Why Photography as your hobby?

sparky · 01-26-2012, 01:12 AM

Alright, there are threads out there asking what paintball does to you and why it makes you happy, so why not ask the question about photography as a hobby.

Why do I enjoy photography? The reason for me is its a hobby that I can do nearly anywhere, anytime. Generally speaking, I'm usually on the road somewhere and my other main interest are not practical to do. I picked up my first DSLR, a 350D about 4 or 5 years ago after getting lackluster pictures from my borrowed camera. Didn't really interest me though until going to Asia in 2010 though.

I have zero artist skills whatsover, but I enjoy being terrible at something and like the challenge of new things. It pushes me to think with a fresh mind regularly and try new things. I think I've made progress; I now know before I snap the image if its going to interesting or not. More often than not I've been right.

What's your reasons?

Kermit · 01-26-2012, 01:23 AM

It's cheap. I haven't paid any money for my photography hobby after startup fees like buying a camera.

I enjoy the final product. Unlike paintball or what not, I get something to keep afterwards. A cool photo is always fun to make.

grande · 01-26-2012, 05:28 AM

After playing in a event with photographers capturing the action, I always rocketed home and logged on to forums to see if anyone captured my pic. As a player it's really nice to get that day or moment captured in picture form. Just by looking at a photo you remember the smiles, what the air smelled like...it takes you back.

Now I'm able to provide that "service" for the players, I think it's wicked!

As a hobby, I love the challenge. Not one day is alike, weather, light, time of the day, seasonal changes make things interesting. Learning new stuff every time I go out is rewarding, along with getting complimented for your work. Also looking at someone elses photographs and figuring out what they did or what equipment they used in order to achieve the end result is fascinating to me.

CJOttawa · 01-26-2012, 08:14 AM

I'm impatient. Painting wastes my time.

EgoPossum · 01-26-2012, 08:28 AM

When I started working in the proshop, I found that I needed a new hobby to keep me busy. A friend of mine and I were talking one day and I got to use his camera and had a blast so I picked one up for myself and an extra lens.

Now when we have our big game I hit the field as a ref/photographer and I enjoy it more then playing.

ballyhoo33 · 01-26-2012, 09:20 AM

I have a frustrating love-hate relationship with photography. It's a big part of my professional career that has spawned side work such as weddings and portraiture which is very fun for me to do, plus it adds money to my pocket. That being said, I am extremely critical of the photos I take to the point now that I avoid the camera all together and in my office I've taken down all of my photographs. People at work think I'm crazy. I've even gone back to square one and read through all the basic photography books the local library has to re-learm photography. OCD? There's a pill for that.

If anyone has taken offense to my criticism when critiqueing photos, I apologize.

YoroSaru · 01-26-2012, 10:27 AM

i started because i could not afford to play paintball as often as i used to, so if i couldnt play i would go take photos, after a while i started enjoying doing non-paintball related things. im not the best but i like the learning factor of how i can get better and make something that i think is beautiful(even though no one else might)

Dr. PhunkyPants · 01-26-2012, 10:37 AM

I started taking pictures at first as an alternative to playing in a band after the band I put together fell apart. As a creative enterprise, I don't need to get five people together to take pics. Along the way, I found I was better at photography than I ever was at playing music.

Then I had kids and realized that the images I've made of my children at different points in their lives are my most prized posessions!

Today I make image when I need/want to have an enjoyable "time off" from the daily routine. After 1-2 hours of just taking pictures, I feel like I've been out of town for a week on vacation. Which is good, because that's all I'm getting, anway!

Chaz · 01-26-2012, 10:47 AM

Family is important to my wife and I. Photography started out as a method to preserve our memories as much as possible.
Over the last 10 years it has grown to the point where we are not only taking photos to have memories of our family but to have memories of everything. Places we've been, things we seen, etc.
I think a photo tells a deep and profound story to each person who looks at it, which is neat

sparky · 01-26-2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballyhoo33

I have a frustrating love-hate relationship with photography. It's a big part of my professional career that has spawned side work such as weddings and portraiture which is very fun for me to do, plus it adds money to my pocket. That being said, I am extremely critical of the photos I take to the point now that I avoid the camera all together and in my office I've taken down all of my photographs. People at work think I'm crazy. I've even gone back to square one and read through all the basic photography books the local library has to re-learm photography. OCD? There's a pill for that.

