Do you document an abandoned mall or just let it be? I messed it up and learned the hard way

So I hit up this old two story mall outside of Akron last month, the one with the cracked tile and a food court that still smells like grease. I brought a clipboard like I always do, writing down anchor store names and weird stains, trying to log everything. But about halfway through, my phone died and I left the clipboard in the car. So I just walked around with no plan, no notes, no camera. And it was totally different, I actually looked at the ceiling tiles and the way the light came through the broken skylight. I caught myself just standing in one spot for like ten minutes staring at a dried up water fountain. Here's the thing, I almost feel like documenting it ruined the first half. Like I was there to record it instead of experience it. But then again, without the notes I can't remember half the details now, it's all a blur. So which is it, are we explorers or archivists? Does writing it down kill the moment or are we just dumb without it? Has anyone else tried going in blind after always taking notes, and did you feel the same split?

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hugog4316d ago

Photography never quite captures what your eyes do, but without the notes you lose the day. Going blind is better while you're there, worse after.