Photography and The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

Montréal by Heri, Canon EOS-M, 22m @ f2.2

One of my favorite movies is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by Ben Stiller.

There are many takes from the movie, and one of them is photography.

Why do you do photography? Many ask me the question.

The question is hard to answer, and makes you even wonder about life. Fortunately, Ben Stiller’s movie can bring a few answers. I have more but the following cam give you enough cues.

The biggest reason is to appreciate beauty and detail. In the Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Sean O’Connel, the cinematic photographer, tries to take a picture of the elusive Snow Leopard. But he decides to not take the shot because he wants to experience the moment, instead of busying the mind with the task. For me, photography is indeed a mode of noticing beauty, whether you take the shot or not.

So you go out there, spend hours looking, experiencing, putting a scene together. You find a fleeting beauty. You obsess over it. Was it a fragment of your imagination? Or could you capture it and share it with others? And how? So the quest continues for the perfect beauty..

Another reason is story-telling. A photographer is first and foremost a citizen and human being with their own perception, views and history. They might experience something where many don’t, or view a situation differently.

In the movie, Sean’s photos are more than just images, they tell stories. The missing “Negative 25,” representing the quintessence of life, is integral to the story. It symbolizes how photography can communicate emotions and truths beyond words. Walter’s journey to retrieve the negative becomes a story in itself. Likewise, “Crossing St-Viateur St” represents how I experienced that little Montréal street, in many ways different from the average tourist or local resident.

Photography is also a bridge, or a connection with others. It allows you to connect and understand others. When I first moved to Montréal, photography allowed me to mix in with different communities and get the essence of every artist, entrepreneur or Montréal present at the event. In the Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Sean is a loner by nature. His photographs forge a connection with Walter. They form a bond over their shared appreciation of life’s wonders. Photography also serves as a bridge for Walter, helping him connect with his coworkers, Cheryl, and even with himself.

Finally, one simple reason for photography is exploration, i.e. a gateway for adventure, from secluded parts of Québec to Montréal’s underground hacking groups or hip-hop. In the movie, Sean’s lifestyle represents the spirit of exploration. He goes to remote often dangerous locations to capture the world’s beauty. This inspires Walter to leave his mundane office life and step into the unknown.

Those are a few reasons why I put unreasonable amount of money on photo gear or why you see me taking so much time trying to frame a photo. It could just be me chasing away after beauty. Others find satisfation buying a fast sports car, or watching a football game with others, while I’d rather just click on the shutter.