For me I think the answer lies in between, so I didn't vote.
Generally I view photography as a hobby. I'm trying to have fun and relax while doing it, I don't put a lot of work into it and I don't actively try to get better at it. But still there were some moments when I felt photography helped me to connect to the world around me in a more intimate way, so I would like to share couple of pictures and their stories.
The picture below was meticulously planned. I spent a few hours on Google Maps trying to find a nice spot, using all kinds of software to predict where the light will be coming from at sunset, based on the exact date and time of the year. Then, a few hours before sunset I went outside and actually managed to find the exact specific spot that I had identified on Google Maps. It was kinda of a remote spot at the end of an old, abandoned pier, on the shore of Lake Corrib. An hour before sunset time, I was all set up, tripod in position, composition already figured out and now just chilling and waiting for the sunset, hoping that the amazing light that is often seen in Ireland won't let me down. Then, to my surprise, an old lady appeared out of nowhere. We exchanged a few words and she told me she used to come to this exact spot when she was a kid, to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, she would not be able to do so this time. She was now living in another country and she had a plane to catch. Of course, I got her covered. Asked for her email address, wished her a safe journey and a few days later sent her the picture below via email. She liked it a lot, the sunset was indeed spectacular. And I do keep sending her pictures from Galway, whenever I feel I managed to capture something worthy.
 Lake Corrib Sunset by Hattifnattar, on Flickr
The next shot was also planned. At first, I noticed the dim light at the end of the stairs, and for some reason I envisioned a woman's silhouette with a hat walking up the stairs. So I did a few test shots to get the exposure and the framing right, and then waited. And waited, And waited. A lot of people went up the stairs, some were women, but no hat. Eventually went home and came next day at the same hour, so the stalking resumed. Ironically, few meters towards the right was a a hat store. But still, my silhouette would not how up. I was too invested at this point to let this slip away, so I kept waiting, occasionally photographing other people as they passed by. It was only the third day that she finally walked in, I couldn't believe my eyes as she passed by me heading for the stairs. Some would say that my photographic will was bending space and time to bring her there, but as a geophysicist working with statistics all the time, I knew it was nothing of the sort. It was just a matter of time that it would happen, and I was just very lucky to happen sooner rather than later.
 Silhouette On The Stairs by Hattifnattar, on Flickr
Next one was definitively taken with camera first. I had camera in hand and just snapped a picture of the lady in red, few streets away from my home, not thinking too much about it. It was only at home, on a bigger display when I noticed the small little detail, the cat waiting for her to come home, which makes me like this picture a lot. "Every cloud is grey, with dreams of yesterday / Come home "
 Come home by Hattifnattar, on Flickr
Finally, this last picture was shot in 2014, almost ten years ago. Back then I was just starting out with photography, I didn't really know what I was doing so it was just beginner's luck. I just wanted to take the picture of the nice lady sitting in front of me at the table, I didn't know her so I thought taking some pictures would maybe help me start a conversation. I didn't even notice the action in the background which makes it a cool picture, as I realized later. Now, I do think this is one of my best candid shots. Then, in a surprising turn of events, last year I've found out that the couple kissing in the background are actually two of my friends! I didn't know them at that time, they recognized themselves when I accidentally showed them this picture. Does photography connect us through time, so many years later?
 Background Kissing by Hattifnattar, on Flickr
So I really don't know what goes first, heart or camera. I'll just keep going taking pictures when I feel like it and see where this goes. I'll leave you with the wonderful lyrics of Rainer Maria Rilke:
"Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final"
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