Is Your Camera Keeping You From Experiencing Life’s Precious Moments?

Yesterday we shared a cringeworthy short film about how photo sharing has altered the way we experience the special moments in our lives; instead of being in the moment and enjoying it, it’s easy to get caught up with making sure it’s caught on camera (and perhaps shared on social media).

The 2-minute movie clip above shows a different outlook on life and photography. It’s from the film “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty,” and features actor Sean Penn as a photographer named Sean O’Connell.

After searching high and low for the elusive snow leopard, O’Connell finally spots one of the “ghost cats” through his viewfinder. But instead of snapping all the frames he can, he simply sits and stars in wonder. Walter Mitty (played by Ben Stiller), is confused by this.

“When are you going to take it?,” Mitty asks O’Connell.

“Sometimes I don’t,” he replies. “If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it.”

“Stay in it?”

“Yeah. Right there. Right here.”