Is there anyone on here besides me that

[Tom O]

enjoys photography as just a 100% hobby? Hobby= A spare time recreational pursuit.

I have always had zero interest in selling or profiting from my hobby. I have been shooting for more years than I would like to admit to (first camera I ever shot was an Argus C3...I was 8 years old)and have always done it because it's fun & relaxing for me and it's the only way I can be creative.

Do I get into it? You bet..currently shooting Xti (upgrading soon), 70-200 f2.8 IS, 17-55, 24-70, 60 f2.8 macro and a bunch of older stuff.

Just curious if there any other hobby purists out there..:D

[Becca]

I think there are a lot of us out there. I know for me its a chance to escape from my everyday life and do something I enjoy. I even enjoy the processing part. Pure hobby for me.

[jgrussell]

enjoys photography as just a 100% hobby? Hobby= A spare time recreational pursuit. <raising hand> I suspect there are many of us hobbyists on here. And I'm sure the pros are happy that we stay in that position!

[inonut]

Former old film pro, but now just a digital hobby for me. Still learning.

[kanonshooter]

Hobby guy here. Happy to keep it that way. It's great to have hobbies. What's even better is having fun AND getting great results from learning the principles behind photography. The best part, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg in order to take it seriously. I'm having alot of fun with it right now on this level.

[rw2]

Just a hobby for me. I enjoy the process of getting the shot, to processing , printing matting and framing. I still have lots to learn.

[MDJAK]

hobby for me too. While I have done perhaps three or four weddings/bat mitzvahs and have another one coming up, when I'm done shooting one, I don't want to even look at the camera for a few days as it's very hard work.

I've shot high school sports for about seven years now and have given away every picture for free. I've printed hundreds of shots. The fun is the smiles on the student athletes' faces and their parents when they get the pictures. When I've been offered money, I tell them to donate it to the school athletic program.

me

[darosk]

It started out being 100% hobby for me.

I watched The Dark Knight again last night, and I smiled when the Joker said, "If you're good at something, never do it for free."

I'd shoot a friend's wedding for free in a heartbeat - I just love it :D

[Tom O]

OK..great..thanks guys..guess there are a few of us who just shoot for fun.:D

[Evan Idler]

I'm a 100% hobbiest as well. I have no interest in becoming a Professional, even thought a couple of my friends are. I enjoy photography as a way to escape from the drudgery of work, and life. And sometimes I use it as an excuse to get out of town, for no other reason that to go take some pictures :-)

--Evan

[dave kadolph]

Like Mark--only different.

We donate our time to the local sports boosters club--they sell the photos online as a fund raiser.

We also help out the yearbook editor---their P&S's lack a little when conditions get difficult.

My wife does a handful of senior pictures very year for those that can't afford a profession photographer. Nothing worse than getting stuck with the "mug shot" forever. :)

But go pro--no thanks!!

[peber]

For me it is a hobby, a way to relax, to be creative, to get outdoors... Lately, I've been shooting a lot for my church, this I do free of charge as my way to contribute and as a way to evolve my skills (which I have done. A lot!). I have no plans to make any money with my photography...

Someone said "if you turn your hobby into your business, you take the risk of taking the fun out of it because you have to do it whether you want to or not!"

/Per

[Markitos]

I HAVE done photography for (a very little bit) of money, but that was more as favors/to sustain the habit than anything else. I enjoy photography on its own merit, and for the creative satisfaction it brings me.

[rklepper]

I only do it as it is fun. I think that if I did it for profit it might become too much of a job. :lol:

[joebenz]

all hobby to me! i've always loved taking pics, ever since i was a kid. got my xti last year and have 17-85, 75-300, and 50 1.8. actually looking to sell the 17-85 and 75-300 tho to get a 18-200.

i'd likle to get some L glass someday :o

[Tom O]

chance to escape from my everyday life.

I enjoy the process

a way to escape from the drudgery of work, and life.


We donate our time

enjoy photography on its own merit,

it is fun.

Couldn't agree more folks!!:D Hobbyists Rule:cool:

[Wazza]

I used to shoot a fair bit for money back in 2005-early 2007, but then moved to UK, where I haven't sold anything, nor tried. Really enjoyed just sitting back, and having no deadlines, no demanding clients etc. Just blog the photos for friends to see.

Although it'll change fairly soon, as doing some weddings again next year :o

[jjackflash]

HOBBY......anything else would make it too much like a job.

[Cdeming]

<<<Hobbyist

[S-S]

id be happy to keep it as a hobby except that i would have to find a different day job which would mean less time behind the shutter for me...

[Cdeming]

I should add that if someone were to force me to take money for a picture I've taken, I'm not going to refuse them that joy. ;)

But I'm perfectly happy never making money from it. :)

[john-in-japan]

99.9% Hobby/Passion.
Has a poll been done in the past - % Pro/%Hobby?
John

[RandyMN]

I photograph as a hobbiest, but to really get good I feel you must seek those paying for your services because it brings about the greatest challenges.

