Why take photos?

[Fox Paw]

This is hardly a novel topic. It came to mind again as I was reading an article this weekend. The author was a successful landscape photographer. He commented that it was increasingly difficult to make a living at it. He also wrote that in his more cynical moments he thought that all the landscape photographers were rotating through the same locations and taking pretty much the same photos.

I didn't get into this to make a living so that doesn't trouble me. But I have noticed that you see a lot of repetition in landscape photography. I've thought of a trip to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon and then thought--why? Who needs yet another photograph of those places? Or of the other Usual Locations.

Those who take other kinds of photos probably have analogous thoughts. I'm not deterred from keeping it up. It's fun and gratifying. But I think I'll focus on less photographed places and remember that the process needs to be its own reward.

[MissMia]

I consider myself an average photographer and do not expect to make a living at it. For me it is about the adventure of going places and documenting the trip. Should I skip the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley because it has been photographed millions of times? I’d rather record it with my own eye and remember the stories that went along with it.

[Fox Paw]

That makes perfect sense (except that I think you're well above average). So I haven't sorted out my contradictory impulses.

Edit: Actually, I have kept rejecting the idea of a photo trip to the Grand Canyon for these reasons. It would be hard to do anything that hasn't been done a zillion times before before by better photographers.

[icassell]

I photograph for myself. If others like what I do, all the better. It's not just landscapes. There are a gazillion images of great blue herons. I like the birds. I like taking pictures of them. So be it.

Every once and a while, someone comes up with a truly unique image of something we all consider mundane. I consider it a self-challenge to do that (and rarely succeed). If someone does that, it makes the image even more special.

Although I never sell my images, people do still successfully sell images we've seen often before.

[Hertz van Rental]

Very few people who take photographs have any idea why they do it, whatever they tell themselves or others.
Saying "it's my job" still does not explain why you chose to be a photographer and not a plumber.
There is no one simple answer but it does include voyeurism, pretension, laziness and memory (I could go into it in depth for you but I don't have the space or the time).
Instead, start by reading On Photography by Susan Sontag, The Act Of Creation by Arthur Koestler and then go on from there.

[Aggie]

Maybe viewing it is the same location and shot, but for the individual taking the shot it may be a new experience. I know for me when I get past the baggage I have from a few years ago, I love just being out and seeing things, then recording what moved me. After wards and the work it entails, it is about the memories. Do we really need to question or wonder why? Each of us has their own reasons. Just be happy and do what you like.

[Matt Needham]

But I have noticed that you see a lot of repetition in landscape photography.

Repeating each other is what humans are really, really good at. It's not just landscape photography, it's all kinds of subject matter and most activities besides photography too. Think of how rare it is to find a restaurant, shop, movie, or book that seems truly unique and doesn't remind you of something or somewhere else.

Most of my earnings come from weddings, but I manage to sell some of my landscape photography too. As I was showing my wedding portfolio to a bride-to-be one time I said something like "I'm always experimenting and trying to come up with new ideas and shots." She replied "I don't want anything new. I want photos just like these, but with me in them."

That's sort of been my experience selling landscape photography. I don't do much traveling, so I have to make do with exploring my local area which is no where near as exciting as the Grand Canyon, etc..., but there are quite a few photographers working it these days. I can sort my landscape portfolio into photos I find exciting and photos that I think will sell. I rarely sell the photos I find interesting, although they are the ones other artists and photogs ask for when trading art. The ones that sell are the ones that seem similar to other landscape photos I've seen. I'm still proud of them and enjoy making them.

Foggy sunrise + old tree + barn = repeat $eller!!!

http://www.mattneedham.com/zen/albums/default/kansascolor/lonestar05_0072.jpg


Once I walked into a gallery, and stopped dead in my tracks because my photo (a different one than above) was hanging on the wall. Except my photo was a vertical and this once was horizontal, and the processing was a bit heavy handed IMHO. ;) This was a road stretching off among prairie hills in a public accessible location. It was not only taken in the same place, but the composition, lighting, and sun location seemed almost exactly the same as a photo I had hanging in my home. In different years this other photographer and I stood in almost the exact same spot and took the same photo. It was unnerving. The photo was just different enough I knew it wasn't mine, but it still felt like I'd been robbed! :) Thinking logically about it though I bet thousands of photographers have stood within 5' of that spot and pointed their cameras in that direction. It's a wonderful scene.

[Fox Paw]

Many good responses.

"I rarely sell the photos I find interesting, although they are the ones other artists and photogs ask for when trading art." Which is interesting.

[Overread]

Producing the same product over and over is something that the food industry is very hot on - they try to preserve the same "taste" of a product as long as they can - only adding "new improved flavour" when they find a way to cheapen the recipy ;). The key being that each Mars bar will taste the same every time - consistency is important. So its no surprise to me that the same is true in photography as well - we all want what other people have to some degree so the fact that similar products always make good sales stands to reason.

It also stands to reason that if you then subdivide the population into select groups (based on differing factors like age, gender, ethnicity, religion, hobbies) that you will see that different commonly sold/appreciated photos are also linked to certain groups. Some will cover a wide range of them and others will be far more select in the groups or even group that hold an interest in it.

I see this all the time with my macro work - other macro shooters will praise or comment favourably whilst many others will say things like "its nice, but.." what is it - I don't get it etc.... A respect of the skill in taking the shot (or drawing the art or carving the statue) but its just not the sort of thing they want in their drawingroom.


As for me and why I do what I do - I'll have to get back to you one that once I work it out - far too many possible answers to list them all out

[Fox Paw]

As for other people's reactions, I'm reminded of the following passage in a book I reread this summer. I hate the word "art" but I like this quote:

"The impulse for making art at any level must be dictated by your inner conviction only: what commands you, not what 'they' like. Trust yourself."

A. Audette, The Blank Canvas.

It's easier to say than to do consistently.

[KMann]

I can't afford to go to those much photographed locations!

Good thread Fox. I guess I photograph things because I must. I'm just now getting the hang of it after these past 50 years. I know more about what I want to say and I don't think anyone else wants to say the same thing.

Digital photography has made it much easier to produce a reasonable product than ever before - without much of a handle on technique. Fine art is still elusive.

[Christian]

In short, for the brief moments of serenity it provides.

[Matt Needham]

I used to go fishing. I enjoyed getting out of the city and wander around in the countryside and wilderness. At some point I realized I liked the wandering around more than catching fish. I replaced my fishing gear with a camera.