Why do you take photographs?

[Bollygum]

Why not.....?

But why this particular why not, rather than all the other possible why nots?

I think "why not" is a wonderful answer. Honestly I don't think everyone needs a better answer than this, especially if they just do it because they have a camera and want to, in which case the answer is absolutely "why not?"

Fair enough. I guess I feel the need to ask myself those questions as I don't have the energy to do it all. I need to understand exactly which bits really push my buttons and which bits don't. For example, I may be asked to teach photography or present on it. I need to decide if I am going to enjoy that bit or not. Or travel to (say) Borneo to do some photography work? Is this going to be immersing myself in the forests and doing some photo work, or struggling with technology and panicking about things I have little control over?

 

[pez]

Because my parents enabled my life-long addiction at 6 by giving me a Crystar mini camera

 

[Bollygum]

Because my parents enabled my life-long addiction at 6 by giving me a Crystar mini camera

codependent parents, tut tut.

 

[stapo49]

Because I suck at painting.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[zombiesniper]

Kind of different for me depending on the type photography.

I've always taken photos. I was about 6 when I received my first old used camera. It was only ever a background task, keeping some memories until I found wildlife photography. This is where I became completely selfish and wanted the next best shot at near all costs. I'm quite focused when shooting wildlife and it's about the only time all the voices in my head want to do the same thing.

Studio work came about because as like right now, our area goes through periods where the birds and animals are getting ready for migration. There's not a lot to shoot at this time so I needed something to do, sure why not set up a studio and learn more. It'll always be second to getting out after wildlife but I have become quite content to be in the studio as well.

 

[Christie Photo]

But why photography? You could be an actor, a cook, a financial consultant or computer repairman and still please other people if you do your job well. Why photography?

Well... cooking too is one of my endeavors, along with musician.

But like everything else and everyone else, as I go down the road and experience new things, every once in a while something just clicks. Opportunities arise. We all discover ourselves as we live. Cooking was first. I made a living at it in my younger days. Now it's photography and music.

But photography is my "day job." It's what I do... who I am. There's no deep mystery. I can do it, so I do.

-Pete

 

[Solarflare]

Well, one day I needed a new hobby, and photography ... it makes you see the world differently.

 

[Bollygum]

But why photography? You could be an actor, a cook, a financial consultant or computer repairman and still please other people if you do your job well. Why photography?

Well... cooking too is one of my endeavors, along with musician.

But like everything else and everyone else, as I go down the road and experience new things, every once in a while something just clicks. Opportunities arise. We all discover ourselves as we live. Cooking was first. I made a living at it in my younger days. Now it's photography and music.

But photography is my "day job." It's what I do... who I am. There's no deep mystery. I can do it, so I do.

-Pete

I can relate to that. It's how I ended up in my job, which was in IT. I happened to be very good at it, which was great. Now I do what I want to, which turns out to be photography, though even that is a means to an end. Either way it helps if you are good at what you do.

 

[Alfiedog]

The thing I love about photography is that it's a combination of a highly technical skill and an applied artistic element: the personal satisfaction when you get both right and produce something pleasing to the eye (even if it's just my eye!) gives me a lift. So that's why I take photographs - it's the perfect channel to learn, to strive to get better, to improve my technical skills, to keep my ageing brain active, to express the artistic and creative side of my character, and to make me get out and about. I'm a member of a local club as well, which adds a social and competitive element to the whole thing, which I enjoy.

Initially, I took photographs purely for self gratification. I enjoy the process, I enjoy the challenge of getting decent image and am enjoying learning more and more about the post processing part of it. I especially like looking at an image which may have looked a little ordinary and un-inspired at first glance, but then seeing it's potential and giving it a bit or a crop, boosting the contrast a bit or whatever, or (my personal obsession) converting to mono, to see how it looks.

More recently, I've been lucky to get a few private commissions and have enjoyed the challenge of creating something which I would want the client to cherish, and I hope I've succeeded in that, although I wouldn't want to call it a living or a career. I'm retired anyhow and don't want get back into working in a formal sense.

So, I guess I take photographs for my own enjoyment, for the challenge, for the creative and artistic element (another who can't paint - but then, I don't want to .....) and for a social outlet. Works for me anyhow .....

 

[Wasp1]

I done my back in a long time ago and this meant many hours in bed.
Then our son was getting married and I wanted some better than normal shots.
I got my 1st DSLR camera and it was a Sony A390 and we had a great time together.

I then got photoshop and now I could make a few mistakes go away.
And now on those days when I was laid up I had my photo's to play with.

So I take photos as I really find it interesting and I know I have only just touched the surface.
With the camera and editing..

I found the other day a comment that got me a little, as to what was said.
I posted a photo of an Australian Magpie (white backed) and I just kept taking shots of it as it was following me.
The comment was you should wait until the bird is out of the way of the twigs.
There was no consideration to maybe this is the way I liked it all natural.
And it was, to me it added an extra interest to the shot.

But as this hobby is we all have our own way of what we like and sometime it should be asked.
But I take photos and I think I am saving a small snippet of time with that shot as it will never be there again.
SO we are the keepers of history and if you like your shots one way keep doing them that way.
Its the best hobby as there are s many way we can look at it. And thats why I love doing this.

 

[baturn]

It's a way of recording my travels. I travel with the intent of seeing wildlife and collecting images of same. I like to share a few of those images on this forum and with a local wildlife photography group. That's it.

 

[Bollygum]

I done my back in a long time ago and this meant many hours in bed.
Then our son was getting married and I wanted some better than normal shots.
I got my 1st DSLR camera and it was a Sony A390 and we had a great time together.

I then got photoshop and now I could make a few mistakes go away.
And now on those days when I was laid up I had my photo's to play with.

So I take photos as I really find it interesting and I know I have only just touched the surface.
With the camera and editing..

I found the other day a comment that got me a little, as to what was said.
I posted a photo of an Australian Magpie (white backed) and I just kept taking shots of it as it was following me.
The comment was you should wait until the bird is out of the way of the twigs.
There was no consideration to maybe this is the way I liked it all natural.
And it was, to me it added an extra interest to the shot.

But as this hobby is we all have our own way of what we like and sometime it should be asked.
But I take photos and I think I am saving a small snippet of time with that shot as it will never be there again.
SO we are the keepers of history and if you like your shots one way keep doing them that way.
Its the best hobby as there are s many way we can look at it. And thats why I love doing this.

I listened to a radio interview with a photo journalist who had worked for Life magazine in the 50s and 60s. Back ten the magazine not only had the copyright, but they also had the film. Now some of those photos are lost because the magazine copies are unavailable and the negatives have vanished with the demise of the magazine. Even though he suspects that the photos were important, he can't remember the details because he hasn't got the photo memories.

 

[rexbobcat]

It makes me feel socially responsible and significant. Photography isn't heart surgery but it's still important.

Also; I can't draw and I need validation so there's that.

 

[Jeff G]

I would have to say as a creative person it allows me an outlet with many options and challenges that keep me learning new things. It also has the benefit of working with other things I enjoy, such as nature. You don't even have to leave your own house/yard to see things in a new way or things you've never noticed or paid much attention too (Macro Photography comes to mind). I also like the fact that I can browse back through old photos that conjure memories and feelings from the past.

And gosh darn it , it's just a lot of fun!

 

[weepete]

Well, there's a real beauty in the landscape and it facinates me.