BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

In my film days, I shared photos by having them printed or made into slides. The prints usually wound up in a box with other prints with an occasional print made for family or friends. The slides probably bored my family and friends when I showed them. So there is no way that your first question is completely relevant to most photographers. As far as your second, I have taken many more pictures now that it costs less. Always looking for that "wall hanger" and of course memories of my many trips. So even if no one else was interested, I am.
Bud

Landscapelady61 Loc: Oregon

No I wouldn't take fewer photos, even back in the film days I took lots of photos and after I looked at them I physically shared them with other photographers for their opinions. :)

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Ditto.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Family members shoot for themselves now and post on Facebook. They don't need me so much anymore as a photographer. I'm not complaining but every once in awhile I'll show them what could be done.

jjbrenner Loc: San Angelo, TX

I hope they understand and enjoy the artistry of images such as these. I think much, if not most, of our family photography only becomes valuable and fully appreciated after many years. Your work is beautiful and captures the love of the photographer for his subjects.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Thanks. You're right. Family pics are very valuable. I didn't fully realize this till I had my first hard drive crash many years ago and lost some family shots because I had only backed up my "good" photography.

hollyhock

Thanks to everyone who has responded, in a sincere way, to my question.

I wanted to know when folks capture a meaningful image, if they are satisfied keeping the feeling, that the photo creates, to themselves -- or is there a need to share this feeling with others? And sharing, not for approval,....but just for the joy of sharing the feeling the image portrays.

I'm not overly concerned with photographic "rules". I'm more interested in the "feel" not "fact" that an image produces. As we all know a provocative image frequently has nothing to do with what is considered photographically "correct".

I have had some of my images accepted in photography shows and the experience was thrilling. My family and friends came and the sharing was a real celebration. When I capture what I consider to be an important image, I feel a sense of happiness, or awe, or sadness -- depending on the circumstance. I feel the need to share it with others. It often feels the image isn't complete if it remains only with me. Sometimes I will spend alone-time with my favorite images. However, the real fun comes from sharing.

Lately, I haven't felt like shooting. And I think it's because I've lost the desire to share: most folks are not really interested; 10,000 photos on my computer is enough to look at; there is no room left on my walls to hang them; my children and grandchildren are grown so I'm not shooting them anymore.

Alas, I have lost the desire to carry my camera around just in case I see something interesting. I will use it for travel, etc....but I've lost the every day passion. And that makes me sad. And I think it has to do with loosing the interest to share the photos.

Sorry for the ramble -- if you made it to the end of my tale....thanks!!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I would, although it would be less satisfying.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Hello Hollyhock! We all have gone through periods of not wanting to take pictures. It is like writer's block in the sense that the inspiration is not there. Life gets in the way sometimes... Because it makes you sad, I suspect that if you give yourself a bit of time, and perhaps a few pep talks along the way, without trying to force it, you will eventually regain the spark.

Why do you think no one is interested in seeing your photos? I have found that people everywhere enjoy viewing creative works, and meeting the artist who created them. There are many ways to share, not just in photography shows to which you must be accepted. You can find places around town that would love to display your pictures, and some will even sell them for you. [One of our local restaurants likes to give their customers something new and interesting to look at every month!] There are arts and crafts fairs with low cost for the space. Photography clubs can be a good way to interact with others who also love photography. And you can share online - this forum is one place, Facebook is another. The list is quite long. I saw that the walls in our local library were looking bare, so I hung some of my photos there. Not for sale, just to brighten up the place. And it got them out of my "project room" so I could find space to walk around! I have switched them out and put up different ones, and occasionally just taken one or two that fit with an exibition I was planning. But I love sharing them, and do get compliments from people who enjoy seeing them there. Recently I set up at a local event where I suspected there would not be too many people who would buy my photos. The important thing for me was to see how people liked my images, and the compliments were very encouraging. And I do like talking to people, even giving advice occasionally when someone asks a question about photography.

I am glad you shared your feelings about what taking pictures means to you. Many of us were curious and hoped you would speak to us. I do love the way you described the way you feel about photography and sharing, and hope very much that you can find your way back to it.

Sometimes when I have not taken any pictures for a while, I just pick up the camera and go out in my front yard! There is always something to shoot, even if it turns out to be a boring or even a lousy photograph... But it usually works and gets me going again. Especially when the photo is actually pretty good, the subject enjoyable, and the fresh air helps clear the fog and cobwebs out of my brain. Here are two of the things in my front yard that have inspired me. [There are many more!]

Hope this helps. Susan

Purple Dragon ground cover 1/4" flowers


Eastern Red Newt seen under my apple tree

hollyhock

Thanks for your kind words -- and much needed inspiration Susan. I love your 2 photos and your amazing little orange friend makes me smile. Wonderful shot !!!!!

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Let me know if you find your way back to taking and sharing photos. It is such a great activity, whether you do it as an amateur, enthusiast, or pro. Good exercise for the body and mind, and therapeutic in its own right.

No matter where you are, there is something that would be a subject for photography. Something to try: Go into the yard, a field, the woods, or even into town, and stand in one spot. Turn around 360 degrees, slowly, and observe as much of what is in your field of view as possible. Count how many photos you could take from that spot. Of course there are places which will seem devoid of interest, but it is amazing what you can find if you truly LOOK! Some small, some large. Not everything is macro, not everything is a grand landscape.

I am in the habit of visualizing photographs everywhere I go. Of course many times I am in the car, but I make a mental note of it, write it down later, and decide what time of day would have the best light. One of my favorite places near my home is an apple orchard. I have spring, summer, fall, and winter photos from there. It is so peaceful to go there early in the morning. The guys who work in the orchard will be driving tractors to different parts, and we wave to each other as they go by. In fall I like to watch and photograph them harvesting the apples. It is amazing how many different views you can take of the same location.

I, too, love to share my photos!
Susan

Grand Panorama in Spring


Small detail in Summer


Limited landscape in Fall


Medium landscape in Winter

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Holly:
Post some photos. There is a whole pile of people from all over the world that would like to see your work.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Those are great pics Susan. You have a great eye for composition.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Thank you!