[Tobers]

Why am I so hooked on it. And why are you lot? Why go out in the middle of the night in the rain to take a picture? Why spend loads of money on metal, glass and plastic? And strange bags.

Is it something to do with the ridiculous number of permutations of all the variables like shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc etc. Or is it the endless plethora of gadgetery. There's obviously an arty side which I enjoy as well. Plus there's the PC bit for post-processing which means you get to justify high-end PC kit. Plus there's internet forums full of like-minded people to chat to.

I think for me it is just a fantastically deep hobby that will keep me busy and enthralled for a long time to come.

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

For me it's something to take my mind off the technical stuff I do and the pressure of running my own business. It allows me a form of release.

Gordon

[wabbitt]

A little bit like Gordon, I have a technical job. Not that I hate it, but I don't enjoy it.

I started out wanting to be a graphical designer. Times were toughin good old Sunderland so I took the job as a draughtsman which was the nearest thing to being a graphics designer. Before I knew it I was an engineer caught in the money trap.

I find photography is a way to get back to what I really wanted to be in the first place... something more artistic.

Catch 22 though. Engineering allows me to pay for something I always wanted to be. I've accepted my fate. An engineer who loves photography and will never leave it.

[tontoshorse]

But remove photography and insert golf or fishing etc. Its the same old same old.

For me its a bit of fun. I've said before that I've enjoyed this months comp theme and because of I get out and look at things which I'd never given a second glance.

[onefivenine]

Originally Posted by Tobers

Why am I so hooked on it. And why are you lot? Why go out in the middle of the night in the rain to take a picture? Why spend loads of money on metal, glass and plastic? And strange bags.

Is it something to do with the ridiculous number of permutations of all the variables like shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc etc. Or is it the endless plethora of gadgetery. There's obviously an arty side which I enjoy as well. Plus there's the PC bit for post-processing which means you get to justify high-end PC kit. Plus there's internet forums full of like-minded people to chat to.

I think for me it is just a fantastically deep hobby that will keep me busy and enthralled for a long time to come.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

[Pirate!!]

I'm just a peeping tom and a camera is essential!

[GBDG1]

I think it's very Phallic, all about the size of your box and the length of your lens. I know they say it's not what you've got but what you do with it but I bet that if your girlfriends ex had a EOS 1D mkII with a 1000mm lens you'd be intimidated.

Also intimidating people with compacts... "Move over compact boy, this is my photo opportunity"

[onefivenine]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

I think it's very Phallic, all about the size of your box and the length of your lens. I know they say it's not what you've got but what you do with it but I bet that if your girlfriends ex had a EOS 1D mkII with a 1000mm lens you'd be intimidated.

Also intimidating people with compacts... "Move over compact boy, this is my photo opportunity"

Of course it is. Any idiot can buy the best gear and not know how to use it though...

[denno75uk]

All good points.
For me it was originally about seeing fantastic things whilst out and about and tryin to capture it and take it home, mainly landscapes or architecture at the time. As I got into it it became more about trying to capture EVERYTHING amazing that I might see.
Then of course your perspective changes somewhat and you start to try and create things to capture, hunt around for a shot that you probably wouldn't just come across.
I have no doubt that the advent of digital has brought in people who were in it for the technology. Mine has the most Mp, longest lens, highest frame burst etc. but I bet even they get bitten by the bug. I've got the best camera money can buy but now I actually want to go and take the best photos I can.
Talking about it is also important. Me and a mate go on alot about cars discussing the superlatives, but when talking about photography it's different. We can go on for ages discussing situations, techniques and gear. I suppose the main difference is that with our motors we're never going to achieve any great feats of speed but even though our DSLRs are pretty modest, there's still a chance we can take photos as good as anyone else.
As my mate puts it, and I quote, "most of whether its going to be a great shot or pap is down to you and your eye and pressing the button."

[Radiohead]

From a personal point of view - it's about capturing a moment that I can look back on for years. Nothing more complex than that.

From a business point of view - it's being given the honour and responsibility of capturing a wedding. Huge pressure because you can't ever go back and reshoot, but worth every moment for the joy on the couples' faces when they see the images.

[RandomLee]

Originally Posted by Radiohead

From a personal point of view - it's about capturing a moment that I can look back on for years. Nothing more complex than that.

I'm really just getting into it as a hobby but that pretty much sums up what I like about taking pictures. Memories.

Only now am I wanting to put a bit more effort in to get some good results.

Lots of learning ahead for me but I'm looking forward to it.

