> the process of paying careful attention to a scene I think you've hit on the main thing here that (in a sense) differentiates you from the "normal photograph

> the process of paying careful attention to a scene I think you've hit on the main thing here that (in a sense) differentiates you from the "normal photographer". Honestly, a lot of people just "point and shoot", in the article's "save an ephemeral memory" sense. You're taking the time to make a careful composition (and artistic composition is not something most people study). Your "capturing 'the perfect moment'" and "analysis and critique" are just not something a lot of friends and family do on vacations. Not that there's anything wrong with any of that! But I think that's probably the difference here.