Picture That

Through a different lens.

My previous column, “Picture This” delved into the personal impact of picture taking at parties. Now let’s zoom out to the macro and tackle the inverse proposition. Just how does the action of capturing photos and video affect a party’s atmosphere- including folks in your immediate vicinity and the wider party periphery?

The dancefloor isn’t solely about you or me- or the person next to you, or the DJ. It’s about all of us- collectively. And communal spaces warrant extra consideration of those around us. Because what we do (and don’t do) has a ripple effect on all in our proximity and extends past the party at large.

Who hasn’t been perturbed while prancing by a person at a standstill whose arm is outstretched, brightly lit screen in hand? If that doesn’t sound familiar, well…kudos to you. I’ll have whatever you’re having. From my vantage point, stationary bodies amidst a constellation of dancers is akin to an obtrusive object. And then there’s those who use flash- or even worse, have a friend lighting the whole scene as if they’re on a set.

There’s nothing like abrupt luminescence to disrupt the ambiance and snap people out of dreamlike dance states. Folks messing with the music just so they can record whatever it is that they fancy. When boiled down to brass tacks- they’re essentially prioritizing their memories over everyone else’s moment. It reminds me of poorly placed construction pylons slowing down all lanes of a highway. Just for you to drive to the front of it, and see nothing at the other end. Because dancing is a give and take of bodies in flux in space. And standing sedentary is a major road block.

Now, don’t get it twisted. I’m not saying photos on the dancefloor- is always a don’t.

But given how easily in reach our phones are, perhaps a bit more rigor of when, why and how are in order. What type of party is it? Are people pretty much living presently making your photo op out of place? Think about where you are. Both in placement and proximity to others too. Who’s surrounding you and what are they doing? And above all else- is that photo or video actually necessary?

Of course, that’s assuming photos and phones are even allowed at whatever given party you’re at. Because the “no phones” and “no photos” rules are more commonplace than they’ve ever been. And I’ve heard quite a lot of kvetching about these types of rules. My answer to that is- if you don’t like the policy and go anyways- just don’t be a douche. And if it bothers you so much that you think you’re above it, just don’t go. It really is that easy.

There are plenty of valid reasons that policies pertaining to photos and phones exist. It’s not just an attempt at reliving the nights and days of the analog age. Curating an atmosphere is tough- and limiting our use of cameras makes a ginormous impact. Because peering at screens rather than relying on our senses creates a barrier between us and the present. And casts a myopic focus alienating you from your fellow dancers. On top of all that- dancefloors full of photo ops rather than fancy footwork is dull and deadens the vibe overall. And when pervasive doesn’t leave much for DJs to react to when much of the crowd is standing there recording their every mix and move.

And while standing statuesque for snapshots can sometimes be rude- the banning of it can also prevent capturing of lewd moments. We’re highly vulnerable when mesmerized by music. The absence of photography encourages us to let it all hang out, which helps us to release and recharge.

And what exactly are you taking a photo or video of? If you’re just capturing a shit quality video and posting it simply for the clout of announcing that you were there- perhaps check that. At the moment, you might think it’s good- but is it really? Or are you just being a content hoarder causing more social media clutter? It never hurts to pause before tagging and posting.

All that being said, promoters engaging pro photographers for parties is typically waayyy under-utilized. It’s a particular scenario when photos can be a really, really good thing. Because these talented folks are often super savvy at navigating spaces, blending into the scene- often as unnoticeable as a fly on the wall. Which is how they get the good shots. They have a keen eye and skill for seizing magical moments that are out of the ordinary- which can even prove to be historic. I’d for one, love to see more of that happening. Because while as a society we’re inundated with photos- just how many of them are high quality, artistic and tell a story?!

As with most things, there’s no one size fits all. Parties, people and circumstances call for different measures. And as always, to each their own. But as you slow your dancing for that next snapshot, perhaps consider its impact on the collective moment vs using your memory.