Sontag suggest that a sense of immortality is captured through a camera lens and produced on a photo; Pictures such as one showing an image of a severly damaged ship with the image of the same ship before a hurricane in the corner exemplifies and emphasizes this claim by suggesting that immortality is a product of photography but not on accident.


Pressing gently down on the button to capture a moment in time is overlooked with the true power this action holds. Cameras are instantly seen as tools of memories and pleasures, and though most people understand this feature cameras have a more effective purpose. Sontag lists different abilities a camera has and the various motivational reasons on why people press down on the button. Reasons include to remember where a person was in the world or to appreciate a moment in time. These moments in time can be painful, joyous or serious but people part take in the action mentioned as a social right. People feel compelled to take pictures as proof of there adventures and "whatever is remarkable that they encounter". But why do people do this? Sontag briefly mentions it but taking a snapshot is a "kind of immortality". It is not just a kind but an actual act of immortality. People have been searching for an oasis or potion capable of this phenomenon, but they have actually have had the tool necessary to be immortalized and it is through a camera. People do not just take pictures to remember and have a sense of achievement in capturing the ultimate "kodak moment", but because it is the only source of immortality in today's world. Taking a picture allows an individual to go through a time machine an feel younger both mentally, spiritually and even physically.