Dannj

So true😊

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

Is a photographer a ‘picture-maker’ rather than a ‘picture-taker?’ A ‘maker’ creates with intention. And with attention to technique and technology, to style, to creative choices, and to conveying a message.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

We can call them "make-n-takers".

The word photographer does not differentiate, people do.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Most definitions point to a professional but I prefer a broader definition to include hobbyists and professionals. I think that many hobbyists create photographs that are as good as many professionals but they’re just not into making a living from their abilities.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Photographer is such a broad term.
As anyone who has the means to capture an image could be classified as such.
Just as anyone that has pots and pans and a means to make food with them could be considered to be a cook.
But, what kind of photographer one is will be determined by their efforts and abilities.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

With the wrong camera, success is probably 99% luck. But with the right camera, it's 100% the photographer.

srt101fan

Not all who press the shutter release of a camera are "photographers". There are "picture takers" and then there are photographers.

Picture takers, regardless of what camera they use, "see, aim, shoot".
In my view, photographers bring more than that to the event.

Photographers will study their subject; they think about how they want the subject to appear in the photo; they think about light as a major variable; they think about composition and aspect ratio; they will move to get the best shot; they know their gear, whatever it is; and they think "photographically"!

(I'm mostly a picture taker who has occasionally crossed the divide into photography! 😊)

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

A little more explanation that I can show you better with a photo.

Davidhound Loc: South Central Wisconsin

I struggle to be my definition of a Photographer. Paid or not I think a Photographer is the person that takes his magic light capture device and makes an image they intended to make. Snake River, Delicate Arch, Lincoln Monument, Grandchild's Birthday Party or where ever, No matter what you do with the it, if you strive to make that image and manage to be successful, congratulations you are a Photographer. If you manage to do it 100% of the time you are a Pretty Good Photographer (in my book anyway).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

So a photographer is a good picture taker.
(Now is that "good pictures" or does well?)

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

Since "Art" is in the eye of the beholder, I think the real question is not what makes a photographer but rather what kind of photographer is the person with the camera. If the person's sole goal is to accurately document what he or she sees, that person is a photographer. If the person's goal is to create art, that person is a photographic artist. There are lots of goals a photographer may have and all are achieved by the existence of that goal and the proper tools, all of which include a camera.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Of course, just like anyone who is breathing is alive.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Well, some competitions (from county to national) specify that if you make 10K per year selling your photography you must enter in the professional category. Most of us would agree that that is not an amount that would be making a living if it was one’s only income. But, in that arena, that is how professional is defined.

When I was doing art festival shows I made more than that yearly, but not enough to live on by any means. I took, edited, matted, and framed all of the photos I sold. I set up a booth from which to sell, managed financial records, secured required permits, paid taxes, etc. in short, I ran a business. In that sense, despite not making my living at it, I considered myself to be a “professional”. What I was doing was decidedly more “pro like” than say, selling a few images a year to friends and neighbors.

On the other hand, if you examine my overall knowledge of photography, or my ability to do certain types of photography (I don’t do weddings, I don’t do portraits, I don’t take photos of people’s cats) my skill set is mostly that of an advanced amateur.

In the grand scheme of things, I’m not sure it’s worth trying to split hairs down to the point of yielding the definitive definition of a professional. Ultimately, the only thing that really matters are the images, not the labels people want to attach to the person making them.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

There are good drivers and bad drivers.

I suppose there are good breathers and bad breathers...
(or is it alivers.)

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Yes, everyone born to humans are human, whether they act like it or not.
Everyone taking a picture is a photographer, good, bad or in-between.