nikon123 Loc: Toronto, Canada

I read with interest the recent topic on ‘why do we shoot what we shoot’, or words to that effect. Bound up with this topic is a further existential discussion. Questions:
1. What initially attracted you to photography?
2. What do you do or want to do with your photography?
3. Do you have a photographic style that is recognizable by others or simply defines your photography.
Briefly I will offer answers to the questions. There is a longer version.
1, personal expression
2. Teach others, produce images that are in my ‘sweet spot’
3. I know which elements of design and rules of composition are important to me. I know that my most compelling images are candid portraits. To those who Who don’t necessarily value people in photography, landscapes are their attractions. Would you share with me your take in this subject?

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

First of all I am not a proficient expert at much of anything, just ask my wife.... As far as This thing we call photography is concerned it is one of my 2 true interests... the other being that I am engrossed with Audio equipment. It is really hard to describe exactly WHY it is so satisfying to me.... When one is in the groove it seems like all the elements of light, shadow, line, form etc... all come together in a way that gives one a sense of harmony and completeness. I am not a people person per se but think that balance in a composition is what I look for. I can work around technical problems but If the comp does not have synergy between all components, it doesn't work for me. Geometrical balance and placement is important to me as I can then adjust light, shadow detail etc... to my liking. To make a long story short I guess I would say that composition is the most important to me and When I sit and start moving sliders in ACR it is like a blank canvas of proportion that I can let the sea of creativity in and fly by the seat of my pants.... Not a very sophisticated approach, but an honest one.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I shoot images that will never be repeated again. Special events, friends, family, vacations, holidays or anything else that interests me. I enjoy sharing with others on social media and am known as the person who keeps a record of things happening around us.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

No specific photographic style.
Just do what I like.
No need to work to please others. If they like it fine, if not, who cares?
I could see if doing it for money then a style of something to set you apart can spell success or failure.
So circumstances dictate photographic style.

wide2tele Loc: Australia

1. Attracted me is school. Took it as an easy subject. I thought how hard can it be to pass photography? Push a button, done, A+ for sure!

2. From this point no set plan for my photography. I will do absolutely anything I feel like.

3. Always been known for my use of color and flash. Might move away from that at least for a while. That’s the plan, don’t hold me to it. haha

Lingen Loc: Grenada, Caribbean

1. I have a terrible memory. I started taking pictures to remind myself 'where I've been, what I've seen'. A visual diary.
2. Now, decades later, to map my progress through Life. Trying to add 'how I feel about it' to the above. Interest, humour, affection.
3. I think that's for others to say. I treat everthing as a portrait: if it's a landscape, then it's a portrait of a particular view.

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1. Can’t possibly recall. I’ve always been an artist.

2. Retire.

3-A. Client feedback says it’s “clarity”. I do try for artlessness in much of my work ... but the pendulum does swing.

3-B. I’ve ALWAYS been criticized for not developing a “consistent body of work”.

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boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Mostly landscape, in the various seasons. Fall in New England, snow scenes, harvest time. The possibles are endless. And the subject doesn't move much. My action shots are terrible. BIF worse.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I started taking pictures with a Kodak Instamatic when I was in the Navy in the 1960s to share with my family. I enjoyed it, so I bought an Olympus OM-1. I now shoot mostly with a Nikon Df DSLR, and a Nikon Z fc MILC.

What I want to do with my photography is enjoy myself and share some of what I find interesting, ironic or unusual with others. Though it’s nice when someone compliments my photos, that’s not what I live for.

My photographic style is having fun.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

1. What initially attracted you to photography?
Fabulous Magazine Imagery! Period!
VOGUE; National Geographic; Rolling Stone; LIFE; the list goes around the block...

2. What do you do or want to do with your photography?
Generate a revenue stream... Yes I'm in it for the money... i.e. a mercenary

3. Do you have a photographic style that is recognizable by others or simply defines your photography.
Absolutely! Since I primarily shoot fashion/beauty genre I have morphed into this genre's style...
Studied and emulated the visual statements of top NYC Fashion Model Agencies...

The most important thing I've learned on my photographic journey is that your visual statement not only has to be very strong... it absolutely must be brutally consistent.
Clients want/need to know what they will get by hiring you to shoot their talent/product/etc...

Bottom Line? You are only as good as the weakest image in your book... words to live by...

Below reflects my visual statement... And that of the sitter, a colleague and fellow NYC photographer...
Oh, I did her makeup on this shoot also... my other "job" is that of a Bridal Makeup Artist... Cheers!
.

(Life-Style) Illustrated: Nikon F3 w/ AI 50mm 1.4; Professional Model & NYC Photographer and colleague; Camera: Nikon D3; Lens: AF 200mm Micro Nikkor f/4D IF-ED

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

maggiemae Loc: North Carolina

You have most definitely achieved this Thomas! I was looking at newest pictures and saw this and immediately thought I wonder if Thomas posted that. And sure enough it was yours! I love your work, always flawless!

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear Thomas902...
Thank you for being the makeup artist and giving us those lips. They are absolutely "delicious!"
Shooter41

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Three short answers;
1. What initially attracted you to photography? National Geographic Magazine

2. What do you do or want to do with your photography? Enjoy it and document family

3. Do you have a photographic style that is recognizable by others or simply defines your photography.
No style known

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

1. What initially attracted you to photography?
2. What do you do or want to do with your photography?
3. Do you have a photographic style that is recognizable by others or simply defines your photography.

I was a young man when I became interested in photography. An assistant at the university showed me the darkroom and some negatives along with some 8x10 inches prints. That was the beginning because I bought a Japanese Petri rangefinder camera and a second hand Weston Master. I began photographing portraits of friends and people I did not know but who posed for me. Then I went into landscape photography. Eventually I ended up shooting practically anything I liked.

I did not do much with my photography in the beginning. Eventually I found myself giving away prints and keeping some shots that I did really like. At the time monochrome photography was most popular but it did really became a passion for me many years later. With color I used Kodachrome 25 and 64 for almost all of my landscapes till I began to shoot Fujicolor 200, a friendly film when it came to exposure that enlarged beautifully and offered to my taste great colors. I also used Kodacolor 100 but less often. Today with digital my tendency is to show others what I shoot, usually relatives and friends and in a majority of the cases I end up deleting the files although I have made many enlargements that I keep in their frames.

I do not have a photographic style I simply shoot what I like. I wish I was making more portraits because that is something that has always attracted my attention but as of lately I am doing none. Thomas 902 has shot an excellent portrait of that young lady and if memory does not fail I would say Nikon has used the portrait in their advertisements, I could be wrong though.