The study
Participants on a guided museum tour were asked to photograph some objects and simply look at others. A day later they recognised fewer of the photographed objects and remembered fewer of their details. In a follow-up, people who zoomed in on part of an object before photographing it remembered it as well as the objects they had only looked at - including the parts outside the frame.
Why it happens
The usual explanation is cognitive offloading: when we expect a device to store something for us, we put less effort into remembering it ourselves. Taking the picture signals that the job is done. Zooming in reverses the effect because it forces the photographer to pay attention.
What it does not mean
- Photos are not bad for memory. Looking back at them later is one of the best ways to keep a memory.
- It is about attention, not cameras. Photographing while paying attention does not show the same loss.
- It is one line of research. Later studies have added nuance, and the size of the effect varies with the situation.
In practice
Look first and shoot second, photograph details as well as the wide view, and - above all - come back to your photos. Practical ideas are in what to do with thousands of travel photos.
Puzzport: Photo Puzzle Maker
Trip photos turned into jigsaws and memory games that bring the day back. · iPhone, iPad, Mac & Apple TV