Peter LeesburgVA

I'm hoping your question was asked in the vain of trying to understand and learn.

All of the posted answers to date are valid. There is also an aspect of photographers sharing a piece of who they are with others, be they family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors. Being able to see, appreciate, and then capture a moment in time is valuable. It has value in being able to open the files on a computer or print it and hang it on a wall, whatever suits to photographer. It has value in sharing that moment in time with people who you care about and who care about you. It gives others the ability to learn about who you are, how you feel, and what you value. Photos are a means to share parts of your life when your family, friends, and colleagues cannot be with you for whatever reason. It allows you to show them and explain all the details about the photo so that while they may feel apart at times they always remember and feel included in your thoughts and feelings whether next door or on the opposite side of the world. As divers and underwater photographers it allows my wife and I to share that part of our lives with family and friends who cannot be with us as we experience that part of our lives. It allows those people with whom we share our photos to feel the enjoyment we feel as we dive and explore new seas and oceans. The best photos capture the essence of the moment as well as a piece of who the photographer is as they impart a small piece of themselves in each of the memories they record. Photography is about sharing, saving moments in our lives, and memories of things that speak to our hearts.

Does that description help you understand?

canon Lee

Hi Peter. It seems that you haven't read any of my above comments about this subject. Here are a few.... (Hi Don, This is the reason I asked the question. The answers are great. I do hope my question is not misunderstood as a put down. It is good that all of us here to have the opportunity to say something about what we love).
(HI. The question is not about me but about all my fellow photographers. We learn so much from each other when we share personal views about who we are)
.Racmanaz wrote:
Why do people ask "why do people take pictures?" :)


I want to know about other photographers. What interests them why they find photography satisfying. I shoot for a living in that. I earn a living shooting what others want. I don't go out into the woods to photograph water falls, wild life or scenery. Im usually in a studio setting. I guess to answer your question is to say I am interested in what other photographers think and do. Its a community with all kinds of neighbors.I completely understand that you & other photographers want to share their personal feelings about why the love photography. I have learned a lot from the comments so far.
Im sure we are on the same page. BTW I'm always eager to learn. Thanks for your comments.

Valsmere Loc: New Jersey

I can certainly relate because I hunt and fish as well. My last outing I brought my Fuji along. I should post some photos I took.

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

Hell... What's Wrong With Shooting Porn?

Hell... What's Wrong with Nude Photos, That's Art Form & Portrait Type Photography

74images

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

You Got That Right Brother...You Put the Words In That I Couldn't Put In This Topic!

74images

Norm W. Loc: Southern CA

Dewitt Jones expressed it this way,
"God gave me photography so that I could pray with my eyes."
Dewitt Jones
I agree with him.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Artists have to create or they're not artists.

Jamers Loc: Michigan

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Aside from the personal,side, how much of world history since cameras came along would be seriously diminished if not for photographs of it.

CHRISTINA71 Loc: Kentucky

Exactly, Well said!!

Jamers Loc: Michigan

I recently asked a person I have known for quite a while, why he always go'es to the bar every day at 4:pm. He replied, "I'm retired, have no hobbies, bored, have nothing to look forward to". I said why don't you find something that is interesting and fulfilling to do? He said..."That would take time from my drinking." Priorities...Myself,... I take pictures because I love making reminders of Gods marvelous landscapes, and the self-satisfaction of being a photographer. Whether it is for money or pleasure, be happy in what you do.

CHRISTINA71 Loc: Kentucky

Amen!

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Like many said before me, for the enjoyment, it gives me pleasure. I mainly enjoy street photography and events such as civil war reenactments, concerts, etc. I see myself capturing a little slice of life for me and others to enjoy.

Don

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Photography is a see-saw. We want to see what we saw.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I like that! Often I'll enjoy my experiences additionally through my photos kind of making up for what I lost in taking them.