Inspiration vs. Application
May 11, 2022 11:10:39 #
User ID wrote:
"The latter" ??? Possibly you meant "the former" ? Surely you didnt intend to self identify as inept.
Caught me.
May 11, 2022 11:45:58 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
"Amateur" has two distinct meanings -- "not for compensation" and "inept." I think Close meant the latter so as am amateur I don't take offense at his phraseology.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an amateur is defined as: 1: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession. 2: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science.
3: DEVOTEE, ADMIRER.
I would say an amateur lacks significant experience or full and total competence in a certain activity or procedure.
The word inept has a more negative connotation as it refers to a bungler or one without any ability in an area.
May 11, 2022 11:56:55 #
PhotogHobbyist wrote:
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an amateur is defined as: 1: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession. 2: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science.
3: DEVOTEE, ADMIRER.
I would say an amateur lacks significant experience or full and total competence in a certain activity or procedure.
The word inept has a more negative connotation as it refers to a bungler or one without any ability in an area.
3: DEVOTEE, ADMIRER.
I would say an amateur lacks significant experience or full and total competence in a certain activity or procedure.
The word inept has a more negative connotation as it refers to a bungler or one without any ability in an area.
I was quoting the OED:
Definitions
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
noun
1. a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.
"it takes five years for a top amateur to become a real Tour de France rider"
Similar: nonprofessional, nonspecialist, layman, layperson, dilettante, . . .
2. a person who is incompetent or inept at a particular activity.
"that bunch of stumbling amateurs"
Similar: bungler, blunderer, incompetent, bumbler, bodger . . .
adjective
1. engaging or engaged in without payment; nonprofessional.
"amateur athletics"
Similar: nonprofessional, nonspecialist, lay, dilettante
2. done in an incompetent or inept way.
"it's all so amateur!"
Similar: incompetent, inept, useless, unskillful, inexpert, clumsy . . .
May 11, 2022 12:41:33 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
PhotogHobbyist wrote:
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an amateur is defined as: 1: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession. 2: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science.
3: DEVOTEE, ADMIRER.
I would say an amateur lacks significant experience or full and total competence in a certain activity or procedure.
The word inept has a more negative connotation as it refers to a bungler or one without any ability in an area.
3: DEVOTEE, ADMIRER.
I would say an amateur lacks significant experience or full and total competence in a certain activity or procedure.
The word inept has a more negative connotation as it refers to a bungler or one without any ability in an area.
I know amateur radio operators whose diagnostic and repair skills far outstrip some of the professionals that I have known. Their workmanship is also far superior. And they return all of the fasteners when putting a radio back together.
May 11, 2022 13:15:32 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
"Amateur" has two distinct meanings -- "not for compensation" and "inept." I think Close meant the latter so as am amateur I don't take offense at his phraseology.
The Latin root of Amateur is amo, amas, amat, or I love, you love, she/he loves, in English. So an amateur is someone who loves to do something. All other connotations and assumed meanings are derivatives of that.
Professionals can be amateurs. They can love their work. Under ideal circumstances, they do love their work!
The professional vs amateur distinction is, at root, about whether you make a living by what you do. But other characteristics of 'professional' do include competency, certification and licenses, continuing education, meeting certain standards, upholding certain oaths of ethics, etc. An amateur may love the task, but be incompetent at it, or not meet other standards of professionalism in the field.
May 11, 2022 14:25:16 #
One thing I love about UHH is that one never knows just where a discussion might lead -- like a quote about the role of inspiration vs work evolving into a discussion of etymology and semantics. 
May 11, 2022 14:29:07 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
One thing I love about UHH is that one never knows just where a discussion might lead -- like a quote about the role of inspiration vs work evolving into a discussion of etymology and semantics.
Plus, UHH is very entertaining at times.
May 11, 2022 17:15:48 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
One thing I love about UHH is that one never knows just where a discussion might lead -- like a quote about the role of inspiration vs work evolving into a discussion of etymology and semantics.
What fun is it to stick to the original path, when you can have so much fun on side trips?
May 11, 2022 17:32:06 #
burkphoto wrote:
What fun is it to stick to the original path, when you can have so much fun on side trips?
That has always been my thought (and practice)
May 11, 2022 17:37:06 #
rook2c4 wrote:
His quote seems to suggest quantity is the most important factor. But that doesn't really work for me. If I don't feel inspired, I don't take pictures. I have no desire to fill up memory cards with uninspiring images. However, I'm not a professional photographer, I'm a hobbyist. I don't need to continuously capture images to make a living.
He doesn't mean quantity. He did much of his work with a large format camera. Quantity wasn't really an option. The point is it doesn't matter how inspired you might be, if you don't go take photos you aren't going to have a good one. And, as a professional you have to go to work, whether you are inspired or not.
Much of my work as a sports photographer is uninspired. For example today I shot a high school district tennis tournament. All but one person I was assigned to photograph lost. Hardly inspiring. But, the job is to get the best technical photo I can get under the circumstances.
So, it isn't about quantity. It's about being there and putting in the work.
May 11, 2022 18:22:38 #
TriX wrote:
That has always been my thought (and practice)
James Burke's early 1980's PBS series and book titled, "Connections" comes to mind. It's a good overview of the creative process of scientific progress through the ages.
Parallels can be drawn to photographic inspiration and application...
May 11, 2022 19:26:22 #
May 11, 2022 19:33:08 #
RoswellAlien wrote:
F/8 and be there.
Thaz definitely one theme we should deep six. But it just returns like a zombie.
May 11, 2022 19:39:06 #
PhotogHobbyist wrote:
I would say an amateur lacks significant experience or full and total competence in a certain activity or procedure.
I would say an amateur lacks significant experience or full and total competence in a certain activity or procedure.
If thaz what you say, so be it. But may I suggest you never say it to an Olympian ?
May 11, 2022 19:42:56 #
User ID wrote:
Thaz definitely one theme we should deep six. But it just returns like a zombie.
So passé.
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