What do you get out of your photos?

clockworkrat · 08-10-2015, 04:26 PM

This sounds similar to the thread Enjoying taking photographs (which is a good topic in its own right), but I'm asking a different question here. Once you've been out, shot your roll (so to speak), picked the best, developed, printed/published, etc, and you look at your final image, what do you feel?

When I look at my own photos I often feel like they're just pretty images that mean nothing. They show things, and don't say anything or tell me a story. Would I be wrong to assume this is a common worry/neurosis amongst photographers - and indeed artists of other stripes?

Pepe Le Pew · 08-10-2015, 04:36 PM

Yes...

I'll stick to my last statement on your other thread....

whk1992 · 08-10-2015, 04:37 PM

Take photos of your friends and family. They are always meaningful.

clockworkrat · 08-10-2015, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by Pepe Le Pew

Yes...

I'll stick to my last statement on your other thread....

My other thread?

LensBeginner · 08-10-2015, 05:22 PM

some get a kick from champagne...

Well, I actually feel the opposite quite often...
I'm pretty good - I believe - at taking so-so to good-enough pictures that however have a nice narrative when strung together.
That way, I can get a feel for past events that have already gone blurry in my mind, of which I only recall the general outline.

Murfy · 08-10-2015, 05:32 PM

I often wonder if my thought or vision comes through. sometimes photos people really like are ones that I dont care for. but its like those bands that hate the songs that make them popular. I guess. I really try hard to show people what I am feeling or why I picked that thing to photograph. sometimes people get it, sometimes they dont. if my image did mean something (to me) and the viewer got it would it make it better than the ones that they dont get? I guess I just like doing it even if there is no meaning to it. I will spend a long time working on a photo that no one will ever see, its more therapeutic to me.

Pepe Le Pew · 08-10-2015, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by clockworkrat

My other thread?

The enjoying thread....

---------- Post added 08-10-15 at 08:43 PM ----------

Originally posted by Murfy

I often wonder if my thought or vision comes through. sometimes photos people really like are ones that I dont care for. but its like those bands that hate the songs that make them popular. I guess. I really try hard to show people what I am feeling or why I picked that thing to photograph. sometimes people get it, sometimes they dont. if my image did mean something (to me) and the viewer got it would it make it better than the ones that they dont get? I guess I just like doing it even if there is no meaning to it. I will spend a long time working on a photo that no one will ever see, its more therapeutic to me.

I agree..... Until somebody asks you? How do I use my camera?

bigdavephoto · 08-10-2015, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by Pepe Le Pew

How do I use my camera?

Simple, look that person in the eye and with a straight face say "As a paperweight."

aoeu · 08-10-2015, 05:55 PM

Fun

For those who see my fun, fun.

I do not claim art. Others may decide.

I pic situations and strange objects.

alamo5000 · 08-10-2015, 05:56 PM - **2 Likes**

Taking pictures that are meaningful is part of the art of photography if you ask me. Sometimes though it takes time for the meaning to appear. For example I always carry my camera around taking pictures of people (usually relatives) and people hate it. They are always trying to act like a bunch of damn fools every time they see a camera. However a distant relative that honestly I didn't know that well recently passed away and no one had pictures of her. Turns out people contacted me, and next thing you know they are using my photos in the memorial service and everyone was then all commenting on how great the photos were. THEN they were paying attention. I know it's not the best most uplifting story but it's true.

It could be anything. I've seen people take a 'street scene' and then like 20 years later people were comparing that to 'now'... the photos certainly had meaning.

I also think though you don't have to wait until 'later' to have a photo mean something. It's up to the photographer to tell the story. One shot, one snap, you can capture a lot.

For me if I have the chance (which is honestly not that often) I don't try to just capture the scene but rather the moment, the emotion, or the feeling of what's going on. If you can capture the underlying feeling or culture of a person, or their mood, or any of that stuff... odds are it will be something very unique. It's not something you can always obtain by taking photos of bugs or flowers... but those have their place in things too.

condor27596 · 08-10-2015, 05:58 PM

Different for me. I'm trying to duplicate or exceed the $1200 photo days my wife used to pay of my baby. Three years later I am there.

clockworkrat · 08-10-2015, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by alamo5000

Taking pictures that are meaningful is part of the art of photography if you ask me. Sometimes though it takes time for the meaning to appear. For example I always carry my camera around taking pictures of people (usually relatives) and people hate it. They are always trying to act like a bunch of damn fools every time they see a camera. However a distant relative that honestly I didn't know that well recently passed away and no one had pictures of her. Turns out people contacted me, and next thing you know they are using my photos in the memorial service and everyone was then all commenting on how great the photos were. THEN they were paying attention. I know it's not the best most uplifting story but it's true.

