Why do you do Photography?

[distant.star]

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This is stunningly perfect. Surely the most profound thing I've ever read on this forum. I can't imagine I'll read anything better this day!

Thanks!!!

Photography is like a conversation with someone who lets me ask lots of questions. But I usually only get a good answer when I ask a good question.

[ChilledXpress]

It makes me happy, plain and simple.

[Rocguy]

Ummmm....because I can't draw or paint very well?
 

This. 

It forces me to slow down and look around me.  Even when I don't take a pic, I'll admire the view or the lighting or the architecture just a bit differently. 

But also this.

[Don Haines]

I do photography because it is a good excuse to go canoeing. I go canoeing because it is a good excuse to do photography.

[Hugo Fisher]

For the money.

I love money.

[Lurker]

'cause I can't draw, paint, sing, play a musical instrument, or cook outside a box. 

[ksuweh]

There are way less people on this forum that are do photography for $$$ (either full or part-time) than I would have guessed!! I make a little money on the side. I have done two weddings so far, family & senior pictures & have sold some landscape prints as well, but I still do it more as a hobby than anything. I say its mostly a hobby because I don't make NEARLY enough money with the photography to pay for all the gear I own & buy on a regular basis.

I just thought that there would be more guys on here doing on the side.....I mean most of you guys have some very nice kits & have a lot of money invested to not make a little extra on the side.

[mrsfotografie]

Because it relaxes me.
Because it gives me something to do whenever I go somewhere.
Because it is a reason to go out and see stuff.
Because it is something I can take my girlfriend along with (unlike mountain biking).
Because it allows me to express myself artistically.
Because I like the technology.

[stilscream]

It's a little of all these answers. I plunged $37k into a hobby because I enjoy tech and seeing what the different lenses or bodies do better. I started it as an ice breaker to meet girls at fetish balls, but when I got married, I got more serious. My parents died of cancer andleft me a lot of $$. They were into photography when they first met, though film was too complicated for me at that time.

I was bought a 7d by my fiancee as an engagement present. My sister shoots Nikon, but Canon seamed easier to understand and 7d was my 1st love. 8fps! Now, I have a 1DX. And it's mostly for adoration from friends. My wife cannot play pool to save her life, which was my last obsession.

I would have zero problem selling many of my lenses or bodies if and when I need to. In the meantime I get to capture my life to relive at a later time. One day I may make money off of it, but I wouldn't know what to charge. Besides, there are more to learn out there.

[wako]

Now, I have a 1DX. And it's mostly for adoration from friends.

A 1DX for a hobby? Now i feel a lot better about my 5D but those are some amazing pictures.

Wow when i made this thread i was really expecting most people to be full time or part time photogs. Seems a lot of us are the same, willing to spend (a lot) money for a hobby. Cool

[mrsfotografie]

Seems a lot of us are the same, willing to spend (a lot) money for a hobby. Cool

Yes, and it gets worse if you have multiple (expensive) hobbies, like me...

[bereninga]

Photography is like a conversation with someone who lets me ask lots of questions. But I usually only get a good answer when I ask a good question.

+1

[tpatana]

I do it for the chicks

[nycny]

Photographs create normalcy.  They have power to persuade and to motivate into action.  I attempt to consider the social, political, economic, environmental, racial and religious over and undertones of my pictures.  What do my images say about me and my biases?   Photographs are a method of communication, and the part I love is making a picture that can evoke a response in my audience.  It is these photographs that are endlessly complex and possibly have a longer life span than me. 

[gary samples]

for me it was two Heart Attacks and bypass surgery at 45 yr old  I needed some thing to help with being a workaholic the  best thing I ever did is start shooting I love it .