What is your purpose in photography? (Page 9): Thank you. I will be looking it up. It sound like something I would like to read. One can never learn enough.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Mike D. wrote:

I love the first sentence. Those six words run very deep. With that said, you may enjoy a book called, The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker. It might just be up your alley.

Thank you. I will be looking it up. It sound like something I would like to read. One can never learn enough.

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

SuperflyTNT wrote:

I approach every image as if it’s my next! 😜🤪

👍
That's having a purpose on purpose.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

JD750 wrote:

I have asked myself this recently and I am reading a book that among other things, promises to “ and finish with how to find your purpose in photography.”

That is a bold claim and something I have asked myself more than once. There is no single answer of course, because it is subjective subject.

So I am curious, what do readers here say in response to “What is your purpose in photography?“

Very simple!!! to create images I am unable to draw or paint!!!

DanF Loc: Wichita, KS

I’m mainly interested in landscape photography, so for me, I’m always trying to capture the aesthetics that are everywhere in nature. The drama in certain scenes or the emotions nature can engender. I’m looking for that photo that gives you a little gasp. So I avoid the “pretty picture” as much as I can, and look for shots that I get excited about bringing to life in post processing and printing for display. Secondarily (and it’s getting to be primarily) I love that zone when you’re out before dawn, all alone, and it’s all about light, color and contrast. A couple of hours can go by without my noticing. The journey is getting to be as important as the picture.

Friendly

My photography is personal: to grasp and develop images that are reflective of the world I see.

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

I first became interested in Photography while serving with the U.S.Army in the early seventies. I had received training in and was doing sound recording for training films when I realized that my ear and the microphone didn’t hear things in the same way. To achieve good results I had to teach my ear to listen like a microphone. I had to hear beyond the sounds I wanted, to the noise that the ear perceives but the brain filters. I soon realized my eye was the same way and that I could teach myself to see using the tools that mimic vision. I bought a 35 mm camera with some black and white film and started.

RKastner Loc: Davenport, FL

lyndacast wrote:

I ask myself the same question often…I am a hobbyi... (show quote)

Couldn't have said it better myself. Well said.

EliBadger Loc: Ashland, NH, USA

I first started to take pictures when my son was born(1976). I took documentation pictures. This was in the time of film,and cell phones.

As time went by and my son aged out of letting his father capture moments in his life, started taking pictures of other things. I have pages and pages of negatives and slides to prove it.

I discovered Photoshop, bought a scanner, and, now I could manipulate images. Years past, I had a couple of shows at a local coffee shop, and had my ego stroked, along with some negative comments.

Now, I create images without the worry of other people’s approval, except for my wife’s.

b top gun

A long time ago I was sitting in a psych class; on that day the instructor put one word on the blackboard..."WHY?"...in GIANT letters; next he did a discourse on why "WHY?" was the most unfair question to ever ask...because it's PERSONAL! End of discussion!!! Why I embrace photography...it's personal in so many ways. Every Nikon holiday I have been on since 2014 has been personal in its own way.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

b top gun wrote:

A long time ago I was sitting in a psych class; on that day the instructor put one word on the blackboard..."WHY?"...in GIANT letters; next he did a discourse on why "WHY?" was the most unfair question to ever ask...because it's PERSONAL! End of discussion!!! Why I embrace photography...it's personal in so many ways. Every Nikon holiday I have been on since 2014 has been personal in its own way.

Why is the MOST important concept to provide to employees in a business environment, because it gives them the reasons why they should do what they are instructed to do to perform their jobs. Always LEAD with why, when you can. (Obviously, there are times when confidentiality is at stake, but normally that is not a factor unless you work in product development or business development or similar roles.)

There is a huge difference between insulting someone by questioning their personal motives, and asking them for the logical reason something is important. I think your psych prof missed that. Relevance is always important. Context is always important. As a trainer, I always made sure my trainees understood why they were asked to perform certain procedural steps, and I explained why they should perform them a certain way. Without the why, employees tend to invent shortcuts that lessen quality, safety, and customer satisfaction, thereby raising costs for an organization. Employees are empowered when they know the why behind the what to do.

naikentv

History of Time & Place People and Objects, for a memorial Document to memorialize a history of one life's Journey on this planet. A great Look back record and historic places, people and Landcape for family and friends and a travel log of one life act

tommclaughlin

To capture as much of the feeling I had when first viewing whatever is being photographed.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

JD750 wrote:

I have asked myself this recently and I am reading a book that among other things, promises to “ and finish with how to find your purpose in photography.”

That is a bold claim and something I have asked myself more than once. There is no single answer of course, because it is subjective subject.

So I am curious, what do readers here say in response to “What is your purpose in photography?“

I have pondered this issue myself. I have more pictures than I need and there is no wall space for any more. I don't sell them so I get no income from this activity. When I travel (which is not so often any more) I take a lot of pictures and make videos from them; I watch the videos occasionally but now have seen all of the many times. So why am I still taking pictures?

I think of it as similar to people who do catch-and-release fishing. It's a hobby, something I enjoy doing. With digital photography you are not even polluting significantly, it gets you outside for shooting and gives you something interesting to do editing; it's harmless and fun. That's why I keep doing it.

srt101fan

pecohen wrote:

I have pondered this issue myself. I have more pi... (show quote)

Some good thoughts there, pecohen....

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

My purpose has changed since l was a pro photographer, now retired 16 years. I enjoyed fulfillIg my clients needs and l needed to support myself. I like to share my vision, l like taking photos because l can't help it, its instinctive. Its in my DNA.