It could be anything. I've seen people take a 'street scene' and then like 20 years later people were comparing that to 'now'... the photos certainly had meaning.

I also think though you don't have to wait until 'later' to have a photo mean something. It's up to the photographer to tell the story. One shot, one snap, you can capture a lot.

For me if I have the chance (which is honestly not that often) I don't try to just capture the scene but rather the moment, the emotion, or the feeling of what's going on. If you can capture the underlying feeling or culture of a person, or their mood, or any of that stuff... odds are it will be something very unique. It's not something you can always obtain by taking photos of bugs or flowers... but those have their place in things too.

We had a similar situation when my grandfather passed away recently. Though he enjoyed photography there were relatively few photos of him. Since that experience I have been more active in taking photos of family.

What you say about capturing moments strikes a note, and I think is something I'll be considering more in future.

Rockysan · 08-10-2015, 06:19 PM - **1 Like**

I got such a wonderful feeling seeing the face of a good friend of mine after I gave him a collage of some places we visited on a road trip to Texas, where he was born and raised. We spent three weeks on the road through the Southwest. His wife had passed away last year and my wife and I were a little worried about him. So we loaded up the car and drove. The photos weren't anything special, but it meant a lot to him and also to me. This is what I get out of my photography.

vonBaloney · 08-10-2015, 06:26 PM

I try to look at things (by taking their picture) that are "looking back", even if they are not people (I never shoot people) or animals. Most everything is a portrait of some kind. And I might have to shoot 500 shots to get one decent one...

**Digitalis** · 08-10-2015, 06:42 PM - **3 Likes**

Money, a lot of it. Of all the things I enjoy doing, photography and being able to making money out of it - something my family has been doing for over four generations.

That and the ability to work with world class cameras and optics, it is one hell of a lot of fun.

08-10-2015, 04:26 PM	#1
clockworkrat Veteran Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Black Isle, Scotland Posts: 405	What do you get out of your photos? This sounds similar to the thread Enjoying taking photographs (which is a good topic in its own right), but I'm asking a different question here. Once you've been out, shot your roll (so to speak), picked the best, developed, printed/published, etc, and you look at your final image, what do you feel? When I look at my own photos I often feel like they're just pretty images that mean nothing. They show things, and don't say anything or tell me a story. Would I be wrong to assume this is a common worry/neurosis amongst photographers - and indeed artists of other stripes?

08-10-2015, 06:19 PM - 1 Like	#13
Rockysan Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 51	I got such a wonderful feeling seeing the face of a good friend of mine after I gave him a collage of some places we visited on a road trip to Texas, where he was born and raised. We spent three weeks on the road through the Southwest. His wife had passed away last year and my wife and I were a little worried about him. So we loaded up the car and drove. The photos weren't anything special, but it meant a lot to him and also to me. This is what I get out of my photography. Attached Images

08-10-2015, 06:42 PM - 3 Likes	#15
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Money, a lot of it. Of all the things I enjoy doing, photography and being able to making money out of it - something my family has been doing for over four generations. That and the ability to work with world class cameras and optics, it is one hell of a lot of fun. Last edited by Digitalis; 08-16-2015 at 02:16 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Your vehicle: what do you have, why do you like it, and what do you not like?	Auzzie-Phoenix	General Talk	2980	3 Days Ago 05:06 PM
How do you store your photos and what do you store?	Conqueror	General Photography	22	05-05-2015 09:55 PM
When you get your K-3, how will you dispose of your older body	mamethot	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	67	01-18-2015 11:24 AM
What do you do with your photos?	cbova	Photographic Technique	8	10-22-2011 06:54 PM
What do you do with your photos?	annod	Photographic Technique	34	03-20-2009 03:34 PM

08-10-2015, 04:36 PM	#2
Pepe Le Pew Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 591	Yes... I'll stick to my last statement on your other thread....

08-10-2015, 04:37 PM	#3
whk1992 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 715	Take photos of your friends and family. They are always meaningful.

08-10-2015, 04:38 PM	#4
clockworkrat Veteran Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Black Isle, Scotland Posts: 405 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pepe Le Pew Yes... I'll stick to my last statement on your other thread.... My other thread?

08-10-2015, 05:22 PM	#5
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	some get a kick from champagne... Well, I actually feel the opposite quite often... I'm pretty good - I believe - at taking so-so to good-enough pictures that however have a nice narrative when strung together. That way, I can get a feel for past events that have already gone blurry in my mind, of which I only recall the general outline.

