Cameras trained to interpret objects and metadata determine what we capture, and therefore what we remember. Moments that are too fun, too blurry and too full of life for AI to interpret are not valued. As an artist, I work with material that algorithmically-driven photo apps deem unworthy of keeping. Now, I’m extending an invitation to you to create a memory that corporate cameras struggle to see. There is no precise recipe for an imperfect photo. But below are some prompts to create a glitch in your memory.
Think of a word you want to preserve, how does that word feel in your body? Is it rigid or flowing? As you take a photo as you move your body in a way that represents this word.
What is the most distant memory you have? Can you zoom in on something as far away as this memory and bring it into focus, by tapping "Pro" mode, then adjusting the focus by tapping on your object and using the focus slider that appears
What is the most distant memory you have? Can you zoom in on something as far away as this memory and bring it into focus, by swiping to "More" > "Portrait", tapping the screen on the far off object and move the slider to focus in on it
What is the most distant memory you have? Can you zoom in on something as far away as this memory and bring it into focus, by tapping "Pro" or "More" > "Aperture" mode, tap on your object, and adjust the aperture slider to control the focus depth
What is the most distant memory you have? Can you zoom in on something as far away as this memory and bring it into focus, by swiping to "Pro" mode, tap on your object and adjust the focus (MF) slider to sharpen your memory.
What is the most distant memory you have? Can you zoom in on something as far away as this memory and bring it into focus, by looking for MF (Manual Focus), a mountain icon or Pro Mode in "Settings" or "More", tapping the screen on the far off object and moving the slider to focus in on it.
Where is the boundry between your human memory and the machine's memory? Can you capture the space between where the flesh ends and the algorithm begins?
What do you never want to forget? Leave yourself a reminder in the cloud, by taking a photo of the sky, swiping up on your photo or tapping the "i" icon, then tap "Add a Caption" to write a note for your future self about your memory.
What do you never want to forget? Leave yourself a reminder in the cloud, by taking a photo of the sky, tapping the three-dot menu (â‹®), select "Details", then "Edit" next to Description to write a note for your future self about your memory.
What do you never want to forget? Leave yourself a reminder in the cloud, by taking a photo of the sky, swiping up or tap the three-dot menu, select "Info", tap "Add description" to write a note for your future self about your memory.
What do you never want to forget? Leave yourself a reminder in the cloud, by taking a photo of the sky, tapping the three-line menu, select "Details", tap "Description" to write a note for your future self about your memory.
What do you never want to forget? Leave yourself a reminder in the cloud, by taking a photo of the sky, tapping the three-dot menu, select "Details", find "Add a description" to write a note for your future self about your memory.
What do you never want to forget? Leave yourself a reminder in the cloud, by taking a photo of the sky, tapping the three-dot menu (â‹®), look for "Details", "Information", or "Add Description", type your memory and then tap done.
What is a memory that triggers a strong feeling for you? What colours do you asscoiate with this feeling? Can you capture this memory in a photo saturated with these colours?
In which other ways can you create a memory that is ambigous, low quality, pixelated and meaningful only to you? What kind of photos does your camera find valuable and do you value the same things?