Ramzi Abed wrote:
I do it, because I'm not 100% convinced that reality is in fact "real". I find everything that surrounds me to be a total mystery. I mean I understand all of the scientific methods and rules we've applied to the world to make it make sense, but I still think reality is a dream, and it is when we escape the limitations of the physical form that the ultimate and true reality exists. I have memories from before I was born. I told my mother this when I was about 4 or 5. I still remember the distinct feeling of floating in one direction without a body in what felt like infinite space. Anyhow, so I try as much as possible to capture and examine this beautiful mystery called human existence. Do you feel the same way or similarly? Why do you do it?

I know I'm not supposed to be in here but... this makes me think of the "uncertainty principle" that we apply to everything including Science.  That's what drove some scientists mad including Albert Einstein, with confusion, mind-boggling them.  And that floating thing.. makes me think of OBE concept.. out of body experience, astral projection. ;0  It's like the ultimate feeling of freedom.

Ramzi Abed wrote:
Why do you do it?

There is power in it.

It may not descend on one's psychological consciousness easily, but that power is enjoyable and pleasurable.

Do you feel powerless when holding a throw away P&S beside your friend with the high end DSLR on a once in a lifetime event?

There is power in capturing a moment using the best method available during that particular point in time.

The camera manufacturers know all about this power and capitalize on it to lure and sway the masses to their products and upgrades.

Capturing time and preserving it in a photograph is a powerful exercise, psychologically and consequently.

Some people are not affected by this power and are happy snapping away with their phones.

Some people treat this power seriously and can exhibit aggressive and hostile behavior when challenged. (Such as in a Nikon VS Canon internet forum slug fest).

.

SPV Photo wrote:
I can't draw.

Ditto. I can't draw; I can't paint, but I can push a button.

o k u t a k e wrote:
I enjoy creating beautiful and/or interesting images that pay the bills.

That sums it up perfectly!

Ramzi Abed wrote:
It's pretty strong.

So what I think you are trying to say, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that reality is for people that can't cope with drugs. Well, I think we all can create our own reality with photography. We make make many decisions on what our final product will be before, during and after the shutter is released. That is a main reason people do it...control.

SPV Photo wrote:
I can't draw.

Pretty much

Blue Ash Film Group wrote:

So what I think you are trying to say, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that reality is for people that can't cope with drugs. Well, I think we all can create our own reality with photography. We make make many decisions on what our final product will be before, during and after the shutter is released. That is a main reason people do it...control.

I was joking. However, I'm enjoying this thread. And no, you see, the thing about that memory I have from the womb... IT'S REAL.

No bullsh*t here. Thanks.

And thank you all for the amazing responses. Loving this.

Truly,

Ramzi Abed / MR. E

Ramzi Abed wrote:
P.S. Life and death are my drugs of choice. I am continually overdosing on both.

Good Egg Productions wrote:
Because it makes me happy.



I don't know why anyone does anything if that simple criteria is not met.

+ a really big number.

PhotographLayne wrote:
Because I was born blind."3 surgeries later"I was legally blind not even a driving lic, now thanks to lasik 4 years ago, I now have 20/20.

That's just plain fucking awesome man.

Raoul Isidro Images wrote:
Do you feel powerless when holding a throw away P&S beside your friend with the high end DSLR on a once in a lifetime event?

I wouldn't say powerless.  I would say I have a desire to do better all the time.  For instance, at my aunt's wedding, I met the photographer who was using some Nikon DSLR.  I thought it was nice but also thought my Canon P&S was good enough.  That all changed after the wedding was over and I saw his pictures.

  I was the first person I know to have a DSLR so I didn't get to feel anything with my P&S next to a friend with a DSLR ... but I know someone who may well have felt that way when he was using a P&S and I had a DSLR.  Granted, my DSLR isn't nearly as high end as they get but any DSLR is at least one step above any P&S in most situations.

  When that guy shot 100 pictures and his AA batteries were completely dead, I was still firing away ... faster, with less work, capturing better images (in terms of recorded quality ... no camera makes anyone a better photographer) and believe it or not, carrying less weight.  Even with a single battery, my camera is good for more than 700 shots.  That includes using the built in flash (that I rarely use anymore).

  To the OP, I shoot because I have to.  Shooting is almost an addiction.  I have put my camera down and said "I'm not taking another shot".  A few days later, I started dreaming almost every night that I set my camera down somewhere and left it there, not knowing where there was.  When I picked the camera back up and started shooting again, those dreams went away quickly.

Greg Holt Photography wrote:
Ya'll can to lie yourselves or wax poetic all you want, everyone knows the real reason:

To pickup chicks.

Remember to lift with your legs, not your back.

Why do you shoot photographic pictures?

To prove to my descendants that I lived a life. An amazing and full life.  Been there, done that...got the T-shirts to prove it. And I'll need them to remember that myself, when I get old(er), and start to forget that.

PhotographLayne wrote:
Because I was born blind."3 surgeries later"I was legally blind not even a driving lic, now thanks to lasik 4 years ago, I now have 20/20.

Wow, I wish I could see the world through your eyes for just a moment. Very cool.

Ramzi Abed wrote:
I do it, because I'm not 100% convinced that reality is in fact "real". I find everything that surrounds me to be a total mystery.

I live in different realities and have several worlds in my head.

I create images in my head that have different levels of "reality", my commercial and photojournalistic work comes closest to the general reality...

Then it may get weirder... up to my surrealistic paintings which I do with Prismacolor on Bristol board or acrylic on canvas.

ArtisticGlamour wrote:

To prove to my descendants that I lived a life. An amazing and full life.  Been there, done that...got the T-shirts to prove it. And I'll need them to remember that myself, when I get old(er), and start to forget that.

Well said!

Let me add that for me... my art, especially my paintings ARE my descendants... since I don't have any children.

When I finish a painting... it does feel like I just had off-spring and I grew in dimension.

Ramzi Abed wrote:
I do it, because I'm not 100% convinced that reality is in fact "real".

I find everything that surrounds me to be a total mystery. I mean I understand all of the scientific methods and rules we've applied to the world to make it make sense, but I still think reality is a dream, and it is when we escape the limitations of the physical form that the ultimate and true reality exists.

I try as much as possible to capture and examine this beautiful mystery called human existence.