What a picture!

I saw an interesting programme recently entitled the Genius of Photography. It was screened on 21st Feb is unfortunately not available to re-watch on BBC-iplayer otherwise I would have suggested that all my photography loving friends watch it!
It detailed the invention of the first cameras and film development process which coincided with the explosion of the industrial age. It was as if the concept of time itself altered, as train travel was becoming more popular, journeys were faster. Rather than being restricted by the speed of the fastest horse, it was possible to 'cheat' time and speed past it in a train and with the invention of the photograph it was possible to freeze and almost bi-sect time.
What was fascinating was the rise of the amateur photographer. Prior to this the medium for art was restricted to paint or sculpture but with the production of the first Kodak and Brownie cameras, anyone could afford to document their lives and the world around them on film. It was the amateur photographer who discovered most about the medium as they experimented. Gone were the stiff portraits and in their place were pictures of friends and family smiling directly at the camera.
It reminded me of Stephen Poliakoff's drama 'Shooting the Past' which is all about a photography collection and the fight of those who love it to keep it together (if I could write like Mr Poliakoff I would be very happy - if you get a chance to watch any of his productions - do!).
All this made me feel quite inspired to take more photographs but also to wonder will pictures that we've taken be discovered in a shoe box and end up in a museum? What will these snapshots of moments in my time communicate to those in the future? Will they realise that I am not in fact drunk in most of the photos but that I just have a tendency to blink at the wrong moment?
Cameras are a wonderful invention that perhaps we take for granted a little but I now appreciate the creative opportunity that is so accessible and I vow to take more advantage of it!