DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Everything in life needs balance.

75 years ago you were shooting film and it sounds like your father was doing the developing and printing (and probably funding).

Now you make your own decisions. You should not take so many photos that, combined with the time required to sort, organize, enjoy, and distribute will interfere with your life overhead (eating, sleeping, bathing).

Balance.

BebuLamar

Back in the film days I would have made the shot and then after I got the picture took at it once and never again. I think I would have wasted a shot but oh well.

Dannj

I’ve taken similar photos, sometimes a dozen or so of the same object at different settings and different angles. If I like one I keep it, if not it’s gone.

Dr Grump Loc: Southern New England

I like the pic. I started taking pictures with a Baby Brownie, my 7 year old birthday present--in 1938. I like the idea of pressing that button when I see something that I like to look at and want to be able to see it again. And again. And again...

Peter Boyd Loc: Blyth nr. Newcastle U.K.

In M.H.O. beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If something pleases you, take a picture. In the world of digital photography it costs nothing to be trigger happy! In the days of film, I was a lot more cautious about "spray and pray", because film cost money!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Good point!

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

When in doubt, press the button. You can learn as much from bad shots as from the good ones.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

In our current digital era, I offer that taking numerous images is the right approach, coupled with serious culling in the computer, so that you save the best ones.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Shooter 42 wrote: "When do you think someone should go ahead and take a picture of something?"

Do you remember when we were using film? We were very selective then. Digital media is said to be free and we see now more trigger happy photographers than we saw in the past. It is free, right?
I can only speak on my behalf and I take a picture of something when I like the subject in front of my eyes. I am as selective now as I was when I shot film. If I make a trip to photograph something I would say it will be very unusual if I take more than 50, perhaps 100 shots. I cannot remember when was the last time I made 100 images in one of my trips.

Believe me, for my photo style I am not missing anything. I look and observe my subject, I look at the lighting and I compose to my taste and then I shoot one, perhaps two shots and that is it. I am sure someone else will do differently since we are all different, each of us has his or her own taste. If the light could be problematic then I bracket the exposures but that is not my usual routine.

Will my image say something to someone? Perhaps yes, perhaps not. If it says something to me I am more than satisfied.

LittleBit Loc: St. Louis, MO

NO !

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

"No!"... to whom? If you click on "quote reply" everyone will know who you're responding to. Just trying to help.

OldCADuser Loc: Irvine, CA

While I take 'interesting' pictures as well as when we travel of course, I also use my camera to document what's happening in and around us. Since I have an archive with a fully searchable database, I tend to use it as a sort of electronic 'diary'. for example, whenever we have any work done on our house, like when they repaired the tile roof, or when we had new double-glaze windows installed, or when we remodeled our kitchen, I document the activities. Another example was when we had a new furnace/AC system installed. I not only took shots of the new furnace and ductwork and the AC unit in the backyard, but I also documented what the old stuff looked like. And speaking of the backyard, we're on our third arbor over our fountain, and I've documented each one of them over the years, as well as my wife's raised 'COVID garden' that we built from which we've gotten a lot of tomatoes, zucchini and various herbs, again, all photographically documented. Of course, we've also documented the normal family events like weddings, first Communions, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

And along the way, I've managed to sell the occasional image (44 images over the past few years), some which were pretty mundane, to a stock photo house. For example, in addition to a great shot of the LA Coliseum (which I've sold twice), I've also sold shots of termite damage to our bathroom door frame, a shot of my empty office on my last day at work before I retired and even one of our messy garage.

So yes, I'm pushing the shutter button all the time.

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Take the picture when you see the picture. That's you part, the camera will then capture your picture. I see people shoot blasts, they are all the same at 20 shots a second. That was a roll of film in the old days.
I believe photography is in your eye/brain not in the recorder(the camera).

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Well said!
I'd add though, that shots that have made it to magazines or other folks family memories are worthwhile for them, and I'd like to know that they have them before I dispose of the originals.