Ought I Abandon My Hobby

[Dino246]

Thank you all for your kind inputs.

The hobby photography subject I shoot is one of these things:
birds, sunsets, astronomy, flowers, cars, trains, ships, planes.

I guess I want to remain anonymous in case I post somethings which are objectionable to the owner(s) of my company or my boss, present or future...

I think what I am going to do is refrain from hobby photography for the next few months or as long as I can and then maybe limit my hobby photography to 1 time per month. Not sure.

I guess the underlying concern for me is that I am going through a trial right now (actually a series of smaller trials that have finished but is now followed by a harder trial) and am wondering if they are trials like in James 1, or if they are discipline from the Father like in Hebrews 12.

With regard to trials, again, ask the Lord what the reason for it is. He may tell you, and He may not, but it is more likely that He will not treat you to discipline without revealing the reason for it. Otherwise, it's just a trial, and you learn nothing from that.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

Nope. The photography part anyway.
As long as you ain't photographing pornography, or other sinful stuff photograph on.

 

[breno785au]

Its my opinion that you're really overthinking this. It's just photography, if you want to do it, then do it. We're not drones where we need permission on every little thing.

 

[bud62]

Its my opinion that you're really overthinking this. It's just photography, if you want to do it, then do it. We're not drones where we need permission on every little thing.

If you do it in ways that glorify GOD , Ok , To up left self .I think Wrong

 

[Hazelelponi]

Thank you all for your kind inputs.

The hobby photography subject I shoot is one of these things:
birds, sunsets, astronomy, flowers, cars, trains, ships, planes.

I guess I want to remain anonymous in case I post somethings which are objectionable to the owner(s) of my company or my boss, present or future...

I think what I am going to do is refrain from hobby photography for the next few months or as long as I can and then maybe limit my hobby photography to 1 time per month. Not sure.

I guess the underlying concern for me is that I am going through a trial right now (actually a series of smaller trials that have finished but is now followed by a harder trial) and am wondering if they are trials like in James 1, or if they are discipline from the Father like in Hebrews 12.

There seems no reason to connect your trials to photography.

I'm curious, when you see photographs what do you see?







Do you see the hand of God in His Handiwork? Or just meaningless but perhaps cool pictures of stuff? Do you connect beauty to God?

 

[notuptome]

Any hobby that leads one to sin is not a good hobby to keep. Any hobby that tempts one to sin is not a good hobby. I could not advise an alcoholic to hang out in a bar even if they do not plan to drink. Don't go there to hang out and listen to the music or chat with old friends.

Perhaps it's best to avoid anything that might lead you to sin.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Nebuchadnezzer]

Any hobby that leads one to sin is not a good hobby to keep. Any hobby that tempts one to sin is not a good hobby. I could not advise an alcoholic to hang out in a bar even if they do not plan to drink. Don't go there to hang out and listen to the music or chat with old friends.

Perhaps it's best to avoid anything that might lead you to sin.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Should I confess my sins with photography?
Well, it would cause me anger and even fits sometimes say if I put all this effort in and then the photo didn't come out right. It would even at times cause me to curse at God. At this time I would curse at God when other things frustrated me as well.

I have fallen on my face and have repented for these things, when I was saved.

During this period I stepped away from photogaphy for a period. Upon my slow return to photography I have had great success in removing anger from this hobby, but still experience the temptation and have to stay vigilant and mindful all the time.

So I am going back to a hobby that once made me hostile toward God. I must be careful to walk in his ways and follow his statures.

 

[Mii]

Well, I used to be quite in to photography. This was in my high school years starting when I was given a digital camera at 13. I used that poor little 4 MP Camera until I got my first android which was basically a low powered Samsung Galaxy 2.

I have some shots that are excellent and I was really good with burst way before it was easy. It was something of a hobby and I'm reasonably decent at judging my own work by other's reactions.

I haven't felt like posting lately because a lot here are so set in what they think but since photography has given you "pause" I'll offer a bit of my own experience although it's not the same as video work which I have "a lot" to say about.


So, every "capturing the shot". First I think it is helpful to define what a picture is...

A picture is an image. An image of what? Something physical. It can point toward deeper things most certainly...but there are a lot of different types of photography.


"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

Romans 1: 20 NASB

I spent a lot of time analyzing what a picture is...why indigenous cultures believe that photography "sucks out the soul". Indeed it feels like some "essence" is captured. I captured it..."in essence". I feel this way a little bit myself, but I also live in a modern world. I kept trying to figure it out when people say you can "find God in nature"...I was very roundabout when I tried to explain it to someone. Settling on finding his "echo". He made these things so it says something about him. The verse puts it a lot more succinctly (I later found out).



But what did I capture? The person? The mountain? The squirrel? That snake darting into the water and capturing a fish?

Am I glorifying my own view when taking a picture/video? You would agree that photography is all about perspective I presume.


Unless you take photographs of people I won't speak anymore on the essence element with human foci but I do have a few good posts I've found (after considerable searching) that further that discussion.



I encourage you to consider the egotistical side of photography. How is it selfish? Certainly the birds of paradise would have only been seen by an absurd fraction of the planet's population were it not for video and in a way it could be "blessing others" but at what cost to yourself? These are things I wouldn't really say to people in general because it's a personal burden.

I feel like I cheat myself by watching or looking at a picture. It takes a bit of the wanderlust out of me. I "saw" it already...but did I "see" it? How could I? I only saw the afterimage. One tiny piece of essence shared publicly. Simply a consumer.


Of course, there is an opposing angle of being selfish and hoarding yourself and not sharing (photographs being a part of your story). The balance is between you and the Lord. Consider the incessant need to share and the deeper reason behind it. Is it selfishness, insecurity, pride? How does it serve the kingdom. Granted it's exulting in the Lord's creation, but why not just take memories or have a private record? There are reasons people have, explore them with the Lord further...I haven't figured it out myself but it has been a serious burden.

If and when you respond I'll offer some more feedback if you find it useful.