Why Do Photography?

My Impossible Question

I’m in a weird place at the moment. Why do photography? Why be a part of the photographic “community?” I can’t answer these questions. I mean, I can give an answer but I can’t really answer them. I guess that’s why I have sort of drifted away from both in some ways.

These days I look at my photographs and I think to myself that the act of taking them was mostly enjoyable, but the end result leaves me thinking why bother. I can find enjoyment in so many different activities that don’t really lead to any result other than the enjoyment itself. That’s probably why I don’t even share photos with close friends much anymore. I can enjoy the process without any acknowledgment that there is an end result.

I have stacks and stacks of developed film that hasn’t been scanned sitting on my shelf. I don’t really feel like scanning it. I know it will be more of the same dissatisfaction that comes in the end. I really shouldn’t do things that leave me feeling such a level of dissatisfaction. I will continue to leave those rolls unscanned.

In the end, what I’m really saying is that I really don’t care for my photos these days, past or present. I look at them and I just think…this is shit…that is shit…it’s all shit… Even if it isn’t exactly shit, it’s still shit to me.

Funny enough, this is pretty much only in relation to photography and my photos. Everything else in life is chugging along fairly smoothly. So, why do photography?

Cheers,

George

P.S. Even when I go to a place that I feel excited to go to and feel excited while taking photos, I usually come home with no desire to touch or look at any of the photos.