WHY do you take photos?
Discussion
Chaps,
An odd one here. It's come from some thinking I have been doing recently, and a discussion I have had with a photographic friend.
WHY do you take photos?
I bought a second-hand D80 a couple of years back as an excuse to get back 'into' photography. I had an old Nikon 35mm camera when I was much younger, and always enjoyed using it. I now enjoy using my D80, but after a mere 18 months have produced several times more photos than I did in 10 years of owning 35mm cameras. And am wondering .... why?
I take photos on holiday to remember the holiday. I take photos of family events and days out for the same reason. I take photos of things that I see which are 'pretty' because I like taking pretty photos. I also take photos because I like the precision of it, the thought that can go into the photos themselves and because I like to think that some of the photos I take are nice to look at. (Having said that, I am pretty much ALWAYS disappointed by my photos and can't for a second claim to be at all good at taking them!) I also like taking photos because I like the feel of the equipment and the pleasure of using it, although I shy away from tech-whoring wherever possible.
So ... I now have a few Gb of extra data flapping around on my hard drive, not doing much. OK, I have created some blurb picturebooks of a couple of holidays, which are nice. And the better ones make good screensavers. But that's about it. I am looking at the space they take up and wondering 'why'? The space isn't a problem, but the question still bothers me.
What do you do with your photos? Do you print them out? Show them on digital photoframes around your house? How many do you delete when you go through a memory card? Almost all of them? Do you store the 'also-rans'? How much post-processing do you do? What are you aiming for when you take a photo?
Odd questions, perhaps. But I'd be interested in any answers you may have.
Oli.
An odd one here. It's come from some thinking I have been doing recently, and a discussion I have had with a photographic friend.
WHY do you take photos?
I bought a second-hand D80 a couple of years back as an excuse to get back 'into' photography. I had an old Nikon 35mm camera when I was much younger, and always enjoyed using it. I now enjoy using my D80, but after a mere 18 months have produced several times more photos than I did in 10 years of owning 35mm cameras. And am wondering .... why?
I take photos on holiday to remember the holiday. I take photos of family events and days out for the same reason. I take photos of things that I see which are 'pretty' because I like taking pretty photos. I also take photos because I like the precision of it, the thought that can go into the photos themselves and because I like to think that some of the photos I take are nice to look at. (Having said that, I am pretty much ALWAYS disappointed by my photos and can't for a second claim to be at all good at taking them!) I also like taking photos because I like the feel of the equipment and the pleasure of using it, although I shy away from tech-whoring wherever possible.
So ... I now have a few Gb of extra data flapping around on my hard drive, not doing much. OK, I have created some blurb picturebooks of a couple of holidays, which are nice. And the better ones make good screensavers. But that's about it. I am looking at the space they take up and wondering 'why'? The space isn't a problem, but the question still bothers me.
What do you do with your photos? Do you print them out? Show them on digital photoframes around your house? How many do you delete when you go through a memory card? Almost all of them? Do you store the 'also-rans'? How much post-processing do you do? What are you aiming for when you take a photo?
Odd questions, perhaps. But I'd be interested in any answers you may have.
Oli.
Help to aid memories.
Yes, I know I'm only talking holiday or family snaps, but if it wasn't for the fact that I'd been able to look at photo albums my parents had when I was a child, I'd not be able to recall the occassion now.
It's often just a trigger which will help me remember the rest of the day, etc.
I hope to be able to do the same for my family.
Yes, I know I'm only talking holiday or family snaps, but if it wasn't for the fact that I'd been able to look at photo albums my parents had when I was a child, I'd not be able to recall the occassion now.
It's often just a trigger which will help me remember the rest of the day, etc.
I hope to be able to do the same for my family.
There can be several motives.
Money
Fun
Memories
Transmitting information
and probably more
Lots of things I think I 'remember' from the past are not the actual events, but the photos of them. It's easier to remember a photo of something than the thing itself; it's an easily-graspable distillation into 2D.
Money
Fun
Memories
Transmitting information
and probably more
Lots of things I think I 'remember' from the past are not the actual events, but the photos of them. It's easier to remember a photo of something than the thing itself; it's an easily-graspable distillation into 2D.
I find myself asking this question occasionally and then give up trying to answer. I take about 10000 a year on average and for me there are loads of reasons. Firstly I use many for illustrating lectures which is very useful. I find the physical act of photography very relaxing so its good for that. I use my best shots for entering competitions which I suppose is a way of measuring myself and pushing myself to better things. Its also a good way of sharing things I have seen, though always with my own take on things. But perhaps the biggest thing is that buzz you get from getting that one perfect shot. Its like hunting down that next adrenaline rush, that moment of magic that makes spending all the time and money worthwhile. Post photo processing is down to when I have time and sometimes I will find a photo taken several years ago that now seems great. Of course the memory thing is also a huge part. Mark
Years ago with 35mm x 36 exposure, you chose the pictures carefully. Now with digital, you shoot to almost infinity, took over 1000 on a 7 week trip to oz, but when shooting loads of my grandson, occasionally a really one will stick,out.
