why do you do photography?

[skimmilk68]

why do you do photography?
i love it and i wanted to know other's motives

mainly for me, i wanted to replace all the ugly pictures and arts hung around my house (my mom has really bad taste in decorating)

[Candid Bandit]

Well.. my name says it all.. Nice idea for a thread!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Other,
It get's me out there with the birds and out of the city.

[tbfoto]

I think for me I'm always looking for that one great shot that I can be really proud of. I really dont care if anyone else sees it or not. It's a personal thing for me. My Grandfather gave me his camera equipment just before he passed away. I know he's watching. I would like to make him proud. So I keep shooting.

tbfoto

[pcasciola]

I answered "I like to capture every moment of my/others life" because it was the closest fit, but that's only part of it, and I don't try to capture "every" moment. I really like the emotions I feel when I look at photos, mine as well as others (Mostly others because they are better photographers than me). I can look at photos all day, whether it be looking at my own photos on the computer to bring back good memories, thumbing through magazines at home, browsing pics here on POTN or FM, etc.

[aam1234]

Other: as an art form.

[KevC]

I answered "I like to capture every moment of my/others life" because it was the closest fit, but that's only part of it, and I don't try to capture "every" moment. I really like the emotions I feel when I look at photos, mine as well as others (Mostly others because they are better photographers than me). I can look at photos all day, whether it be looking at my own photos on the computer to bring back good memories, thumbing through magazines at home, browsing pics here on POTN or FM, etc.

He feels the same way I do :)

[NEC1236]

I was 10 years old and was given a Kodak instamatic, I started taking pictures and never looked back, I have worked with and shot photography for 38 years. I have made my on prints, made halftones, separations and retouched some great photographers work. Now I am shooting commercial and art photos, I can not imagine not shooting, it would be like telling me I am not going to ever eat food again. I have had mentors and have taught photography. I eat drink and and sleep photography and imaging. I learn new things every day. And look forward tomorrow because I do not know who is going to ask me to do what new and unusual subject. God I love this !

[blinking8s]

Well, i get paid...student job though...so I wouldnt say it pays the bills. But as long as my interest (which grows every day) holds then hopefully it wont be long before it does pay the bills.

I don’t CARE about the money as much as the achievement. Getting recognized for a good picture is the ultimate high. If you are doing it ALL the time then I see money being a serious matter.

[Jesper]

For myself, because I like to play with the equipment and create things, images in this case. It's an interesting combination of technical stuff and art, creative things. I sometimes also make photos for my friends (I know a few musicians and my photos have already been used for three CDs), and ofcourse I like it when they like my photos, but that's not why I started with photography.

Btw, this is not the first time we have a poll / topic about this subject.

[tim]

As art, to put on my walls, to get compliments from others, and to get me away from my computer.

[blinking8s]

As art, to put on my walls, to get compliments from others, and to get me away from my computer.

yup...to get away from the computer!!!

[Blackbird]

Other. I like to get out and about.

[Ikinaa]

Other :

I do photography for taking pictures, I like shooting.
Most of the time it isn't the result that counts, but the fact to take pictures...
As a german bank once stated in the publicities... 'Der Weg ist das Ziel' ('The way is the goal').
Of course I try to document family life too.

[G3owner]

Other. For memories, for documenting things and sometimes for art. And becuse it's a lot of fun ;)

G3owner

[PhotosGuy]

All of the above, + a few more! ;-)

[Scottes]

Other. It gets me out, it gets me to see new things, nature is beautiful, nature is quieter than the city, wildlife is beautiful, wildlife is better-looking than the general public, fresh air, it gets me out... All along that line, I guess, though I also have to admit that I like it when I take a good picture.

[Andy_T]

Other:

For the fun of getting the picture, for the memory of looking at it again, for the improvement of my personal style and capability.

Best regards,
Andy

[Belmondo]

Other.

I rarely look at old photos. I don't sell them or give them away, I don't show them off or hang them on the wall. I just enjoy the process.

[steven]

Other:
It forces me to look at the world/people/places around me in a different way.
I learn to "see" what is there. So often I find that I get acustom to what is around me that I stop "seeing" what is there.
When I grab a camera everything becomes a possible picture so I start to "see" many new thing:)

steve

[dewmuw]

Other - I love being outdoors and my job doesn't let me, but my camera does.

