Yeah, as I progress through my life and assess the importance of things, I start to think back to why I started things in the first place. As they say, going back to basics has much more meaning to me than it ever did. I have truly enjoyed capturing those everyday moments with you too.
I’ve often wonder whether the most important part of being a photographer is ‘being bothered’ - I.e. actually taking a camera with you everywhere you go, bringing it to your eye when you see anything that piques your interest ... sometimes you go out with an idea of what you want to shoot, at other times you just walk and let the opportunities come to you... and I feel those are the best times. For me the ‘intent’ (unless you go out with a specific idea) comes later - the joy of looking at images you have taken and making a story around those images. It’s where I get most of the inspiration to write from....
True. I find a lot of my best moments are the ones I'm not looking for. Those are the ones worth photographing or wishing I had a camera with me at the time. I think though, sometimes it's just nice to sit through it and let the experience happen without forcing myself to photograph it.
Great post and I think it echoes some of what I have felt. I am even less invested in photography as I believe you are, and lack any goal of being a recognized photographer. Even after more than 10 years of picking up a camera I still see myself as just a photo enthusiast. But I struggle with similar issues. For me the answer is I like photography for the sake of getting out and seeing things. Finding something I actually want to photograph becomes the adventure. As long as that remains fun I’ll keep doing it. I agree to on Social Media. I am now at the point where I just post if I feel I have an image to post. It has changed the way I take pictures. Where before I would look for “the shots” that would get likes when taking a picture, now I take pictures and if I have one I want to share I post that.
Agree, I think the act of not shooting for someone else (or what I think someone else would like) is like taking a big weight off of one's shoulders. I do think we are all photographers to some extent, at whatever skill level we're at and at whatever level we want to consider ourselves to be. Keep seeking and shooting for the things you love.
I often feel the same way. Why do I shoot? And after studying Buddhism for some years I have learned to see things...see the world different. When I see a image of a sunset by someone I can't help to not place judgement on it and call it beautiful or ugly. It just is. And if I do judge it and call the sunset beautiful the photography feels slighted and says,"Well I took the picture. Where is my praise?" My reply....yes you took the picture but you did not make the sunset or arrange the clouds and all. It makes me put my own ego away when taking photos and question why I am doing it in the first place. For me starting out....photography was an ego stroke. Now...it is not. Now I find myself studying dynamic symmetry and reaching to use that in my work. And find joy in that...without seeking please anyone but myself.
A very existential post 😊 photography for me is an activity and it’s one that I enjoy. I don’t go out shooting with intent and I’m not planning on capturing a certain kind of photo. What the photographer intends isn’t important for the viewer. If they can find a story or relate to a photo that’s all that matters. Walk slow and observe what’s going on around you. Good luck 👍
Thank you, I think I sometimes get lost on a purpose for photography when I do go out that I tend to forget the basic love of doing it. There are times when I just want to shoot based on the feelings I have at that moment, regardless of how the picture may turn out. I love those moments the most.
Yeah, as I progress through my life and assess the importance of things, I start to think back to why I started things in the first place. As they say, going back to basics has much more meaning to me than it ever did. I have truly enjoyed capturing those everyday moments with you too.
I’ve often wonder whether the most important part of being a photographer is ‘being bothered’ - I.e. actually taking a camera with you everywhere you go, bringing it to your eye when you see anything that piques your interest ... sometimes you go out with an idea of what you want to shoot, at other times you just walk and let the opportunities come to you... and I feel those are the best times. For me the ‘intent’ (unless you go out with a specific idea) comes later - the joy of looking at images you have taken and making a story around those images. It’s where I get most of the inspiration to write from....
True. I find a lot of my best moments are the ones I'm not looking for. Those are the ones worth photographing or wishing I had a camera with me at the time. I think though, sometimes it's just nice to sit through it and let the experience happen without forcing myself to photograph it.
Great post and I think it echoes some of what I have felt. I am even less invested in photography as I believe you are, and lack any goal of being a recognized photographer. Even after more than 10 years of picking up a camera I still see myself as just a photo enthusiast. But I struggle with similar issues. For me the answer is I like photography for the sake of getting out and seeing things. Finding something I actually want to photograph becomes the adventure. As long as that remains fun I’ll keep doing it. I agree to on Social Media. I am now at the point where I just post if I feel I have an image to post. It has changed the way I take pictures. Where before I would look for “the shots” that would get likes when taking a picture, now I take pictures and if I have one I want to share I post that.
Agree, I think the act of not shooting for someone else (or what I think someone else would like) is like taking a big weight off of one's shoulders. I do think we are all photographers to some extent, at whatever skill level we're at and at whatever level we want to consider ourselves to be. Keep seeking and shooting for the things you love.
I often feel the same way. Why do I shoot? And after studying Buddhism for some years I have learned to see things...see the world different. When I see a image of a sunset by someone I can't help to not place judgement on it and call it beautiful or ugly. It just is. And if I do judge it and call the sunset beautiful the photography feels slighted and says,"Well I took the picture. Where is my praise?" My reply....yes you took the picture but you did not make the sunset or arrange the clouds and all. It makes me put my own ego away when taking photos and question why I am doing it in the first place. For me starting out....photography was an ego stroke. Now...it is not. Now I find myself studying dynamic symmetry and reaching to use that in my work. And find joy in that...without seeking please anyone but myself.
Wonderful words of wisdom! Thank you.
A very existential post 😊 photography for me is an activity and it’s one that I enjoy. I don’t go out shooting with intent and I’m not planning on capturing a certain kind of photo. What the photographer intends isn’t important for the viewer. If they can find a story or relate to a photo that’s all that matters. Walk slow and observe what’s going on around you. Good luck 👍
Thank you, I think I sometimes get lost on a purpose for photography when I do go out that I tend to forget the basic love of doing it. There are times when I just want to shoot based on the feelings I have at that moment, regardless of how the picture may turn out. I love those moments the most.