Thanks you so much for the honest and open replies....that's what I love about this place - actually I'd not have been game enough to ask this question anywhere else.
I hope I don't miss anyone out but I'd love to comment on some key aspects of replies so far.
Obsession with gear can distract, but finding the right gear can inspire. A camera that frustrates you or doesn't inspire confidence will most probably not end up taking many photographs.
Couldn't agree with you more Nic. This was me and the DP2. Loved the outputs, but...well let me just say that it's nothing at all like using the X100.
Expressing oneself, most certainly. Being creative, yes. But also, keeping oneself grounded and "steady". That's what it is for me, and its probably why I have abandoned the photography club: their needs from photography simply did not match mine. I hope I haven't misinterpreted your message, Mark.
No you got it in one Sue. What an excellent story re: your hiatus and return to photography. I'd not thought about the grounding aspect before and I'll certainly have to mull it over a little further. Funny that you bought the exact same lens that was on my dSLR shopping list. But instead I think the whole kit'n'kaboodle is in its last days. Just haven't quite settled on the replacement...if any. Entertaining the thought of flying solo with the X100....or replacing the dSLR for a
Leica M2 and a or some (yeah right!) lens/es. Honestly now that I have experienced the OVF with info I don't think I can go back to looking through a tunnel...I really do think the rangefinder interface suits my style of shooting.
I photograph as a documentation of my life and that of my families I think?....And I agree, the right gear can and does inspire me to get out there and take photos. Esp the X100 now, it's like a new lease on my photography live.
Spot on!!! With both the documentation aspect - it seems a very honest appraisal - and the X100 - which certainly does what it says on the box "Fall in love with photography again".
My obsession with Gear started when I went digital; I wanted a camera that fit me like my Hexar AF did...I have come to the realization that the camera matters little though, it is the act of creation, the act of seeing that matters most.
Lili, I've heard that the X100 is the digital Hexar.

...but still not interested? I love the statement the act of seeing matters most.... absolutely love it!!!
Two reasons I can think of, which are somewhat related:
- To have a record of times gone by.
- To make more tangible my sense of wonder about the world (and other emotions).
Also, I just like pretty (or strong) pictures, and like to make some myself, or at least try to
Another for documentation, but I am very very curious about point two. What an amazing way of thinking and saying it. Thank you so much.....that's great!!!
I think the notion of "subject" and "object" is slippery ...
Don (in a thread somewhere) said something to the effect that he wants a camera that gets as little in the way as possible (he'll correct me if I have that wrong) ... when I picked up an E-P2, I knew it was what I wanted, it was (is) an aesthetic object, so I haven't looked at any other cameras since
... because (here's the "why photography?" bit ) a bit like Nic, I can't draw or sing or play an instrument ... but I can take pictures that satisfy me and partly fulfil a need in me to be creative.
some guitarists have dozens of instruments, some have one ... some painters use only the finest brushes, others use whatever they can pick up at a DIY store ... some people marry once, some people marry half a dozen times ... I like well-made things, and I have a box full of lenses that feel well-made, and sometimes I put a lens on just because I like the way it feels on the camera that day ... I don't have a particular desire to acquire more lenses, but I might replace one or two with that fill their niche more smoothly ...
Mate this one was far harder to unpack. I hear you seconding the creativity aspect of photography, but I also really appreciate your talking about the camera as a tool, and one where it's aesthetic is so important. Again, this is what makes me so curious about a old Leica rangefinder. Not so I can sport a red dot - actually I don't think the M2 has one, but the feeling of in in and under hand....and the experience of the rangefinder. Thanks mate a lot to chew over there. Also I've not deliberately avoided the subject/object slippery slope, I just think this requires a thread unto itself. It'd be an excellent concept to explore in greater depth though....keen if you are!
Why Photography? Because I have to.
Or else?
Gear? I only use cameras that do not intrude on my vision. Nuff said.
Amen!
Why Photograph?Photography for me is a cruel mistress who has to be obeyed. I have no choice I see things and I have to photograph them. The process of photography is what I enjoy but once I have made an image I don’t care for it any more, I display them as an exercise in discipline but I seldom look at them again. The act of posting and displaying images almost seems arrogant to me as a sort of “look how good I am Mom” childish moment. Some people enjoy them and that makes me happy. I feel a rush of pride when someone takes the time to comments on my images. No matter how good my images turn out, no matter how well my images are accepted they never reach the goal I have set for myself.
