For me .... both equal.
From when I was a young kid to fairly recently, observation (birds and mammals) was my main interest.
However, last year I bought a DSLR which opened up the world of photography and developing my 2 websites. In addition, photography has created an interest in other wildlife, particularly butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.
So now I would say both equal .... but the combination of binoculars, telescope, tripod, camera and lens is somewhat heavy and cumbersome so sometimes for the benefit of my back and limbs I make a choice as to whether it is an "observation day" or a "photography day"
. Today is neither as it is grey and drizzly and I have other things to do
.
Richard