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MichaelSoE

(1,575 posts)
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 09:02 AM Sep 2020

Why I am a photographer. Why am I a photographer?

The answer to the first statement is because I have a camera and take pictures. I received my first camera as my gift for my 10th birthday. I wanted a camera because I thought they were cool, Dad had one, pictures were always a treat and I wanted to take pictures.
I continue to do this and therefore I am a photographer.


Oldest photo I took that I still have

The second part of the equation, why am I a photographer, will take you into the swirling vortex of my mind. The day-glo orange life preserver won't save you. Swim for the shore as fast as you are able. SWIM!

I live in a minimum security prison, [gated community with many MAGAs of all ages. It's not a retirement community though the majority here are really old] and it has paths and gardens and landscaping and lakes and canals .... you get the picture. I wander about all the time looking here and there, up and down, constantly scanning until something catches my eye. And it doesn't take much to make me stop. People pass me by as I stare in awe at what I see.

It might start because the light was hitting a certain area. I examine it, perhaps move in for a closer look. Is it the entire scene? That plant? The leaf? Or maybe it's on the ground. I get drawn in and my thoughts run. Like some of my sentences. I think of what Neal Degrasse Tyson says over and over in so many different words. We are stuff of the stars.

I am a photographer because I have a camera have spent the better part of my life learning how to use it. As my technical skills grew, so did the spark of my self. The way I view the world today is vastly different as my life skills improved.

I will strive to continue.

Oh, and the other day as I was walking about I cought in the corner of my eye a snake. Upon closer examination, it turned out to be a twig. But it was too late.


Snake


Twig and other things on the ground




17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Why I am a photographer. Why am I a photographer? (Original Post) MichaelSoE Sep 2020 OP
I became a photographer because I had to have an outlet for my creativity Ferrets are Cool Sep 2020 #1
I've dabbled with the brushes MichaelSoE Sep 2020 #3
Well said. flamin lib Sep 2020 #2
Thank you MichaelSoE Sep 2020 #4
Your first twig photo looks like there's a skull peeking out from below. CrispyQ Sep 2020 #5
The white things could be unripened splash cups. alfredo Sep 2020 #12
I always believed photographs tell stories.. words tell stories. printed words tell stories. mitch96 Sep 2020 #6
Don't believe everything you see?? MichaelSoE Sep 2020 #8
Photography HAB911 Sep 2020 #7
Thank you MichaelSoE Sep 2020 #10
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Michael. CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2020 #9
Thank you Peggy MichaelSoE Sep 2020 #11
Okay, so, would you stop shooting to stop what was happening? cachukis Sep 2020 #13
I am not a photo jouralist MichaelSoE Sep 2020 #14
Good answer. cachukis Sep 2020 #15
THESE ARE GREAT and wonderful... JustFiveMoreMinutes Sep 2020 #16
no idea ... i'm not the moderator of DU MichaelSoE Sep 2020 #17

Ferrets are Cool

(21,059 posts)
1. I became a photographer because I had to have an outlet for my creativity
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 09:59 AM
Sep 2020

and I wasn't talented enough to make a living as a painter. So, for the last 30 years, I have endeavored to become a better photographer.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your photography.

MichaelSoE

(1,575 posts)
3. I've dabbled with the brushes
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 10:56 AM
Sep 2020

and writing and playing music ... we all have that creative spark. Which begs to speak ... nature or nurture?

CrispyQ

(36,225 posts)
5. Your first twig photo looks like there's a skull peeking out from below.
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 11:00 AM
Sep 2020

Love the twig/snake story! My husband has a twig on his desk that looks exactly like a rolled marijuana joint. I do a double take every single time.

mitch96

(13,817 posts)
6. I always believed photographs tell stories.. words tell stories. printed words tell stories.
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 11:14 AM
Sep 2020

Music tells stories. To me they take me places in my mind. Whats your story today?
m

HAB911

(8,811 posts)
7. Photography
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 11:38 AM
Sep 2020

makes me a time traveler. Obviously, very old photos by others, but also many I have takes as well. I once took 6 photos from the top of a new building in downtown Tampa in 1974 and recently stitched them, as best as possible, for a panoramic view of 1974. Like a transporter, only different.

excellent photos, btw

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,297 posts)
9. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Michael.
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 11:42 AM
Sep 2020

You are very eloquent, both with your words and with your camera and your eye.

MichaelSoE

(1,575 posts)
11. Thank you Peggy
Wed Sep 9, 2020, 11:45 AM
Sep 2020

It pains me to write because my fingers can not keep up with my mind. The train of thought is like a bullet train and it often derails.

MichaelSoE

(1,575 posts)
14. I am not a photo jouralist
Sat Sep 12, 2020, 04:14 AM
Sep 2020

I consider myself an artist and photograph is my medium.

If I came across a situation that required me to take some sort of assistance I would be helping, not shooting.

Unless it were Trump slowly sinking into a pool of quicksand. Then I would be like ... click, click, "excuse me. could you look at the camera and say cheese burder." click, click, etc.

JustFiveMoreMinutes

(2,133 posts)
16. THESE ARE GREAT and wonderful...
Thu Sep 17, 2020, 10:07 PM
Sep 2020

... but why has it been the first on my COOL section on the Home page for so long?????

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