Why do you photograph? What is your target?

radiant

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2019
Messages
2,135
Location
Europe
Format
Hybrid
Why do you photograph?

For fun?
For business?
For therapy?
For getting instagram/flickr "fame" ?
To be famous some day?
To impress people?
For only yourself and never show your work to others?
To spend time?
To have your own exhibit?
To document your family life?
To raise questions?
I don't know.
To fill up your external disks?
To store heritage in gelatin?

What is your project? What is your target? Why?

Be honest.
 

Ko.Fe.

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
3,209
Location
MiltON.ONtario
Format
Digital
Why are you asking is another question, but I like how you asked

I have thousands of family pictures. I guess, for obvious reason.
I have pictures of killed by now trees. I don't know why I photograph them. I feel it is terribly wrong to kill old big trees and small forest in Canada just for profit of developers. But I just post it on my FB.
I photograph on the street. I just like to do street photography. Just because I like it. I do post few of them on Flickr and couple of forums. I'm interested in street photography just like some are interested in boating, hinting, gaming and else.
To be honest I just like to take pictures. Not for fame, but some people recognize me now by wearing of camera
Cheers
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,649
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
I have to ;it's an addiction.
 

cdowell

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
168
Location
Durham, N.C.
Format
Medium Format
So many arguments in this world for disorder and ugliness, why not try to compose a single, orderly, beautiful moment and fix it as a document to your own hopefulness?

Or internet fame... either is good.
 
OP
OP

radiant

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2019
Messages
2,135
Location
Europe
Format
Hybrid
Ko.Fe. said:
Why are you asking is another question, but I like how you asked
Click to expand...

Because I'm wondering the same questions and I can't find an answer. Something pulls me. Actually, now written this sounds a bit uhm crazy..
 

NB23

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
4,307
Format
35mm
I started at 16, with darkroom and all.

Today at 44 it has become an addiction.

And I have noticed that the lucky shots are often better than the one I shot when on a mission. Therefore shoot like crazy, nonchalantly, and there should lie the gems.

I do it because I think I’m good at it. My fanbase of three is enough to keep me going. My wife and kids seem to respect my work.
But you never know what they think deep down inside though. Nonetheless, they’re ones that are going to deal with the solid crap I’ll be leaving behind.

Haha to them.
 

removed account4

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
29,832
Format
Hybrid
vedostuu said:
Why do you photograph?


Be honest.
Click to expand...

vedostuu
I photograph mostly cause its fun . I got hooked on it when I was a kid ( was given a first camera when I was around 5, didn't start knowing what I was doing though until I was like 14? ) .. I never get tired seeing something, anything happen. Its magical. targets and subjects ? people, places and imagined things
 
Last edited:

jamesaz

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2014
Messages
142
Format
Multi Format
At one time or another probably all of the above to some degree but mostly it's just benign escapism.
 

guangong

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2009
Messages
3,589
Format
Medium Format
To capture and document a changing world. Whatever interests me...a tree, a doorknob, a person, a building. Most, at best, will be pictures for reference. One of my current projects is documenting obesity. The average teenager today is much fatter than the fattest girl in my high school class. Same with boys.
I find formal still life photography boring, but making a structurally sound yet dynamic photograph is extremely difficult. I admire those that succeed. Drawing and paining is easier because objects in a landscape can be altered.
The main thing is to enjoy photography...no matter what your interests. Yes, it must be fun.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,359
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Because I enjoy it.
 
OP
OP

radiant

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2019
Messages
2,135
Location
Europe
Format
Hybrid
Do you have any specific projects that you shoot?

I guess we have all the "narrowing" stage where you concentrate on something - then what is that?
 

awty

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
3,643
Location
Australia
Format
Multi Format
I like making things by hand and challenging my abilities, planning and creating a picture is very difficult to do well, especially if your aiming to get away from the norm. We live in a society where we congratulate each other on our shopping, I dont consider shopping much of an achievement (except maybe when you find a screaming bargain of a camera or that hard to get lens....not really) Much better to make pictures .
My project is to make pictures I can and enjoy and be proud of and if others say they like as well then thats a bonus.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,890
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
vedostuu said:
Do you have any specific projects that you shoot?

I guess we have all the "narrowing" stage where you concentrate on something - then what is that?
Click to expand...
I photograph because my Dad started me out when I was 8, and for the last several decades I have remained intrigued, interested, entertained, satisfied and of course, sometimes frustrated by the challenges, processes, results and personal relationships that I have obtained and fostered throughout.
Some types of subjects seem to resonate with me particularly - a visit to my Photrio/APUG gallery postings will, for instance, reveal a strong fascination with trees. And I do sometimes organize my efforts with a themed show of prints in mind. In my case, however, the darkroom part of the process forms an important part of what I consider to be making a photograph. As a result, If you ask about projects, my answer is as likely to include my adventures in print making as it is to include my choices of photographic subjects.
 

Berkeley Mike

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Messages
651
Location
SF Bay Area
Format
Digital
Setting aside my deal with the commercial devil, I shoot to validate a visual experience. At my best, I see things sometimes that don't seem to have a word to describe them but effect me. It drives me to capture and then possibly understand later in 2 dimensions.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,359
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
I photograph to make me see better; when I see better, I photograph more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…