Photographic Memory

[jwh335]

A brief introduction, as I do not know anybody here
Hi, everybody. I'm new, in regards to posting, to these forums. However, I've been a reader of Steve's blog for a decent amount of time. (very brief and obvious, :P)

Now, on to business. I've been curious lately if it is possible to develop a photographic memory. I was not born with it, so it would be greatly helpful if it were possible for me to develop it.

I've searched Google some and found conflicting reports. So, I've come to the conclusion that the best way to find out if it is possible would be asking others who might have possibly tried.

Have any of you been successful at the development of a photographic memory?

All responses are appreciated.

[Parthon]

I used to be a complete scatterbrain. I'd forget things constantly and never remember much. Then one day I got sick of it and just decided to stop forgetting things. Over about 2 years, without doing any mental exercises my memory improved until it's near photographic. I remember things clearly and can recall many things each day almost like a playback from a camera. Like the classic quote "I have a photographic memory, it's just undeveloped." I think anyone can develop it.

One tricky part is uncovering why you forget things. Another reason why people are forgetful is because they get something out of it. My main reason I used to forget is that it got me out of doing work. Unfortunately it made more work in the long run and when I discovered that fact, it led to my decision to stop forgetting things.

I hope this sheds some light on it. As for me, I say Yes you can!

[aSearchingSoul]

Hello, jwh, nice to meet you!

You can absolutely develop a photographic memory. Though, since you haven't used the skill, it will take a good deal of visualization exercies and such to get to the point where you can "take mental pictures" of objects, people, scenes, a brief period of time, etc. I've been utilizing images in my mind as long as I can remember, since I was a wee one. I can't recall ever consciously performing exercises for any of it though. Well, not until the fairly recent past when I began using visualizations for things other than supplementing my memory. I believe you'll find it fairly easy to get started though, as many people begin with a similar way as seen below.

To start, keep it very simple. You can do the following just once a day if you'd like, or as much as you wish. I would recommend at least once daily to get your mind more used to the idea.
Now, imagine a single image of your choosing. This image could be as simple as a basic shape, a circle or square. Or as complex an image as you are comfortable with, just go with the first doable image that pops into your head.

Next, decide on your image, think of how it looks, and imagine seeing the image, in your mind. Once you are able to muster the image, keep it in your head for ten seconds. If you find ten seconds to be far too trivial an amount of time, move the amount of time up! Do this for as long as you need to become absolutely comfortable with it.

Whenever you move up with the amount of time for which you are holding an image in your mind, be sure to slide it down a bit if/when you are having a very rough time. If you're going for thirty seconds, but can barely manage sixteen, I would go for twenty seconds until you can do that without trouble.

As you become more proficient you can imagine complex scenarios with incredible, life-like detail and enjoy your own mental recording of a scenario you mentally created to exercise your mind.

I hope this helps and at least gives you an idea on how simple it can be to "see pictures in your head".

[Brutha]

The former world champion of Memory Dominic O'Brian was, bad at school and dropt out. But after delibertate pratice he developed very good memorisation abilitys.