Why Do You Actually Take Photos?

Monday 19 October 2020, 20:02 by Juliette Gribnau | 6,703 views | 10 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Photography has grown enormously, especially with the development of the smartphone. But why do we take so many photos? Is it for the likes on Instagram and Facebook? Or to become a professional photographer, win a competition, or something else entirely?

There are so many different reasons why we take photos, and depending on the motivation for taking photos, everyone's development will be different.

While one person studies the technique and equipment, another will try to develop more from an artistic point of view. Someone else will work in a more journalistic way, as in the photo below.

1/30s, f/2.0, 800 ISO
There are many photography competitions. The honour, appreciation or great prizes are often an incentive for many photography enthusiasts. They can be a fun new challenge, while they can also create a desire for better equipment, and perhaps the wish to buy it.

What I find unfortunate is that you tend to compare your work with that of others, which can be very frustrating. I have made a habit of comparing my work only with my own previous work.

Much equipment is now so advanced that razor-sharp and crystal-clear photography is within everyone's reach, even with smartphone photography, which is also continuing to develop. Unfortunately, photography is also becoming increasingly expensive

But: the camera does not take the photo, the person operating the camera does!

It is the photographer who wants to capture something, show something, or tell something, and the approach is different for each of these intentions: What do you pay attention to? Which equipment do you use? How do you choose your viewpoint?

Sometimes I look back at old photos. It amazes me how little difference there is in what I want, but how much progress I have made in expressing what I want.

I am most interested in the beauty of things. That is what I want most myself: capturing and showing beauty. Beauty in things, the object, or beauty in terms of atmosphere, colour or light.

1/320s, f/2.8, 2000 ISO

How do you achieve what you want?

First of all by learning to look, by learning to see the beauty of things, colours or light. And then: know your camera, know which lens you can best use and experiment!

Try different settings. Use aperture priority mode for a first impression of the result, then switch to fully manual mode. Try different exposures and apertures, and above all: which ISO is best here?

For me, the light sensitivity of the sensor, ISO, is often the biggest puzzle.

All these different settings are a search for what you want to achieve: expressing beauty. The special quality that struck you in this object, this situation or this colour, as in the photo below.

1/1250s, f/5.6, 200 ISO

Showing beauty

For several years, I took photos for the Heemtuin in Arnhem. In cooperation with the manager, photos were put up on the information board every week.

For visitors to the Heemtuin, this was an inspiration to look more closely at the beauty in the garden. A contribution to a love of nature, which gave me an extra reason to take photos.

Unfortunately, this information board was vandalised and is no longer in use,

And then there is the happiness

The joy of taking photos, the happiness of getting a single good result. After the many attempts I made to capture a single moss plant with a drop of dew in such a way that, to me, it showed the beauty of simplicity.

The feeling of emotion and gratitude that such a small but beautiful subject gives me. The gratitude that something so beautiful exists and that we are allowed to enjoy it. And then, after the many attempts, the delight! I am happy with the result!

The photo below is currently my best example of this. A stack of 12 photos.

1/20s, f/2.0, 100 ISO
Why I take photos: to capture beauty, joy and gratitude, as well as to show the most beautiful part of creation: nature!

For all of us, it can be worthwhile to reflect on why we take photos... it can give you new ideas and motivate you!

Share: WhatsApp Facebook

About the author

Juliette fotografeert nu meer dan 15 jaar. Haar specialisme ligt bij natuurfotografie. Zij fotografeert vooral vogels en insecten vanuit haar scootmobiel tijdens de vele lange ritten door de natuur.

Inspiration, essential for your photography!
by Laura van der Burgt
If you can't think of anything to photograph, try these ideas
by Nando Harmsen
Review: Inspiration by Ap Dijksterhuis
by Erik van Rosmalen
Who inspires you, and why?
by Elvira Smit
Where do you find your inspiration?
by Nando Harmsen
The lockdown and block survival guide
by Frank Doorhof

Show every article in Inspiration

home

10 comments

Martin Hermes wrote on Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 12:41 | reply
Since 2010 I have been photographing in nature every Wednesday, with macros being my preference, and through my website and Facebook I want to show people how beautiful nature really is. But I also try to make people aware of the decline I experience there every year again; in 2010 I came home on Wednesdays with 800 to 1,000 photos, in 2020 it was at most 200. The insects have been decimated to alarming numbers. I could type a few more A4 pages, but the real nature lover knows what I am talking about.
Translated from Dutch.

