I'm curious as to what motivated you to get into this area of interest. What do you take photographs of? When you pick up your camera, what do you think?

For professionals, on assignment, this is a relatively easy to answer question, so I'm more interested in the opinions of hobbyists at all levels.

Is it your family? Your pets (same thing right?)? A love for scenery? Or is it because you just like the idea of taking snapshots of life?

I'm not sure what I'm expecting in response to this question, and have no idea where (if anywhere) this thread will go. I guess to some extent, I'm trying to justify why I want a new camera so much. I don't tend to get GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), and have more than enough other things to spend my hard earned money on (I'm a technology based musician - it's all expensive, and there's lots of it!). My wife refuses to have her photo taken, and she's the only family I have within a couple of thousand miles. I enjoy scenery, but probably spent the first four or five of my years in Newfoundland capturing all there is here. I have no pets (though a dog is hopefully in the near future). I don't often go on vacation. I have no idea why I want to up the standard of my photo taking. It doesn't bother me enough to stop me from spending my money - I will get my money's worth out of any camera I buy. But I would love to be able to justify it to myself, and I'm hoping that a reply or two from you will make it click in my mind - oh yeah, that's why I'm doing this, or even make me think of something new.

Rich

A very good question Rich. It actually made me use my brain

Here's why I photograph:
- When I started out the gear was a factor that kept me interested but as time goes on it has become much less important.
- I like to photograph the landscape around me (whether I'm hiking, biking, or simply just there) in different seasons because I often find the images visually appealing and they remind me of the experience of being there. I'm at my happiest when I'm hill walking, and the photographs remind me of those times when I've been in wondrous awe at the scenery around me.
- I photograph my daughter (a lot!) because it's fun times while she's very young and it'll be great to look back at these memories.
- I like to try to create art, which I'm not always successful at, but I give it a go!

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G2 | 20 | 14-45 | Canon 430EX
http://www.flickr.com/photos/at_pix

I suppose I take pictures to express my individuality. I enjoy sharing my vision of the world with others. I don't limit myself to shooting any particular kind of scenery because I feel I have something to say about everything I see, but I'm fond of macro and street photography.

It's also been satisfying my desire to tinker with different types of gear since I've gotten into the m4/3 format. I've acquired a number of 35mm film cameras since then, and I'm getting into medium and large format film photography as well (time and money permitting). I want to see how different types of media allow me to express my vision.

So for me, photography appeals to the artist, to the engineer, and to the storyteller in me.

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-Dragos
Panasonic GH1 + various lenses

I do take family stuff... always good to have a photo history for those generations later to see how we did it (live). And have a few laughs too. And, it may be important for stuff we have no idea why right now.

As a hobby: I like to use Photography as a "De-Stress" agent. I like the nature and life-style genres. Candid Street photography does help me stay bold in public with my camera.
I try express an artistic side as far as composition and what not....Maybe not inner feelings though.

I have done, and still do a little studio stuff now and again. I have a 2 very large collapsible backgrounds(16x8) and two 320ws lights. I can do on the road studios if I need to also, for family or model/portrait sessions.

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Olympus OMD E-M5
My Flickr Zenfolio Gallery Olympus E-M5 Resource Blog

To give myself a creative outlet. I have an analytically based job in the City where there is little pure creativity and I felt that his was drying up so I wanted to get it going again. Also I was frustrated by the limitations of POS cameras as it felt like it decided on what the shot should be not me. As I pointed out to my wife its a lot cheaper than buying a sports car and having a mid-life crisis!

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Darell
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"If you don't mind, it doesn't matter"

I was getting ready to retire from running my own business for many years and knew I needed something to keep my creative juices going. I did photography in the 70's and in the meantime took snapshots of the family. After retiring I got a Nikon D70 took a trip to Alaska and the rest is history. I decided to take classes at our local junior college in photography. It then became something of creating artistic beauty. To express myself in both the mechanics of good photography and being artistic expression. I take photos so when I show someone a pic they take more than two seconds to look at it. I enjoy photographing everything I can from landscape to studio portraits. I have taken on street photography now, especially with my GF1. I especially enjoy taking the photos in the classic b & w. , fixed lens 20mm, on the street anywhere I go. I use both my GF1 and my Nikon D700 with a lot of good glass to have a wonderful hobby and enjoy putting good photographs on my walls and on my website.

I grew up in a family where my father and uncles were avid photographers but not necessarily skilled so sitting through those vacation photos was pretty bad experience. Through several twists of fate, I find myself deep into something I had shunned for so long.

Like many others, photography allows for a creative outlet I've not explored. I also feel that it exercises a different set of neurons in my brain and allows the ones that deal with the day to day a welcome respite.

I still have much to learn about photography and glad I can observe and learn with such a talented group here.

Thanks for all the interesting responses so far (and keep them coming). I think so far I'm mostly relating to the relaxation of it. For me this is more in the editing process since taking the picture is often still something of a challenge! :D

Why do I photograph? Because I have to.
I am not complete without photography. It's been said that if you work in a memory based frame of mind that your being sentimental. Well, the thing photography serves best is memory. Family snaps, probably the single most important reason to make images is memory based.
I do event work of all kinds and that also is memory based work.
My personal Street work is I guess memory based in a creative sort of way.

So, in a way, I see myself as a dream weaver for the future.
We really all are dream weavers but some go on without the intent of being so.
So you see, life is a dream, I am the dream weaver that records those moments of time that eventually some one will be very grateful to recollect and see that the existence of a life really was here. My images will support the dream of a life of those I make images of.
Why do I photograph? Because I have to.

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~ Shooter's Flickr photostream

Blog http://streetshooter.net

so far, same with me.

s.