dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Now jerry... if no one cared about your links and your opinions would you continue... yes... but no fun... and you would end up inside a small car... and eventually turn into an avatar.

I have several books of 4x6 photos ... if I want to get rid of some one I pull them out. Most Joe and Jill Public do not digest a photo ... "uuhu thats nice" comments.... or launch into a story about their aunt Sally having a car just like the Ford you are showing only it is a Chevy and a hard top.... too many are visually/mentally challenged to appreciate well done photos.

One day when teaching... one student said... your photos look odd! They are so clear! Yes jerry we live in a Cellphonetography world where photos are not clear and not expected to be .... clarity and color screech their nerves.

Jcmarino

absolutely, Im totally addicted and dont want to be helped!

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I shoot for me, don't care what people think, but enjoy the heck out of sharing them with friends photo club members etc.

cthahn

Spend more time taking pictures and quit thinking about ridiculous questions to ask.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

DITTO!!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Did we become social creatures when the USGovernment developed the Internet? Why should my behavior change because of it?

machia Loc: NJ

Yes !
You explained better than I did !👍

Steamboat

I actually only shoot for myself and am not on social network ....I have been meaning to post on this forum.
For the sake of credibility this forum would be an important place for me to post a few photos.
Where is the best place to do that?

Do I shoot less.....yes because I'm not trying to please anyone.
Sometimes If I do shoot for someone, then I shoot 5 times more to cover their vision as well as mine ....I hate doing that
After 40 years in photography I find the medium even more interesting each and every day.
Im retired now ....on the rare occasion that I shoot for others ....yes I am a little less interested .....but not by much ....the medium is magical to me
....Its powerful


To me Art and Photography make life a bit more interesting .....it teaches to be involved in an engaging way......I learn new things....about everything

So why do you all shoot ?

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

As many other hobby photographers I shoot for me. I post pictures on FB, Instagram, and 500px. However, I have a few favorites that I will print in large format and frame for my home.

Cape Coral Joel

The consensus so far seems to be you take photo's for yourself and it doesn't matter what others think. However when you look at the large number of images uploaded everyday it appears there are many photographers displaying them for others. They probably are not willing to admit their real motivation which is to elicit some positive feed back and not necessarily for educational purposes.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Waiting to hear why you asked the questions and what are YOUR answers to them!

Seems to me you may be missing an important part of why people take and make photographs. Artists of all kinds have something they want to express, a feeling or vision to capture, and often have little recognition from others. It is something that comes from within. Even "documentary" photographers want their images to be good representations of the subject or event.

Photography is not a "job" that you train for and write a resume' so you can seek a job. It is a passion that you want to pursue and seek ways to earn money so you can continue. Or you don't need money so just do it! Like so many other things in life, we do it because we like it. And we like it better when we are good at it. So liking it better, we continue to do it!

As for the relationship between sharing pictures and finding it interesting, that depends on the photographer/artist. Some find the photographic process satisfying in itself, and as you must know photography tends to be a solitary endeavor. But most people are also socially oriented so approval from others can be more or less important depending on the individual. And then there are those of us who seek opinions from others that are honest and will help us to improve our skills. Simple approval is nice, but not helpful or satisfying!

Your apparently simple, straightforward questions actually involve a complexity that attempts to analyze something that is seldom consistent and totally dependent on the individual photographer's inner needs and other motivations.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I ended up posting five series here based on our vacation in West Virginia
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-472418-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473004-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473096-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473835-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-475381-1.html

I have to admit that I was thinking of "Sense of Place" series for both Edray Road {partway through} and the Cass Railroad {from the beginning}, and that caused me to take a few extra shots needed for that approach, but what that really means is spending time here has made me a more intentional photographer; in general I would have taken the same pictures in 1986 {the previous time my wife and I were in that area}.

williamcarter

I have found that the observations now from people who do not understand photography as an art form or a way of expressing their view of something they saw. Does not make sense to them. Which in a way kind of shows that they do not see the beauty of what is actually in this crazy world of ours. Just keep shooting and be proud of what you photograph.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

I shoot photography with my wife. We do it for the pure enjoyment. Our goal is to improve each time we go out. I am interested to see how the photos impact others, but it does not drive me to do well. My favorite subject is nature and landscape. I spend as much time studying photography, doing post processing as I do on the actual shoot itself. I recently had knee surgery so it has put a cramp in my style. I went out for the first time two days ago.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

No. Photography is a visual "language" with content created to be shared.