My goal is to always improve and I need the push that paying customers give me.

Birds and landscapes are all fun because no ones going to pay me for that!

[Tom O]

99.9% Hobby/Passion.
Has a poll been done in the past - % Pro/%Hobby?
John

John...Poll would foul the thread something awful because many folks have many self proclaimed titles and definitions they go by...pro, semi-pro, part time pro, amateur, advanced amateur, serious hobbyist, advanced hobbyist, working hobbyist etc. etc. and they are all based on making money from photography. There was a thread a few months back about that and it got hilarious with some of the titles that came up. So, based on that, I would expect overwhelming majority would call themselves something other than "pure hobbyist"..even on this thread several have mentioned they profit sometimes etc. or used to be etc. Some folks just cannot accept the fact that you don't have to be paid to be good.

[snyderman]

Hobby = spare time = recreational. That would be me. Learning something new is exciting. A place like POTN comes up HUGE fast-tracking the learning curve.

One thing I just realised about photography: It CAN be a 'buy once-cry once' proposition as well. Just dumped quite a pile of cash on some decent gear that should hold my interest for a good long time. The good thing is that when I want to shoot, it now only costs time. OTOH, my other hobbies, golf and music, cost money each time out.

Well, not so much the music thing. People will still PAY me to play guitar and sing as part of a pretty successful hippie 60s band! But golf is money tied up in gear and $30 and on up each time out to play. Bigger time investment as well.

I'm really looking forward to getting into shooting more. Bought all the gear and the weather turned from Fall to Winter instantly!

dave

[Cdeming]

Some folks just cannot accept the fact that you don't have to be paid to be good.


I agree...But at the same time, wouldn't it be great to make a living on something you LOVE doing? I'm sure many people on this forum fully enjoy taking pictures and get paid for it, without feeling the pressure to produce because the just love doing it!

I just don't think it's fair to, in a way, judge someone for getting paid for something they are good at. Sometimes if you don't put a price on something you've done, people will take advantage of you, and that's just not right. If you don't value the things you've done, no one else will.

I hope I didn't offend with this post...just wanted to present the other side and create a little friendly discussion. ;)

[Sean]

I'll admit there are times where I'd sell a photo for fine art, but nothing that is considered my livelihood. So I am a hobbiest, but I would sell a photo.

Love photography.

[Markitos]

Even though it's a hobby, it's a potentially expensive one. Nothing wrong with making some sales to subsidize the habit! :)

[Tom O]

I agree...But at the same time, wouldn't it be great to make a living on something you LOVE doing? I'm sure many people on this forum fully enjoy taking pictures and get paid for it, without feeling the pressure to produce because the just love doing it!

I just don't think it's fair to, in a way, judge someone for getting paid for something they are good at. Sometimes if you don't put a price on something you've done, people will take advantage of you, and that's just not right. If you don't value the things you've done, no one else will.

I hope I didn't offend with this post...just wanted to present the other side and create a little friendly discussion. ;)

CDeming...there are no sides to this question...No offense taken at all:D and hopefully I didn't offend anyone either. I just didn't want this thread to "go south" like so many others by straying from the original question with folks trying to quantify/justify anything. I wasn't pointing fingers at all nor do I think it's horrible anyone can, does or will profit from their photos...can I say I never have??? NO!!!... let me rephrase the original question:: maybe this will work to get the answer I am looking for:eek:

Does anyone on here besides myself do photography as ONLY a hobby for themselves with no desire, thought or intent of making money from your hobby in any way, shape or form. No comments/discussion/arguements required for why you think it's alright...we all know it's great to profit from your work BUT that's not the question. Does anyone do it for pure 100% fun without having to say> I do, but (fill-in the blank). So, in reality, no discussion required..just I do or I don't.;)

I'm not being rude so don't take it that way...just curious about how many folks read these forums to learn more about their craft just for their own enjoyment and satisfaction. In other words someone has to be pretty dedicated to their hobby to wade through all the threads on here vs. folks that do this for a living or part-time or whatever..their motivation is ultimately money...the hobbyists may be motivated by satisfaction??

Probably didn't explain this too well but I know what I meant:D:D

[Cdeming]

Probably didn't explain this too well but I know what I meant:D:D

I think you explained it perfectly and I am in no way offended. :) :cool: :)

I agree with you completely. I love reading things on this forum to improve and my motivation is simply that. Would it be nice to get paid someday for it? Sure it would. But if I never did, I would still take pictures with the same passion. :D

[Tom O]

Would it be nice to get paid someday for it? Sure it would. But if I never did, I would still take pictures with the same passion. :grin:

Well said Chrissy!!!...and if you're that passionate about it, no doubt you will, in fact, make some moola from your efforts as it's actually not that hard UNLESS you decide to go full-time profession then it gets a bit sticky. But, I will give you a casual warning about that..making some bucks from your photos is kinda like getting you first L lens..once you start;)..LOL...