For many photographers, particularly those for whom photography is a way of making a living, it is the final image that is the most important consideration. Their reward comes in the form of compelling images that can be added to their portfolio.
For others, however, the final image is not the most rewarding part of photography. Even those who may make some money from photography will often prioritise the process over the final product, and will even claim that enjoyment of and engagement in the process of photography will enhance their chances of getting a better image.
Although I am purely an amateur photographer, and I do like to come home with a few decent images after spending time out with my camera, I believe that I will always prioritise process over product. Even though I may at times be disappointed at my failure to create a good image I will still enjoy my photography outings because of the intrinsic artistic and emotional rewards that come from engaging in the process of photography.
So, what makes the photography process so rewarding?
For those who don't do photography this question may be hard to answer. After all, photography just involves pointing your camera at a subject and pressing the shutter!
Even for a photographer, it can be difficult to explain why the process of photography is so rewarding.
I mentioned artistic and emotional rewards and I think these are gained from engaging in the creative process of photography rather than from the final creation.
To illustrate how this works for me let me take you on a typical photography shoot...
It is 8am on a typical October morning. The light is flat and dull as I arrive at my familiar photography location - my local park and woodland.
I have my camera with me and although I don't expect to come home with any amazing images, I will try to make a few images if something draws my attention.
The first thing I notice is the abundance of colour as a result of a relatively mild and settled autumn. The woodland canopy is a wonderful mixture of orange, red, yellow and green while the floor is a mass of colourful, crunchy leaves.
As I walk along I listen to the sounds of nature, watch the squirrels as they scamper around gathering nuts and acorns, and feel the chilly autumn breeze on my face. All of my senses are awakened in this location and whether I get a photograph or not I will still enjoy a walk on this beautiful autumn day.
As I progress further into the woodland I begin to look around for potential compositions. The trees look so majestic that I think I can make an image that reflects their beauty.
I am drawn to one particular scene - to the path leading through the trees, the beautiful autumnal colours and the way that the trees act as a frame leading the eye further and adding to a sense of mystery in the scene.
I experiment with different angles and perspectives and adjust my position to get the best vantage point. I spend time taking some test images until I feel satisfied that I have the best I can get.
On each of my photography outings I follow a similar pattern. I look for subjects that catch my eye, seek potential compositions in different locations and under different conditions, I experiment with focal length and distance, and in doing this I become emotionally invested in the act of creation.
On one occasion I may be drawn to leading lines...
on another I am drawn to groups of trees...
while on yet another occasion it may be a single tree or how a tree is in relation to the trees around it.
My final images may not be always be worth keeping but I do often manage to create images that I like, that have potential and that are worth taking home to view on a large screen.
FINAL WORDS...
What makes photography so rewarding?
For me it is, without doubt, the experience of creating an image, the process and all that it involves, that brings the real reward in photography.
What is it that makes photography rewarding for you?
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