A moment in time frozen forever.

This is what we do as photographers. This is really what makes this whole genre so fascinating, so unusual. A two dimensional image lacking that fourth dimension, time, that captures an instant in the time-space continuum. An unique instant. I was recently at the Met to see the Exhibit on Steiglitz, Strand and Steichen and was mesmerized at these photos of New York in the twenties. Some were almost contemporary. But a photo of large buildings made me stop and think about the lives that were being lived by the myriad of people inside these structures. All had come to work that day probably on the subway; all had returned home to their daily chores; all had needs, desires hopes and differing opinions. Yet that photo froze all of these people forever. It was the same with photos of a street scene with people all walking and going their separate ways. All looked important and serious in what they were doing and being New Yorkers all seemed to be in a hurry. But where did they go right after the image was taken? No matter where they went, it really doesn't matter much anymore. It makes you wonder what all our fretting is about. as the bard says it signifies nothing. It takes a photo to make one realize that nothing is really that important in the end. It's all a futile roller coaster ride to eternity and nothingness.
Not a very optimistic or positive viewpoint but an honest one. What I always say when I face something that initially irks me is: will it matter in a hundred years? Think about it and as the message on the answering machine says, have a wonderful day.