovely dinner, and I’m just enjoying the conversations with people around me, only to have someone get up and say “Okay everyone get together, it’s photo time!” The hairs on the back of my neck stand up the moment I hear that, because it totally ruins the vibe and magic of being in the present moment.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

HappyLady

HappyLady

I really get where you are coming from. My worst/silliest dinner moment was when I sat opposite this black lady Pastor at a dinner. She wanted my phone number. I was taken aback when she took a photo of me with it and then said; "I need it because all you white people look alike." I did understand what she meant but it struck me I would have been considered racist for making the same comment to her. You just cannot say that to anyone whatever colour they happen to be.

Anyway, these dinner party photos they always get you on the wrong side, looking your fattest, with hair all over the place and one earring, in my experience.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

I don't have a child yet but I appreciate those parents who take photos of their children. I would also like to take some lovely photos of my children. I will never let a special moment to pass without me having a picture of it. Nothing could ever beat how special a photo could be.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

theresajane

theresajane

The parents nowadays and in the future are so lucky to have an easy access o cameras. Back in the days, our parents would here a photographer just to take photos of us, because having our own camera was very expensive.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

I agree. Taking photos are much easier and cheaper since we all have access to our technology already. We just have to make good use of it and take good moments a photo for remembrance.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

gutzman

gutzman

Some photos become valuable over time. Today it is just a normal photo but after a year or so it becomes priceless and brings back all the memories and feelings you have felt during that time. It could even make you smile without you knowing it. These are the things that parents might be thinking during that time on how they can preserve those moments.

6 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?