Three Reasons Please....

[dazedgonebye]

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.

 

[RdEoSg]

I enjoy it, I am challenged by it, I am reasonably good at it!

 

[Ash]

It's a artistic expression that I'm capable of, I like to handle cameras, the results are tangible

 

[RML]

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]

It is like going to the toilet; it is something I have to do.

 

[dee]

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 ?

 

[freeranger]

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.

 

[Rafael]

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]

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]

because...I

1. Eat

2. Sleep

3. Breathe photography

 

[dazedgonebye]

Nice so far....keep them coming.

 

[Flinor]

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.

 

[zpuskas]

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)

 

[Socke]

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 🙂

 

[dazedgonebye]

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.