What is the fundamental reason that people photograph?

<p>(see subject)</p>

<p>Amazing coincidence, considering this preceding thread:</p>

<p><a href="/casual-conversations-forum/00beYg?unified_p=1">http://www.photo.net/casual-conversations-forum/00beYg?unified_p=1</a></p>

<p>Jason, why nor offer your take first so others might follow?</p>

<p>Jason: Interesting thread . . . I suspect the reasons for shooting photographs are many and varied. What just popped into my head was this: to transcend space and time.</p>

(See image)

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<p>The vast majority of photographs taken are snapshots therefore for the vast majority they are fundamentally made as an aid to memory. Beyond that there are as many reasons as there are photographers. As an example some photographers have this thing for derrieres. Really big derrieres.</p>

<p>Jeff: LMFAO!!!!</p>

<p>Gary: Well put - especially the part about derrieres.</p>

<p>Yes Jeff, there is always that asspect. Did I spell that right?</p>

<p>I photograph, therefore I am. That's why.</p>

<p>If I know Jeff, his photograph is about the tattoo. The derriere is incidental. :-) </p>

<p>"What is the fundamental reason that people photograph?"</p>

<p>I can't speak for "people" but I'll answer for me:</p>

<p>The main reason that I photograph is to get beyond reason. In my non-bird composites, it is often to lampoon reason -- in a reasonable way.<br>

.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>"The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish, and when the fish are caught the trap is forgotten. The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten. The purpose of the word is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to." -- <em>Zhuangzi</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>[Yes, he's the guy who did the butterfly-dream thing. If butterflies can shoot digital, I'm all in.]</p>

<p>What does "fundamental" mean in the context of photographing ? </p>

<p>Fundamental: Basic reason, primary reason, original reason, elementary reason, deep-seated reason, underlying reason—take your pick. Each has a slightly different connotation but most work within the context of the question.</p>

<p><em>Expressing myself,</em> is that an answer, then? And when that is done, forgetting the expressions, in line with Master Zhuangz, who definitely is right (Julie). Pure meditation! Images come out of it, but they are ephemera to the act.<br>

<br /> Definition of <strong>Ephemera</strong> : any transitory written or printed matter not meant to be retained or preserved.</p>

Most people take photos in order to document, share, and remember events and occasions. In the last few years, the emphasis on

sharing has expanded geometrically, as wireless digital technology now enables nearly immediate transmission images.

 

People who think of themselves as "photographers" might have other reasons for taking photos - artistic expression, making a living, etc. That said, the person in the street sharing images from their camera phone has become the de facto photographer of the Information Age.

<p>Yes of course the answer to the question of fundamental reasons for "people" to shoot photos, would be for memories and for sharing. In the old days, people wrote frequent and long letters for sharing, and diaries for remembering. They might also have <a href="http://www.paintmap.com/uploads/3065.jpg">added a drawing</a> <a href="http://www.paintmap.com/uploads/3065.jpg">o</a><a href="http://www.paintmap.com/uploads/3065.jpg">r two </a>.</p>

<p>I like what Garry Winogrand said: "I photograph to see what the world would look like in photographs." That's my personal fundamental reason.</p>

<p>I'm a visual person. I photograph things that stimulate me visually, to enjoy again and to share with others.</p>

<p>I would agree with Winograd but to put it in rlief, say: attempt to defraud on times persistence. Plus entertainment, naturally.</p>

<p>I found that after I started taking pictures a few years ago that I experienced the world differently. I noticed things that I wouldn't have noticed before. I began not only looking at things, but looking for things. Taking pictures enriches my living.That's why I take pictures. ed</p>

<p>When a photographer tells another, "Well seen," this is an acknowledgment that photographers have special ways of viewing the world. Sometimes it's a curse, but most of the time it's a blessing.</p>

<p>Memories and sharing.</p>

<p>Perhaps that is true on a basic level, but a response like Winogrand's gets closer to what is the magic of photography or any other art form (read if you wish "form of expression", if the term "art form"sounds too precious to you), whether photography, sculpting or painting. And the art is much more in the doing than in the diffusion (i.e., memories and sharing, exhibiting, among other such things).</p>

<blockquote>

<p> I photograph things that stimulate me visually</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

I think that's what I also said, visually.</p>

<p>An elaboration on my earlier "getting beyond reason" post:<br>

.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>" ... a longing for something that was mere inches away."</p>

<p>" ... the older I get, the more I treasure the sprawling periods of incomprehension, the not knowing, the lands beyond Google, the places in which you must be immersed to comprehend."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>.</p>

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<p>Everything in a museum is frozen in time, and to me photographs are like that except it's something we get to create for ourselves in lieu of the preservation of the artifact, scenery or people. </p>