08-10-2015, 05:32 PM	#6
Murfy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	I often wonder if my thought or vision comes through. sometimes photos people really like are ones that I dont care for. but its like those bands that hate the songs that make them popular. I guess. I really try hard to show people what I am feeling or why I picked that thing to photograph. sometimes people get it, sometimes they dont. if my image did mean something (to me) and the viewer got it would it make it better than the ones that they dont get? I guess I just like doing it even if there is no meaning to it. I will spend a long time working on a photo that no one will ever see, its more therapeutic to me.

08-10-2015, 05:38 PM	#7
Pepe Le Pew Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 591	Originally posted by clockworkrat My other thread? The enjoying thread.... ---------- Post added 08-10-15 at 08:43 PM ---------- Originally posted by Murfy I often wonder if my thought or vision comes through. sometimes photos people really like are ones that I dont care for. but its like those bands that hate the songs that make them popular. I guess. I really try hard to show people what I am feeling or why I picked that thing to photograph. sometimes people get it, sometimes they dont. if my image did mean something (to me) and the viewer got it would it make it better than the ones that they dont get? I guess I just like doing it even if there is no meaning to it. I will spend a long time working on a photo that no one will ever see, its more therapeutic to me. I agree..... Until somebody asks you? How do I use my camera?

08-10-2015, 05:54 PM	#8
bigdavephoto Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: East central Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 893	Originally posted by Pepe Le Pew How do I use my camera? Simple, look that person in the eye and with a straight face say "As a paperweight."

08-10-2015, 05:55 PM	#9
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	Fun For those who see my fun, fun. I do not claim art. Others may decide. I pic situations and strange objects.

08-10-2015, 05:56 PM - 2 Likes	#10
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Taking pictures that are meaningful is part of the art of photography if you ask me. Sometimes though it takes time for the meaning to appear. For example I always carry my camera around taking pictures of people (usually relatives) and people hate it. They are always trying to act like a bunch of damn fools every time they see a camera. However a distant relative that honestly I didn't know that well recently passed away and no one had pictures of her. Turns out people contacted me, and next thing you know they are using my photos in the memorial service and everyone was then all commenting on how great the photos were. THEN they were paying attention. I know it's not the best most uplifting story but it's true. It could be anything. I've seen people take a 'street scene' and then like 20 years later people were comparing that to 'now'... the photos certainly had meaning. I also think though you don't have to wait until 'later' to have a photo mean something. It's up to the photographer to tell the story. One shot, one snap, you can capture a lot. For me if I have the chance (which is honestly not that often) I don't try to just capture the scene but rather the moment, the emotion, or the feeling of what's going on. If you can capture the underlying feeling or culture of a person, or their mood, or any of that stuff... odds are it will be something very unique. It's not something you can always obtain by taking photos of bugs or flowers... but those have their place in things too.

08-10-2015, 05:58 PM	#11
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	Different for me. I'm trying to duplicate or exceed the $1200 photo days my wife used to pay of my baby. Three years later I am there.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-10-2015, 06:17 PM	#12
clockworkrat Veteran Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Black Isle, Scotland Posts: 405 Original Poster	Originally posted by alamo5000 Taking pictures that are meaningful is part of the art of photography if you ask me. Sometimes though it takes time for the meaning to appear. For example I always carry my camera around taking pictures of people (usually relatives) and people hate it. They are always trying to act like a bunch of damn fools every time they see a camera. However a distant relative that honestly I didn't know that well recently passed away and no one had pictures of her. Turns out people contacted me, and next thing you know they are using my photos in the memorial service and everyone was then all commenting on how great the photos were. THEN they were paying attention. I know it's not the best most uplifting story but it's true. It could be anything. I've seen people take a 'street scene' and then like 20 years later people were comparing that to 'now'... the photos certainly had meaning. I also think though you don't have to wait until 'later' to have a photo mean something. It's up to the photographer to tell the story. One shot, one snap, you can capture a lot. For me if I have the chance (which is honestly not that often) I don't try to just capture the scene but rather the moment, the emotion, or the feeling of what's going on. If you can capture the underlying feeling or culture of a person, or their mood, or any of that stuff... odds are it will be something very unique. It's not something you can always obtain by taking photos of bugs or flowers... but those have their place in things too. We had a similar situation when my grandfather passed away recently. Though he enjoyed photography there were relatively few photos of him. Since that experience I have been more active in taking photos of family. What you say about capturing moments strikes a note, and I think is something I'll be considering more in future.

08-10-2015, 06:26 PM	#14
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I try to look at things (by taking their picture) that are "looking back", even if they are not people (I never shoot people) or animals. Most everything is a portrait of some kind. And I might have to shoot 500 shots to get one decent one...