Do YOU take photos?  What is it about photography that draws you to it?  Is there any aspect of this artform that you'd like to strengthen or improve?

Just wonderin'  is all...

Thx,

J:woot:e

I'm dyslexic, tend to see the world better in pictures

because I have to "create"

I used to create via 3D applications..Mostly  landscape apps..

I suck at playing music...

Mixing band is creating for me..

I get that at work..but ..it is work..

Photography is like capturing a moment in time..Or..showing others how I see the world..

I'm not sure what your asking by the last part of the question..I tend to think it's a broad question about the art form it self..

I guess one thing I would like to improve, is that viewers would try to understand what the artist is saying or why the artist is saying something..

I've always loved photography.  I love art in all of its forms, though I have to say that I am primarily a writer, but images, whether painted, photographed, or computer generated, tend to spark my creativity.  Photography fascinates me though, because no matter how "artistic" or "abstract" it may be, it's always focused on the real.  In painting, in writing, in any of the other forms of art, you're drawing on an inner vision, whereas photography is almost purely external...you're forced to work only with what's there and NOT what you feel should or could be there, and paradoxically, this limitation opens the art form up in so many unexpected ways and after being at it for a while, I've discovered that yes...you can "put" things in an image simply by recognizing your physical relationship (or your viewer's physical relationship) to whatever the photographic subject may be.  And all of that is just a fancy way of saying that photography is fun, and it's one of the few ways in which grownups are allowed to play. 

As for an element of the art form I'd like to strengthen or improve?  Hmmm...I think the only thing I'd "improve" would be the attitude that many people are prone to take in regard to digital photography.  Of course it's always great to know the actual techniques of seeing something, capturing it, and developing the captures in a dark room, but there's also a profound measure of skill in digital photography, even if the digital photographer doesn't have the "training" that many traditional photographers have.  Of course this can be said of any digital art form, and so in general, the thing I'd change is just the prejudice I perceive at times AGAINST the digital.

I have always loved photography and have no idea why...just appeals to me.

I get disappointed at times when I see work that is better than mine but then I set that as a marker and off I go again until it is better...never ending process as as soon as I think "yeah done that well" something else pops up and off I go again.

Drives me mad at times but I suppose that is the joy of it...always something new to do.

 Eddie

"Photography is like capturing a moment in time..Or..showing others how I see the world.."

That says it for me!

"the thing I'd change is just the prejudice I perceive at times AGAINST the digital."

Although I used a film camera for years, I was never able to afford any real training or the supplies that it takes to learn darkroom techniques. I only dabbled in taking photographs. It wasn't until digital came on the scene that I found a creative outlet for my art. Since I didn't consider myself a "photographer" then, I could still consider myself an "artist" and create artistic interpretation through the use of photo manipulation.  Then I found RR! With the community here, with all the tutorials, critiques, and encouragement, I feel I've progressed to "photographer" (albeit an amateur and nowhere near professional yet). Still..... I also feel that prejudice. I've talked to many a "pro" photographer who just dismiss digital as crap! And yet I read in the headlines that Japan doesn't even recognize film cameras anymore, they quit making them years ago. So where does that put "digital" now???
And what about the pros that may have the darkroom background, but now do all their postwork in programs like Photoshop?
Just venting, sorry, I seem to get riled up at a lot of things in this forum! LOL ;p

Because i'm a mug, no really....the camera made me do it.

Photography made me see the light... and you can take that literally. ;o)

Taking photos for me is capturing a moment so when I will be old and silly these pictures will help me remember where I was what I did. Also I can share it with my family too.

In artistic way I like to try a few things with my camera, new method or interesting effect even if it is looks strange or different . Through a lens we see so many thing what with our natural vision we don't or just simple ignore. I like to know what can I bring out of an object or subject this drives me to keep searching for new ideas.

seeyus  Tunde

Hey babuci...I'm old and silly but I still love my photography and hey bentchick I was a pro photographer in as much as I had my own studio for years doing portraits and weddings using a Bronica 6 x 6 film camera and I for one love digital as it lets me do anything I want.
When I first went digital it was a disaster but I knew guys who had more expensive camera's that were doing OK so I got a Nikon D100.
The first print I ever had done was a 10 x 8 of a nude shot and I couldnt beleive the quality of the print...then I got photoshop and it just opened up a whole new world.
Film.....I would never go back to it.
Eddie

 why ? ....

mmmm.... nice question, not easy to answer in english (i speak french lol) ... So... 

I never asked myself about this... i take pics because... i need it ! When i'm walking, sometimes i 'feel' something very special, and i want to keep it in my mind. 
This way, when i'm looking at my pics, i feel again the same thing (if my pic is good lol)... I don't want to impress and, basically, i don't need to show my pics. 

But, i show them because i want to share my feeling... sometimes it works, sometimes not.... I'm happy if you feel something, i'm happy if you like my pic, but i'm happy if you don't like it too, because if you don't like it, it means you feel someting about it !!

so.. yeah, it's great... i'm so unhappy if you have a look at it like you look at a simple wall.

I have returned to classic film, beacuse i need the complete feeling, i need to touch it ! to touch my feeling...

... yep... i take pic because i feel the world, i feel my world, and i want to keep it in mind. I have a lot of pics in my mind you know :oP

... thanks to have asked the question... :oD

Seeya !!!
Olivier