[Belmondo]

Other - I love being outdoors and my job doesn't let me, but my camera does.

You touch on something I completely neglected in my earlier answer....photography gets me up off the sofa and out into the real world. The last time I went out chasing trains, I wore a pedometer and clocked about 7 miles just wandering around looking for vantage points. If you told me I had to walk that far, I'd probably faint.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Other.

Strictly for me.

I picked up a camera as an add-on to my work skills but it quickly became something just for me. I enjoyed the learning process and seeing what I could do/create with my skill and equipment.

I don't (rarely) show my work, and will usually not give out my work.

I am very happy to see my progression in this field.

Maybe I'm wrong to do this in this manner, but I took up golf just for me and I treat this hobby the same way.

[Barb42]

Other: fine art photography

[Longwatcher]

I may joke and say that it allows me to get beautiful women to pose sans clothes for me, but the truth is it allows me to express my artistic side and use my imagination. Trying to come up with new and unique ways of photographing women while still making them look sensual is a real challenge to my imagination and I like that.

Trying to emulate certain looks from other eras allows me to develop skills that I believe will eventually help me to create masterworks of the photographic art (or so I hope). I use those as a basis to start with and then I go off in another direction.

My equipment choices are based on the need to give me the flexability to do whatever I want with my art.

[memories]

I like to use photography as an esteem booster for older children, teens, and young adults. You might be surprised at the difference it makes in a young persons life to really see themselves. Of course that can go the other way and be an encouragment to make a change.

[flyfisher]

other: at first to take portriats of my family then started doing weddings and industrial on the side
now for myself as art .

[brianclark4]

Other;

Like Steve, photography makes you look at your surroundings in a different light, which makes the world a much more beautiful place. It's also nice to look at past photographs, which rekindle memories of places and events.

Long may it continue;)

[poke]

other: i had never really explored my artistic side until i started taking photos. now i find it immensly relaxing to forget everything going on, and just try to get one of those photos that you look at and go wow... i don't care if nobody else sees it, although i do enjoy seeing the expressions on peoples faces when they see one they like.

[pradeep1]

#3, #4, #5....wishing #2 :p

[mikesd]

Other. Can't dance/can't sing so it fullfills the need to create.

[boomer1959]

Other
Emties my mind of everything else. I find it very relaxing, very enjoyable.

[Jon]

Other -
"There are places I remember, " and I like to be able to look back at them on paper or the screen. Of course, it doesn't hurt when other people decide to ooh and aah at some of them (all too few, both people and photos ;{(# ).

[ShutteringFocus]

www.trumendousz.com/myessays/lensreflection.html

There's a link to my web-site where I have a collection of essays I have written. This one is about me and my camera.

Basically I take pictures because I love to. It gets me out there, to new places, meeting new people. It presents new challenges every day.

And basically

Heck...

Its just fun man!

[NJDrew]

other -

One of the two main reasons im still doing photography is for other people’s enjoyment. 90% of my time is spent at the track taking action shots of beginners who just want a couple of nice pics of themselves to show to friends and family. The rest of my time shooting is at family events. To capture the moment for others. The other main reason is I can do much better. "You are your own worst critic" and I enjoy see my progress as I improve.

[ARTSPACE]

When I'm looking through the lens...nothing else matters...nothing can distract me...I am seeing life from a completely unique viewpoint and I'm at peace. My second favorite part is looking at those photos on my monitor and seeing all the things I didn't see throught the viewfinder.

[epeace]

i think my motives change from day to day . . . but mainly i just love to take pictures . . . no real reason either . . . although im sure i could think up a few if i tried . .

[trustwoody]

It is a geeks solution to stopping to smell the roses. Life can get out of control and sometimes we can all go so fast by everything in life that we miss the important stuff. My taking 15 minutes out of a trip someplace in the rat race and trying to capture a bird or a interesting person or a sunset or... just plain does something for my soul.

[minimos]

i like to express myself, also capture beautiful scenes of nature, or friendly events...

[NikonF4s]

To get chicks man, isn't that why everyone does it? So yeah, I'm thinking about giving it up,:( haha.

