Photos are most valuable shortly after they are taken. They are most likely to be shared and used within 30 days of the time they were taken. After that time, photos often sit in a drawer or if they are lucky, a Creative Memories album or StoryBook, for the next several years. They may be taken out and enjoyed a few times or they may lie there unappreciated. After several decades, photos are either lost or they take on new significance. They help us remember the past and begin to have historical value. The photo to the right is one of my earliest baby photos.
Movies and videos also become more valuable over time. Recently, I had a number of old family movies transferred to DVD. I also put a short clip on YouTube – Mark in Buffalo. These were movies that were taken when I was one to two years old. They are by no means the greatest movies of all time. At times they are shaky, out-of-focus, and scratched; yet, I was glad to have them. I enjoyed seeing what I was like at that age, particularly since I now have children of my own.
I now have a New Year’s resolution, as well. In addition to all the photos I take each year, I am going to take an occasional video. These may not be the best quality, but at least they will be available for Noah and Edwin in the future. My first video of the family is now on YouTube – Ed and Noah in Detroit.
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