When I was a grunt in Nam, I carried a Leica M4. I made b&w
photos. I met a photographer from Australia named Jock. He
was older than me and very wise but tuned into the moment. I
didn't know that that meant back then. I suppose he was a
Mentor for me and I needed the mental and emotional
reinforcement. We were all sitting around smoking weed and
Jock was with us and making photos. He said to me, "Jingles,
where's your camera?" I looked at him and he nodded his head.
I reached in my sack and got my M4. I had made many photos of
the guys and missions, everything. But now, at this moment, I
had a realization that was life effecting. I understood for
the first time the difference between the MOMENT and the
MEMORY.
I understood the INTENT of each. I understood the importance
of each as an individual intent and combined. The moment or
decisive moment will lead to photos that add to the creative
juices. The moment will lead to photos that inspire you, or
maybe fill a void in the self, or even satisfy the artistic
energy or maybe do the same for a client. Just realize that
your most important client is you.
The memory. Wow this is the hard one. It's the hardest intent
to actually realize and do. Back to the guys and Jock in Nam.
I was making photos because the subject matter is amazing.
Everything was working. I was hammering the decisive moment.
Then a slight calm came over me. All the sudden, the decisive
moment wasn't so important. I looked at the guys and slowly
made photos of most of them. Not one but many of each. I was
totally aware that I wanted to, NO....Needed to make a
lasting memory of my friends, my brothers in arms and the
experience. I got close to a few and asked them to look into
my lens. I made many exposures. I wanted to make a portrait
or photo that would outlive them and me. This intent of so
fragile of a moment was MEMORY. So realizing the difference
of the Decisive Moment and the Moment of Memory is the
driving force and also the force that will make or break you
and your work. All you have to do is know the difference and
practice it.
Don Springer
August, 2017