WHY do YOU take photos?

[thomaseriksen]

I have taken digital photos for about 10 years now and about 5 years of non-digital - 3-4 years with an SLR. Recently I got a Canon 5D M2 / 24-70. You might think I am good – but I am not – not at all.

Still after about 15 year of taking photos I don’t know why I do it. Here are my theories:

• I have an urge to express myself somehow. I am not sure why. Few people see my photos – I rarely see old ones myself.

• I like the gear and technology with it. I do love technical stuff and love the thought that technology don’t set me back. I do not like to show it off though. I truly wish my Canon 5DM2 could be a tiny camera.

• I feel I have to document my life so others can experience what I did. I want people to see what I see, felt and experienced.

• I have some kind of artist in me. I can’t draw, paint, write, make songs or any art form. I can’t even take good pictures. But – I can get one good picture once in a while. That would never happen for example with me trying to make a painting.

• I like to learn. I like to read about taking photos – maybe more than I like to take them.

I cannot figure out why I take photos – none of these really feels like “that’s it!” – so on my quest I ask you.

Why do you take photos and continue to do so? Really.

[candidrachel]

I take photos because it gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction when I go home and view my photos and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside when I look at a great scenic shot I took or a fantastic candid shot of my kids doijng such and such and always remember that photography is very personal and what you can see in a photo not everyone else can.

Also, its the only thing I think I can do well. I've been sacked from jobs in the past for being useless but no one can take my photography away from me.

[Raoul Isidro]

Being able to capture and freeze a moment in time and preserve that for viewing later is a very powerful act of creativity. Holding an instrument that is capable of doing that action infuses power to the mind of the user.

[Cardiiiii]

In no particular order:

1. It's an interesting hobby.

2. I like the idea of making someone see the world through my eyes.

3. I absolutely love the technical challenge of photography, low light situations, etc.

4. You get to capture memories.

[thomaseriksen]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

Being able to capture and freeze a moment in time and preserve that for viewing later is a very powerful act of creativity. Holding an instrument that is capable of doing that action infuses power to the mind of the user.

I like your idea of takings photos is a way of freezing moments. It is very fascinating how we perceive the world though light, depth, focus, angle, etc.

Kinds love to explore angels – standing on their head, back, looking through tunnel objects etc. We seem to lose this with age – or maybe rediscover it with photos when we get older. Freezing a moment is maybe the entrance to this joy.

[Niresangwa]

For the $$$, girls and public adoration...

[SusanH1970]

I take pictures because I LOVE it, more than any job I've ever had - and getting paid to do something I love so much is just an extra added bonus.

I think my favorite part of it is when I deliver the final order to my clients and I see the look on their faces. I love building a personal relationship with them, and it's an honor that they hire me to document their memories.

[RLucas]

Chicks dig it!... No! Wait! That was why I started playing guitar!

Let's see! Hmm? It is the only hobby I have ever had that I haven't been discouraged enough to cuss, or throw equipment! By the way, golf clubs make a great boomarang sound when thrown!

In all seriousness, it is really relaxing. I have always loved art, and being creative. I still draw and paint some, but there is nothing like trying to arrange elements in a viewfinder to get a great composition. At the moment, being out doing photography is almost like my church.

[luv2farmnd]

I enjoy taking pictures of variety of things around our farm, from calves, cattle, our crops, haybales, barns and more. I do major scrapbooking as well so pictures tell many stories for years down the road and memories to cherish as things seem to change on a daily basis around our large farm operation.

Its a hobby,
My passion to show what I luv around me to others.
Its peaceful time while your out shooting.
The joy of country life!

[JohnT]

I love taking photos and freezing time to look back on the photos a few years later, and have the memories that go with the adventure of taking them. I am not that good but still learning. I do it for me no one else, I have had some offers to sell a few shots but will never do it, that would take away the creative part and make it a job and as I am retired no thanks. Every now and than I capture something where I actually go wow and know I bagged it. Those are great moments, and like many others I do print the better shots and put them in albums the rest go on to 8gb DVD's. I love nature do not take people pictures (that is work and too many issues) nature, and wildlife is plenty for me.