Do you only photograph people? If so, why?
Do you only photograph people? If so, why?
- Thread starter jsrockit
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hipsterdufus
Photographer?
I don't *only* photograph people. But it does make up the majority of my photography (I mostly work with models and my wife). The reason? I find people interesting and beautiful. Isn't that the reason we photograph any subject matter?
Additionally, in the case of my wife, I love her dearly and that imparts extra meaning to the photos I've taken of her. I hope to look back on the photos that we've done together when we're older as some sort of legacy.
Additionally, in the case of my wife, I love her dearly and that imparts extra meaning to the photos I've taken of her. I hope to look back on the photos that we've done together when we're older as some sort of legacy.
cjbecker
Established
People are 95% of what i shoot. I just dont find much else interesting. People are the greatest creation.
Awesome, this is what I was hoping for. I would say yes, that is why many people photograph. However, I would say that many photograph whatever they think will make a great photo, regardless of if it is a subject that interests them. Do we only photograph that which is beautiful or do we make something beautiful by photographing it and trying to transform it? Do we care if it is beautiful? Do we only photograph what we like?
By the way, I do like your photos hipsterdufus. You have a good thing going.
Thardy
Veteran
It's fun to see what something looks like photographed.
I agree. However, there are those that think they already know what something is going to look like photographed... I'm not one of them.
hipsterdufus
Photographer?
Thanks a lot, jsrockit.
As for the "beautiful" thing, I only tend to photograph people/things that I think are beautiful, but there's plenty of room for other types of photography. I was just looking at the Pulitzer prize winner for feature photography (about the PTSD veteran). This was some of the most disturbing, heart-breaking photography I have ever seen. Just because it didn't capture beauty of a conventional sort does not make the photography any less worthwhile.
However, I do think that the end goals for Craig Walker's photographs and mine is the same: to create something that transcends the photographer's existence and the way that the viewer sees the world. Perhaps this is too lofty of an aspiration. I'm curious to see what other photographers think of this observation. I'm sure I don't serve as the mouthpiece for all photographers. 😉
You're welcome.
I agree. There is nothing wrong with beautiful, but there is a lot of great (or maybe even miserable) things out there to photograph that are not beautiful. The Pulitzer prize winning photos are generally disturbing to me... always beautifully crafted, but generally disturbing in some way or another.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
I photograph people almost exclusively.
Why? The intent of my photography is to create an informational and/or historical document about cultures that are either unknown to us and/or have potential to disappear. People seem to be the best point of reference for my purposes.
Alternate answer: I really struggle to make a significant photo that is not built around a person, or small group of people.
I can see that reason Bob. However, I've been thinking that museums are full of objects that represent a culture (or supposedly do) and not people (for obvious reasons). I think photographing objects as opposed to people can tell a lot about a culture too. Well, perhaps the right answer is... 'the correct answer to 99% of photo related questions is "it depends" ' 🙂
Thardy
Veteran
I seem to rarely photo people these days.
Mackinaw
Think Different
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Why do I mainly photograph people? It's more of a challenge. The photographer usually has to establish some sort of relationship with the person being photographed, which isn't always easy. Plus it makes me stop fretting about equipment and gets me to start thinking about how to talk to my subject. All good things in my book.
Jim B.
Jim B.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Absolutely. I have a good friend with a 20+ year project of documenting the culture of the deep south as conveyed by signs. handmade signs, billboards, church signs, names of buildings, etc.
I have been working on a series about the impact of hurricane Katrina on the MS gulf coast. That area is still in transition 7 years later. But there were few people there at the beginning. Waveland MS was basically washed away by the storm surge on 29 August 2005 and the majority of residents never returned. Here was the way I conveyed that scenario.
kxl
Social Documentary
I photography what I like, depending on the locale. If I am on a trip to highly populated cities, like Cairo or Mexico City and I want to do some street shooting, then obviously, most of the photos will have people. However, if I am at Denali National park, then most of the photos will be about wildlife and nature.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
I mostly photograph people because I find people fascinating, and beautiful. Maybe not beautiful in a conventional sense, but beautiful to me. And I want to share what I find beautiful with the rest of the world. So I make an image and do my best to capture that which I saw.
Best,
-Tim
Best,
-Tim
dct
perpetual amateur
Interesting question. I don't jump in because I photograph only people; not at all! When I spend time with my photography hobby, I like far more urban architecture (old and new one) and similar related projects which never have to do with people. Still learning also on that topic.
But when it is expected I'm shooting, like at family or friends parties, then my hobby becomes a job and it is all about people: 99 %. Really strange... They all wanna be at least on one picture. I like that too, of course. But I'm not addicted to people photograph...
But when it is expected I'm shooting, like at family or friends parties, then my hobby becomes a job and it is all about people: 99 %. Really strange... They all wanna be at least on one picture. I like that too, of course. But I'm not addicted to people photograph...
jippiejee
Well-known
I just realized I don't enjoy watching photos without people in it. So I shoot the human element in all of my pictures, just to make sure I watch them myself.
Araakii
Well-known
I like to shoot people because the shots are most likely unique.
Everyone can go to Yosemite and make pretty much the same shots at the same spots.
Everyone can go to Yosemite and make pretty much the same shots at the same spots.
Jobin
Established
Becaus iv never seen a flower do anything interesting or unexpected.
While that is true, it could just as easily be said that just because a photo has people in it doesn't make it interesting. There are plenty of people picture cliches too.
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