If anyone has taken offense to my criticism when critiqueing photos, I apologize.

I think we just found our new photography guru

I think the word is passion.

01-26-2012, 01:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kermit Straight 6 or Bust! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pace, FL	It's cheap. I haven't paid any money for my photography hobby after startup fees like buying a camera. I enjoy the final product. Unlike paintball or what not, I get something to keep afterwards. A cool photo is always fun to make. __________________ KermitKam on YouTube Insanity Workout DVD Bundle FS/T!

01-26-2012, 05:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
grande Seasoned Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Finland	After playing in a event with photographers capturing the action, I always rocketed home and logged on to forums to see if anyone captured my pic. As a player it's really nice to get that day or moment captured in picture form. Just by looking at a photo you remember the smiles, what the air smelled like...it takes you back. Now I'm able to provide that "service" for the players, I think it's wicked! As a hobby, I love the challenge. Not one day is alike, weather, light, time of the day, seasonal changes make things interesting. Learning new stuff every time I go out is rewarding, along with getting complimented for your work. Also looking at someone elses photographs and figuring out what they did or what equipment they used in order to achieve the end result is fascinating to me. __________________ Hello! http://paintballphotography.com/

01-26-2012, 08:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
EgoPossum Owner of Crazy Cats Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Thunder bay, Ontario, Canada	When I started working in the proshop, I found that I needed a new hobby to keep me busy. A friend of mine and I were talking one day and I got to use his camera and had a blast so I picked one up for myself and an extra lens. Now when we have our big game I hit the field as a ref/photographer and I enjoy it more then playing. __________________ "I shoot pump because it hurts more feelings." -- ryantuomi (heard at Living Legends 2) "Not everybody understands English... but everyone understands stick" - Big Sexy Medic "Pumping is about as much a disadvantage for me as shifting is for a Nascar driver" - Ralanti (in an email between ryantuomi, ralanti and I about playing pump) Thunder Bay Pump Club Dementia Paintball MCB Feedback

01-26-2012, 09:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
ballyhoo33 Devil Dog Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Des Moines, IA	I have a frustrating love-hate relationship with photography. It's a big part of my professional career that has spawned side work such as weddings and portraiture which is very fun for me to do, plus it adds money to my pocket. That being said, I am extremely critical of the photos I take to the point now that I avoid the camera all together and in my office I've taken down all of my photographs. People at work think I'm crazy. I've even gone back to square one and read through all the basic photography books the local library has to re-learm photography. OCD? There's a pill for that. If anyone has taken offense to my criticism when critiqueing photos, I apologize. __________________ MCB Feedback PBN Feedback WTB Disney DVDs

01-26-2012, 08:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
CJOttawa Immune to sales tactics. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada's National Capital	I'm impatient. Painting wastes my time.

01-26-2012, 10:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
YoroSaru Active Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ	i started because i could not afford to play paintball as often as i used to, so if i couldnt play i would go take photos, after a while i started enjoying doing non-paintball related things. im not the best but i like the learning factor of how i can get better and make something that i think is beautiful(even though no one else might)

01-26-2012, 10:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dr. PhunkyPants Yield and Overcome... Join Date: Apr 2008	I started taking pictures at first as an alternative to playing in a band after the band I put together fell apart. As a creative enterprise, I don't need to get five people together to take pics. Along the way, I found I was better at photography than I ever was at playing music. Then I had kids and realized that the images I've made of my children at different points in their lives are my most prized posessions! Today I make image when I need/want to have an enjoyable "time off" from the daily routine. After 1-2 hours of just taking pictures, I feel like I've been out of town for a week on vacation. Which is good, because that's all I'm getting, anway!