Why did I start to collect these quotations in the first place?

When I married my wife many years ago, she understood that I had several hobbies. Some of them made sense to her since she is rather athletic, for example, she understood hiking or me riding my bicycle. However, some, like winter camping or photography, were more novel to her. As she would state in particular, photography is time consuming – taking the photographs, developing and printing the photographs (mostly in a traditional wet darkroom). Photography is also expensive – cameras, film, paper and chemicals, software, computers, printers, mats and frames are all expensive when added up, especially when I would put most of my finished prints in a box. So, why? Why photography?

I still can’t fully explain why I photograph. Maybe some of the quotations in this book will help me, help my wife, or maybe help you explain to your spouse or your friends “why photography”.

Then again, maybe you already know why you photograph. If so, you are better than I am. Or maybe, you are like me and can’t intelligently explain why. When my son was little, he told me numerous times that “Because” is not a reason, and certainly not a good reason, but it does seem that “Because” is my best reason as to my why.

Continuing with the story of why I started this book, about 20 years ago I inadvertently poisoned myself with lawn weed-and-feed and ended up in the hospital several times, each time being told by the doctors that I may not last the night. Close to death numerous times. My body was simply shutting down. Though photography and riding my bicycle were, since early childhood, my two biggest passions, during this infirm period, I was physically immobile, unable to participate in my passions much less able to walk to the kitchen for a glass of water. This is another story to be told another day.

During my slow recovery, I started to read several biographies of my favorite photographers. It was about all that I could do; escape in my mind. I did not even have the strength to work in my darkroom. With my wife’s question of “why?” in the back of my head, I began to write down by hand several note-worthy quotes of inspiration or reasons why such-and-such did photography. I had read maybe 80 biographies within that year. After I recovered, physically maybe not mentally, I threw out those notes. Regrettably.

Over the last few years, I felt I should revisit this. I felt this might be something. So, this book is it.

My Why . . .

Carl Hartt is a fine art photographer who has exhibited his photography annually since 2006.

Photography has been one of his passions since 3rd grade when he won a little plastic Snapshooter camera at a Cub Scout Carnival.

Carl uses a 4x5 large format film camera for most of his photography. Other formats that he uses include 35mm, 120 roll film, 8x10, and occasionally a 14x17 inch camera. In addition, he will use a digital camera when he travels with his wife.

Like the majority of photographers, Carl coincided this journey with another unrelated occupation. He has a Master's Degree in Economics and has worked for internationally known companies in manufacturing, business consulting and a Fortune 100 financial industry company.

My Story . . .