Just read a post where a member on the forum commented that he/she wanted to buy a camera to work toward becoming professional. Camera budget ... $900.

That person literally got hammered by 2 to 1 posts about "better rethink the budget"... some proffering $9000 as a starting point.

REALLY??????

How does this type of reaction to a simple post encourage photography at any level.

I know there are some on this board who want to stifle professional dreams as a function of protecting a domain they think they alone own. I discount those people off the bat.

Does everybody really think that a person with skills and the courage to market their work (KEY word) cannot begin to sell their work and go on to created a thriving photography business.

To people like the poster in this case, I say good luck and Go For It, even if there is only $900 bucks in the bank at the moment.

The poster did not say they weren't able to spend more when it becomes necessary.

There certainly are many cameras/lens kits out there that can create work that WILL sell, and priced at $1000 or less. This is true particularly if you include used and refurbished camera's.

I'm not the friendliest guy on this forum, and not particularly well liked by some whose shit I have gotten into it with.

Like the scorpion said to the pig in the middle of the river, "It's my nature".

But come on folks. Where's the camaraderie, the good intent, and the willingness to give a fellow hogger a hand up.

Yes, you can start a photography business with any number of camera's I can think of.

The camera is NOT the deterrent. The lack of willingness to do the work is the problem. Many of the responses on this forum would deter others and kill such willingness to make the attempt. Sad!! Sad!! Sad!! :cry:

I would go ahead and make up a list of $900 camera's that will produce images that can be sold, but frankly the list is way to long.

The spirit and creativity of the individual who does the appropriate things to become a professional is the heart of success.

Most of those who poo poo'd the $900 camera budget clearly have no aspirations of becoming professional, particularly if they think the camera and the money spent on it is the key to opening that door.

Big surprise for those people....A professional uses the camera that is available when the subject or scene presents itself. I am confident that many who are professional today started out with an UNDER $1000 camera equipped with one lens. :shock:

To me, being a Professional Photographer, means creating part or all of your income with a camera and photography, no matter how much equipment you own or what you spent for it!

I am new to this forum and would like to thank you for your comments! I have been reading many comments from members that make me question my participation. I am new to photography and have a simple camera and love to take pictures. I want to learn. However, some of the comments I have read sound as though there is a snobbery among some members. We all start at a level we can afford. I will never be a professional photographer (nor do I want to be). I really enjoy seeing the photos of other members and the fantastic work they are able to do. It is inspiring and helpful!

I will, also mention, that there are a lot of kind, generous folks on this site. I am learning to recognize names and, as with anything, you pick what you want to read. Thanks!

I agree with you 100%.
You are never gonna catch me discouraging someone that wants to be a pro or shoot a low budget wedding. I too have chastised people for not offering help. It cost nothing to do so.
Most here think you need to start in at least the middle, if not the top. A pro takes many forms. The more experienced the pro, the more they could do with less. I'm not saying its ideal, you just have to know what your doing.

As for a beginner, like any of us, they will learn, as have all of us have learned.
I'm in a pro program at a College with a very good foto program. I'm the old guy in class. Most of the kids shoot with Rebels and kit lenses from Costco. Most had not done any DSLR work before taking Intro to Digital. That's where they learned to use their cameras. They need to take a few prerequisites before they can enroll in the pro program.
Some of the work produced by these kids will blow away most Photogs.
Every semester there is a girl or two that are 19-25 that are shooting weddings with their Rebel cameras and an off camera flash. They have their albums and prints made by Bay Photo(or similar), and their work is as good as any I've ever seen. Sure, they are not shooting $50k weddings, but completely by word of mouth, they shoot every weekend, because they are good, not because they have pro gear, which they will eventually have. That's how some start, and are not afraid of it.
Sure it's better to have insurance, a website, pro gear, an agent, and a commercial building made of cement full of Profoto lights and every snoot known to man.
But all that's really mandatory is a lot of talent, a Rebel camera, a decent
off-camera flash and a 5-in-1,(or two). You can rent the 85 1.2 for indoors.
You want to hang your shingle, I'll help you put it up. ;-)
SS

Just read a post where a member on the forum commented that he/she wanted to buy a camera to work toward becoming professional. Camera budget ... $900.

