Capturing the Moment: The Importance of Photography in the Memorial
Photography, as a medium, is both powerful and timeless, offering a way to freeze a moment and create a bridge between the past and future. In the Remembering Together project, photography was not just a tool to document our progress but also an essential medium for healing and reflection. Through hundreds of photographs taken across Clackmannanshire, we were able to preserve the memories of this collective journey and capture the raw emotions, the creativity, and the resilience of the community as they navigated through the aftermath of the pandemic.
Photography as a Pause in a Fast-Paced World
In today’s society, there is immense pressure to keep moving forward, to achieve more, and to always be “on.” This constant drive often leaves little room for reflection and healing. As we rushed back into our daily lives after the pandemic, photography provided a much-needed pause—a moment to stop, breathe, and truly see what was happening around us. It enabled individuals and communities to reflect on their experiences, to connect with each other, and to make sense of the complex emotions they were feeling.
As Rolf Dobelli states in The Art of the Good Life, "Reflection is one of the few ways that people can learn from experience." Photography allows us that reflective space, offering a visual archive of emotions and experiences, giving us time to process, to grieve, and to heal.
Learning and Transcending Through Photography
A significant moment captured in our project is that of a young person learning to thread a needle for the first time during one of our creative sewing workshops. This seemingly simple act is a metaphor for how photography—and by extension, creativity—can offer us moments of transcendence. When we slow down, when we give ourselves time to observe, we allow ourselves to learn and to feel in deeper, more meaningful ways.
Photography enabled the people of Clackmannanshire to transcend their own experiences of loss and isolation, capturing moments of connection, creativity, and hope. Each photograph became a testament to their resilience and a reminder that even in difficult times, beauty and community could still be found.
Archiving for Future Learning
In addition to documenting the emotional and creative journey of our communities, the photographs taken during this project have created a visual archive that will serve future generations. By preserving these images, we ensure that the lessons we’ve learned from this pandemic—about the importance of connection, creativity, and community—are not lost. These photographs offer insights not only into our current experiences but also into how we can be better prepared for future challenges.
As Sebastião Salgado, the renowned photographer, once said, “A photograph is not just an image on paper, it is a story, a memory, a connection to something larger than ourselves.” Through this archive, Clackmannanshire’s story of resilience, healing, and remembrance will be available to inspire and inform future generations.
Photography, in this project, served as more than a visual record—it was an emotional release, a way to connect with others, and a means to ensure that the stories and lessons of this time are never forgotten. These images remind us that, although we cannot stop time, we can hold on to moments of healing, creativity, and connection through the lens of a camera.
In 2025, some of the remarkable photography captured throughout the Remembering Together project will be showcased in the permanent exhibition at the Carsebridge Cultural Campus. As part of the Healing Together Festival on the 1st of June 2025, we will also host a community photography workshop. This workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to explore their creative expression, and the resulting photographs will culminate in an exhibition, enabling everyone to reflect on their own journey through the lens of art and healing.