dazedgonebye
Veteran
I’ve just been reading “On Being a Photographer” by David Hurn and Bill Jay. http://www.lenswork.com/obp.htm
It has prompted me to think, not for the first time, about why I do photography.
Is there some purpose in what I do? Do I have some long term goal or direction? Am I just using it as a distraction from the demands of work and family?
Of course, in the wrong mood, that sort of question can morph in to “Why am I bothering, if I can’t (accomplish whatever I feel is important at the moment)?
I’d turn this in to a poll, but it seems to me that there are too many possible reasons to cover in a poll.
So, give me three reasons, and three reasons only, why you pursue photography.
It has prompted me to think, not for the first time, about why I do photography.
Is there some purpose in what I do? Do I have some long term goal or direction? Am I just using it as a distraction from the demands of work and family?
Of course, in the wrong mood, that sort of question can morph in to “Why am I bothering, if I can’t (accomplish whatever I feel is important at the moment)?
I’d turn this in to a poll, but it seems to me that there are too many possible reasons to cover in a poll.
So, give me three reasons, and three reasons only, why you pursue photography.
RdEoSg
Well-known
I enjoy it, I am challenged by it, I am reasonably good at it!
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
It's a artistic expression that I'm capable of, I like to handle cameras, the results are tangible
R
RML
Guest
I have stopped (over)thinking the reasons I do things. If it's not life threatening for anyone involved, doesn't ruin me financially, and doesn't interfere with life, love and/or work, I'll do it. I felt the urge so why not give in to it without seeking for deeper reasons that might be there in the first place.
Finder
Veteran
It is like going to the toilet; it is something I have to do.
dee
Well-known
it helps me to see through my ''child's bewildered autistic lostness '' and literally, focuses me on details i might have missed ... sot of taming a scary , confusing world through a window ?
i guess that's a wrong reason , but when the slides come back ... it's magic !!!
...or does it matter why at all ?
i guess that's a wrong reason , but when the slides come back ... it's magic !!!
...or does it matter why at all ?
freeranger
Well-known
1. It makes me observe the world I live in.
2. Trying to bring together the elusive elements that make a good picture is a challenge that I find fascinating.
3. schadenfreude - there are so many crap photographs on the web my comparatively slightly better efforts can give me a little lift.
2. Trying to bring together the elusive elements that make a good picture is a challenge that I find fascinating.
3. schadenfreude - there are so many crap photographs on the web my comparatively slightly better efforts can give me a little lift.
Rafael
Mandlerian
It gives me a reason to buy camera equipment. It gives me something to do with the camera equipment that I have bought. It gives me... Hey, wait a minute!
freeranger
Well-known
Rafael said:It gives me a reason to buy camera equipment. It gives me something to do with the camera equipment that I have bought. It gives me... Hey, wait a minute!
actually....what he said
M4streetshooter
Tourist Thru Life
because...I
1. Eat
2. Sleep
3. Breathe photography
1. Eat
2. Sleep
3. Breathe photography
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Nice so far....keep them coming.
Flinor
Well-known
I'm with freeranger. It makes more aware of the world I live in.
I also enjoy using precision machined equipment like old manual rangefinder cameras.
I also enjoy using precision machined equipment like old manual rangefinder cameras.
zpuskas
Well-known
I photograph, therefore I am (confirmation of my existense)
I need an expressive outlet (doesn't everyone?)
I need to feed my ego (also, I just enjoy looking at and making photographs)
I need an expressive outlet (doesn't everyone?)
I need to feed my ego (also, I just enjoy looking at and making photographs)
S
Socke
Guest
I want to know what things look like in a picture
It's a conveniant way to keep memories
The people I listen to tell me I'm a good photographer and thus I have a way to know to whom I should listen
It's a conveniant way to keep memories
The people I listen to tell me I'm a good photographer and thus I have a way to know to whom I should listen
dazedgonebye
Veteran
I'll add three of mine....
It helps me see the world in a different way.
Sometimes I'm able to show that 'different way' to others.
It's a niche in my life that belongs to me and to no one else.
It helps me see the world in a different way.
Sometimes I'm able to show that 'different way' to others.
It's a niche in my life that belongs to me and to no one else.