I have a gallery hanging coming up and I was so flattered to be asked I sign a contract and said yes. I wish I had said no! I guess I like to fail safe at times.
Now that's honesty! Thanks Grant. I love the distinction between the capture and the output. The childish moment...well it seems we all play that hand as it's all about how
I see the world and
my creativity and expression. Thank you so much.
what I meant is that I use photography to make clearer my way of experiencing the world around me, which is ofcourse influenced by my inner world and is therefore impossible to quantify or objectify. So rather, capturing a state of mind inside of me, through my perception of the things outside, in order to express myself and hopefully also learn more about myself.
Well clarified! But is this another vote for Grant's take of the selfishness of the photographic exercise?
... but this is pretty abstruse stuff and I don't want to hijack stillshunter's intentions ...
Mate, please don't give it a second thought. As I've confessed to BB on many an occassion, more than half of my posts appear to be an act of highway robbery
I think I was first REALLY drawn into photography by photos of everyday stuff I'd see that I'd never think twice about, but the photos of them showed a lot of beauty and perspective that I'd never have seen just with a typical glance. Just stuff like bridges, windows, the way a sliver of sunlight would fall on a tablecloth. Stuff I'd seen my whole life and never looked at twice, it made me look at twice, or three times, or a hundred. That was a huge gift to me at an age when it was hard to find beauty in much. I'd been taking pictures before that, mostly I think as a bonding exercise with my Dad and my brother, but I'd never really FELT it before that. Then I started looking a little deeper and I remember the AHA moment I had when I first saw Edward Weston's iconic image of a bell pepper. That someone could find just the right angles and light and tonality in a friggin' BELL PEPPER to make it look so incredibly human, so incredibly sensuous even, was an absolute revelation to me. And it made me look at the world differently, always trying to find the beauty, the image in nearly everything I saw. How can I look at this everyday object and find an interesting and possibly even beautiful image in it?
That was really the driving factor initially. After several years of being VERY into it, life got in the way and it went back to just being a way to record life's moments (which is not a BAD thing, just a DIFFERENT thing) as I pursued a career and raised a family and the stuff that people do. And then it was all re-kindled about a year and almost a half ago in anticipation of a big trip, which led to the purchase of my first reasonably nice camera in many years, which led to my discovery of the depths of digital shooting and processing, which led back to the same old quest of trying to find beauty, or at least interest, where-ever I could. And oddly, that led me into street photography, which in one sense is an entirely different exercise, but in another is just extending that quest to the most beautiful and challenging part of our world, which is people. We humans aren't ALL that's going on by a long shot, but to a fellow human (an orangutan's perspective might be different!), we're the most interesting and beautiful part of the world I interact with every day (dogs rank pretty high too). People don't sit still much, either physically or visually or emotionally, which makes finding the beauty in everyday encounters with people and FREEZING them in the moment, so incredibly involving and interesting and difficult.
That's about the only way I know how to explain it. I don't take it as far as Don - I don't think I have to - for many years I didn't and I can't say I missed it. But there's not a whole lot I enjoy more now that I'm back in it. I love the process of looking, of seeing, and any good results are just icing on the cake (although I admit that without icing I'd probably eventually tire of the cake!).
And, oh yeah, gear is really really really fun also. Its a different thing, it won't help you see, it won't make you a better photographer, etc, etc, etc. But it can help you record what you DO see and I've just always loved cool gadgets and there aren't many cooler gadgets than modern cameras!
-Ray
Sorry Ray, but as hard as I tried I could not cut a single word! Thanks so much for weighing in. On your first point, about looking deeper at the seemingly mundane this was only a recent realisation for me...and hence my new signature block. I am also getting more into street for the very reasons you mentioned....however I need to hone my skills and build my courage somewhat to come even to close to a decent image.
ALL THANK YOU SO MUCH....IT'S REALLY KICKED MY GREY MATTER INTO ACTION AND HOPE THE DISCUSSION CAN CONTINUE.....I LOVE THIS ESSENTIAL STUFF.