Why do we shoot: I find myself wondering sometimes why we make, take, create photos. For family, for income, for memories, for art, for fame, to put on a disk and forget, or to...

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

I find myself wondering sometimes why we make, take, create photos. For family, for income, for memories, for art, for fame, to put on a disk and forget, or to investigate the world around us?
Sometimes I catch myself wondering why or what caught my attention for a shot and then remembering it was the light on the edge of the leaf, but the light has changed by then and the shot is gone. Perhaps better to wonder after the shot.
Anyway, was just curious as what other photographers think.
mariak

amehta Loc: Boston

mariak wrote:

I find myself wondering sometimes why we make, tak... (show quote)

This is a very important thing to wonder about.

Even as you prepare to take the shot, if you stop wondering what caught your attention, you may compose the picture in a way that does not convey what drew you to that particular scene. Sometimes, the shot just goes away, that's life. I think part of evolving and becoming a better photographer is recognizing what caught your attention and capturing the image faster.

I don't have a good answer for why I do it. :-)

Knight Shooter Loc: Bangor, Pennsylvania

These reasons immediately come to mind: 1) Constantly in pursuit of the 'perfect' photo, understanding that the definition of perfect can change, 2) Make other people smile, laugh, cry, remember, imagine, 3) For art... and money.

mariak wrote:

I find myself wondering sometimes why we make, tak... (show quote)

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I shoot for my own enjoyment. There are a couple things that motivate me and hence determine why I take a specific shot. Sometimes I'm recording an event to save or share. For example I took some shots at my granddaughters induction into the National Honor Society even though the lighting sucked and they would not allow flash but they came out good enough to share with family that couldn't be there. Then I take shots of unique things I see around my home, strange cloud formation some critter doing something out of the ordinary and so on. I also for fun shoot runners at the races my sons running shoe store sponsor. For me I keep it fun and never agree to shoot anything for anyone. I refuse to allow it to become work or an "I have to" situation.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Pepper wrote:

I shoot for my own enjoyment. There are a couple t... (show quote)

The truth? It beats sitting on my ass doing nothing.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

mariak wrote:

to investigate the world around us?

That's why I do it. I never get tired of observing and photographing nature (wildlife) in action.
Every day is something different and a potential new adventure.

Selkii Loc: Oakland, CA & Vancouver Island

To capture what the eye can't see, but the heart feels. My sister paints; I can't draw a straight line. Photography is my "art" because I am constantly trying to create in camera or Lightroom or Photoshop what I saw in a way others can see it, too... mostly unsuccessfully, but the chase and learning are so satisfying!

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

My brain isn't big enough to wrap itself around all that. Simply put, I take photos because I enjoy it, and part of the pleasure is trying to make the next photo better than the last one.

I grew up competing in most facets of my life, and this is just another page in that competitive life style. Now, I'm competing with myself. I love it.

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

amehta wrote:

This is a very important thing to wonder about.

Even as you prepare to take the shot, if you stop wondering what caught your attention, you may compose the picture in a way that does not convey what drew you to that particular scene. Sometimes, the shot just goes away, that's life. I think part of evolving and becoming a better photographer is recognizing what caught your attention and capturing the image faster.

I don't have a good answer for why I do it. :-)

And, if I pay attention to the time I can come back the next day and try again. Sometimes new light brings even more opportunities.
I think I am trying to capture the sense of creation I had when I painted .
mariak

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

Knight Shooter wrote:

These reasons immediately come to mind: 1) Constantly in pursuit of the 'perfect' photo, understanding that the definition of perfect can change, 2) Make other people smile, laugh, cry, remember, imagine, 3) For art... and money.

You're right, perfect is changeable. I think that makes it more fun.
mariak

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

Pepper wrote:

I shoot for my own enjoyment. There are a couple t... (show quote)

Yes, it should be enjoyable.
mariak

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

boberic wrote:

The truth? It beats sitting on my ass doing nothing.

For the most part, so true.
mariak

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

Swamp Gator wrote:

That's why I do it. I never get tired of observing and photographing nature (wildlife) in action.
Every day is something different and a potential new adventure.

I think a lot of use shoot for that reason, we are visual observers.
mariak

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

Selkii wrote:

To capture what the eye can't see, but the heart feels. My sister paints; I can't draw a straight line. Photography is my "art" because I am constantly trying to create in camera or Lightroom or Photoshop what I saw in a way others can see it, too... mostly unsuccessfully, but the chase and learning are so satisfying!

Yes, the learning and the discovery mean a lot.
mariak

mariak Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

gym wrote:

My brain isn't big enough to wrap itself around all that. Simply put, I take photos because I enjoy it, and part of the pleasure is trying to make the next photo better than the last one.

I grew up competing in most facets of my life, and this is just another page in that competitive life style. Now, I'm competing with myself. I love it.

I think, you're right,competing with oneself is the best way to improve.
mariak