fromo1946 Loc: Sacramento, CA

I've shooting since I was twelve, (now 70) my dad's Argus C-3, Nikon F's, Pentax, Canon's, Mamiya's, all film shots. I took a break back in 1985 sold off my Mamiya 645 and went to Sony Video. Took a break from video and went to digital, it's been a great fun ride, but I really do miss shooting film, going into the darkroom, spending the day processing film, and printing my best captures. With digital, I now shoot copious frames of my subject, look on the big screen computer, delete the soft focus ones and select my best ones. Watch them on my big screen set and go out and shoot again. What I'm trying to say, we have the best of both worlds, shoot and enjoy for your own edification...

ligneus

Ha, beat you! Been shooting since I was 10 I'm now 81, started with the old box Brownie. I expect someone here has been at it longer. So my main enjoyment/purpose looking back is having that record, family, friends, happenings, places, and yes, some attempts in my younger days to be 'arty'.
So I grew up in the time of Cartier Bresson and his ilk and I still think it's photography's main attribute if you like, to capture little happenings, people doing things unaware of the camera, everyday life as it happens. I used to be never without a camera, everyone was so used to it they ignored it. [and me! or my presence with said camera.] So for me you can keep your Grand Canyons, dicky birds, close ups of flowers, uncle Fred and aunt Jane in front of a fountain somewhere, your leaning towers of Pisa's, buy a postcard!

ricardo16

We now live in a world where literally everyone is a photographer (picture taker). Tens of millions of photos are being uploaded daily to sites like Flicker, Picasso, Facebook, Instagram, camera model specific blogs and chat groups, to name only a few of hundreds. I have come to recognize that even some of the greatest photos I see and certainly all of my own best shots end up buried in these cyberspace repositories. The upshot is that almost everyone is inundated and photo saturated to the point of almost being numb to the any creative artistry that might be out there. People using Facebook tell me that they don't have time to view and appreciate the social photo sharing from friends and relatives, let alone the energy to delve into photos that might be inspirational, thought provoking, or just beautiful art. When sharing my own photos, even pared down to the very few most interesting, it seems my friends and even my wife are just being accommodating when looking at my pictures. When was the last time you went to a party, out to dinner, or were just hanging out with people that someone did not take out their cell phone to show a picture they took or downloaded? How much interest in that did you really have?
As I am entering retirement I thought it would be challenging to bolster my photographic skills and spend more time in the pursuit of meaningful photography. I realize that, for the most part, no one except me is going to appreciate the images. Even here on UHH I suspect few of us take the time to download and admire even the best shots that are posted. All that to say that I will carry my camera, try to be available during the best times of the day, record the beauty and uniqueness of the world that I see, and simply enjoy the learning and challenges that come with trying to take good pictures. Enjoy!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Well put David.....Me too.

PeterDragon Loc: Harlan, KY - Kona, HI - Phoenix, AZ

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Those are all good reasons - as if you need any.

Photocraig

When I was shooting slides "in the day" I was struck by the number of slides I discarded (the keeper rate went up when I got the Canon EOS auto focus system) and I would say, "Photography is easy, like golf and Baseball. It's ALL in the wrist," as I tossed the losers in the trash. I cleared my light box in record time.

And screaming in my subconscious was the voice of my Photo 1 instructor, Dale Boyer, at Foothill College in Los Altos CA, "WHAT'S the SUBJECT!?!?!?!?"

Photography is as much an intellectual pursuit as it is a visual one. The merging of an scene that catches your eye with the skills and thought process to compose it into a good image is artistry and, to say the least, engaging. From my own experience it matches that of many of my fellow Hogs, it is, indeed, addictive.

Fun and rewarding, too!

Keep shooting and Selecting!
C

fromo1946 Loc: Sacramento, CA

I've shooting since I was twelve, (now 70) my dad's Argus C-3, Nikon F's, Pentax, Canon's, Mamiya's, all film shots. I took a break back in 1985 sold off my Mamiya 645 and went to Sony Video. Took a break from video and went to digital, it's been a great fun ride, but I really do miss shooting film, going into the darkroom, spending the day processing film, and printing my best captures. With digital, I now shoot copious frames of my subject, look on the big screen computer, delete the soft focus ones and select my best ones. Watch them on my big screen set and go out and shoot again. What I'm trying to say, we have the best of both worlds, shoot and enjoy for your own edification...

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

During the 1960s and 1970s I mostly took slides--both Kodachrome and Ektachrome. I have scanned many of those into digital form, but still have several thousand yet to be done. Since I was in USAF during all those years, most of the slides are of places where I had been stationed, or around those places. Some day maybe I'll get them all scanned.

kf4dec

David, I like your response. I also feel somewhat the same. And sometimes I do try to "tell a story with my photos but mostly I am just recording a scene to evoke memories or documenting a stage in someones (or my) life. Does this make me any less a "photographer"? I think not. I am just not a professional or "artsy" photographer. If no Silver Halide involved I think it is just "Imaging" and not "photography". But just my opinion. Shoot what YOU like and don't worry about what someone else thinks.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

You'll produce a greater percentage of keepers if you put more thought into what you are doing and what you want to capture before you press the shutter button. What I mean is, pay attention to what you see in the viewfinder, analyze the composition, and think about what is needed to achieve the best exposure for what you are about to capture. Only when you feel certain everything is perfect, then release the shutter. And most importantly, learn from your mistakes and make an effort not to repeat them in the future.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

Hear, Hear SS319. We all need to be reminded from time to time of the "why" in what we do. Otherwise, photography becomes terribly boring.
(.

Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

I am an amateur photographer. I have been taking pictures for 40 years, and have owned Nikon, Samsung, Panasonic, Leica, Canon and Sony cameras. When i brought the Sony home and started using it... that's when I wanted to know more about photography. I do not make money with my photography, and if I ever do, it will enable me to buy " good glass" that I can not afford now. I'm only in it for personal satisfaction. I am just beginning to be able to manipulate aperture and ISO to bring truth and life to my photos, and am enjoying the learning process. And I like UHH...

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I stopped shaving 50 yrs ago.

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

I stopped shaving 45 years ago. Didn't help me a bit.
Maybe it's the shaping up that's more important..........