[Liquid101]

For me it was about capturing the images that were in front of my eyes. It quickly became almost obsessive though, and I think I over did it. Eventually I turned my back on it all together. It's only really been in last year or so since I bought a DSLR that I can enjoy it on a personal level again.

Now, it's become more of a technical interest. I enjoy making images that are aesthetically pleasing of course, but I think I enjoy the technicalities of realising my ideas more than the ideas themselves.

I have to say though, I really enjoy this forum. It's totally rekindled my interest

[HotblackDesiato]

Not sure exactly, anymore. Photography was something that fascinated me as a kid, had my first 126 camera when i was around 5, then a 110 at 8, and 35mm compact at 11. Once i started work, after the hi-fi, came the SLR. That said i can go for several months taking very few pictures, then other periods where i'm up at 2-3000 shots a month.

[vulkan75]

I used to think all photographers were nerds.But guess what..... Im now a nerd .

I have had alot of intrests and hobbies from DJing,martial arts,football,Av,bodybuilding etc etc but this photography thing has really taken a hold.Ive been a member of these forums for a good few years and I have never visted or posted so much in one section as I have in this forum in the last few months.

I think everyone on this forum are top geezers,and you really get a sense of each individuals personality.

Human beings thrive on recognition,and when some gives you a for a pic yove posted....it just makes you want to post another.

Hope to meet some of you fellow nerds in the flesh one day.

But until then happy snapping.

[senu]

Originally Posted by vulkan75

I used to think all photographers were nerds.But guess what..... Im now a nerd .


Hope to meet some of you fellow nerds in the flesh one day.

But until then happy snapping.

Hi there nerd
I could think of worse pastimes you know , and I think its pretty Human ( not nerdy) to respond to a nice Picture ( either technical or artistic) positively.
As long as you actually keep your photographic eye open and appreciate the processes of looking at a scene , getting out the camera and pressing the shutter button, I think youll find you are in very good company here.

Some photography forums seem to have a pecking order of who owns what kit and how clever you are with polarisers and f stops and Adobe Cs3 beta forgetting the simple pleasures of taking and sharing an image with real or " online" friends.
Whether you have an P& S or Canons latest "flagship", can or cannot perform Photoshop magic, it really all boils down to taking photos , posting and sharing them.
Theses forums seem to manage to keep friendly and enthusiastic without the "nerd" thing in your face

[vulkan75]

Thats exactly what I meant......In a sarcastic sort of way.

[Holowlegs]

Hi all

Class myslef as a bit off a beginer in this photography game. Have always enjoyed taking pictures, and was something I always wanted to get into. But seemed to spend my money on other things.

Not really into the technical stuff, I know I will have to learn some off it and have surprised myslef how much I have picked up. Another thing that doesn't interest me is having the biggest and best. Learnt this a long time ago with Hi- FI that there is always something better around the corner.

What I am enjoying is actually going out there and snaping, and surpising myslef what I come back with.

I also think sharing you pictures with others is a great part of this hobby, and with the digital age this has made it easy to do.

The final push for me to getting a SLR was the nerds on here , love the advice and friendliness of the whole forum. A big factor of this is the well run monthly compo which gives me something to look forward to and shot at. I love the way someone picks a theme and off we go, we all come back with completly different interpretation of that theme, I suppose this is the whole basis of photography, each one of us is diferent and that shows by our pictures. I also still find myslef still using the theme even after the compo finnished to see if I can get as good as or better than what I entered.

A happy Holo still snapping away and enjoying it.
Thanks all for the advice and encouragement


Fellow nerd Holo

[vulkan75]

Oh Gawd .....hope this "nerd" thing aint gonna stick"..........................................:g rin:

[cedmondson]

Originally Posted by Holowlegs

IThe final push for me to getting a SLR was the nerds on here , love the advice and friendliness of the whole forum. A big factor of this is the well run monthly compo which gives me something to look forward to and shot at. I love the way someone picks a theme and off we go, we all come back with completly different interpretation of that theme, I suppose this is the whole basis of photography, each one of us is diferent and that shows by our pictures. I also still find myslef still using the theme even after the compo finnished to see if I can get as good as or better than what I entered.

Couldn't agree more. I've been a fairly passive AV forums member for a year or so but this group has rekindled my interest in photography and also prompted me to participate more.
The only bad news is I'm starting to hanker after some L glass - but I guess I won't be the first.

[Zone]

I was given my first camera "Pentax Me Super" second hand in 1980 at the grand old age of 13, I'll let you do the math

Photography for me has always been about catching that moment in time (time stand still) that split second that in practically any other form is missed.

