Mon, January 24th, 2005 by Nick F
After a brief discussion with some people about my
photoblog, I was faced with a question I didn't know how to answer. I love photography
and I love being a photoblogger but when friends ask me, "Why do you have a
photoblog?" I have no idea what to say! It reminds me of those commercials in
the early-90s (Yes, I said early-90s!) for Apple Jacks when the parents would
try Apple Jacks and see no appeal to them whatsoever and when they questioned their
children to why they just spent money on it, the kids just sat there in silence. The
funky music in the background even stopped playing and it seemed like
commercial-eternity while we waited for some sort of reasonable answer to why
these "rebel teenagers" liked Apple Jacks.
After a few moments, they would respond with something along
the lines of, " 'Cuz we just do, y'know?" And of course, their parents would role
their eyes and the commercial would end; however, you were left with the feeling
that maybe there was a deeper routed meaning to eating Apple Jacks.
I know, I know. I just related my entire photoblogging experiences
to a commercial about cereal, but I was curious to know and see what others feel
they get out of photoblogging and why they do it. I'm one of
the younger photobloggers around these parts and am someone who is constantly looking for inspiration. I’ve seen so many fabulous
photographers out there who put there work up everyday. Maybe they can share
with us a deeper meaning to their internet photo frenzy than just relating it
to a bowl of cereal…
Let me know, please. 
January 25th, 2005 at 1:25 am
I look at my photoblog first and foremost as a learning tool. By posting a new photo every day it forces me to develop a discipline for my art. Also, those who take the time to comment and offer constructive criticism are invaluable to me. I can be my own worst critic, but I feel that I will never learn if I don't open myself up to public criticism. What am I doing right? What can I do better? By viewing other blogs, I feel like I am developing a keener eye.
Also it's a way for me to share my photography with my subjects. If I've just taken someone's photo out on the streets, sometimes I will give them my email address and tell them to email me for copies of their photo.
January 25th, 2005 at 1:32 am
Choosing photos to share with everyone forces me to think critically about my shots. There have been several instances where I got ready to post a shot I thought was great, but as I start writing up about it, I realize that it's not one of my best.
Also, I just love having a catalogue of my very favorite images that I can flip through anytime, anywhere.
January 25th, 2005 at 1:56 am
Maybe the question is "why do you do photography at all?"
It satisfies a part of my bone, photography and photoblogging.
January 25th, 2005 at 2:27 am
I personally love paying those camera store bills! or not...
It’s a rush of creative excitement. I took two fine art photography classes and loved them but found myself extremely interested in Sports Photography and Photojournalism. The art students cracked on me pretty heavily for my interest in Sports Photography. "All you have to do is get the ball, the player and their number" blah blah. MUCH easier said than done. It moves so fast most of them wouldn’t be able to keep up. Then you have the "knowing your camera gear" factor which plays a heavy role in the photos you come up with. It might not be art to them, but getting something that isnt a typical a newspaper photo is a challenge and beyond.
Id say my biggest reasoning behind it is the passion to create something new from something that people might not normally see. It gives you the chance to recreate a subject.
"Photography is the most difficult of the arts. It does require certain
arrogance to see and choose. With the camera, it’s all or nothing."
- Walker Evans
Lastly, there is the satisfaction. The greatest feeling on earth is getting props for a really good photo.
January 25th, 2005 at 2:28 am
I began photography after I had been suffering severe depression. By using photography, which was something I already enjoyed, and encorporating that with the disipline of photoblogging, I was able to help focus my attention on something more positive. When you have depression you're always looking at the negative, but with photography you are looking for what makes a good photo.
It probably forced me out into the world more, and now, a year on (and much better mental health wise) I still have photography as a beneficial pass-time.
January 25th, 2005 at 3:18 am
There was a similar topic not so long ago, where lots of us explained why we do this:
http://blog.photoblogs.org/2004/12/reasons.html
January 25th, 2005 at 6:53 am
I have been doing a lot of "looking back" in preparation for my blog's first birthday. It made me realize that I've had a very interesting year and that I will definitively enjoy rereading those entries 5-10-20 years from now.
Life seems to go faster as you get older. Keeping a blog helps you to realize that its worth living.
January 25th, 2005 at 8:07 am
Let's go back 30-40 years. The Jones are having the Klingers over for dinner. Jones likes photogrpahy, and likes showing his photos. During dinner, there are occasional references to the past summer trip to New Jersey; here and there, a "you should go," which eventually morphs into a "well, if you can't go, you should see..." Mr. and Mrs. Klinger exchange furtive glances at each other because now they *know* they're in for it: after dinner, the slide projector is coming out, and they're going to slides of the "Trenton Makes, The World Takes" sign.
Photoblogs are a less instrusive way of sharing, is all.
