What is your purpose in photography? (Page 3): Enjoyment mostly but I do like the preservation aspect of it- like shooting old buildings before they're torn down.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Enjoyment mostly but I do like the preservation aspect of it- like shooting old buildings before they're torn down.

srt101fan

JD750 wrote:

I have asked myself this recently and I am reading a book that among other things, promises to “ and finish with how to find your purpose in photography.”

That is a bold claim and something I have asked myself more than once. There is no single answer of course, because it is subjective subject.

So I am curious, what do readers here say in response to “What is your purpose in photography?“

Create opportunities to see things again differently.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

JD750 wrote:

I have asked myself this recently and I am reading a book that among other things, promises to “ and finish with how to find your purpose in photography.”

That is a bold claim and something I have asked myself more than once. There is no single answer of course, because it is subjective subject.

So I am curious, what do readers here say in response to “What is your purpose in photography?“

As Steve Jobs said, "The journey is its own reward."

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Having a purpose like preservation of old and historic buildings or other sites has the advantage of making you feel good about spending money on gear.

National Park

My photos are a time machine of my life, including my children and grandchildren, my travel, adventures and vacations, my early mornings and late evenings, my parties and holidays, and the wonder which I have felt on city streets and in nature.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

National Park wrote:

My photos are a time machine of my life, including my children and grandchildren, my travel, adventures and vacations, my early mornings and late evenings, my parties and holidays, and the wonder which I have felt on city streets and in nature.

Well said. Me too.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Primarily to capture and share beauty and significant things with others.

Nortfish Loc: Port St. Lucie, Fla

Most of my photography serves as a bookmark to my memory.
When I look at my pictures I remember the trip or event in my life that gave me happiness.
I guess that I am more of a documentarian than a creative artist, but I'm ok with that.

Brian S. Loc: Oak Park, MI

Nortfish wrote:

Most of my photography serves as a bookmark to my memory.
When I look at my pictures I remember the trip or event in my life that gave me happiness.
I guess that I am more of a documentarian than a creative artist, but I'm ok with that.

This is what it is about for my wife and I. We love to travel the west and take hundreds of photos to relive the trips when we get home.

User ID

CHG_CANON wrote:

Imagine your photography as if you approached every image as if it were your last.

I would absolutely skip that one ... and move on to the next.

User ID

CHG_CANON wrote:

The artist spends years learning to create images no one else could create in a life-time.

Youve thrown a zillion things at the wall to see which ones stick ... and that one really sticks !

User ID

CHG_CANON wrote:

One should really use their camera as if tomorrow it will be stolen.

That would mean removing the card every night and hiding it under my mattress.

User ID

srt101fan wrote:

Create opportunities to see things again differently.

First reply so far that approximates my own personal purposes in using photography. But acoarst my day to day purpose was simply getting paid for it. The best times are when theres some overlap permitted or welcomed.

User ID

DWU2 wrote:

As Steve Jobs said, "The journey is its own reward."

If my journey were half that well rewarded
then Im sure that Id say the same thing.

Klickitatdave Loc: Seattle Washington

CHG_CANON wrote:

Imagine your photography as if you approached every image as if it were your last.