Jon Boy Loc: Missouri

The day has arrived that everyone who has a digital point and shoot camera has immediately become a shooter and some others with even more complicated ones too.
I spoke with an excellent photographer who owns a studio and is in completion with some selling four by six prints for two dollars.
It is a sad day for those who have spent time and money to become professionals.

forbescat

It may be a sad day for said photographers but Kodak thought it was a sad day when digital became affordable. Competition is what built this nation and is what will eventually save it. It has been a blessing for families to have a camera that does the job for not much money. The day of formal portraits is pretty much over so everyone needs to move on. Newspapers are folding, libraries are closing but more people are informed than ever before because news is now 24/7 and easily available. We all can read whatever book we want within seconds of downloading it. Photographers will just need to find a new need for their product and tailor it to that need.

tk Loc: Iowa

Jon Boy, I hope you are wrong. I love to photograph but I know my limits and I can tell the difference between REALLY good and a wantobe. I believe there are plenty of people out there who still fully appreciate the pro for weddings, school shots, engagements, business. Fun is fun, but if you want something to be great, I still know where to go.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

well if they are selling a 4x6 for $2 they will not be in business for too long (and they most likely are not a legal business anyhow).

mommy115 Loc: California

Everybody is NOT a photographer. Only those who take photographs are photographs. Look up ALL the definitions of photographer in the dictionary. I think you are confusing 'professional photographer' with 'photographer'. Even though you spent all that time and money on school, you are still far better than most of us. And that skill is appreciated even by us plain old 'photographers'. Most of us don't even want to be professionals or to take part in those realms of photography that professionals do. Yes, some nonprofessionals do shoot weddings and events for friends. This is a serious recession! Many people can't afford a professional these days. Thankfully, at least they can preserve some memories of the special days with a little help from their friends. Not the quality of yours, of course, and it is wonderful that those who can afford a professional still have that option. Be thankful for your skills. I'm sure you get a lot of enjoyment and have previously gotten a lot of enjoyment (not to mention, have made a lot of people very happy they had your services) from your talent. Count your blessings and let the rest of us enjoy our more limited abilities without being put down!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Gee, if only we could find a way to apply this to lawyers and politicians!!!!! Anybody got any good ideas?

Greg-Colo Loc: Fort Collins,Co

Shakespear had a good one!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Like the old joke; What do you do if you see a lawyer drowning?
Throw 3 more in after him!!

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

As has been pointed out to me on a couple of occasions, equipment does not make one a photographer. (I do agree with that statement) I am walking proof, I have a great camera (Nikon D90) and I still struggle trying to take a decent shot. I am not a professional and have no desire to try and compete in that world but I do have a desire to become the best amateur photographer that I can be. I will continue to utilize professional photographers for family portraits. Professional photographers have no more need to worry about people buying cameras and equipment than carpenters do about people buying hammers and saws. Most of us amateurs are unwilling or unable to dedicate the time or resources necessary to become as skilled as one needs to be to compete at a professional level. Professional photographers have an eye and a talent that I personally believe is God given that puts them in a special category no different than a painter or sculptor. Not to worry Jon Boy, the “professional “photographer is still a much needed and much admired artist. JMHO of course. :thumbup:

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I think that Mommy115's point was that, by definition, anyone who takes photographers is, technically, a photographer. Not a professional one by any means, and maybe not even a GOOD one. But thats why we all practice incessantly I think, trying to achieve that level of expertise when each of us can call OURSELVES a "Photographer".

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

That's funny

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I agree, I still take pictures and am trying to learn how to take photographs.

IvanF Loc: New York City

Everybody became a photographer in 1888, with the invention of the Brownie box camera and flexible film - here are two quotes from the Kodak website : http://www.kodak.com/global/en/corp/historyOfKodak/eastmanTheMan.jhtml?pq-path=2689&pq-locale=en_US

"Thanks to Eastman's inventive genius, anyone could now take pictures with a handheld camera simply by pressing a button. He made photographers of us all."


"Eastman coined the slogan, "you press the button, we do the rest," when he introduced the Kodak camera in 1888 and within a year, it became a well-known phrase."

A novel idea: let's all go back to coating our glass plates with colloidon and expose it while still wet and develop in on the spot as Matthew Brady & Co. did to prove we are photograpers! :) Just kidding.

Every time there is a change in technology, many predict the death of photography. I've been a witness to that since 1959 when I started making photographs with a $10 6x6 cm TLR and Verichrome Pan. Then a year or so later, 35-mm SLRs with built-in and, oh horror, through the lens light meters (ca 1960) arrived and were going to ruin the art of photography forever...

It is vision not equipment that makes a photographer (or any other artist).

End of rant. :)

rballard29 Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I don't think someone selling 4x6 prints for $2 is going to be a big concern for the professional photographers of the world. Professionals are selling their skills, visions and expertise of capturing memories of special moments in life. I think there will always be a place and a need for the professional photographer. If that novice selling 4x6 prints can take the time to learn and improve his he can maybe become professional too. A photographer charges are based on his technical ability quality of work. I am certain the novice you are describing is charging what he feels is a fair price for his limited ability. There are a lot of profession photographers on UHH (I am not one of them)and you will notice the consistent high quality of their photos. If I wanted to hire someone to document a special moment or capture a family portrait I would want to hire someone with an exceptional portfolio and a proven reputation of taking excellent photographs and not someone that occassional gets a great photo. I love photography and would gladly work for free with a professional just for the learning experience.

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Yes, the digital camera revolution killed jobs of many professional photographers, I know a few of them who had to seek a new carrier. Not only that, the mom and dad camera stores are disappearing fast as they can not compete with Costco etc. What's funny is that some people posting on this side, like, I got my first DSLR today where can I sell my pictures and the show off their first shot which in my opinion is garbage, yet get more reviews and praises as some great looking image, you figure.