Why do You Take photographs

[karenoliver]

Interesting that a few people said they photograph because they can't draw or paint. So, given the choice would people choose to be able to paint and draw well or would they choose to make good photographs?

Karen

[GeoffWessex]

There's a streak of creativity in nearly everybody and I'm sure many people would like to be able to draw or paint.... but decided that photography may be their way to at least create a picture. Then they get hooked on photography for its own sake (and not as a 'substitute') and just stick with it. Many people in the past must have picked up a film camera and struggled with the sheer logistics of developing and printing - and then lost their interest. But I think that many more people 'stick with' photography nowadays because, with digital, the 'craft' doesn't get in the way of 'creativity' quite as much as in the past.

Perhaps a few too many generalisations there, and I expect some people take up photography, find they like it and then give painting and drawing a go. And many more that start taking pictures when a new family members arrives - and find they're hooked!

Whatever the film 'die-hards' say, digital photography has so many benefits to creativity - most importantly in getting instant results for their experimentation.

[ABERS]

I enjoy my photography and derive a great satisfaction from producing something that I have envisaged, thought about and worked on. I'm not a prolific taker of pictures, perhaps 30 - 40 on a day's outing, but finding one that hits the spot for me when I get home is always a bit of an adrenalin rush.

Not having had any formal training in art or art appreciation, the other pleasure I get is the spin off from looking at other art forms and seeing how the artist has used his/her medium to evoke a reaction in me.

[KeithT]

Originally Posted by pburness

My normal question is " What the hell did I take that picture for?"

Phil

That's a question I am always asking myself. It's even worse with digital because it doesn't cost anything to merrily click away regardless. I do restrain myself these days and treat digital like I have a roll of film in the camera, but only because I am too lazy to scroll through hundreds of shots to find the one shot I'm pleased with. Even so, I often sigh and ask your question once I have downloaded them to the computer...

I began my serious working career as a film projectionist simply because I was madly in love with the moving image at the time. Those foreign black and white movies of the 1950's were my passion - Riffifi; The red Balloon; Virgin Spring (1960s); The Red Inn etc etc. All had a style and atmosphere that fascinated me. It carried on with me getting into photography and I have never looked back.

[AndyStevens]

Karen, I think it's admirable what you've achieved considering what you've been through. Just getting out and taking the great shots you do must be uplifting - and being part of this community certainly makes me feel welcome so hope it helps you too.

and Mark, sorry to hear your news - makes your signature a lot more...poignant I think is the word.

If I had half the courage of you both!


Why do I take photographs? I honestly don't know.

I love the outdoors and even before photography took a hold (and during my ten year gap from it) I still used to get up early and enjoy the dawn chorus and sunrise - and sit on the beach watching the sun set - when time allowed that was. And I really enjoy technology - computers and software are my day job selling high-end automated workflows and colour management systems to agencies and publishers so I enjoy the colour space conversions, ICC profiling, corrections etc etc etc.

I used to use 35mm back in my 20's and then life/sport/work got in the way and I was never at home so I ended up mothballing the camera. Then, I knackered my knee and had to stop sport so started going out on gentle mountain bike rides to strenthen my leg/knee which led to me falling in love with the countryside again (grew up in a tiny Cotswold village, now within easy reach of Dorset's Purbeck Hills, Jurassic Coast and New Forest).

I guess photography is a way of me recording these wonderful sights I see around me. And I have to admit, there's nothing quite like seeing your images printed large and hung on a wall with people stopping to look and comment. Do I care if they buy one? Not really, if they've stopped and shared one of my moments in time, that makes me smile.

Would I like to be a fulltime pro? Probably not. My sport got almost to that level and it started to take the edge off the enjoyment as I had to do it when others wanted, not when I wanted. Would I like enough money in the bank so I could do photography all day every day with the latest gear and without any pressure? Do I really need to answer that?

Thanks for posing the question Mark - still not sure I've answered it!

Cheers
Andy

[Markulous]

My reasons are far more ordinary than others

Always had an interest in photography but, as said previously, with film I couldn't remember why I'd taken some image because of the delay in processing. Digital changed all that and the internet provided plenty of positive criticism to point me in a better direction for my shots.

I guess now I take pics to see if I can't recreate a visual moment that I considered worth capturing, whether it be living or inanimate - and, of course, always pursuing the 'killer' shot! Doesn't harm that some are prepared to pay for pics taken or even for me to take pics for them - but I'm not driven by that. Ultimately it's the overall enjoyment I get taking the shot and then the secondary enjoyment of maximising the resultant image.

Love attempting to get the most out of any bit of kit, whether it be my mobile, G11, Sigmas, Canons, kit lens, M42 or L - tripods, rails, tubes, teleconverters or flash. Recently got fed up with the rubbish that the so-called pro at eldest's uni produced in the way of studio pics that we've got studio lights on the way - something I've avoided up until now as I've never had a real interest in studio photography

Try to avoid pastiche but inevitably take many images that've been done before, but hey, it's all a good learning experience! Try to cover everything from wildlife, through landscapes and down to macros. If it moves then shoot it and if it doesn't move, shoot it twice in case it moves!

Hmmm....... bit of a book I've written there but then you don't have to read it!

[cosmicma]

i take photographs because i want to
the truth of the matter is if i thought about it too deeply i probably wouldn't take any at all

i like the challange and the satisfaction of capturing a good image or moment in time

[wavemachine]

That is a really good question Mark and not something I have really thought about so here are my thoughts.

Since I was a lad I have always loved looking at photos sometimes just enjoying the picture other times trying to visualise the memories people have.

My grandad had a Zenith E SLR which I was really fascinated by when I was 14 and he occassionally would let me take a picture with it when I was on holiday, saddly he died a few months later and I inherrited the camera and enjoyed taking photos with it, when I turned 18 I bought an OM-20 which I used a lot and I have fond memories of me and a friend who also had an OM-20 going places and comparing shots (he is a pro now).

In 2001 I bought my first Digital and loved it, it re-awoke the SLR facination in me I just love to capture memories, put together books so people can re-live the event. It is also about trying to capture the amazing natural moments that occur every day every time I look out of the window I am constantly looking at every detail of my surroundings to see what would make an interisting picture.

I have also rebelled along the way usually when my wife tries to get me to make a living out of it, for me it is a hobby almost an escape so I think like others here because I can't draw or paint it is a way of expressing myself artisticly, it is something I am passionete and protective of and I do not want to spoil it by trying to get comercial.

I also find it helps me enjoy my surroundings more whether it is in the country, urban or even a social event by looking for images I seem to get far more out of it.

Originally it was more about preserving and capturing memories but in the last year it has also been about art and interacting with other like minded people such as yourselve's.

Hopefully all that will make some sense

[Cutter]

Wow what fascinating stories and thoughts you all have. I have enjoyed reading your thoughts and hope you have enjoyed sharing them with us all on this Forum, Thank you friends

[ketti]

JUST for enjoyment.