What is photography for you?

[ongakublue]

Not sure this is the right category for this but it certainly enters into the philosophical. We talk a lot about gear and processes. On the technicalities but I am interested in another question... Why photography? Why not another art form? Assuming you are doing it more for artistic reasons rather than only to make money (of course they can overlap). I have a background in music and have noticed I am not the only one who transitioned to photography from music. Seems kind of curious.

I have often thought about the question and don't have anything Earth-shattering to say except that I do seek beauty and I prefer portraiture because of the beauty of people. Dare I say, of women in particular. How light and form interact in this respect. But a close second is the moment. People really ''make moments''. It is unpredictable. I like the chance of it. Something shared with street photography.

Then after that there is the sense I have as an artist that I want a body of work and to advance in something. This then leads to the gear. They can be like toys in some way. I enjoy trying them and the exploration. Analogue much more than digital lends itself to this.

Your thoughts are very welcomed


J

 

[blockend]

I always liked Garry Winogrand's comment. "I photograph to see what things look like photographed".

 

[removed account4]

hi J

im not sure why photography is for me. i've been doing it since iwas about 5 years old, and never really stopped.
i've used a variety of picture making equipment, methods &c and have settled down on a few that i enjoy.
these days i find it more fun to make stuff, rather than make photographs of stuff, although part of the making is the photographing so
i guess it is a toss up .

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm not good at drawing, painting and sculpturing. Maybe this is why?

But I don't even think what photography is an art as things mentioned at the line above.
It is more like good carpentry and professional level gardening. If it is done right it brings the feeling of art.
It is more on the fine craft for me with film photography and darkroom printing, framing.

Some times I feel like in GW quote at the comment above, sometimes I like it as the practical and nice time stamp.

 

[Peltigera]

Much like Ko.Fe. Currently having drawing lessons so perhaps I will give up photography.

 

[cliveh]

Unlike other art mediums, I think photography is the nearest you get to magic. Because you can freeze a moment in time, a camera is like a miniature time machine. So in that context, I suppose photography is an ethereal form of art.

 

[DannL.]

"Therapy". Photography (returning to it) helped me to kick cigarettes. I told myself I would spend all of my tobacco money on photography to try and kick the habit. That was well over ten years ago. I quit cold turkey, spending all my spare time in photography. Everything else is history. I call it "replacement therapy". I replaced tobacco with something I really wanted to do. It works amazingly well. Today I really want to pursue Japanese Wood Block Printing and Chinese Water Colors. I have the resources, just need to make the time. Painting abstracts has been an old standby hobby. I'm not any good at it though.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Escape and release. Oddly it creates a clarity I cannot find w/o resorting to riding a motorcycle at insane speeds on treacherous terrain w/o the excessive adrenaline.

 

[pdeeh]

As an activity, it feels slightly (only slightly, mind) more productive than tearing up £5 notes and flushing them down the toilet.

 

[Sirius Glass]

As an activity, it feels slightly (only slightly, mind) more productive than tearing up £5 notes and flushing them down the toilet.

Well flushing money down the toilet does eliminate the middle man.

 

[whlogan]

Photography is something I HAVE to do. It is my way of trying to find the universe I really live in. It stops things and people in time dead cold for that one single moment and I can see them fully for that moment as they really are there. Then I can learn them or it if it, the subject photographed is not a person. By learning them I mean I can really understand the object or person. Often I find them later as in one of my stories. It is very complicated.

Logan

 

[blockend]

There is something extraordinary about capturing a moment in time, framed in space, that recedes further into the past with each passing moment. What happened to those people in the pictures, and just as importantly, where did that young man behind the viewfinder go?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I think a big part of it for me is proof I existed. Every photograph I take is the world around me at the moment of photographing, as seen by my eyes. Anyone else looking at one of my photos is seeing the world AS I SAW IT. It's a terribly selfish thing, to decide that you have a vision, that it is worth capturing, that others will want to see it, and that you'll be able to communicate WHY they should want to see it the way you saw it through the picture alone. But being selfless and humble are two characteristics I've rarely been accused of.

 

[Black Dog]

Like Edward Weston,''discovery excites me to focus''.

 

[Peter Rockstroh01]

I like the fact that I can make images that show the intensity of the subject, that attracted me to the subject in the first place. I photograph scenes in which I find unbiased beauty. I have rarely been attracted to subject matter that requires a clever title to convey an idea. And I like to squeeze the medium for everything it can give: detail, tonality and the feeling of light.
And now I need another drink.

 

[480sparky]

To me, it's the technical challenge to create something I foolishly call 'art'. I enjoy the contest.

 

[Sirius Glass]

​

 

[mrred]

It's the only way I know to completely freeze time and allow me to revisit whenever I want. Authentic moments are the best.

 

[Noisegate]

I, too, come from a music background and I believe there is a relationship between music and photography. First, they are both mathematical in nature. And second, they both take "time" and allow you to shape it as you see fit. For me, there is a bit of "god-like" arrogance involved in that everyone taps their foot and sees the tree but we (photographers/musicians) are compelled to produce our own versions of such common things. As to why I do it? I'm a masochist.

 

[Don Promillo]

Photography is for me, learning how to see the world around you with different eyes.

 

[seanE]

For me, photography at its most significant and important form. Is to capture an emotion, And combine it with a message or idea, That no matter what colour, Creed, or Race, you will feel the exact same emotions, and have the same thoughts run thru your head when you look at the photo, That the photographer had when he took it. to cause an epiphany essentially. how ever as a photographer, if you get one or two shots like that in your life, you'll be doing well.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

It appeals to me on a few levels:
1. I am not so good with painting or sculpture (and have very limited time if I wanted to learn) but enjoy creating something.
2. It gets me out of the house / limits my laziness
3. Great way of recording places I've been and the things I've seen
4. I made a few bob as a part-time second income many years ago (weddings / events /portraits)
5. I love film and want to do my bit to keep it available
6. I like the old gear that I couldn't afford when it was new but is now within my reach, financially
7. It's great to be on a few film-based forums and share knowledge / experience with people with similar interests

 

[Wayne]

1) I was born with the smell of Dektol and acetic acid wafting up from the basement. I inherited it, its in my blood.
2) when I do it, everything else ceases to exist.

 

[Alan Klein]

Capturing a moment in time and restoring it's life is magical, almost God-like. It's like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

 

[Nodda Duma]

A challenge to myself to be more artistic.