what are you after?

back alley

back alley

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Jul 30, 2003
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photographically speaking...

for a pro...is it money, fame ...?
for us amateurs...is it the hope of being discovered, the praise of others, simply to impress your friends or maybe to make art?

i sometimes wonder why i am so interested in photography...have been for over 40 years...made some money in the old days, weddings, bands, events...even got to be part of the local 'in' crowd when i did some theatre stuff.

nowadays, i just see images everywhere and try to capture them in a pleasing way that might also invite others to look at and enjoy them.
 
I take as much photos of daily life as possible, file them up, and look at them in 10 years time when things are different - who knows, flying cars and all, and let nostalgia set in. I look back at pictures taken in the 80s and 90s and it does the job for me. I move around every few years (different country, all for work) so that justifies having multiple cameras and lenses - third world countries with old lenses, and modern countries with modern lenses, etc.
 
I just like taking photos that I enjoy. Some, I print. Most, I just make into wallpapers for my computer. :)

I like to look at my photos and know that hey, I made that photo and it looks pretty good -- that I did justice to the subject matter of the photo. That's what I am after.
 
I want to earn a living from photography whether it be be with a DSLR or an old film rangefinder.

The most satisfying aspect of photography for me to date has been the gallery openings I shoot with my D700 ... I could happily do a lot more of those despite their difficulty. The sense of achievement they give me in such marginal lighting conditions is hard to describe when they go to plan!
 
I enjoy taking photos and using various cameras and lenses, i do it for myself.
Do not need other peoples praise or money or recognition. Its a Hobby, that is it.
 
Just a hobby for me. I enjoy the process, the ride, as much or more than the end resullt. My goal is to understand and master whatever process I set my mind to. Like becoming a master printer, making a really good platinum/palladium print, van dyke, bromoil, wet plate ambrotype, etc.

Making an image is just a way to get a negative to work with. If I like the final result enough, I mat it and put it in a box. If it like it even more, I mat it and frame it and hang it on the wall, or I give it to someone who'll appreciate it.

Not shooting for money or fame, just personal satisfaction.
 
Both of my ex-wives gave me the ultimatum of " it's either me or photography"

Shame really, they were nice girls!
 
This is pretty corny, but I'm just trying to get pictures of my kids that are as beautiful as I see them.
I used to be more interested in being a serious photographer, but not anymore. Now it's just the kids and wife.
 
bob338 said:
This is pretty corny, but I'm just want to get pictures of my kids that are as beautiful as I see them.
I used to be more interested in being a serious photographer anymore. But now it's just the kids and wife.
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That's a really nice aspiration IMO ... not corny at all! :)
 
I wouldn't mind taking pictures for a living but I'm not really putting any effort into and I'm not really the kind of person that happens into such things by chance.

Right now it's kind of fuzzy. I'd like to create something that I feel like has lasting value to myself and society. It's ok if no one other that me finds it to be so, just as long as I'm sure myself :)
 
Keith said:
That's a really nice aspiration IMO ... not corny at all! :)
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+2 on that one.

Although I had a camera as a boy, photography didn't really kick in until my boy was born 30 years ago. Driven by the total lack of any images of myself as a youngster I was determined that this was not going to happen to him. I shot one image every day of the first 5 years of his life, and I'm really glad I did.

This is my favourite from his 5th birthday

 
I after the process really. The challenge of combining elements together in a fraction of a second in one timeless picture. If I could, I would make a living out of the photography.

Regards,

Boris
 
dufffader said:
I take as much photos of daily life as possible, file them up, and look at them in 10 years time when things are different - who knows, flying cars and all, and let nostalgia set in. I look back at pictures taken in the 80s and 90s and it does the job for me. I move around every few years (different country, all for work) so that justifies having multiple cameras and lenses - third world countries with old lenses, and modern countries with modern lenses, etc.
Click to expand...

Back in the 80's and 90's we knew there would be flying cars by now - heck, by ten years ago. The future is here, and I'm mighty disappointed in it.

Why do I do photography? I've no idea - it's an obsession. I did it as a job back when I was believing in flying cars of the future. But now I just keep shooting, even though I shy away from doing any for money. Every now and then, I get tempted to do a paid job. It never works out to my satisfaction, so I just say no.
 
i wonder that offten, too.

i don't want earn money with it, i am not an artist and don't want to express myself.

besides memorable photos, i think i mainly photograph, because i want to see "what the world looks like in photographs", as once winogrand once stated.

it's somehow exiting to see something in a complete different way, deformed by the photographic process and frozen in time. to discover new aspects and reflect about it.

i also think, this is the main reason, why i don't like post-processing and making a picture perfect. i really just want the thrill of seeing something new.

besides that i sometimes just photograph, because it's fun handling a vintage film camera.
 
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