I've reached the stage of life where I take very few photos.
Photos can never capture the 'true' colour, the feel, the heat/cold, the smell, the feeling of the moment. I have some older photos that I look at and immediately feel the sweat and the tropical heat where they were taken.
I now take pictures for myself and my memories. I see a scene and almost imagine a 'click' as I blink at what I see or I do the 'panorama shot' as I look around.
I, however do not have the CC audience waiting/hanging on my next instalment, so please keep at it, I'm loving it and all the pics !
I understand what you're saying and if anything I'm going in the opposite direction
The camera helps me to record all the small details of a day on the bike that would otherwise be forgotten in all the detail. Just point and click and I've a reminder for writing up later.
There's the process too, the act of stopping, made easier it seems by the urge to take a photo.
Later, there is the process of reviewing the day's photos and selecting the ones for this travelogue. It's a very rewarding experience and I can't help but think that it helps enbed the memories properly.
Absolutely there are not many scenes that can be transferred to a photo without losing depth, scale and intensity, and, as you say there is a lot missing - the temperature, sounds, aromas. The photos, especially the reviewing process, are gentle prompts.
The thing is, I need prompts. Moving on every day as I (usually) do things can get confused and a bit blurry.
Writing from the photos can really bring every little detail back.
I think the combination of the written word and the image is a winner.
I've said it before that keeping a travelogue is one of the best things I've done and that I'd encourage anyone to do the same - publication not necessary. It's a great way to remember what we saw, heard, smelled and most importantly how we felt.
Google throws up old photos at me now and only a handful will bring me back to the time and place. The photos from this trip? Every single one!
I recently read elsewhere of a touring cyclist encountering another on the road. They were stopped and staring into what the poster thought was space. It made them uncomfortable. When the space starer asked the poster if they had cried on the bike it seemed like confirmation that something wasn't right.
Well, maybe I'm a bit mad but I regularly stop and absorb all that's on offer and I'm not immune from shedding a tear or two along the way either.
I get a lot of positive reactions from people when they see me pulled up and taking photos. I normally have a big smile on my face but I think most people like the idea that a traveller is enjoying their country.
Just to add, as a non competitive cyclist with zero interest in tracking progress I love, absolutely love, my Strava record of each day. A map, vital statistics and lots and lots of photos. A chance to relive the road day by day whenever I want.
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