canon Lee

Hi look at my correction above. But thanks for your correction.... I'm sure you as well as others here knew it was a typo. Typo's happen!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

What does it take to be a good photographer? Persistence to develop the skill needed, patience to take the time needed.

(1) Yes
(2) No
(3) Depending on genre, sports for example, better equipment might help you capture a shot.
(4) Rude comments usually come from people who are insecure about themselves.

canon Lee

BINGO! well said.

Booker

My personal opinion is that "creativity" and an eye for composition makes a great photographer. Some technical knowledge and good equipment helps, but alone do nothing.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

You can accidentally take a great photo. I certainly have from time to time.

canon Lee

I was taught that no question is "silly".....What might seem to be a sincere ridiculous question is not ridiculous to some... Keeping this in mind, I would never be the smartest photographer on the block, but willing to share what I have learned in the years I've been in the photography business, without a superior attitude .

JPL

1. No.
2. No, you do not need to be super intelligent.
3. It will help.
4. They are part of modern civilization.

What it takes to be a great photographer is to have a good eye for composition and the situation you are photographing in, have good control of the gear in use and to understand the importance of post processing and use it as needed.

canon Lee

Excellent question. Gene how are . Being in the photography business, my work has to be approved by my clients. All of my work is looked at ... I do judge my work, & make sure I maintain my level of competence. Money is equally important to me, as well as pleasing my clients. iPHONES are ok with me when taking family and social occasions. I don't have an external disc filled with images that are not for my business. I will say " If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a noise"? Its a good thing Gene that you are still reaching to be a better photographer. In my way I too am always reaching for perfection....

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Bite me.

Boxcar21

Talent
Tanacity
Contacts
Business acumen
If possible....Good agent

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Would the first three question be a smoke screen for the question you really wanted to address, #4 ?
To my eye there isn't a continuity there.

lyndyp

1) What's your definition of great?
If I can technically recreate something, does that make me a "great" photographer? Not necessarily.
If I'm good at marketing does that make my photographs "great"? Not necessarily.
Do my photographs tell a story, evoke an emotional response, appeal to others?
You need technical ability and artistic ability
Great photography is in the eye of the beholder.

2) No, I don't think there is a relationship between the two.

3) No, This goes back to question #1. Better equipment can help with technical aspects, but isn't going to change your artistic ability.

4) Rude comments? Some people just come across as rude, Many times they don't understand the relationship between what they said
and what they meant. and sometimes they do, you just have to consider the source.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...talent is key, then everything else. I also think that, talent aside, time on the job (that job being photography, eh?) makes all the difference. I look at my stuff from a decade ago and cringe...I look at my stuff now and cringe less. LOL...

TonyBot

While at first blush, I agree with Tomad ... but ... How many of today's photogs - including some very good ones - know the "sunny sixteen" rule, as an example? How I would love to take my Canon A1 and adapt a digital back to it. Shutter speed...aperture...ASA. Use the built-in meter, read the scene, make adjustments (to include focus), and "zoom with your feet". Yeah, much simpler than now, but while I am one of those old farts, I am really happy about what is out there for equipment now, and while I'm not as quick about learning it as I used to be I am sure happy about what it can do.

To respond to Lee's original questions:
1) Yes. But most of us aren't
2) I'll respond further down
3) No. But good equipment helps
4) Something we have to live with. Some people are like that.
Now,
2) My adult granddaughter is quite a photographer and has built a nice, useful, kit and portfolio. HER 5-year old daughter received a Fuji Instax for Christmas because she showed an interest in "takin' pixers". Bragging aside, she has an eye for composition: She will move her subjects (including humans) around, get closer if necessary, and will take three or four shots before she'll show us that "this one is best", following what we call the various "rules of composition". What scares me, is that she probably has a better ratio of keepers than I do!!! (It may be that now, with digital, I can take a *lot* more to get that keeper LOL)
But there are some people who have a great eye, just as some who play the drums have no sense of rhythm, and some who drive cars got their license on Amazon. I really hope she is one of the first category.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

You can Private Message a user by clicking on their user name...I believe that is the only other way...

Best,
Todd Ferguson