WDYDWYD

My understanding that majority of people on this site aren't professional, meaning not making living by means of photography. Sure, you may have paid gigs here and there, but this is not how you make living...or are you?
Anyway, I may be wrong, may be right, but this is not my question.
I've been pondering on these questions lately and I wanna hear what others think:

What is photography to you?
What does it give you?
Why are you doing it?

P.S. Just in case for those unaware the heading stands for "Why do you do what you do?"

Well this might be a bit presumptuous... but I think I see the world in a wonderful way. One suiting of capture and remembrance, even if only for my own reflection. That's why I enjoy taking photo's.

Photography for me was a way to break my habit of playing video games. With each game, there is a certain skill to be had, just with every photo, there is some sort of skill or thought process to happen. It is my way to keep my mind nimble and still have something to show to other people.

Photography gives me that sense or reassurance of being able to be different from others. I was at a memorial for a relative that died and the picture needed to be taken. I didn't have my camera but I was immediately chosen to be the photographer (I'm not that ugly am I?). They handed me a Kodak Easyshare P&S, my pictures would have been no different from the ministers pictures but since I have the 'experience' I have that reassurance that yes, I am considered to be above average in something that plays a part in everybodys' life, pictures and memories.

I do photography as a hobby because it is like driving a manual car, when shifting gears in an old car, the syncro in the clutch that is now in all cars, did not exist. This made it much more challenging because more emphasis was put on matching the revs of the car. Same problem if you almost have zero clutch on your car. Taking photographs is just like that, in this much light (speed), I need this shutter speed and aperture (gear + revs).

Am I just filling up what is left of my ego? Wow that sounds selfish but I guess thats what hobbies are for.

Good topic.

"What is photography to you?"

Art. It's a creative medium - doesn't mean all photography is good art, but it's art.


"What does it give you?"

A means of expressing myself creatively. I don't make much money off of it - can't be considered a pro at all, but it's rewarding just the same.


"Why are you doing it?"

I can't NOT do it (double negative, yay me!) I do consider myself to be an artist, but more importantly I can't resist capturing what I see. It's addicting.

Photography is an art. The world is my canvas, and my camera the brush. Simple.

Photography provides me a mean to relax, be who i want to be. Create the world in a style of my own. It also gives me money, and praise....but thats besides the fact ahha.

I take pictures because it makes me happy, the sensation of taking a beautiful picture. You feel like youve created something special, something beautiful. Something that belongs to you.

like my signature says, I like arts that involve science.
Photography gives me a reason to get out and LOOK at the things I love in a new way. I used to hunt, got tired of killing but missed the fealing of being really aware and in the moment as I stalked elusive animals for harvest.
After that, Dirt bikes were my my next favorite out door experience, again alert and aware and in the moment, but health problems limit the time I can stand that kind of physical stress and a crash could put me on a helicopter.
Photography gives me the outdoor experience, with the alert and in the moment awareness that I find so necessary for my happiness.
If I had to make a living at this, If I had to wake up everyday and say " I have to get an image I can sell today" I would probably aim for newspaper work, or even private detective/ legal records work, maybe even papparazzi style celebrity stalking, but I am perfectly happy just chasing bird shots in my boat and being awake and aware and in the moment as much as possible.

What is photography to you?

Taking pictures for the memories. Some consider it art- I am still undecided on the matter. You can make "artistic" looking images, or render them with Photoshop to look completely different or even abstract, but I still have a hard time comparing it to music, drawings, paintings, etc. Call it what you will, it's still wonderful.

What does it give you?
This kind of coincides with the first question- I love having memories of the past. Shooting events such as weddings or even simple snapshots while on vacation, if done right can have great emotional impact.

Why are you doing it?
Because I like playing with gear, and the science of taking pictures. But that has kind of worn off, so I am trying to get more into the heart of photography, which I find difficult. I don't think I could ever do it as a profession, there are too many factors from dealing with people all the time to marketing- it's just not me. Shooting the odd wedding for some cash or shooting girls on Model Mayhem for fun makes for a nice portfolio and it why I do it at the moment. In the future I hope to have a family (I'm married but no children yet) getting a 5DmkII will be my excuse to shoot video.

I like to try and let others see what I find interesting or attractive. Generally speaking I capture images for my self, if someone else likes or enjoys them that is fine but that does not drive my image captures.

What is photography to you?

It's a hobby. An outlet. Gives me something to do that gets me out of the house, meeting new people. I make a bit of cash occasionally, but nothing that covers expenses.

I've never been a creative, arty individual - I tend to be very literal. Through photography, I'm learning to take that literal mindset, and make art - however you want to define that.

What does it give you?

Time alone. A community to belong to. A subject to obsess over and toys to buy and lust after. My wife is a bellydancers, so I've started photographing people in the dance community - we both get our outlets.

Why are you doing it?

Fame and fortune. Work in progress

One word for me. Joy.

"What is photography to you?"

It's a means of expression for me. I can't draw or paint, but I can take plan a shoot, compose a photograph, edit it, print it, and enjoy the entire process.


"What does it give you?"

It gives me a sense of satisfaction, a creative outlet, and reason to get out.


"Why are you doing it?"

I do it mostly for fun, sometimes for money, and occasionally at the request of friends or family.

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #10689376
It's a means of expression for me. I can't draw or paint, but I can take plan a shoot, compose a photograph, edit it, print it, and enjoy the entire process.

This pretty much summarizes my feelings.

It's fun, it gets me out of the house, it lets me capture beauty, it gives me an excuse to do crazy things like stand outside in -35F temperatures trying to photograph the aurora...

What is photography to you? Relaxation.

What does it give you? The ability to let my creative side loose. I am not gifted artistically (my painting and drawing attempts look awful, but I can capture beauty through the lens.

Why are you doing it?Fun. For me and me alone. If others enjoy it so be it.