Why do You Take photographs

[PolaroidSky]

Why?... it's a big and broad question!... personal reasons and more interior motivations, both apply for me, I think.

I took to my camera as a way (at the time) of re-integrating myself into a world that I had very much distanced myself from and the result was a connection with both the people and community around me and a desire to try to get stories told, lives recorded and in a way make a lasting record of situations and people, fellow human beings that go through life somewhat un-noticed. It was a way of my reaching out and a way of combating fears and a way of life too... with a camera never far away it reminded me how to look at the world again after a time of forgetting how to.

Using a camera was a good way to make other people important, I felt that using a camera had less to do with my input than say painting or music, both things that I had done for years and invested a great deal of "self" into... as my photography began the fact that I was able to approach it and the focus being on the other side of the lens rather than my being behind it was a real help to me. That may have changed over the last few years as I have made more conscious decisions, what to shoot and what positive things I might be able to do with any resulting images or stories but in principle that scenario remains the same for me - who the the photo is of remains the most relevant aspect to me.

Karen, your a total star!... and Mark, for your news, please accept my thoughts and best wishes, I always enjoy your shots and activity here in the forums. Photographs, good or bad are always important, always tell a story, always preserve a moment, forever and thats why I love them : )

[tomdinning]

Just joined the site and looking for a lace to start really. This seems as good as any.
I take photo's for a lot of reasons:
I teach photography. I take pictures which help me teach concepts.
I like problem solving. Every photo I take is a problem to be solved.
I like telling stories. Photos can tell stories.
I like a challenge. Every day I challenge my skills and knowledge in photography.
I like to keep busy. I photograph every day.
I like to take photographs that do different things: describe, explain, interpret and evaluate what is going on around me.
I like experimenting.
I like showing off.
I like learning.
I like the sound of the D3 when the shutter is released.

There's more but that's a start.

Cheers
Tom

[MattUK]

Wow, old thread. Still...

For me, it's all about capturing and sharing moments. We have the ability to take a tiny slice of time and life, immortalise it, then share it with the entire world.

That's like having the ability to share a memory - not just by recounting it with words, but by letting people see what I saw, feel what I felt, even taste, smell and hear what I did, given the right imagination.

To me that's pretty powerful.

[Cutter]

This is one of my best threads, it seems i know a part of all who have contributed, for that I say a big thank you. Your thoughts and your beliefs are sometimes never heard but i believe that when examining ourselves like Jim we become better people and photographers.

[dan123]

wow what a question, you guys have some storys to tell, amazing, ive always had a camera maily messing with it, started properly when i finished working and went to uni, instantly hated uni, so i went back to the camera and got on with it, i see it as more of a joy to be out, and pictures can make a differnece, i love seeing how people react from them,

one of the things that keeps me going though the days sometimes, that abilty to dissapear with a camera and tripod for a few hours is amazing, photography fishing are the main escapes for me, just love itt, always will,

dan,

[Ant_101]

This looks like a good place for my first post.

For me, I guess it's because I needed another creative outlet.

I'd been involved in the local music scene (or what there is of one) and that was my main artistic avenue. However, recently I went back to college as a mature student to study sound engineering.
So, what had been my hobby to escape from my job ended up becoming what I do most days. I needed another hobby to replace that, to take my mind off my studies and other stuff.

I had an old Fuji S9500 I'd had kicking around for a while and dug that out to experiment. Finding I liked photography, and after trying a friend's, I picked up a Canon 550D, as my Fuji couldn't keep up with what I was trying and here I am. Still enjoying the experimenting with different styles stage.

I did dabble a bit with drawing and painting, but you'd get better results giving a crayon to a one armed monkey.

Strangely though, the music and photo worlds seem to be colliding for me as I've had a fair few requests from local bands to do gig photos for them.


So yeah, the short version, enjoyment and relaxation.

[Drew Smith]

The thread will probably live on for some time to come Mark, I've only just seen it!

Okay, firstly, Mark, I'm shocked and upset to hear that you are suffering from something that can't be remedied. My thoughts to you Sir.

Karen - well done, that took courage. We are also a beneficiary of that 'silver lining' as your pics are some of the best on the Forum.

Why do I take photographs?

I've always drawn and painted from my earliest memories. I find it consuming and liberating and when something comes out just right it's a marvellous adrenalin rush.

When I was 17 I bought a Praktica LTL SLR, but quickly became fed up with waiting for the films to be developed, so I stopped using it after a couple of months.

I love the instant feedback digital gives and now we have software darkrooms I don't have to wait to see the results. I really enjoy the combination of taking photographs and image manipulation in photoshop (have you noticed? ).

My camera takes me to places I would never normally have visited and I've witnessed events I would never have known about and I've met wonderful people I otherwise would never have spoken to. It's enriched my life in a very real sense.

[zigga01]

I'm with Drew on this one...I've only just seen it but I am glad I came across it.

I personally take photos for a bit of fun. I also take them on the off chance I might find and capture something unique. I have a 14 month old son and cannot stop photographing him either.

How often do you pull out a photo album and recall a funny, sad, exciting, emotional moment and have it trigger a full on conversation. I know it's an old saying but a picture does paint a thousand words!

I have wanted to improve my photography since I bought my Fuji about 3 years ago but never had the drive to do it until I joined this site in December (shame on me I know!) When I look at some of the photographs produced by a group of superbly talented people on this site it makes me want to get out there and emulate them. I've already started to try and be a bit more creative - I just need a better camera!

[splitfield]

For me it's all about the image that I want to show. I wouldn't say that the medium is irelevant but then I paint and draw (after a fashion), create collages and use my scanner a great deal. I do like experimenting with photography - Ive been at it for over 40 years now and there's always something more to learn. I've never exhibited or entered a competition - it's strictly for personal satisfaction. If someone else likes the image then that's a bonus. I rarely sell anything, most of my work gets given away. Digital photography and fast computers has given me an endless hobby that will stay for the rest of my life.

It's great to read about all of your reasons and stories. Long may you all continue!

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by splitfield

For me it's all about the image that I want to show. I wouldn't say that the medium is irelevant but then I paint and draw (after a fashion), create collages and use my scanner a great deal. I do like experimenting with photography - Ive been at it for over 40 years now and there's always something more to learn. I've never exhibited or entered a competition - it's strictly for personal satisfaction. If someone else likes the image then that's a bonus. I rarely sell anything, most of my work gets given away. Digital photography and fast computers has given me an endless hobby that will stay for the rest of my life.

It's great to read about all of your reasons and stories. Long may you all continue!

Why not share your photos and enter the weekend comp! its great fun and you see other members ideas and how they work