It's neither (1) or (2). You are thinking too hard. A photograph doesn't have to be "sellable eye-candy" on the one hand or "a deep philosophical statement" on the other. Disengage your brain, and just SEE. Don't try to categorize it or rationalize it. If some part of your brain likes what it sees, try to capture it in the camera. Then move on. Don't worry about why you liked it, or if anyone else will, or what you'll do with it. Just capture it.
When I start worrying about the end results of my photography too much, when I feel like I am being too critical and not instinctive enough, I have a number of exercises I do. First, if you have a digital camera, try shooting with film for a while (even if you just use a disposable camera). I like shooting with film sometimes because it forces you to not edit yourself so much. With digital, the tempation to "see what you got" can be strong, and takes you out of your shooting zone. With film, you can't peek. You have to keep going and keep shooting. It helps you stay focused on the act of capturing.
If I find myself being especially critical of my work (you hear that inner voice saying "aw, this will be crap") I'll go and shoot a couple rolls of film, and then just throw them away. This takes all the focus off the results. You escape the tyranny of the edit: the feeling that you'll have to make a judgement on your work.
I've also often go on "photo shoots" without a camera: go for a walk, and try to engage your photographer's eye without actually taking a picture. With no camera, and no film, there's no pressure to get the shot right, or to make sure a shot is "in your style". You start to see things that you normally would miss because you're usually focused on what you "should" be photographing.
Finally, I'll use a low-tech camera for a while: a pinhole, or a Holga, or even an old Polaroid. The low-tech breaks you from focusing on your technique, and helps you explore just your vision.
These work for me. I'd be curious what other people do.
And regarding your Chocolates photo, I like it. It's a great image. Why? Because it is. It's got a good feel about it, an energy, a bit of chaos. Nice work. Next?
Dan
Dan, yeah that's what I do when I'm out taking pictures. I don't analyze it like I did here, and you are right, I have a false dichotomy. When I take pics, I just look for patterns or things that seem interesting to me. And youa re right again when you say that I am thinking too hard. I have a problem with that.
Yeah that instinct to see waht you got is there, but I'm getting over it really. What I have been doing is something like this:
1. see something I think is intersting, take a few pics in a combination of exposures and comps.
2. go home and look at them.
3. if I think they have potential, then I write up all the things I think would make it a better picture--focal length, exposure, comp, time of day, etc. I print taht paper, and go back.
4. nce I'm back, I follow all of my steps and don't stop until the process is completed. Then I look for other things that I missed the first look, and I'll take some more shots if warranted.
5. wash and repeat as many times as neccesary or until I go insane.
But all that you said ther about analyzing is nice to hear. It helps me more than you know.
Good idea on teh cameraless photoshoot too. Relaly good idea. I find myself doing taht unconscously, but it's nice to have it in the forefront of one's head.
Next? Well, like anything, to do photography"right" takes so much effort and it's draining. I have several photos on the plate right now that I am trying to perfect. I took a few days off jsut to go downtown, write some on a philosophical essay I ahve been working on for around 3 years, and read. I needed to get away from my photography for a while.
I'm feeling it come back tho. I've finished another edit on teh essay, and I'm printing it right now. I'm gonna have lunch, get some coffee, and go over it once again. After that is completed, I'm back to the photography.
Listen, I really apprecaited your comments. They really help, and the same goes for others too. All of you have given me something I did not have before. And that is waht makes life interesting, or at least more so, and it make me a better photographer. .