What makes a "photographer"?
Feb 23, 2020 08:59:13 #
Is it the camera..shooting in raw..number of pictures taken..passion..can cell phones count? Do you have to sell a photo to be a 'professional'.the number of photos taken..I am very interested in what everyone's opinions are. Let's make this thread non-argumentative.
Feb 23, 2020 09:03:58 #
BRENDAis SCOTTISH wrote:
Is it the camera..shooting in raw..number of pictures taken..passion..can cell phones count? Do you have to sell a photo to be a 'professional'.the number of photos taken..I am very interested in what everyone's opinions are. Let's make this thread non-argumentative.
A Photographer is one taking pictures
A professional photographer is one earning a living taking pictures.
Feb 23, 2020 09:04:08 #
By definition, ANYONE who uses a camera to take photographs, ANYONE.
Feb 23, 2020 09:07:06 #
Feb 23, 2020 09:11:05 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Success is the photographer. Failure is the equipment.
That is heartily agree with!
Feb 23, 2020 09:11:59 #
I would say just like a plumber, carpenter, writer, etc, a photographer is a professional in the strict sense of the word. But making money is not necessarily the primary focus of every photographer. For instance the many excellent people contributing to this forum may not be paid pros but they are definitely photographers. They get paid in compliments, enriching themselves handsomely.
Feb 23, 2020 09:12:45 #
BigDaddy wrote:
A Photographer is one taking pictures
A professional photographer is one earning a living taking pictures.
A professional photographer is one earning a living taking pictures.
Now rating them on a scale of 1-100 (or 1-10) would be fun...
Feb 23, 2020 09:12:52 #
BRENDAis SCOTTISH wrote:
That is heartily agree with!
The photographer who has confidence in their work has the highest rated camera.
Feb 23, 2020 09:13:09 #
Feb 23, 2020 09:13:59 #
Earnest Botello wrote:
By definition, ANYONE who uses a camera to take photographs, ANYONE.
Just like, well, anyone who drives a car is a driver.
Feb 23, 2020 09:14:56 #
BigDaddy wrote:
A Photographer is one taking pictures
A professional photographer is one earning a living taking pictures.
A professional photographer is one earning a living taking pictures.
I’ll open the can here: If I sell some of my work but don’t “make a living” at it (which is also subjective) am I disqualified from calling myself a “professional”?
Feb 23, 2020 09:16:38 #
Dannj wrote:
I’ll open the can here: If I sell some of my work but don’t “make a living” at it (which is also subjective) am I disqualified from calling myself a “professional”?
The easiest way to make money as a photographer is to sell your equipment.
Feb 23, 2020 09:23:22 #
Not sure making money is the key issue. Could be more along the lines of demonstrating expertise in the craft, to consistently be able to produce photographs which show artistic and technical excellence, regardless of equipment or subject.
Feb 23, 2020 09:27:08 #
Dannj wrote:
I’ll open the can here: If I sell some of my work but don’t “make a living” at it (which is also subjective) am I disqualified from calling myself a “professional”?
I'll bite,
Yes.
You are someone who takes pictures that sold some.
But you're still a photographer, maybe an excellent one too.
You can put anything you want on your shingle,
and let others decide.
I know how to do electrical work, but I'm not an electrician!
Feb 23, 2020 09:31:21 #
DocDav
Loc: IN
Just laughing at this. So true. And there are so many kinds of photographers. Fine art in the flower arena. Jonathan Singer. A retired podiatrist who has his books in the Smithsonian. The news people with their free top line equipment at a recent Amy Klobuchar speech I attended. Right down to the wedding photog. In there somewhere is the person posting photo's for use in whatever media on rent to use boards.
Me? I will make a buck when I sell my camera. But it won't last long since I'll just go out and buy a better one.
Still, I am a podiatrist who has a hobby as a photographer. Ergo, I am a photographer? Not necessarily a great one, but still.
PS. Don't really know. Don't really care. I get to define myself and everyone who thinks otherwise just doesn't count.
Me? I will make a buck when I sell my camera. But it won't last long since I'll just go out and buy a better one.
Still, I am a podiatrist who has a hobby as a photographer. Ergo, I am a photographer? Not necessarily a great one, but still.
PS. Don't really know. Don't really care. I get to define myself and everyone who thinks otherwise just doesn't count.
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