Memories

#AMSAmember

Michael Li

I became interested in photography after coming to college, but I always used the excuse of not having a camera and being the opposite of artistic to not pursue my interest. In reality, I was probably just too scared of starting something new. However, I got the opportunity to learn photography when I decided to take VIS 60, an introduction to photography, at UCSD. I wouldn't say I immediately fell in love with photography, but I grew to appreciate it more and more until it became a part of my life. I used to be adamant on not taking photos during vacations because "if it's memorable I'll remember it. If I don't remember it then it was memorable enough." Pretentious, I know. As photography grew on me, I quickly realized the value of immortalizing memories. Our memories aren't perfect, and one day we'll probably regret not taking a quick picture to preserve that one happy moment.

I took this picture at a beach, Nan Liao (南寮) in my hometown of Hsinchu (新竹), Taiwan. There's no special meaning or anything I'm trying to convey with the picture (something my Photography TA would no doubt be on my ass about). It's just a shot of a beautiful, albeit dirty, beach that I grew up with. It's a memory that I hope I'll never forget.