[Bodryn]

I got back into photography because I wasn't satisfied with the downloadable wallpaper out there and decided it would be cool to have wallpaper that I had gotten myself and that I could recognize from having been there. Then when I found out how easy it was to find, view and organize my photos on the computer, I just kept at it. With the exif data, and the cameras correctly set for date and time, photos also work as a record of where I was and when. Also the idea that digital photography works far better than the Polaroid instant cameras ever could for instant reward, and they essentially cost nothing per photo. I also do it because I sometimes have a lot of fun with Jasc PSP changing my own photos and creating imaginary scenes that look like reality but are not or are enhanced. I have learned to detect fake photos by playing with this stuff.

[sparker1]

I've been in and out of photography almost my entire life (62 years), with different motivations at different times. Currently, my main interest is travel by motorhome and seeing all there is to see in North America. Photography helps me enjoy the travel more deeply, and at the same time allows me to share my experiences to a degree with others who can't travel themselves. Digital photography allows me to take as many shots as I like, keep as many as I want, send out a reasonable number to a list of about 40 people, and make a yearly CD for a few people with sufficient interest. I also make personalized calendars each year for certain friends and family members, using 13 of my favorite shots from that year's travels. Looking back at old photos is also a good way to experience the joy again.

[RichardtheSane]

Relaxation.
I do photography because it helps me to relax, even if I am sprinting down a path to find a better lacation for 'the shot' I am calm.

I also do some to pay the (camera purchase) bills. But I still enjoy it and can relax while doing it. As the months becmoe years I can imagine 'pays the bills' to become more of a prominent feature but if I ever (whoever forbid!) stop enjoying it then I stop doing it for money.

[aliflack]

My sister is getting married this christmas - when she announced the engagement I decided I would take some decent pictures to remember the event by, naturally (!) I bought the 300D and started practising...and buying more kit!

...as I took shots, reviewed them, learnt from experience and mistakes I found that my photographic eye was developing and that my friends and family appreciated the pictures I took.

In time I hope to be good enough to be able to make money out of this, but until then its a fantastic hobby for all the above reasons. Most of all, I get huge satisfaction from seeing the word in a completely new way every day, and actively seeking out beatuiful things...

[mtndew]

Its gives me a good reason to get out of town and do some traveling

[Pekka]

I replied this in http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48488 :)

[terrijo]

I can't help myself! I didn't choose photography, it choose me :-)

[karusel]

I really dont care if anyone else sees it or not. It's a personal thing for me.

I feel the same way, but admitedely it is nice when someone does get it. I simply enjoy in the process of taking photographs and even more so by the good shot that comes out. When I'm shooting I'm usually looking for something and that means that probably more than 95% of the shots are to be trashed - it's worth it.

[shniks]

Other - I do it because it lets me express myself creatively. I am not very good at it but I just love being in that frame of mind, lost in my own thoughts, not noticing the time go by.
I also love the way it gets me out of the house exploring nature and wildlife. Its a beautiful world out there, its hard to be depressed after a day out amongst it all.

[RockOne]

Other - Its a lot of fun :-), forces you to see things, learn things, and look at things from different perspectives...!

[Simon Spiers]

I like to try and capture the moment forever.

[KenE]

"Art" is pretty close for just one word. Maybe "Love" is better? I think I see things differently than others and I enjoy the challenge of capturing "that" for others to see.

(brand new 20D owner so the challenge has become greater in some ways)

[rick barclay]

As journalism it's exciting. It puts you where the action is.
As art it's fullfilling and relaxing.
And it can be very lucrative in terms of money.
And for those in Pekka's thread and elsewhere who term it an "obsession," considering the fact that I spent $4500 on a device that brings me not one penny of income: yes, I would have to agree that I'm a little bit obsessed with taking pictures (Lord, have mercy!).

[Canuck]

I do it because I enjoy it and well it is not like my real job which, can at times really suck! I do photography on my terms and I find it cool to go out around here and capture it all. It also serves as a memory of the cool places/things I have been/done/seen over the years. So there you have it, in a nutshell.

I forgot something, as weird as this sounds, I am a really reserved person, and by having the monster camera (compared to p&s) people always ask questions and I end up answering them. The most common question thus far has to do w/ how heavy it is. I have gooten used to it and not bothered about it as such.

[sGu]

My reason of doing photography has a lot of similarities as prostitution: I started it to please myself at first, but it just wasn't enough, then I kept on doing it to please others, eventually I did it for money ...