January 25th, 2005 at 8:13 am
As someone really new to photography, I do it primarily as a way to help me learn & as motivation to shoot as much as possible. Secondary benefits are that I'm really interested in the "online community" elements of it; I enjoy commenting on others' work and having visitors offer feedback on mine (in this regard, photoblogs.org is invaluable). Another big advantage, especially for someone who's just starting out, or just getting serious, is that it's a really easy way to share your work and give it a good presentation. Those things would be considerably more difficult without the technology, and they go a long way in keeping you committed to learning. Lastly, its a really great way to track your development - I look forward to looking back a few years from now to see how far I've come.
January 25th, 2005 at 8:47 am
It's not always fun and games so the question is all the more valid.. why exactly? Ever had a lull where you go for a week or more without taking a photo? Or if you heart is set on taking a particular photo you couldn't possibly afford the gear for? Or if people leave unkind words on your site? Or the feeling that it has all been done before or that you'll never get close to being really proficient.
I think most humans feel the need to be connected. Even when it gets you down though, I still think the point is to participate.
So ... thankyou, everybody here for participating.
January 25th, 2005 at 8:57 am
... a way to learn...
... an obligation to produce...
... a way to share... i hope
... a way to search... and maybe to found...
January 25th, 2005 at 9:05 am
Two words: World domination. OK, world domination and lack of sufficient wall space for all my photos. And beer. Lots of beer.
January 25th, 2005 at 10:47 am
the money.
and the chicks.
January 25th, 2005 at 12:17 pm
How could I forget the money and the groupies!
January 25th, 2005 at 1:03 pm
Ive had an old skool text-only blog since 2000. ive always been into photography but never really put any effort into it. having a photoblog was the next logical step to make me think critically about my work and put it out there for all to see and comment and help me get better. but above all i do it for myself.
...and yea, the chicks, sex, parties, and the drugs dont hurt either.
January 25th, 2005 at 4:06 pm
Same reasons as Frisky -- I'd been text blogging since '98 and loved taking snapshots for at least that long, but never really thought about creating a photoblog until late last year when I decided I wanted to learn how to take better pictures.
Having to post something every day is a challenge both to get out there and shoot, and also to look around with a more discerning eye. I don't want to post crappy pictures, I want to post interesting ones -- who doesn't? I love hearing what other people have to say about the stuff I shoot, and getting constructive criticism.
January 25th, 2005 at 4:06 pm
Isn't the true answer: "Because I can".
January 25th, 2005 at 4:36 pm
Quite simply, I think I would have gone completely loopy without photoblogging to express it all.
January 26th, 2005 at 7:32 am
Like Loreal says: "Because I'm worth it"
January 26th, 2005 at 10:08 am
Looking for good shots, i learn to have another view to things.
Showing this to others, maybe counts more, than to tell them with words...
To show, that you can see everything from different sides, in unusual ways, is maybe helpful for some people to escape from stupideness. And this, i think is a good mission
January 26th, 2005 at 12:19 pm
I've also have had a regular personal blog before it turned into a photoblog, which seems funny because I'm a photographer. I've come to realize that the blog might be a good marketing tool for my business and I try to keep that in mind every day that I post. I'm also seeing that it's a great motivator.
January 27th, 2005 at 1:32 pm
Because I don't like to write. Then again, I might be going to India for a year soon, so maybe that'll change...
January 28th, 2005 at 1:33 am
Some people need to eat, some of us need to fire a camera. Like a spoon could be the best thing that ever happened to a cereal bowl, the internet may be the best thing for a photographer. What's the point of shooting if no one would ever see it in a shoebox or album on a shelf?
February 1st, 2005 at 4:27 pm
Why not photoblogs!
You know the answer.
Even if you can't,put it into words.
After all photography is not verbal.
A good photograph speaks to the inner life.
and speaks at a different level.
You have no reason to answer that question.
Just a photographer.
Best wishes Garry.
February 2nd, 2005 at 6:18 am
I started my whole photo-blog simply as a means to work on images and writing everyday. Little did I know then that I would become somewhat involved with other bloggers and make some new friends in the process. Many are local, some come to NYC to visit and several I speak with frequently on the phone. I had no idea something so personal would become so social.
Recently I won a best photoblog award of no importance other than me being flattered. The real validation though comes from the stranger that e-mails becasue an image impressed something upon them. After all, I don't make stuff simply to sit in files of prints or on my hardrive.
There are as many paths to blog as people blogging I guess.
March 15th, 2005 at 5:50 pm
A pic is worth a thousand..or so they said. So if you multiply the number of pics times a gee....you get a big number..convert to cash, karma, phone numbers..and you end of seeing your effort converted to value.
karma and chics
http://www.gen-why.com
never stop asking...