A H M Kerkhoff wrote on Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 13:03 | reply
a nice story Juliette, but it does raise one question for me: don't you think you owe it to your free models to at least mention what they're called: starling, yellow wagtail etc?
Translated from Dutch.

scoot-shooter wrote on Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 14:13 | reply
Thank you Martin for your lovely response ! I recognize what you say about the decline, especially : Insects. There are many species that I could still photograph in abundance a few years ago, whereas now I am happy when I see even one of that species.
greetings,
juliette
Translated from Dutch.

scoot-shooter wrote on Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 14:15 | reply
Thank you A.H.M Kerkhoff for your nice tip ! I have never asked my models, but I will certainly start doing so from now on. And wherever possible I will mention them in my little articles !
greetings,
juliette
Translated from Dutch.

Robert wrote on Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 18:37 | reply
I photograph because we forget so quickly.
Numbers and brands don't matter to me.

It's your bar, no matter how high or low you set it. Mirroring or even copying idols in photography is fine. It will never (fortunately) be the same. Sometimes you surprise yourself. Me....for sure. And the pleasure is great then.

With photo-shooting greetings Robert
Translated from Dutch.

scoot-shooter wrote on Wednesday 21 October 2020 at 11:36 | reply
Hello Robert, thank you for your response. And yes... capturing memories so as not to forget them is an important aspect of photography . It's wonderful when you sometimes surprise yourself with a super nice photo. Enjoyment is really a must when taking photos. I wish you many surprising photography moments of joy !
greetings,
juliette
Translated from Dutch.

Donald Willemsen wrote on Thursday 22 October 2020 at 10:00 | reply
I prefer photographing people. That can be in a studio, on the street or in the natural environment of the person being portrayed. By natural environment I don't necessarily mean nature, but the environment in which the person being portrayed lives, resides or works.
The aim is to tell something about the person with the photo, including certain character traits.
Finding suitable models is not easy.
In addition, during my travels I also take photos of the places where I am to show how beautiful the world around us is.
Due to age and the physical limitations I have always had, my freedom of movement is becoming increasingly limited and it is becoming increasingly difficult to go out alone and carry the equipment.
I think it is a good thing that in recent weeks there has also been more attention for (amateur) photographers with a physical disability. Among other things, it shows that you can also take wonderful photos from a mobility scooter or wheelchair. Hopefully more people with a disability will show through their hobby/profession as a photographer how they do it and what possible adaptations they use.
Translated from Dutch.

scoot-shooter wrote on Thursday 22 October 2020 at 13:57 | reply
Hello Donald, thank you for your response. Nice that you like photographing people.... it shows me how many differences there are in what fascinates photographers. Nice that you let me know that you think it is important that people with disabilities are also perfectly capable of taking beautiful photos. That was the reason for me to start these little blogs: to inspire people with disabilities to take photographs despite the fact that here and there you do have to find a solution for your disability, and sometimes have to think completely "out of the box" to achieve what you want. And well... as we get older, the limitations often only increase, but.... we will find our own solutions for those too... it keeps us young, and enthusiastic about photography !
Success !
greetings,
juliette
Translated from Dutch.

primefoto.nl wrote on Monday 26 October 2020 at 23:24 | reply
Why do I take photographs? To be engaged in something where I can create something. Create an image that contains a story. Technical skills are decisive in shaping my visual language. That is one aspect. A second aspect is enjoying being engaged in making/creating the images and then enjoying the result. That gives a satisfying feeling. I get that same feeling when I can teach someone else some techniques and help them move forward. I am an all-rounder with a preference for people, landscapes, cityscapes, decay, macro work, but old buildings or windmills also interest me, and much more.
Translated from Dutch.

scoot-shooter wrote on Tuesday 27 October 2020 at 09:30 | reply
Hello primefoto.nl. Thank you for your clear response. An image with a story in it .. that is, I think, very essential in photography, painting and other creative forms of expression. I always think it’s a shame when a photo is explained with words.. the art is to let the photo, the image speak for itself. How cool that you delve into that so deeply.
And then enjoying the result is indeed very nice ! I’m curious about your work and will definitely visit your site.
regards,
juliette
Translated from Dutch.

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.

Become a better photographer every week

A practical photography tip in your inbox every week.
39,079 photography enthusiasts already receive the tips! More about the weekly mail. Or keep up to date via Facebook. Sign-up secured with Google reCaptcha.

Elja Trum

Photofacts; everything to do with photography!

Would you like to take better photos and keep up with what is happening in photography? Photofacts publishes articles that teach you something about photography — from a product announcement to a practical shooting tip or a look at a website. Photofacts covers photography every day and is a hobby project of Elja Trum's that got out of hand. The articles are written by a team of volunteer authors. If you would enjoy writing one or more articles for Photofacts, do get in touch.More about Photofacts

Photofacts is made possible in part by