Why Do You Take Pictures? The Key Question That Shapes Your Photographic Vision
The Most Overlooked Question in Photography: “Why?
Photography is probably the most spoken and understood language in the world today. No time in history have we taken more pictures than we do today. Photography is here to stay.
I have been taking pictures for over 27 years now and have been actively mentoring for the last twelve. I meet a lot of photographers every month on walks, seminars, workshops, talks and online. During workshops or walks the question that I get asked regularly is how do you take pictures, what were the settings, how did you manage this? What camera do you use? etc.
According to me the question that is the key to shaping up your photographic vision and often gets missed is,
Why do you take pictures?
Finding Purpose in Photography: Knowing Your “Why” Matters More Than Technique
The whats, hows, whens and wheres are important but why do you do photography should be the burning question in your mind. Why do you get up in the morning and drive or walk to a particular place to take pictures, sometimes you visit the same place repeatedly. WHY?
Why do you feel the need to take pictures?
This is a question that I ask everyone who comes to me. Knowing the answer to this question could help you immensely. Unfortunately only you have the answer to that question and if you are honest enough, you can solve this riddle and help yourself greatly.
Photography as a Personal Journey: Capturing Moments for Yourself
My answer is simple, I am an introvert and if it wasn’t for the camera, I would never step out. It’s a tool that has enabled me to see the world, to see people, cultures. I am a different person behind the camera and I do like that person :). Taking pictures makes me happy. I am able to express myself better with the camera than words. Life is short and I am excited that I can capture these moments, create memories.
I am selfish! I don’t take pictures to make you smile, I take pictures cause they make me smile. I don’t take pictures to make you cry, I take pictures cause they make me cry. The urge is to steal that moment, that moment which will never come back. I like to share these, but mostly to see if you feel the same way. If these moments move you as well. It’s more like having a conversation with you.
How Self-Reflection Can Shape Your Photographic Vision
With photography I am also able to share my regrets, my depression, my failures…..I feel less lonely when I take pictures. I feel I know the whole world and the whole world knows me. Even though for a brief moment in time, I feel I understand their world and they understand mine. That there could be distance between us, but I am not alone.
For me there is an urge to interact, it’s who I am. Photography is how I express. My Photographs are often a reflection of who I am, at that moment.
Maybe through my pictures I am leaving a legacy of the life that I have lived.
Whatever your reason to do photography, make sure you know what it is. It will help you shape up and express better. You will worry less about likes and what people think and more about how you feel. The hows and whats will come and can be learnt, what no one can teach you is, Why you do photography? Spend sometime with yourself as you go to bed tonight and try to find the answer and you will wake up a happy person tomorrow. Cheers
Do share if you liked this. You can also join me in my upcoming workshop in Kolkata Oct 8th-13th 2024
You can see more of Rohit Vohra’s works at https://www.instagram.com/rohit_apf/
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