A lot of Uglies (hehe) take sides on just about any topic. The worst happens when it is about professional gear and processing.
I might be mistaken but i believe we should define the terms precisely so everyone would be looking at the same apple.

A. A professional is someone who earns their living from their activity.
It does not always mean they are experts in their careers, just that they are earning out of it.
An attitude or way that directly improves the activity

B. An amateur does things for the love of doing it. They do not get paid and although it also means incompetent, many amateurs are far better and knowledgeable than some professionals.

C. Hobbyist are those who endure serious leisure pursuit having no significant professional counterpart and being too poorly remunerated to constitute a livelihood. Hobbies are usually, but not always, practiced primarily for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward.


Well if we look at the above meanings, then:
1. There is no such thing as a hobby photographer as photography is a career choice.
2. There is no limit to what can be called a professional camera. Professional is the person and whatever that person is using is a professional tool. Is there an entry level hammer? or an entry level phone?
3. If we look at boxers, we can also see that being a professional does not always mean you get better the longer you are into it.
4. If someone get paid, he is no longer an amateur but either good or bad professional
5. Professional only means there is money involved. An amateur racer, basketball player and so on, do not get a power up just because he signs a contract.
6. Professional only means there is money involved. The more he can rely on it as a primary means of living then the more professional he gets.
7. A Celphone is a professional camera when used by Pollock.
8. A Nikon F is an amature camera
9. The Canon 7D is expensive
10. Just like fish and meat, some like it raw, some like it scooc
11. Neutral grey will join the nearest software.
12. If you are reading this, perhaps you now understand the absurdity of some of the things being discussed.

We are all in the same boat, let us learn together instead of butting heads and rowing our own way...

Hedgehogs in all their prickly glory can sit side by side together in the same den because they are family.

I take exception to your basic premise that photography is a profession. It is not a profession - it is a craft. A professional is typically a member of a profession which typically involves subscribing to a basic ethos of responsibility to the client and the public. It requires at least a formal training and certification or licensure by a professional organization or regulatory authority. I am a member of a profession. I had to complete five years of full time college, a further three years of formal internship under a licensed professional, pass a rigorous 3 day examination and apply for a state license before I could call myself a professional and get my stamp. I have to complete a minimum number of approved professional education courses every year to maintain my licensure. Making money or earning a living never enters the equation.

By contrast, anybody can call themselves a 'professional' photographer. Being able to make a living at photography makes it an 'occupation' not a profession. The lady at the RMV makes a living taking driver license pictures, but to call her a professional photographer is a disservice to both 'professionals' and 'photographers'. Most of those who succeed in making a decent living from photography owe at least as much to their marketing and business skills as to their photographic skills. Many of them rely on supplemental income from courses, workshops, tours etc.

Some folks may consider my definition elitist. However, would you go to a Doctor if their only qualification was a stethascope and a white coat. Or a Dentist with nothing but smiling teeth hanging on the waiting room wall.

Nevertheless, all photographers can take a 'professional' approach towards their photography. Dedication and commitment to developing your skills and keeping abreast of developments is not dependent on earning money from your camera and is not necessarily dependent on your gear.

I think we are all agreed that nearly all photo taking devices (including camera phones) are capable of taking excellent photos under normal conditions. Going up the ladder of equipment really only pushes the box of 'normal' conditions (eg low light, high speed, larger prints, durability etc) Certainly, the need of a mom wanting to take pics of her new born are different to the photographer rushing between shoots or covering 'once in a lifetime' weddings, but the notion that a particular camera is more professional than another is misleading.

Somebody here has a by-line that goes something like:
Professional photographers worry about money.
Enthusiast photographers worry about gear.
Master photographers worry about light.

A lot of Uglies (hehe) take sides on just about any topic. The worst happens when it is about professional gear and processing.
I might be mistaken but i believe we should define the terms precisely so everyone would be looking at the same apple.

A. A professional is someone who earns their living from their activity.
It does not always mean they are experts in their careers, just that they are earning out of it.
An attitude or way that directly improves the activity

B. An amateur does things for the love of doing it. They do not get paid and although it also means incompetent, many amateurs are far better and knowledgeable than some professionals.

C. Hobbyist are those who endure serious leisure pursuit having no significant professional counterpart and being too poorly remunerated to constitute a livelihood. Hobbies are usually, but not always, practiced primarily for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward.


Well if we look at the above meanings, then:
1. There is no such thing as a hobby photographer as photography is a career choice.
2. There is no limit to what can be called a professional camera. Professional is the person and whatever that person is using is a professional tool. Is there an entry level hammer? or an entry level phone?
3. If we look at boxers, we can also see that being a professional does not always mean you get better the longer you are into it.
4. If someone get paid, he is no longer an amateur but either good or bad professional
5. Professional only means there is money involved. An amateur racer, basketball player and so on, do not get a power up just because he signs a contract.
6. Professional only means there is money involved. The more he can rely on it as a primary means of living then the more professional he gets.
7. A Celphone is a professional camera when used by Pollock.
8. A Nikon F is an amature camera
9. The Canon 7D is expensive
10. Just like fish and meat, some like it raw, some like it scooc
11. Neutral grey will join the nearest software.
12. If you are reading this, perhaps you now understand the absurdity of some of the things being discussed.

We are all in the same boat, let us learn together instead of butting heads and rowing our own way...

Hedgehogs in all their prickly glory can sit side by side together in the same den because they are family.

A lot of Uglies (hehe) take sides on just about any topic. The worst happens when it is about professional gear and processing.
I might be mistaken but i believe we should define the terms precisely so everyone would be looking at the same apple.

A. A professional is someone who earns their living from their activity.
It does not always mean they are experts in their careers, just that they are earning out of it.
An attitude or way that directly improves the activity

B. An amateur does things for the love of doing it. They do not get paid and although it also means incompetent, many amateurs are far better and knowledgeable than some professionals.

C. Hobbyist are those who endure serious leisure pursuit having no significant professional counterpart and being too poorly remunerated to constitute a livelihood. Hobbies are usually, but not always, practiced primarily for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward.


Well if we look at the above meanings, then:
1. There is no such thing as a hobby photographer as photography is a career choice.
2. There is no limit to what can be called a professional camera. Professional is the person and whatever that person is using is a professional tool. Is there an entry level hammer? or an entry level phone?
3. If we look at boxers, we can also see that being a professional does not always mean you get better the longer you are into it.
4. If someone get paid, he is no longer an amateur but either good or bad professional
5. Professional only means there is money involved. An amateur racer, basketball player and so on, do not get a power up just because he signs a contract.
6. Professional only means there is money involved. The more he can rely on it as a primary means of living then the more professional he gets.
7. A Celphone is a professional camera when used by Pollock.
8. A Nikon F is an amature camera
9. The Canon 7D is expensive
10. Just like fish and meat, some like it raw, some like it scooc
11. Neutral grey will join the nearest software.
12. If you are reading this, perhaps you now understand the absurdity of some of the things being discussed.

We are all in the same boat, let us learn together instead of butting heads and rowing our own way...

Hedgehogs in all their prickly glory can sit side by side together in the same den because they are family.

I mentioned this before, but many don't read the entire thread.

I believe # 12 in the original post explained the posters intent.

12. If you are reading this, perhaps you now understand the absurdity of some of the things being discussed.

So, on page four are we still being absurd



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