Making images as opposed to taking them.

[tilman]

that's brilliant! Like it a lot

Ah, just a bunch of toothpicks:
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxjaguar/4330154812/" title="2010 01 30 - ANGEL FUR - THE MAKING OF - 02 by Milan Jovanovic /pictogramax, on Flickr">

 

[Penfan2010]

I can understand how this is not a very important distinction to an accomplished photographer, but just having realized it for myself, as an amateur shooter, I see it having a large impact on the way I take pictures. Making good pictures is not yet a habit for me. It's certainly not 'muscle memory' as it might be with photographers who have been shooting for years and years. I have been making pictures, with any sense of control, only over the last year or so. Still learning the ropes.

While I can see understand some of the points the others are making about potentially dealing with semantics, what I hear you saying is that you are now just beginning to realize the images you've pre-visualized. You are right to feel good about moving to this new stage in your development as a photographer. Keep it up.