The Why of my Photography …
More than just documenting what I see.
I have always thought about these seemingly obvious answers type of questions. Perhaps deep down I am looking for more than just the obvious in life, not just in photography. Pretty sure that when I started my journey down this road of cameras, lenses, and other associated “stuff” I had no idea that it would become such a big part of my life. But here I am, please allow me to muse over the where, when, and the why of my photography and a bit also of the how I take photographs, but mostly about the why.
[Sony A7RII, Tamron 28–200mm at 103mm, f/9, 1/13s, ISO 100, August 2026]
The “where” is the easiest one to tackle. For me, most of my photo locations are perhaps also the standard fare for any Landscape Photographer. You find some local places that keep calling you back and you are happy to oblige. Maybe they are places close by so there’s the easy drive factor as well, maybe even an easy short hike (walk?) as well, with several interesting angles, scenes, and well, you just feel comfortable there and maybe the place has even rewarded you with some great shots in the past. And of course I also seek every chance I get to go to those farther away epic locations but those trips sometimes become quite a stretch in time and logistics and you can’t go there just anytime you want, regardless of how much you really want to go.
The “when” is a whole lot less predictable. Maybe I can find some time this weekend, maybe the weather will cooperate, maybe I am not too tired, maybe, just maybe I will find the time and actually have the energy at the same time. Basically I don’t have a good “when” story other than to say, I take photographs when I can, regardless of how much I really want to be outdoors, out there on the field with a camera on hand.
[Sony A7RII, 7Artisans 40mm, f/9, 1/200s, ISO 100, August 2026]
Then there is the “why” the best part of all, even if it is the most difficult to explain. There are actually several whys involved here. I know I photograph to have a record, to share photos with those I have traveled with and relive and re-enjoy those moments all over again. So basically it is to remember, but not as a cliche kind of remembering but on the contrary, to always cherish those special moments spent at special places with special people, or as it is in many cases, moments you spent all my yourself. You disengaged from it all and that became something special in an of itself for you and you recorded that experience as well. A photo can simply remind you of your own time.
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Another reason why I create photographs is simply because I enjoy doing that immensely. It is fun to get outdoors, to enjoy everything around you, the wind in your face, or the wonderful light in your eyes, or to be surrounded by epic scenery in amazing places, or sometimes simply to be cuddled by the warmth and peace of nearby and familiar places, places we call home just because they feel that way.
[Sony A7RII, Sony 24–70mm at 45mm, f/11, 1/320s, ISO 100, August 2026]
My final why is perhaps the most difficult to put into words. Words that are becoming increasingly harder to fully describe life around me, all the good, all the memories, and then there’s the uncertainty of it all, basically, because I want always remember all the blessings from God. When because of health and age every day feels more precious than the one that came before it, then it becomes more difficult as well to write down my feelings. But not so in photography, at least not for me. Let me play that old tune that a picture is worth a thousand words and then in the joyous and simple pressing of the shutter I, just like that, can come up with how I felt on any given day, narrating with my camera as it where, a beautiful visual and virtual retelling of that day in my life.
The “how” is both a simple and not very complex set of steps, a process honed by thousands of trial and error moments, an experience that simply follows another and then another still. All these come together and inform me how I am to record and start the creation of yet another memento of my life, and of my surroundings, of what I saw, and perhaps, just perhaps also the essence of how I felt at that moment in that given place. Let me also throw just a bit of technicality into this post for all you right brainers out there. I start with selecting the composition I want. This means I select, carefully what I want to include (selecting from the whole scene in front of me) in my final photo, where do I position the lone tree within the frame, how high or low will my horizon line be, etc., then I get into the settings. I shot mostly in Aperture Mode. Not the fully automatic mode denoted by a green letter “A” in the Mode Dial, I am talking about the other A that is part of the PASM group also known as Program Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Mode, the last one as in fully manual mode, the first three are technically semi-automatic modes. I also use the EV settings dial in most every shot I take, this a dedicated dial in most cameras, this one lets me tweak the Exposure Value of the scene (basically it lets me make the scene darker or brighter to my liking) and then I press the shutter. That’s it, except for when I want to capture a set of images to post-process later as High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos, that is a slightly different set of steps but the same general principles. Ok, so maybe this was more than just a bit of info, but again, that is the beauty of using a real camera, it’s you and the machine, not just the machine, and not just the pressing of a button, learn how to use one, develop a style, and enjoy the process and the results.
[Sony A7RII, Sony 24–70mm at 24mm, f/4, 1/100s, ISO 100, August 2026]
Why do you take photographs? Have you thought about it? Have you given it meaning so that it can return something back to you in the days ahead? If photography is not your venue, that is fine too, paint, draw, write, whatever you find that can give you an outlet to your creativity, woodworking anyone? Just do it, do it to create something that was not there before, and make that a simple and wholesome extension and expression of yourself and share it with others. Be creative and you will soon realize how much more that will allow you to simply be more of you, and remember to thank God for that.
Thanks, Eduardo from Tucson.
[ Disclosure: For all my photos shown here (and other mentioned items), I will be posting links to where you can buy prints (or other items), and I’ll earn a commission if you make a purchase. My bio.site is: www.Evistas.art ]
