Wow! This is me in a nutshell! I always have at least one camera in my life (usually several), and photography is about as important to me as breathing - I can go without for a short while, but have to take a breath eventually!

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• Wedding Photographer - Sydney and Wollongong
• Borrowed Moment (blog)

Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.

This is probably the best advice in this thread! I have seen holiday snaps from the 1950s, by an unidentified photographer, that took on a whole new meaning just because of the passage of time. We must not forget that this will happen to our snaps, too...

Two things that strike me when I read this thread:

1) So many people are equipment-centered, even if they're unaware of it.

2) Way too many people that are "interested in photography" are too focused on creating "art". While there is nothing wrong with creating art, it can lead to the above mentioned state of mind - "why should I take that pic, it's already been done" sort of thing - and this has the opposite effect of stifling the photographer's spontaneity and artistic expression. Go ahead, snap away at family parties and get-togethers, and holidays, and nature hikes - the "art" will come if you let it! And when it doesn't, you will still be left with family snapshots that become worth more and more with the passage of time.

To bastardise a movie line: "If you snap away, art will happen!"

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• Wedding Photographer - Sydney and Wollongong
• Borrowed Moment (blog)

Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.

Interesting Question. I got my first camera when I was about 10. It was a Brownie. When I was 14 my dad gave me his Kodak Retina. I've been hooked ever since though my interest has waxed and waned over the years. Right now it is at a high point thanks to digital and actually to micro 4/3 specifically.

I take pictures because I love to be tuned in visually to the world around me. I love the play of light. I like reflections, shadows, patterns, odd juxtapositions. I take at least one picture every day and post it on Blipfoto.com. Taking photos keeps me focused and aware.

In addition to taking "art" photos I like to photograph my family, friends and pets. I like to see people interacting and take candid photos of what they are doing. I like it best when they don't appear to know I'm there.

I am also a painter and use my photographs as reference for my paintings. Sometimes I paint en plein air but mostly I use my photos as the starting points for my paintings. If you look at both the painting and the photo you can tell that one started with the other but my paintings are far away from photo real. I'd call myself an expressionist if I had to select a label.

Finally I use my camera to earn a bit of money photographing artists' paintings. I have many artist friends and enjoy providing them with photos for their websites, to enter shows and for their own reference.

Thanks for asking.

Sort of the "Billy Elliot" reason?

Tutor 1: What does it feel like when you're dancing?

Billy: Don't know. Sorta feels good. Sorta stiff and that, but once I get going... then I like, forget everything. And... sorta disappear. Sorta disappear. Like I feel a change in my whole body. And I've got this fire in my body. I'm just there. Flyin' like a bird. Like electricity. Yeah, like electricity.

I've always loved cameras essentially! The aesthetic form factor and the intricate nature of their make up really appeals to me in the same way as a car's engine might appeal to someone else. I began with a Kodak instamatic and noticed how much nicer grainy pictures were and when my first baby was born some 27 years ago now, I moved on to my first serious camera the Olympus OM10 with manual adapter. I just got the bug from then onwards! I am the only photographer in our family of five and lately, since joining the PAD project on this forum, I've been happily experimenting with Lightroom on my images and also taking images of static things just for the pleasure of it. Some surprise me by turning out well and others frustrate me. It's just an ongoing learning curve really and one I enjoy enormously. I too suffer from GAS sadly

I took a college course from Garry Winogrand. He said he photographed things in order to see what a photograph of them would look like. Now that may sound a little disingenuous, but I believe he was serious.

I photograph because I like pictures/photographs better than the printed word. A photograph can convey information about a subject that words cannot.

john

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John
E-P1

Guilty of being a GAS Head and slowly waking up with guilt.

I want to be able to diary-lise my family...getting married in 10 days....started diary-lising my friends...

I want to show the world through my eyes...
like the last words of android in 'Bladerunner' (after that movie I buy a camera and start with photography)

I just love taking pictures, saving many to see how places change over the years. I love the aesthetics of some subjects and the thrill of different light on areas.

.........because I can

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http://www.imantskrumins.com/