What inspires you to pick up a camera.

Just some thoughts, I had.
Dinos, I got some great shots at Drumheller in Albetra, Canada. Both at the museum and the badlands/hoodoos.
Motorcyles- I have a homemade rig for mounting my camera to it.
Snow- anybody wish to talk tecniques for cold weather shooting?
For those that were wondering, yes you can develope b+w in coffee/vitamin c.
I for one one, have a million things in life that inspire me to pick up a camera, and look at the world.
I've found this forum full of interesting and intelligent people, and a few are more interesting than intelligent and vice versa...
I've found the forums full of useful information...
But would I have found the information interesting without the people?
So tell me.. What inspires you?
ps I will register...next time..[/i]

Apart from the fact that cameras are just gorgeous pieces of engineering and an absolute joy in themselves?

Well, I think the idea comes first, the wish to produce an image that is trying to express a feeling. So, like the quote from Ansel Adams, i would aspire to make photographs as opposed to take photographs. The implication is that photography is art, and artistic inspiration is a part of the makeup of mankind.

Of course there are also happy snaps to be taken, but in the right context the basically technique-free snap has also been presented as art. It's just a diferent form of craetivity, and just as valid as piles of bricks and unmade beds....

The answer to the original question is that I am inspired by the inner feelings that I express through my photography.

That's how I felt when I got my super program....there was an almost jewel like feeling to it. I'd pick it up just to admire it, and hear the shutter click, even if I had no film in it.
Funny but I think something got lost along the way to the more modern cameras. they, to me, are more tool than jewel.

About 25 yrs ago, I was very involved in competitive handgun shooting. I went through several revolvers and semi-auto pieces before finally settling on two or three that just had that certain feel, heft, balance, look, and sound. They were older designs ie: Colt Python, Woodsman etc.
I feel the same way about the older Asahi models as I did about those old firearms. They're a pleasure to just hold and admire - loaded or not. A perfect blend of engineering, function and art.