Why Do you do it?
Mar 14, 2019 07:27:27 #
tommystrat wrote:
As good a manifesto on why we photograph as I have seen! There is so much grandeur, majesty and beauty in God's great creation, even down to the smallest details. And we are blessed with a camera and a desire to engage with this splendor. What could be better? Thanks for posting!
Thank you for the uplifting comments. A real reason to take photographs for sure.
Mar 14, 2019 08:47:21 #
Nature and human creativity are both wonderful inspirations. Thank you all for the comments.
I work in a field where being self critical and ever learning are essentials. Done right, my work is also taxing enough that money is only a secondary motivator. I truly must love what I do or I can’t do it well. I have found that the secret, for me, in being self critical without beating myself up is keeping a forward looking or positive attitude. I do this by inserting a simple phrase at the beginning of my critical narrative. I say ‘Next time that I am in this situation I will ...’. Or ‘Next time I use this tool...’.
“Next time” is such a marvelous phrase, so much better a phrase than “I should have”. Sounds trite, but it has worked for me for years. Life is too wonderful to look back with regret at the one that got away. Looking forward to the one I can now catch has been extremely beneficial for me. In addition, I personally think it is a mistake to only allow others to judge us or critique us. We miss out on insights because no one cares as much as we do. I also think it a mistake to rely only on ourselves for insight, there are a lot of gifted and smart people to learn from. There is a balance between listening to ourselves and to others where creativity is concerned.
I work in a field where being self critical and ever learning are essentials. Done right, my work is also taxing enough that money is only a secondary motivator. I truly must love what I do or I can’t do it well. I have found that the secret, for me, in being self critical without beating myself up is keeping a forward looking or positive attitude. I do this by inserting a simple phrase at the beginning of my critical narrative. I say ‘Next time that I am in this situation I will ...’. Or ‘Next time I use this tool...’.
“Next time” is such a marvelous phrase, so much better a phrase than “I should have”. Sounds trite, but it has worked for me for years. Life is too wonderful to look back with regret at the one that got away. Looking forward to the one I can now catch has been extremely beneficial for me. In addition, I personally think it is a mistake to only allow others to judge us or critique us. We miss out on insights because no one cares as much as we do. I also think it a mistake to rely only on ourselves for insight, there are a lot of gifted and smart people to learn from. There is a balance between listening to ourselves and to others where creativity is concerned.
Mar 14, 2019 10:15:46 #
RichKenn
Loc: Merritt Island, FL
Do I detect a little bragging here? That's OK. I took hundreds of pictures of artifacts, structures, machinery, documents and drawings at the Kennedy Gold Mine in Jackson, California as a volunteer with no pay and little thanks. I loved every minute of it because I was able to use what little skill I have for some purpose.
And, photography is fun. It gives me a chance to express myself, create some beauty and/or preserve some scene I think worthy of preserving. Mostly preserving. I am not much of an artist. Loosen up, relax and enjoy what you are good at doing.
And, photography is fun. It gives me a chance to express myself, create some beauty and/or preserve some scene I think worthy of preserving. Mostly preserving. I am not much of an artist. Loosen up, relax and enjoy what you are good at doing.
Mar 14, 2019 10:29:21 #
Shutterbugsailer wrote:
And because I can neither paint nor draw
Mar 14, 2019 10:44:48 #
Jack729 wrote:
If I may, indulge in a short story - br It was 6 ... (show quote)
And the young Prince of India, having discovered death and suffering for the first time, embarked on a journey of discovery, hoping to find the cause and solution to the human condition. He wore only the clothes he had when he started, slept under the stars and ate only what he find along the way. Ten years later, tired, depressed and hungry he fell asleep under a bodhi tree. In a deep sleep he had a dream and in that dream he found the causes and the solutions to suffering. When he woke up he was no longer the person he was when he stop to rest, he was enlightened and had become the Buddha.
Mar 14, 2019 13:13:26 #
Great topic. Made me ponder.
I do it for the challenge, as being successful trying to shoot in difficult light
I do it because when freezing a fast moving action I can see things no one has.
I do it for the feeling I get when I see a young photog struggling and my tips make a difference.
I do it because sometimes an image is all I can take with me.
I do it because getting a good picture makes the effort, expense and time justified.
I do it because of the value a photo can have, when I see an old photo of a family member and I get to meet him/her for the first time. And when it lets me remember that person forever.
And for these and many other reasons I feel privileged I can do this.
I do it for the challenge, as being successful trying to shoot in difficult light
I do it because when freezing a fast moving action I can see things no one has.
I do it for the feeling I get when I see a young photog struggling and my tips make a difference.
I do it because sometimes an image is all I can take with me.
I do it because getting a good picture makes the effort, expense and time justified.
I do it because of the value a photo can have, when I see an old photo of a family member and I get to meet him/her for the first time. And when it lets me remember that person forever.
And for these and many other reasons I feel privileged I can do this.
Mar 14, 2019 14:27:38 #
" . . . he was enlightened and had become the Buddha".
Thank you for that
Thank you for that
Mar 14, 2019 18:54:22 #
RichKenn wrote:
Do I detect a little bragging here? That's OK. I t... (show quote)
Not bragging here, actually the opposite. I get compliments but still think I could or should do better. I enjoy what I am doing and put my work out there to share, which is hard to do for many of us. I am an introvert and that makes it hard to be prideful or boastful. This post was even difficult for me to share with my peers and makes me feel vulnerable and that makes me uncomfortable. If I came across as bragging it was not intended to be, my mild success seems like a dream to this day.
I like that you think you are a preservationist because that is what we all are as photographers. I am loosened up when I am out shooting and only get uptight when I can't get out and shoot more.
Mar 14, 2019 18:56:23 #
clemente21 wrote:
Great topic. Made me ponder. br br I do it for th... (show quote)
You are doing it for the perfect reasons keep it up some will value it and be thankful you did so.
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