The fact that we can slow a shutter speed, increase/decrease dof and use filters to trick the film/sensor into registering something that isn't there for us to see without the camera's aid is fantastic.

Water isn't naturally a milking consistency, we don't see it that way, but when we see the results that a simple nd filter will achieve then we see and understand the possibilites I hope

Hey it's a hobby

[senu]

Originally Posted by Zone

....

Hey it's a hobby

Sure... try telling 'er indoors that when you buy your next L glass , she "finds" the reciept and flips

Expensive ( but rewarding ) hobby

[Liquid101]

Originally Posted by senu

Expensive ( but rewarding ) hobby

You want to try golf, it's much more expensive and much less rewarding

[Fozzybear]

Photography is the perfect medium for those of us with a bit of artiness but no talent at all with a paintbrush. I like art but am awful at it (well, I wasn't bad at pottery but I was pretty terrible at drawing and painting). The mix of technology and art is one that sits very comfortably for me and the immediacy of the image-making process is gratifying too, for those of us who don't have patience.

In addition I feel a strong urge to document the world around me, the ordinary places that we don't notice until they are gone. The scrapyard near the railway lines, the corner shop that closed down and is awaiting demolition. I have a book of my town full of old photographs of the town in the past and I'm fascinated by how, in a short space of time, the town can transform itself. Nostalgia works powerfully on these everyday places and they are so rarely photographed that I feel the need to make some kind of record of the ordinary world around me.

During a shop refit a few years ago an old guinness advertisement painted on a wall in the early part of the last century was uncovered after many years under a wooden advertising hoarding. I took a few photos of it and only a few days later it was painted over. I was very upset that it was treated like that but jubilant that I'd had the good fortune to get some photos of it before it disappeared from view. I recently found an old photograph of the area from 1936 where a tiny part of the advert was visible as a reflection in a window and thought that this might be the only other evidence that this advert ever existed. Some people might think it's no big deal as it's just an old ad, but I see it as part of the texture of the town's history and it was great when I made the link from my photos to the 1936 photo in the book.

Photographing the transient enhances all the feelings I get from photography - the hunter's thrill, I guess. It may be why photography as a hobby is more appealing to men than women - the technology and trinkets are more attractive to men and the pursuit is akin to the hunt, especially in any type of shooting that involves stalking or capturing the moment.

[Soundgeek]

Originally Posted by Fozzybear

Photography is the perfect medium for those of us with a bit of artiness but no talent at all with a paintbrush.

Couldn't agree more.

Photography allows people who ordinarily aren't that good with artistic type stuff (me) to:
a) Capture something artistic that is already there.
b) Take a shot which becomes a piece of artistic work through careful use of technical procedures.
c) A bit of both.

I also just love to be able to capture the world around me as close to how I see it through my own eyes at the time. So I guess there is also that drive to document things, thus preserving memories and history at the same time.

Although sometimes I do like creating something that wasn't there at the time of photographing. Perhaps this is what you would call the use of imagination?

[bodoman]

Excellent summary from Fozzybear.

[M-C-P-M]

Originally Posted by Fozzybear

Photography is the perfect medium for those of us with a bit of artiness but no talent at all with a paintbrush. I like art but am awful at it (well, I wasn't bad at pottery but I was pretty terrible at drawing and painting). The mix of technology and art is one that sits very comfortably for me and the immediacy of the image-making process is gratifying too, for those of us who don't have patience.

In addition I feel a strong urge to document the world around me, the ordinary places that we don't notice until they are gone. The scrapyard near the railway lines, the corner shop that closed down and is awaiting demolition. I have a book of my town full of old photographs of the town in the past and I'm fascinated by how, in a short space of time, the town can transform itself. Nostalgia works powerfully on these everyday places and they are so rarely photographed that I feel the need to make some kind of record of the ordinary world around me.

You took the words word right out of my mouth
Also I used to stand next to my dad in the darkened kitchen when he developed his picture from his old twin reflex, i was about 6 or 7 (christ that was 40 years ago )
I always wanted to be able to do what my dad did, to look back and see people and places that have meant something to me, maybe just for a brief moment or maybe even things that have changed my life! and i can refer back i love being able to do that and i'm even more pleased that my dad and myself now go on shoots together It' like listening to an album of a gig that you went to you can almost smell the joints well you know what i mean

[Tobers]

Lots of great comments here. I think there's such a variety of challenges, from understanding the technology, to attempting to master a particular type of shot, to "seeing" the picture before you take it.

Lots of depth that and endless challenges. I like it