Why did you take up photography?

[Tzetsin]

I have 3 mottos that I live my life by. They are the hands that have guided many hard decisions throughout my life.

1: All or nothing.

2: Can't take it with you when you die.

3: God hates a coward.

I often get asked what it is about photography that makes me pursue it with such drive and passion. I'm mildly (or completely, depending on who you ask) obsessive compulsive. When i do anything it is ALL OR NOTHING. I get asked "How can you afford that gear, why spend so much?" Because I cant take cash with me when I die. They ask, "Why go out by yourself at night, why climb down/up the cliff face, why put yourself at risk?" Because god hates a coward.

They ask "Why photography then..." This one isn't so easy to answer though. Indeed. Why photography... I guess the simple answer would be, because I'm lonely.

I travel ALOT, almost always ALONE. I see a great many wondrous and wonderful things. Who do you have to share that with when you have nobody with you? On that note, I "see" things that people that I am WITH don't or can't "see".

Photography, for me, is something of a visual autobiography of my travels. Its an outlet for a creative mind that allows me to show others what I "see". It is the catalyst that entices me to explore the places I go. I have an ever curious mind, photography is such a huge pool of different areas that have real value to every day life and the life of others that I can hardly think of a better subject to saturate my studies with. I have other passions as well. Computers and related subjects have consumed my mind, money and time for the last 12 years.

Modern photography and computer/software knowledge are two subjects that currently go hand in hand. Taking my knowledge of the technical world and amalgamating it with my current studies in the photographic world is like... peas n carrots. It allows me to seamlessly flow from one area of photography to other areas with almost no steep learning curve. I cant imagine having to learn the exposure triangle, lighting and composition, at the same time trying to understand why photoshop cripples my computer, what a file is, or why its important. My wife has been using the computer for years, every day, she is STILL stumped by the file system and cant find files she's uploaded or downloaded... I can certainly understand how "photography" can be a 4 year university course.

Anyway... Thats why I picked up the camera. How about you? What drove you to pick it up? What drives you to continue?

Ps. If there is already a thread like this... I dont care.

[SwissJon]

There is already a thread like this.. There's probably hundreds.. What's one more to add to the pile??

I pick up the camera because I can. I've no idea why I disappeared this Saturday for 6 hours, only arriving home at midnight and only got 5 pictures I liked from it.. But it's 5 more than I had before I left, so I repeated the experience on Sunday.

I look at other people's work and think "that's lovely".. Sometimes a little enviously, and it drives me out out again.. Not to replicate their work, but because seeing their work gave me an insight into aspects of my own.

I don't think to hard about it, I do it because it brings me pleasure, if it didn't I'd stop.. But I don't. I guess that's the definition of an addiction?

[Tzetsin]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

...I've no idea why I disappeared this Saturday for 6 hours, only arriving home at midnight and only got 5 pictures I liked from it.. But it's 5 more than I had before I left, so I repeated the experience...

Iisnt that the truth. I got home last monday after spending 6 days in the British Columbia wilderness and 3 days in downtown Vancouver and the best thing I came home with was the sure knowledge that I've got alot to learn. I've spent so much time learning my gear, processing and light, that I've almost no "real" knowledge of composition. The whole time I felt like a guy who wanted to show off what he kneww about pleasing a women, but didnt know where to find one.

I'm heading to Halifax N.S. tomorrow, I've spent the last week reading everything I could get my hands on to cram as much knowledge of composition in my head that I wont blow another opportunity, and maby get my 5 shots a day...

[NicolaB]

In one week three different friends asked had I thought I taking up photography. The jury is out for me on divine intervention, but that sure felt like it. I had never considered photography but now I live and breath it.

I thought I could do it, posted my first image here - and then found out that to be a great photographer it takes way, way more than great equipment.

If everyone could be a good photographer I wouldn't have the slightest interest. You could argue that anyone could be technically sound with the right training, but I feel that you need the passion to be great and make a career out of photography. It is also a career in which I will never stop learning and growing - that is exciting.

Being frank, for me it is also about ego. As a photographer you get complimented on your work (or occasionally your camera lol). There are not enough jobs out there when people are rewarded emotionally for doing a good job. It feels good to be appreciated.

[Izzy]

Chicks, Sex, and sports cars - of course

Oh yea and expensive camera gear.

[BuddhaPi]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I don't think to hard about it, I do it because it brings me pleasure, if it didn't I'd stop.. But I don't. I guess that's the definition of an addiction?

I'll disagree here, being a recovering drunk/addict..maybe cause I see it in i adifferent light.. I NEVER got any pleasure from my addiction, just pain, suffering and jail time..anyway the reason I picked it up is because I'm compulsive and needed a new hobby, and don't think I can needlepoint very well...

[andyw]

"Why did you take up photography?"

I was no good at gigoloing (is that even a word?)

[lyric05]

- I love having a memory/event/scene, etc, frozen forever and ever - being able to look back on it years down the road.

- I love how photographs (well, the good ones) tell a story. They challenge you, make you think, make you ask "why" and "how". They are able to convey emotion and stories so clearly.

Now, I'm brand new to photography, and am still saving for my first DSLR. For all I know I have zero talent, and in all probability will never be a good photographer. But I want to try. So, to me, that's why I'm taking up photography.

[Ambrosia76]

Because somewhere in my OCD mathematical mind there is an artist crying to get out,since I can't draw or paint, this is my only outlet.

Besides I can't stand having my picture taken and this way I am always the one behind the lens and not in front of it.

[Izzy]

I am sure everyone here is sick of hearing this story - but I'll type it again because I want to.

On a serious note I took up photography because I love it. Picture if you will a kid of 8 loose with a Kodak Instamatic 104. I read every Nat Geo I could get my hands on (even the one with the boobies ), each issue I was greeted with a "Wildlife as Canon sees it" ad. I always said I would have one of those cameras so I can have that adventure. Well I got the camera(s) eventually; now I just cant figure out the adventure part, it was supposed to happen like magic.

Over the years I have shot for all kinds of reasons; money, status, etc. Recently when I got my dslr's I have arrived back at shooting for the love of it. Maybe the adventure will come along anyway