Clean Gene wrote in post #12885978
1) I guess, first of all, it's really one of the only things that I had an equal level of potential/interest. I mean, I probably at one time had GREAT potential in certain areas of science and mathematics, but in those areas my INTEREST just started to peter out pretty fast. And then eventually the potential went away too. Photography is one of the few things that I still clearly have the POTENTIAL to be damn good at, and the INTEREST to keep on trying to get better (at least for the near future). As far as skills that I may eventually be able to do really well, photography is just about it. And I also like photography, so there's that. As far as WHY I like photography, I think it's because...
Many people lose interest in subjects that are taught in school. And in most cases, the real reason that people lose interest is not because they don't find the subject interesting. It is because schools do not really know very much about the subject of study itself. It's a shame.
2) I'm not a particularly expressive person. I don't say much, I talk only as much as I need to, and I am usually extremely uncomfortable interacting with people on any level. However, there's still sort of a need to be noticed and heard. For me, photography is sort of a way for me to "say" what I want to express in a medium in which I am comfotrable. I get really antsy TELLING people what I think and feel, but those thoughts and feelings are still sort of itching to get out. Meanwhile, I'm far more comfortable projecting my thoughts and feelings into photography.
I know exactly what you mean. I had that uncomfortable feeling when talking to people. I remember a time when I'd communicate with ease through email, but wasn't very eloquent when speaking in front of people. I think that's the reason why the Internet exploded the way it did. Many people have the same problem.
3) And I guess on another level, there's just a sense of pride that comes from making stuff. I've worked with people who used to do construction, and I'd often hear them say stuff like, "you know that building over on 9th and Main? Well, I helped to make that." It's like, they just get a sense of pride out of merely working on something that was awesome. Or it's kind of like how a well-loved dish might be the pride and joy of a chef. It's something that's giving people endless joy, and he made it. Photography is sort of that way for me. To make something and have it be truly appreciated by people is extremely seductive. Photography allows me to do that (or...at least ATTEMPT to do that). I'm not having any kids any time soon, I'm certainly never going to be coming up with the cure for cancer or designing interstellar starships. But the need to create is a powerful urge. And I can create photographs. Sometimes, maybe even good ones. On the rare times when I really hit it off, it's a HUGE feeling of satisfaction.
I think you got the essence of it right here in this section. People are happiest when they're creating (or destroying things to facilitate creation). I just built a shed in my backyard and although it's not the Taj Mahal, I feel really good about it. And we're not just talking about creation for creation's sake. This stuff is meant to help people. But don't underestimate your skill - I'd bet that most rocket scientists couldn't take a photo as good as yours.
haha 
