Bit of a philosiphical post tonight.

What inspired you to take up photography and in the course of your life who or what has inspired you?

For me I've only recently been hooked to the level I am now (getting off my butt and getting permission to photograph at gigs) although I've always had an SLR to hand, thanks to my parents who use theirs for snapshots.

As far as the influences go (and this is by no means endless) it has to include Danny Clifford, the late Patrick Litchfield and Andy Rouse.

The sunday thought prevoking thread
not many posted on sunday! :)

I got into photography mainly because I always wanted to be a news photographer. I was inspired by the likes of don mccullin and henri cartier-bresson. Then, after seeing what Ansel Adams could do with film and light, I wanted to be a landscape photographer! Then I read Lichfields book on how to be a fashion photographer, and thought "sod that" :)
I have always liked the "frozen in time" aspect of photography, especially of people. I am a great people watcher, and wish I was able to carry my camera more, and take more pictures than I do.

chris.

I always used to just take a camera on holiday, and after a trip to Canada with its spectacular mountain scenery I was really disappointed by the quality of pictures I was getting from my little APS compact. So, I decided to treat myself to a Canon D30 to fix that problem once and for all.

Once I had it I loved the way it allowed me to push the envelope and photograph things that I'd never been able to photograph before; it would focus closer, had a much better zoom (a Canon 100-300 f/5.6L, fantastic lens!) and allowed me to experiment a lot more, for free. Nowadays I photograph motorsports (simply because this allows me to combine two of my interests), but I also like to snap things which take full advantage of the capabilities of a DSLR. That's why so many of my pictures use off-camera flash, funky lighting effects, close-ups and so on - I still get a 'wow' factor from that type of image.

I got into it as a teenager (though I had a long lay off due to cash flow and beer!).

No photographer has influenced me at all, I just always marvelled at 'good' photographs and wanted to capture or create images like the ones that I saw.

Geezer

I used to paint and sketch and wanted a creative outlet again.

After immersing myself in the wonderful portraits at a Lee Miller exhibition, my creative urge to photograph increased ten fold. I'll be happy if i take one photograph in my photographic exploits that's as emotive as any of miller's shots.

I also have a new found respect for film Directors too. it's hard enough with a stills camera!

I wa always into art from an early age, but now cant be bothered with the mess. Cameras have always been a big part ofmy life, my best mate from school and bestman has been freelance for the last 25 years www.centrepix.com (http://www.centrepix.com) , so ive always had an urge to take it up. After selling my company a few years ago, it really is the only thing that i want to do now. Enjoying photoshop just as much also helps and gives me hours of pleasure. Just need plenty of practise now!

Paul:)

I think it is a lack of artistic ability on my part that has lead me to photography. My other half is very talented and makes her living through her art. I have lots of great ideas, but get frustrated as I am unable to get them onto paper/make them real. I was put off by the developing cost of film SLR's but started reading the photography forum on here and decided that DSLR would give me the artistic outlet that I so craved.

It has also returned me to my other passion which is steam trains, I now have a purpose when I go to see them, and the aim is to take decent photos. Oh and the other thing that has helped in the persuit of my art is the beginings of a decent income... Really must learn to leave more of it in the bank!!! I am suffering from over exposure of my bank account...

I hate to see people talk about a toy I dont yet have so when everyone was banging on about the 300D I went and bought one......It has been seldom used since.
But I WILL use it more in the future !!
:D

I guess I picked it up from my much elder brother who dabled a bit with slides whilst I was still at school. Once I started work I bought myself a Pentax ME Super and did a GCSE night class in B&W photography including developing & printing. :) I guess the biggest name at that time was David Bailey, although Travel and Scotland in particular have always been my biggest inspiration.

My inspiration these days comes from the best Landscape photographers, such as Steve Carter (http://www.stevecarter.com/western/western0.htm), D.W.Robertson (http://www.dwrobertson-photography.com/), Joe Cornish (http://www.joecornish.com/), Charlie Waite (http://www.charliewaite.com/gallery/index.asp?catg=UK) & David Ward (http://www.davidwardphoto.co.uk/) :notworthy

One day I hope to be as good as them, but I still have a lot to learn & I'm not ready to go to 'Large Format' just yet ;) :D

Bit of a philosiphical post tonight.

What inspired you to take up photography and in the course of your life who or what has inspired you?

What inspires me? Reality/Visions outside the 4 walls of home and work ... wanting to capture what I 'see'... not that I have much of an idea of how to really go about it yet nor find much time to get out of the various 4 walls to do it!

Who's inspired me? No one initially... but then - and this is gonna sound naff - but you lot here... which has led me to look at sites I come across for named photographers (but that's very recent). Then there's the pics on DP Challenge.

Bought a couple of books by Lee Frost and Bryan Peterson to get me started :)

Just need to get outside more often...

Who's inspired me? No one initially... but then - and this is gonna sound naff - but you lot here...


...

Doesn't sound naff to me. There a few on here that are in my opinion, very good photographers. Sti_Frenchie, Springbok and Bob T (that shot of the clay still amazes me) to name a few. Friends can inspire just as much as pro's can.