Poll - Why do you make photographs?

[CJ Swartz]

Since this is not a photography enthusiast website, but is a photo-editing enthusiast website, I was wondering what most of US plan to do with photographs that we make -- do we have different goals now than we did 10 years ago, or different than Joe/Jane-next-door who doesn't do photo-editing?

[lurch]

I've been a photo hobbyist for near 50 years now. My 'albums' are boxes and boxes of slides, which I intend to finish digitizing some day, and my computers, which I intend to finish organizing some day.

While my main goal has been to capture memories I've occasionally gone arty, with varying degrees of success. After going digital and learning (sorta) Photoshop, my emphasis has shifted from just recording memories to recording and playing with them. Almost every decent image gets exposure and tone correction now. I also enjoy an occasional fight with a really bad pic to see if something decent can be made of it.

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[Janet Petty]

All of the above!

Janet

[chauncey]

I've only been doing this for about 8-10 months and haven't printed a picture. Getting up in years and wanted something to leave my children, something that was once important to dad.

[Steve Conway]

Reminds me of the question someone asked a guy who owned a Porsche..."Why in the world would you want to own a car that will go over 200 MPH?" His answer...."Because it will."

Steve C.

[CJ Swartz]

Originally Posted by chauncey

I've only been doing this for about 8-10 months and haven't printed a picture. Getting up in years and wanted something to leave my children, something that was once important to dad.

It is great that you are developing a "treasure chest" for your children. People always say that in an emergency, the most important non-living things they hope to save are the photographs. Whether on paper or on a hard drive.

Originally Posted by Steve Conway

Reminds me of the question someone asked a guy who owned a Porsche..."Why in the world would you want to own a car that will go over 200 MPH?" His answer...."Because it will."
Steve C.

I didn't expect any surprises in the answers, but I did wonder whether there was a big difference in retouching folks and other folks as far as their intended uses for their cameras.

[OnFocus]

Answer for me is all four. Probably is for most of us.
Will take photo's for memories, take photos to appease my creative urges, and take photo's with a view to playing with them in Photoshop later.
Wouldnt say any was more pressing than another. Tho my PS addiction is starting to impose more, time wise, so much to learn and not enough time to learn it.
Steve