Why do you photograph? Perhaps Alain de Botton’s 7 Psychological Functions of Art will provide a clue.
1. Remembering
Many of us begin photographing to preserve memories or experiences that have meaning for us. We capture moments in time to look back on later. That’s how I began, beginning with a cross country road trip after graduation. As we develop our skills and love for photography, we move beyond capturing the details of an event to expressing something about our subject – meaning or essence or beauty.
2. Hope
There is a trend in art and photography to finding beauty in the ordinary – a form of hope. Alain de Bottom argues that this is a totally human response. We do this, not because we aren’t aware of a “darker side” to reality, but because we are. The darkness can easily overwhelm us if we don’t also acknowledge the beauty. Our natural human desire to find beauty is our attempt to balance the equation.
3. Sorrow
On the other hand, photography can also be a way of expressing our sorrow and, by doing so, connecting with someone else who has had the same experience. This is compassionate connection, lessening the sorrow of both just by being recognized.
4. Rebalancing
What we choose to photograph and also our reactions to certain photographs often reflect something in our subconscious that needs to be brought to the surface – a rebalancing of sorts. For example, if we are drawn to serene, minimalist work this may be a need we have for our lives – a little more serenity and less chaos. Or, we already experience this and want others to have the same.
5. Self-Understanding
Similarly, the photographs we make and the photographs we’re drawn to and choose to hang on our walls can give us clues as to what matters most to us. An obvious example for me is my love for rust – seeing beauty in the aging process and wanting to continue to grow and evolve as I age.
6. Growth
Dorothea Lange famously said, “The camera teaches us how to see,” and that is so true. Photography helps us to grow, to expand our vision, to invite the unfamiliar and to see in new ways.
7. Appreciation
Photography definitely helps me (and I know many others) be in the moment and to appreciate things we might normally miss. We all have “inattentional blindness” because our minds simply cannot take in everything around us. The camera helps us to focus our attention on what’s around us and bring new appreciation for those things.
Which of the seven functions of art resonates most with you?
Watch Alain de Botton talk about art as therapy and the seven functions of art.
All excellent points, Kim. Yes, the camera helps us to focus our attention… I find it also helps us to exclude the superfluous and go straight to the heart of something.
Rebalancing and growth speak to me the most right now.
Interesting. Thanks, Sandra.
You’ve covered all the wonderful reasons I love photography. There is so much to learn about ourselves and our world when we use our cameras. Hope and growth resonate most with me.
Great. Thanks, Gina.
I think for me it is Growth and Appreciation – slowing down and focusing on the familiar, seeing in new ways. Photography is my meditation.
That’s three for growth. I’m not surprised.
Can it be that its all of them for me.. Thank you for posting this. It made see a more of everything around me.today with eyes wide open. ♥
I can relate to them all too, Lisa.
For me, as a nature photography, the reason is definitely engagement with nature. An almosr mysterious sense of a relationship is what I feel every time I receive an image.
Yes, that mysterious sense of relationship is what I feel too Bill. Thanks for adding that to the discussion.
Such a wonderful and inspiring list that so resonates. I think it also gives us a sense of connection – to ourselves and the greater world.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts! I began photographing things for Remembrance, but once I discovered the online community of blogs and photo groups, I began to grow and now it’s for Appreciation. I have truly learned to appreciated the beautiful world we’ve been blessed with!