I've finished the course on streoscopy and stereoscopic photography provided by FutureLearn and the University of Edinburgh. I can say that it was quite useful
(as when I started my offline photo course I felt quite comfortable when we went through the history of photography as I knew some names and got the connections between them. Not a big deal but... I did enjoy this feeling) and exiting. I really got interested in stereophotography and I am even thinking over the possibility of doing something like that. It definitely has a certain charm.
Stick to the point: During the course there were some discussions on relevant topics. This one I'd like to speak on here. You, whoever you are, welcome to share your thoughts about it, as usual.
Here it isIn the 19th century, stereo views were considered by some to be so real, and so convenient to use that they almost replaced the desire to travel.
Do you think our current use of the internet and sharing travel images by social media, has reduced our desire to travel?
When we do travel and take photographs, are we enjoying being somewhere different - or are we too absorbed in capturing an image, to feel a sense of place?
This phenomenon of the 19th century was called "armchair travel" because one only needed an armchair, a stereoscope and a set of pictures. No tickets, no luggage. The easiest way to see lots of things and less dangerous (taking into account the means of transport one had at his service).
In my opinion, social media nowadays doesn't kill the desire to travel and even vice versa it definetely promotes such desires. It is more and more important for people to see things with their own eyes. And that's true that you can't substitute these impressions with plain pictures. I've already touched upon the subject that to be there-somewhere is more important that to read all the books on the topic. Sad but true. It's sad because there still people who have no opportunity to travel and these pictures are probably all they have to see the world. The Internet just shows us what we can't get and probably never will be able. This is how I feel from time to time when come across pictures of places where I've been or would like to be. Not always, not always but I know this feeling too good. Social media definitely makes ME envy at the possibilities to travel which I don't have. I try to get over this feeling but not successful enough.
As for the second question I absoutely agree with the statement that capturing an image (and immediately sharing it in the social networks) dominates the feeling of the place. I think this point needs no proofs. The lifestyle is to be blame for. But we can fight with that.
Of course, it's natural to want and to be able to "take" such memories from your travelling. I am a person who never leaves home without a camera if something interesting is likely to happen. Especially, if it's a real travel. But I consider it cruicial to see and feel the world directly, at the given moment, foggeting everything else, that is what called - carpe diem.