RickL Loc: Vail, Az

It depends on the season and then we plan where we will go and take the appropriate equipment for that particular trip.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

My photos are most often a scene that has spoken to me. Others are something that I feel others may like to see. Then once in a while, my mind suggests a certain set-up that requires me to gather props or subject matter and arrange it. Then again there are the times when I am requested to take a certain type of photo, such as portraits.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

I am a very mechanical guy. I like fast cars, big trucks, antique tractors, construction equipment, big steam, fast planes. I also like landscapes, candid shots of people I know, and vacation memories. When you photograph things you are interested in, you tend to study the scene and the light more closely than you would something you're not interested in.

Example: I go to car shows and photograph cars, paying attention to where the sun is and what the background is. When I find a car that really catches my eye, then I go the extra mile, take many more photos, catch reflections, compose, frame, whatever. Sometimes I come back later in the day to get less harsh and better light. Would I do this for birds? No. Not interested. An SR-71? Oh yes!

So, foremost, take photos of what interests you.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The OP is an interesting anomaly in our vast sea of yellow pages

My comments were based on the OP's short history, which includes these topics:

- "Photo editing: do you prefer to keep it subtle or prefer bold transformations?"
- "Black and White Photography: do you use one of the primary colors to convert or all colors"
- "Photographing people: natural or posed"
- "Prime or zoom lenses - does it even matter these days"
- "Lighting - natural or artificial"

If you read his replies (there aren't many), you'll find more evidence to support my theory that he's here to encourage others to participate in meaningful discourse rather than find personal solutions for himself.

Still waiting to hear from Paul as to where he finds inspiration

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Great question. I have been thinking about this for some time. There are two things I love about photography. They are:

1. Capturing the unusual. I like to capture things that I see as unusual, both compositionally and subject wise. I like to capture emotion provoking images in a way that can be construed as beautiful, although not all images are of things of beauty. I like to capture things with a bit of artistry, unique perspective and personal creativity.

2. I love the marriage of technology of my cameras and their capabilities. I love my hardware and figuring out how to use it to create my vision of what my image is. I never want to be limited by my lack of capability or hindered by a lack of equipment. I am fortunate that I am able to afford the camera gear I want (what I really need is a Sherpa to help carry my stuff 😂). I also have made a lot of my gear to capture my images.

I am fairly competent at the technical side of photography, so I have become very explorative in advancing my exposure to the artistic merits of photography through developing relationships with artists, professional and amateur photographers, participating in photographic workshops, seeking critiques from experienced people who’s opinions I value. I seek exposure to a broader perspective to enhance, evolve and mature my work. I also love helping others in all things photographic. I like to mentor people who know less than I do and be mentored by those who know more. I am always happy to help anyone who has a question that I can answer.

Taking myself to locations that are not close to me offers new opportunities to photograph the unusual. For example, I just took a 10 day trip to India with a group of photographers. What we saw was beautiful, different and inspirational. Each person had a different skill set and vision that caused a new thoughtfulness and direction. I came back with 7,000 photos to work on that helps to round out my portfolio.

Photography has different meanings and levels of importance to each one of us. There is no right or wrong here. I feel that the most important driving factor is that we each develop our commitment to photography based on our personal likes, desires, level of passion and energy we have for photography. There is a wide range available and we each can go as far as we want to.

Thank you for the thought provoking question. Good questions always help to provide clarity and expression of purpose.

Ganges sunrise


Wrestling


Weaver


Local children


Sunrise

nickcharles1 Loc: ewing nj

amen!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Where ever I go, what ever I do, I look for images. My camera is always with me. You can find inspiration in the smallest things.
In the spring and fall I like to do closeups, in the winter months I concentrate on Florida wildlife. When with family I like to do individual portraits and family groups.
Summers find me at sporting events, soccer, high school sports have always been a passion, events are usually free, I always contact the athletic director and supply them with images I have taken.
I have a gallery at a local winery and I am always replacing images there.
Inspiration comes from within, not from someone else!!!
I have always been self motivated.
GET OFF THE COUCH AND GET OUT THERE.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I consider myself to be a 'Generalist', I shoot what I like when I see it, life is the inspiration.

Vaun's photography Loc: Bonney Lake, WA

I saw the term, "Generalist", in terms of photography for the first time earlier this week.

I like your application of it, and I tend to do the same. My preferred camera is my smartphone, because I always have it with me.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Linda, I Love the "Painterly" look and I have been "Dabbling" in it for a few years w/Topaz Studio 2.
You have successfully combined the "Painterly" Look with "Available Light" (another passion of mine) in this pic for a truly amazing look.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

Do you still have those photos? It would be nice to see a few of them

Chuck

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks Jimmy! I'm holding off upgrading to newest Mac OS because I fear Studio 2 will no longer work

Since you mentioned available light: I took a photo of that children's slide one or two days prior to this one. The morning was flat light, overcast, no shadows. Failure! Thankfully, I went back when was bright, sunny and early (my favorite time of day).

To add to my page 2 comments that address the topic question directly, my #1 inspiration is light, the more dramatic the better!

Bus Stop by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

The Fire is Within by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

You can't eat this green stuff! by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

Wild Morning Glory by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

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lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

I didn't go back to check out his posts. Thank you for listing them. I am not sure if you are for or against the OP. Whether you are or are not does not matter to me. The titles and the text of this last post do seem to provoke thought in other members. some more than others. I do find that topics like these are interesting, and tend to make me think, and consider, and sometimes connect random things floating around my brain. So, whether the OP is just a member seeking knowledge and insight, or someone in administration trying to stimulate conversation doesn't really matter. Either way it works. There are probably some out there that have tagged him as a troll. For that matter, I'm pretty sure that there are some who have tagged me as a troll for some of the things I have asked. This is not alway the easiest place to learn, but sometimes it can be the most insighful.

As to Paul......
Sometimes he is very informative and helpful. Sometimes he is very funny. Sometimes,,,, I'm just not sure which way he is leaning. And I can only assume many others are not either. Just one example of why it is sometimes hard for the newbee to learn here on the hog.

Bill

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Included in my first comment on page 1 is: "I think of him (the op) as a facilitator of sorts. The good kind in which people are encouraged to chat and maybe share useful information and inspiration."

I am absolutely for these kinds of topics! They represent the best of what For Your Consideration section attempted to do back in 2015 - 2017, and has rarely occurred since, in any UHH area.

(Paul has three distinct UHH personas. Sometimes they overlap )

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

See, you made me think.

Even though my big interest is cars, I do shoot other things. And I look at a lot of posted photos here on the hog. but more and more, I find myself looking at the light coming into my eyes and thinking about how it will affect my photos. Light and shadows has a lot to do with making or breaking an image. And as I think back, the photos i have hanging on the wall, all of them have a strong influence of light.

So, see, one of those things subconsciously floating aroung my brain, the OP and you have brought to the forefront of my understanding and thought process.

Again, thank you both,

Bill