AP is an extension of my photographic hobby. I like making pretty pictures of just about everything. In astro I image the planets (and solar system objects), Sol and DSO. Digital astrophotography is certainly more demanding than film ever was. However, I see it as all fun. I also contribute to research programs and enter the odd competition. The driving force for me though is making pretty pictures. That is what I get out of AP. I see it as a competition to improve all the time and that is what drives me year after year to image.
No one reason is better than the other, so long as you enjoy the doing.