I save all pictures, and print perhaps 50 for the albums.
Isnt it easier viewing those pictures on the screen than pulling out the slide projector, errecting the screen etc etc, still got the Rollie upstairs, and one day I will sit down and review all those slides, must be over 25 years old now.
So,to answer the question, I take photoes to be able to look back and remember, places, names, times, memories are priceless.
I save all pictures, and print perhaps 50 for the albums.
Isnt it easier viewing those pictures on the screen than pulling out the slide projector, errecting the screen etc etc, still got the Rollie upstairs, and one day I will sit down and review all those slides, must be over 25 years old now.
So,to answer the question, I take photoes to be able to look back and remember, places, names, times, memories are priceless.
For lots of the reasons already stated but also because I like to get a reaction from people. I've had loads of people contact me after shooting their car for a magazine and say how happy they were with the photos or how it helped them sell the car for more than they ever hoped, these guys have often put 100s of hours into building these cars so I need to do that work justice. Also from people too, when I've shot them at events then they discover thier photo online and love how they have been captured. I like making people happy 
The buzz of getting a great shot. I'm happy to sit motionless for hours with one eye to the viewfinder waiting for a shot I want.
I also, as I do with everything, enjoy the competition. I started photography because of the Random Photos thread about 3 years ago and I aim to match the quality of some of the 'togs on there.
So yeah, buzz and my competitive 'I want to be the best' nature.
I also, as I do with everything, enjoy the competition. I started photography because of the Random Photos thread about 3 years ago and I aim to match the quality of some of the 'togs on there.
So yeah, buzz and my competitive 'I want to be the best' nature.
Mainly because I enjoy it! I'm not as serious about photography as I was a few years back, because it started to feel a bit like I was taking pictures because I had to, now that it's purely a hobby I'm enjoying it again.
If I haven't used an image within 6 months of taking it, I bin it, there's no point having filling my computer up with images that will never be used (although everything I take is backed up elsewhere in case I need to go back to it, but that is a relic from the days when I did paid events).
If I haven't used an image within 6 months of taking it, I bin it, there's no point having filling my computer up with images that will never be used (although everything I take is backed up elsewhere in case I need to go back to it, but that is a relic from the days when I did paid events).
Your shots certainly make a few people go, "Wow!" Me included!
I always grabbed snaps on a point and shoot when I was on holiday or at car events, but never got into it seriously until I moved to South Korea. I had a bit more spare cash to get a DSLR with the missus so we splurged.
I feel that now I take shots as a hobby, as relaxation, to share with others, to document the various places I've been to over the years. Also I find that as a hobby, there is always something new to learn with a camera. Whether that is improving a particular type of shot you enjoy or trying something completely new. It is also something I can easily do anywhere/anytime now that I have the camera, a couple of lenses and a tripod. I don't need to plan in advance or go to a specific place like you would with most hobbies. I can just jump in the car and try some shots wherever I fancy.
My main hobby used to be cars, going to car events/races or just driving (hence 10,000 posts on this damn forum over the years!) but now I'm quite happy in a cheap car driving to all kinds of places to enjoy photography. If I can control my lens envy/addiction, it'll probably be cheaper than having a nice car too!
I fear I've become addicted though! I checked my actuation count last night; 21,000 shots in just over a year!
I always grabbed snaps on a point and shoot when I was on holiday or at car events, but never got into it seriously until I moved to South Korea. I had a bit more spare cash to get a DSLR with the missus so we splurged.
I feel that now I take shots as a hobby, as relaxation, to share with others, to document the various places I've been to over the years. Also I find that as a hobby, there is always something new to learn with a camera. Whether that is improving a particular type of shot you enjoy or trying something completely new. It is also something I can easily do anywhere/anytime now that I have the camera, a couple of lenses and a tripod. I don't need to plan in advance or go to a specific place like you would with most hobbies. I can just jump in the car and try some shots wherever I fancy.
My main hobby used to be cars, going to car events/races or just driving (hence 10,000 posts on this damn forum over the years!) but now I'm quite happy in a cheap car driving to all kinds of places to enjoy photography. If I can control my lens envy/addiction, it'll probably be cheaper than having a nice car too!
I fear I've become addicted though! I checked my actuation count last night; 21,000 shots in just over a year!
An excuse to explore the world around me, learn about it and document it, to try and capture something beautiful like a sunset and keep it forever. To help me remember the good times (and sometimes the bad) And to give me something to do when I am home in evenings as I don't like watching telly
Its all about capturing the memories, family events, friends weddings, the nights out and also about the motor racing, catching a photo of a stunning sunset/sunrise at Le Mans/Silverstone, capturing the burst of flame from an over run, a wheel in the air, a car in flight etc. I store mine by event and year. Lovely watching the passage of time and seeing my family evolving.
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