Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Artists feel an urge to create their art from within themselves.

My favorite word is in your title, Philosophy.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I'll bet almost everyone looks at others photos, maybe to get ideas or simply see what they saw and how they saw it.

mjgoulet

Yes, I would continue to shoot. But I'm not a natural at this like some of you are. Composition is challenging for me. I only post what I feel is good which aren't many. I enjoy the process and work to get better. I do feel good when my photos are liked on FB. But I can tell what's good and what isn't and keep most of my photos.

limey

I very seldom share the images and I continue to take pictures. They are for my pleasure and enjoyment. That being said, I am not the greatest photographer in the world so it's perhaps why I don't think others would be interested.

jjbrenner Loc: San Angelo, TX

Guess I'm more in your and Bob's court on this one, LoneRangeFinder. I may not crave the approval of others re. my images, but I sure as heck appreciate it. For me, photography is an art form that should be shared. Not to do so would be similar to writing a book and not allowing anyone else to read it--or painting a picture that no one else was permitted to see. I'm so very grateful for the many quality shooters on this forum who are willing to share their images and their expertise so that all of us may enjoy and learn. I can't see how "Ugly Hedgehog" could exist at all if we all subscribed to the belief that we shoot only for ourselves--we would lose our "teachers." I share the images I like with people I like, and I appreciate gentle, kind, and well thought out critique. (OK, I didn't receive two cents for this, and if I did, I probably would have been overpaid.)

PS: Put down those flame throwers for me as well. After all . . . we artists are sensitive people!

daf40 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Although I do share many of my images, I take photographs mostly for myself. I see the world differently when I am carrying a camera. If I go for a hike without my camera, the hike is mostly about physical excercise, comraderie, or reaching a particular destination. When I carry a camera, however, I experience my surroundings much more intensely. I look at the miniature world for opportunities to take close-up photos. I see panoramas and vistas with wide angle shots in mind. I see distant scenes or objects (such as birds) with the idea of capturing them with a telephoto. I see colors and shapes and textures that I would otherwise take for granted. Photography helps me to fully see and experience and enjoy the world around me.

repleo Loc: Boston

Although I shoot primarily for my own satisfaction, I enjoy posting my photos here on UHH. I am not ashamed to say that I truly value and appreciate the feedback I get from my posts. I find the comments encouraging and motivating and they inspire me to go out and look for interesting subjects and to find ways to push my skills to higher levels.

I started to get serious about my photography just 18 months ago and I took an intermediate level photography course. The teacher only shot B&W, medium format film and new absolutely nothing about digital. I learned very little from a technical aspect, but drew a great deal of inspiration and enthusiasm from the course. One of the main take-aways was the importance of finding an audience or means to display your work. Finding the courage to display your work fosters the drive to improve. I found my ‘audience’ here on UHH. I set myself a goal to post at least once a month on average. I have slipped a bit lately, not because I’m not taking pictures, but because my standards are rising as I get better and I get pickier about when the shot is ‘ready’.

I have the good fortune to live in a very photogenic part of the world. New England offers year round opportunities. I also manage to take trips once or twice a year to great locations in Europe. I like to post mini ‘travelogues’, knowing that there are many folks here on UHH who are unable to travel to these locations. Even though my pictures are far from ‘stunning’ I try to provide a window to these places with some of the character or atmosphere that I experience.

Taking pictures tends to be a solitary, contemplative activity. One has to find ways to avoid becoming disconnected or anti-social. I find sharing my pictures with other photographers and family/friends to be socially connective. I also enjoy attending my camera club, taking courses and joining organized photo walks.

Pine Warbler

Documenting the world around me is the reason I take photos. I share with family and post some on my Facebook. I shoot for myself. I am also a middle school science teacher so over the years, I have shared many of my photos with my students. Photography is my way of capturing the moment that my brain says "Awe!" I did this when I used film, but couldn't take as many "moments"...I love digital for that reason.

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Do writers write to be read?

Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

When I bought good cameras, I liked taking good pictures... Now I take between 60-200 a day... 60 on rainy days. between 150-250 on sunny days... in the winter I do both sunrise and sunset, so everything doubles... from May to October only sunsets...I post 5-10 photos on my fb page a day... if it pours all day, I'll go back a year or 2 and post 2 or 3 ... I like sharing my fotos

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

We all have the uniquely human urge to create art. But the Art Experience is like a three-legged stool. You must have the artist, the art, and the audience to complete it.

jjbrenner Loc: San Angelo, TX

Well said! You expressed in few words (and through a neat graphic) what I tried to express in many.
Thanks.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

So true.

When I first got started, I did more work for myself... trees, flowers, chirping birds, landscapes, abstracts... But then I discovered photography had practical uses --- photojournalism, documentary, PR, portraiture and candid people photos, instruction, inspiration, education, explanation... and built a career out of that. Although photography was only a portion of that career, it was one VERY key ingredient.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

A hundred !

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

The images are for me, my visions. Back in the day.....I made slide shows and bored the family and friends with them. Even on our Honeymoon, I made lots of images with my Exacta. That was 55+ years ago. My sister-in-law commented: "Didn't you take Peggy (my wife) with you?" I think that says it pretty much that I make images for myself.