A Worthwhile Hobby

Photography started its journey when William Henry Fox Talbot in England and Nicephore Niepce in France, independent of each other, invented a method for permanently “fixing a shadow” around 1839. Both men were keen scientists with a wide range of hobbies. From its inception, photography has attracted hobbyists who in turn have played an important role in its development.

After its invention, thanks to improvements in photographic process and mass production, photography became accessible to many. Some photographers, such as Nadar, the famous portraitist of Paris, took it up as a profession. But photography remained a hobby for others. Recent technological advances in semiconductor and software have placed digital photography within reach of just about everyone.

Thus it is estimated that today, over 2.5 billion people around the planet take pictures. While the vast majority of them use mobile phones, users of digital cameras have also increased manifold.

Most people take pictures casually only when they need to: a family function, the first child, a trip, a business or job milestone. However, those who continuously nurture an interest in photography find it a worthwhile hobby. There are several reasons for this:

Photography keeps on giving. I started photographing seriously in 1980 and over the years have reaped immense pleasure from it. It will give you decades of enjoyment if you invest time into it.

Photography is easier and cheaper than ever. No need to buy film. You can enjoy your photographs on the phone screen or on your computer. And share them with friends at the touch of a button.

Photography releases tension. The creative side of photography is fulfilling and helps us relax and relieve stress.

Photography opens your eyes. The beauty of this world is endless, yet we hardly bother to look for it. Practicing photography forces you to seek out beauty: in people, in places, in living things.

Photography gets you exploring. In search of a photograph, the committed hobbyist will seek out places, people and events that he or she would not otherwise do. For example I have attended many festivals in Bangladesh - such as the Manipuri Rash festival - for photographic reasons and learned much about our country.

Photography helps you stay fit. Taking a picture is very much a physical act. It forces you to move around. You might walk for miles to photograph a scenery or wake up at 4am to photograph sunrise.

Photography is a lifetime hobby. Unlike sports, photography can be practiced by people of any age. For example, when he was in his eighties, the great photographer Andre Kertesz photographed only from the window of his flat and made a beautiful book of photographs.

What does it take to transition from a casual photographer to a hobbyist? It requires your commitment. It requires learning some technique and aesthetics. It requires you to organize your photographs. To improve, it requires you to seek out better photographers and learn from them.  If you set aside some time every week exclusively for photography, you might find it yields an agreeable bounty.

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