It is a big thing to graduate from high school in Finland. Not because it is rare these days, but it once was, which means the traditions have held firm. The main part is that they get a white cap that looks a bit like a sailor's hat, and they will often wear it every May the 1st for the rest of their lives. And then, after the school ceremony for parents, there is usually some kind of graduation party held at the home, with family and friends giving a flower and usually some money instead of a present.
Today it was one of my wife's nephew's turn to graduate and the party was held at their summer cottage, which is an old converted farm building. It is nice out there and really quiet, other than the sounds of the forest and today, congratulations for the graduate. I was designated photographer (which is about all I am good for in the family) and took a lot of photos of guests and some portraits of the graduate, which I have to sot through and edit. I joked with him that if there isn't a good enough one for his mum, I will use AI to render a better version of him.
What a weird world when memories are faked.
But that is an article for another day.
Tonight though, I just wanted to write a bit of an appreciation post for my daughter, who is pretty awesome most of the time and is growing up fast. She was saying how it is about nine years away until she will graduate, which seems so long, but I reminded her it isn't that long. For her though today, it is a full lifetime and even when she gets there, it will be a half a life, but for me at that stage, it will only be a sixth of a lifetime.
Time moves faster and faster, the more we live.
I took those on my phone, so I have at least a couple photos with Smallsteps. As photographer, I am rarely in the photos and I am like an absent father if looking back through the many images from all the events. Perhaps I appear in some reflections or something, like a ghost. A reverse vampire - can only be seen in mirrors. But it is fun taking pictures of people and I wish I had the money for all the great lenses I would like to buy, but it is endless. I can do okay with what I have, but I have barely picked up the camera for people photography in ages.
Smallsteps "graduated" from her year three class today and her grades were "excellent for everything, which is pretty much par for the course for her. I am not too sure if that is the same for every kid in that age group, but these days I think there is a bit of a variation. However, since this is her first year at a new school where the kids are a fair bit more interested and motivated, the spread isn't as wide as it was at her previous place.
I get frustrated with her too often, as in so many ways she is able to hold her own in a conversation, but at the same time, I do forget she is not yet ten. I am guessing that this is common for many parents, but I also think it goes the other way a lot these days, where we underestimate how capable a child is. That holds them back also.
But, she is awesome.
And maybe one day she will come across this post, see the pictures and remember that once upon a time, she would have a laugh with her dad and there is even photographic evidence to prove it. But by then of course, she will question the authenticity of the image, since I might have used AI to create good times to trick her memories.
Trust no one?
She will learn.
Back to editing photos....
Taraz
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I spent the day going to various graduation parties today too. It's crazy just how quickly the time goes by.
Yes, it is. It seems as we get older the faster it goes too. Just talking to the wife about that the other day.
Every year is getting percentage-wise smaller on our life.
Just as we are wise enough to appreciate it more.
Yep. I will only get to be directly involved in one - hopefully I will be involved at least.
I would hope so!
Who needs expensive lenses when all you need is to capture the beautiful moments. I love the image on the right. So much love and happiness there
This is something I try to weigh up. Is the quality of the image as important as the quality of the moment?
I'm definitely in the moment camp.
Unless you're a pro or perfectionist, most cameras and mobiles do a decent job nowadays. I bet if you have any grainy photos of your parents or grand parents, you'd be so pleased that someone capture their precious moments back then for you today. That's priceless and what matters
Regretfully, kind of like you, many of the photos of my young adulthood were taken by me. So I do not appear in almost any. It is like I didn't exist to my kids until I was old and grey. LOL
You are doing an amazing job with Smallsteps. She sounds like a exceptional child.
I wonder if it is a good or bad thing? Do they remember differently because they have to use their own memory rather than an image prompt?
I don't know. I was really tough on the older one. He probably remembers me as a demon.
That's a nice tradition, love it. I love it that it is socially acceptable and doesn't make people feel awkward.
Story of the life of many of the users here on Hive. At least, who were born in the last century. This designated job is not necessarily limited to a photographer, mostly depends on the situation. It involves whatever the circumstances demand. I am mostly the designated dishwasher. I always believe that honor is a fleeting thing in such situations. 😇
Jokes aside, you are a wonderful photogrpher, no doubt. On the basis of whatever I have witnessed here on Hive.
At the age of 9, time runs slower and everything in the world feels bigger and larger. Beautiful photographs, she is cute. My congratulations to her for getting excellent grades.
I might be this at times too. That makes me twice as useful! :D
I agree 🙂
A lot of photographers make it about equipment such as lenses, cameras and lights but you really need only one decent camera and one or maybe two good zoom lenses. 24-105 for full frame sensor was all I needed 99% of the time for people photography...
I am on a MFT Olympus, and could do with a decent longer lens. I have a good 12-40 and a 60 prime.
Not the same for every child obviously but I have noted across the years in several areas (both academic and physical/sportswise) it's EXTREMELY easy to be good to amazing at everything when younger, and then fall off a cliff at some point XD
when it's not a school/some other compulsory thing you're forced to do some of the kids that have been coasting along purely on talent are unable to recover from the severe ego bashing and quit
The selfies are so cute :)
I now have a story seed germinating but I am equally sure I have already read something similar once upon a time XD
I guess it is the ability to focus being lost? Too much other crap to do?
I am sure. Reality is no longer very real, is it? All the fake lives of reality influencers, scripted reality programs, and now - the disreality of everyone's own view of themselves.
Nah stuff just gets harder whether it's as you advance through levels/tiers/leagues in sports or school years. The other two things you said also happen and definitely don't help.
Much Love G ✊🏻♥️
You are collecting memories for her. Keeping photos is such a great thing, I started to keep Photos when I was just started my College back in 2016, I got my first phone Samsung j6 and by the end of 2016 I saved almost 3 photos which I still have in my Google photos.
Whenever I open my Google photos, that really makes me happy and forced me in deep thoughts too...
Past was really great. But let's make Future brighter...
It's truly a delightful photo of a cheerful child and a smart father. Photo documentation serves as a keepsake, and can be viewed whenever. I don't think AI intervention to Polish photos is appropriate. Thank you @tarazkp.
To me, those two big smiles, eithout any expensive lense, beat everything. The shared memory, the pure joy, and thanks to the internet, the life long memory. I just hope she reads this on her high school graduation day and not before. Moreover, I am glad that the tradition is still alive. Few things really need to live on, until it's the end.
Congratulations to the pal!
Parents often underestimate their children’s capabilities, but they can truly surprise us with their maturity at such young ages.
I wish Smallsteps success ;)
Your daughter is so lovely. She will surely have a bright future because she is guided by loving and supportive parents. 😍
I loved that metaphor about the ‘reverse vampire’; it’s every photographer’s dilemma: being the chronicler of other people’s lives at the cost of seeming like a ghost in one’s own. But make no mistake, your presence is there in the light and in Smallsteps’smile.
Huge congratulations to her on completing her third year so successfully. In a country like Finland, where education is such a demanding yet humane pillar, seeing her excel and feel motivated at her new school is a great triumph. As a dad, striking that balance of not underestimating her but remembering she’s not yet ten is today’s challenge: to be both a guide and a refuge. Don’t worry about the AI of the future; the genuine love in these photos has metadata that no machine will ever be able to replicate: the gaze of a proud father.