Comments:
(Completely random, by the way!) Casey asked this question in another thread. For just ourselves? To show others on Fora like this? To seek comments and hope to learn something/get better?
Looking for opinions.
For me there are multiple reasons why I take pictures and have picked up this hobby. It’s like I play golf for multiple reasons.
1) Memories:
Capture highlights in our lives: see the children grow up, their birthdays, graduation, marriage and (very soon as it’s expected today) first grandchild. To go thru these old pictures is a trip down memory lane
2) Visualize:
Two people sitting next to each other looking at exactly the same object, often see very different things. What I like very much is to try and capture what I see in a picture so that I can explain the other what I’m seeing. It’s a bit like 2 people looking at a painting in a museum and seeing completely different things. Even if they are looking at a stil live realistic painting like a bowl with some strawberries. The eye of one is caught by the bowl the eye of the other by perhaps the general setting. Photography can make that live.
3) Enioy
Going out in the desert just before sunrise, find a good spot, set up camera, tripod etc, wait with a coffee until that perfect light hits.. shoot a few. Pack up and be home on time for breakfast. Very very calming relaxing and enjoyable. It’s like playing golf at sunrise when you’re the first on out and your buggy leaves tracks on the dew thats on the grass
4: Learning
Discovering how to use the many features modern cameras have to offer. Learn composition, colors, angles just by looking at pictures from others.
5: sharing
And last but certainly not least: the ability to share, to ask questions, to exchange ideas, to get feedback etc etc thru this forum (and in this particular case special thanks to 3 guys who’s name I don’t have to mention) for being so generous in their feedback
That’s why I like taking pictures. Thanks guys
Memories
Visualize
Enjoy
Learning
Why do we take photographs?
(Completely random, by the way!) Casey asked this question in another thread. For just ourselves? To show others on Fora like this? To seek comments and hope to learn something/get better?
Looking for opinions.
I don't know that we 'capture' a moment...
so much as we interpret it. We make choices (composition, shutter speed, depth-of-field, etc.) that are a reflection of ourselves at that brief moment, never to be repeated.
Publius Ovidius Naso
… known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was a Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. He was a contemporary of Virgil and Horace, with whom he is often ranked as one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature.
※ Make the workmanship surpass the materials
※ Either do not attempt at all, or go through with it.
※ Neither can the wave that has passed by be recalled, nor the hour which has passed return again.
For an academic look at why we take photographs one might read "On Photography" by Susan Sontag, "Camera Lucida" by Roland Barthes, or even "What is Art?" by Leo Tolstoy. For a more practical guide, look to "On Being a Photographer" by David Hurn & Bill Jay.
I am very interested to read the comments of form member... and 'nice' completely random selection of photos... love them.
For stand-up comedian Bill Burr's take on photography you might enjoy a part of the linked video (minute: 2:08~3:54)
Casey
To document what can be seen. And to remember what can be experienced. [nt]
No message body
For fun and for the memories.
It also serves as a pictorial diary for me - seeing children grow up, places I've been to, events, a memorable moment etc. Not an artistic or creative person by nature, this is perhaps a way of expression when sharing with others. Cameras and gadgets, I find interesting. 
Multiple reasons
For me there are multiple reasons why I take pictures and have picked up this hobby. It’s like I play golf for multiple reasons.
1) Memories:
Capture highlights in our lives: see the children grow up, their birthdays, graduation, marriage and (very soon as it’s expected today) first grandchild. To go thru these old pictures is a trip down memory lane
2) Visualize:
Two people sitting next to each other looking at exactly the same object, often see very different things. What I like very much is to try and capture what I see in a picture so that I can explain the other what I’m seeing. It’s a bit like 2 people looking at a painting in a museum and seeing completely different things. Even if they are looking at a stil live realistic painting like a bowl with some strawberries. The eye of one is caught by the bowl the eye of the other by perhaps the general setting. Photography can make that live.
3) Enioy
Going out in the desert just before sunrise, find a good spot, set up camera, tripod etc, wait with a coffee until that perfect light hits.. shoot a few. Pack up and be home on time for breakfast. Very very calming relaxing and enjoyable. It’s like playing golf at sunrise when you’re the first on out and your buggy leaves tracks on the dew thats on the grass
4: Learning
Discovering how to use the many features modern cameras have to offer. Learn composition, colors, angles just by looking at pictures from others.
5: sharing
And last but certainly not least: the ability to share, to ask questions, to exchange ideas, to get feedback etc etc thru this forum (and in this particular case special thanks to 3 guys who’s name I don’t have to mention) for being so generous in their feedback
That’s why I like taking pictures. Thanks guys
Memories
Visualize
Enjoy
Learning
Many reasons as previous mentioned
,- not least, that we spendt to much money on gear, that we now feel compelled to use
Yours
Jacob
To.....
1. share what my heart saw and express it in a photo then let the viewer to interpret it
2. to keep my mind remembering every each of the photo I have taken, so I can flash back......not sure this will keep my brain active
3. share happiness, joy and some time sadness
With some overlap, there still seems to be quite a few different reasons why we are into photography.
Briefly, for me it was a hobby encouraged by a fellow, some 50 years ago, who sold cameras. (We were taking a basic "German" course together.) It became a very mind-soothing, relaxing habit. After college, however, I didn't pursue it very much; until I joined WatchProSite and found a sub-forum devoted to photography. I have rediscovered the joy of taking pictures the last 5 or so years, that I had a half a century ago.
I think the biggest thrill for me is shooting the picture, and the process leading up to the shot. Walking, seeing something that makes me want to frame it; stopping; uncapping the lens; looking through the camera at the scene; framing and then clicking. If I'm lucky, I get a product I can enjoy later, and for a long time.
Additionally, I enjoy posting here to see if anyone else takes pleasure in what caught my eye. Or, the technical aspects of the shot.
And I love to look at all of your pictures, imagining what you were doing just before you saw something that made you stop and shoot.
Ultimately, it's just a lot of fun.