That person literally got hammered by 2 to 1 posts about "better rethink the budget"... some proffering $9000 as a starting point.

REALLY??????

How does this type of reaction to a simple post encourage photography at any level.

I know there are some on this board who want to stifle professional dreams as a function of protecting a domain they think they alone own. I discount those people off the bat.

Does everybody really think that a person with skills and the courage to market their work (KEY word) cannot begin to sell their work and go on to created a thriving photography business.

To people like the poster in this case, I say good luck and Go For It, even if there is only $900 bucks in the bank at the moment.

The poster did not say they weren't able to spend more when it becomes necessary.

There certainly are many cameras/lens kits out there that can create work that WILL sell, and priced at $1000 or less. This is true particularly if you include used and refurbished camera's.

I'm not the friendliest guy on this forum, and not particularly well liked by some whose shit I have gotten into it with.

Like the scorpion said to the pig in the middle of the river, "It's my nature".

But come on folks. Where's the camaraderie, the good intent, and the willingness to give a fellow hogger a hand up.

Yes, you can start a photography business with any number of camera's I can think of.

The camera is NOT the deterrent. The lack of willingness to do the work is the problem. Many of the responses on this forum would deter others and kill such willingness to make the attempt. Sad!! Sad!! Sad!! :cry:

I would go ahead and make up a list of $900 camera's that will produce images that can be sold, but frankly the list is way to long.

The spirit and creativity of the individual who does the appropriate things to become a professional is the heart of success.

Most of those who poo poo'd the $900 camera budget clearly have no aspirations of becoming professional, particularly if they think the camera and the money spent on it is the key to opening that door.

Big surprise for those people....A professional uses the camera that is available when the subject or scene presents itself. I am confident that many who are professional today started out with an UNDER $1000 camera equipped with one lens. :shock:

To me, being a Professional Photographer, means creating part or all of your income with a camera and photography, no matter how much equipment you own or what you spent for it!

Just read a post where a member on the forum commented that he/she wanted to buy a camera to work toward becoming professional. Camera budget ... $900.

That person literally got hammered by 2 to 1 posts about "better rethink the budget"... some proffering $9000 as a starting point.

REALLY??????

How does this type of reaction to a simple post encourage photography at any level.

I know there are some on this board who want to stifle professional dreams as a function of protecting a domain they think they alone own. I discount those people off the bat.

Does everybody really think that a person with skills and the courage to market their work (KEY word) cannot begin to sell their work and go on to created a thriving photography business.

To people like the poster in this case, I say good luck and Go For It, even if there is only $900 bucks in the bank at the moment.

The poster did not say they weren't able to spend more when it becomes necessary.

There certainly are many cameras/lens kits out there that can create work that WILL sell, and priced at $1000 or less. This is true particularly if you include used and refurbished camera's.

I'm not the friendliest guy on this forum, and not particularly well liked by some whose shit I have gotten into it with.

Like the scorpion said to the pig in the middle of the river, "It's my nature".

But come on folks. Where's the camaraderie, the good intent, and the willingness to give a fellow hogger a hand up.

Yes, you can start a photography business with any number of camera's I can think of.

The camera is NOT the deterrent. The lack of willingness to do the work is the problem. Many of the responses on this forum would deter others and kill such willingness to make the attempt. Sad!! Sad!! Sad!! :cry:

I would go ahead and make up a list of $900 camera's that will produce images that can be sold, but frankly the list is way to long.

The spirit and creativity of the individual who does the appropriate things to become a professional is the heart of success.

Most of those who poo poo'd the $900 camera budget clearly have no aspirations of becoming professional, particularly if they think the camera and the money spent on it is the key to opening that door.

Big surprise for those people....A professional uses the camera that is available when the subject or scene presents itself. I am confident that many who are professional today started out with an UNDER $1000 camera equipped with one lens. :shock:

To me, being a Professional Photographer, means creating part or all of your income with a camera and photography, no matter how much equipment you own or what you spent for it!