paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

As a New Zealander I am finding UHH a rather fun forum to be a member of.
We have the friendly members and we have the knowledgeable members.
And then there are the other members who are neither.
We also have members who're keen to learn from other members of UHH, whilst at the same time there are some members who appear to be on here more because they love to pick a fight.
I guess 'US of A' is a large country full of diverse people, and with a diverse range of 'photographers', and most of UHH's members are based in USA.

So!...
What is a photographer? Someone with a camera, or even someone with a phone that has a camera, or is a photographer someone who makes good photos?
And what makes a photo a good photo?
Opinions on that question will be very diverse I imagine.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

To me a photographer is anyone who photographs.
There are great photographers, good photographers, mediocre photographers, and newbie photographers.

Good is relative...
I imagine a great photograph would be liked or affect a large number of people.
But then, perception is relative also.

Yes, the opinions will be quite diverse!
And yes, the USA is very diverse in many things, including mannerisms and conduct.

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

Bill_de Loc: US

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-photographer

https://90seconds.com/what-is/photographer/

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Photographer/What-Is-How-to-Become

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Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Paul the late (and great) Dean Collins nailed this years ago...
"Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder...
For those shooting commercially little else really matters...

I would suggest you check out flickr for the international crowd...
There you may find those who's work is at the zenith of the craft.

Albeit maybe not likely on the UHH Nude Photography, Boudoir Photography, NSFW, Discussions and Pictures where you have made the Lion's sharing of your posts...

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Hopefully that imagination vaaaaaaaaast !!!!

NPSlover Loc: Woodbury Minnesota

I would say a photographer goes out with the intention of capturing a moment in time. I don’t consider someone who spontaneously snaps a photo on their phone a photographer.

Now, what’s a good photographer? Someone who consistently captures quality images. What’s a quality image? That’s in the eye of the beholder - as well as the eye of the photographer themself.

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

However, what makes a photo a good photo?

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All answers can only be partial answers no matter how generalized we nay attempt to make them.

Its not enuf to clearly tell a story.
Its not enuf to just grab to attention.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Isn't your question much like asking what is a writer? Is it someone with a pencil or perhaps a pen or perhaps a typist? Do the words have to reach a certain level; is Shakespeare a scribe while I a mere scribbler? A long lost image of my grandparents would be a photograph for me, but perhaps only an old picture for you. In general, a good photographer can "capture" the image they intend to. I suppose any photograph could be rated on several categories and yet have some sort of "intangible" about it that sets it apart. Perhaps an image that causes more people than usual to pause longer than usual to view it or to come back to it to peruse it again, would be considered a "superior" image and the photographer who can produce such images on a somewhat regular basis a would be a "good", "better" (you pick the adjective) photographer. Your post opens a can of worms that will very hard to disentangle. There will be many opinions and most no more valid than others offered.

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

"Photographer" is a generic term at best and perhaps "picture taker" is a better term. No real line can be drawn until you turn your camera into a productive tool that generates recognizable value.

A "Professional" or more proper term for "Photographer" has been published, has printed, makes money and/or is recognized at some point in a structured career, or over time...

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

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All answers can only be partial answers no matter how generalized we may attempt to make them.

Its not enuf to clearly tell a story.
Not enuf to just grab to attention.
Not enuf to express ideas.
Not enuf to display beauty.
Not enuf to catch a signifcant moment.
Not enuf to change events.
(Acoarst this goes on undefinitely.)

Its not enuf to accomplish such stuff as the above if the effective photo is to be a "good photograph".

Useful, effective, utilitarian photographic images cannot qualify as "good photographs" unless they also command more than a few seconds or a minutre of viewing. Effective photos can accomplish whats needed in short order, and yet never call us back again just to repeatedly indulge in viewing them. A good photograph stubbornly refuses to be so easily dismissed. Viewers would desire their own copy to be able see it whenever they want, just to SEE it.

As stated up front, all answers to such a question can only be partial answers.

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

I'd say there are:
1) Photographers,
2) Professional Photographers (they make money, or charge a fee at least), and
3) People who have a camera of some sort and they use it to take photos sometimes.

1 would also include 2, but not 3. However, not all 1s are 2s as there are other 1s besides professionals as well. And of course, there are also semi-2s too.

But what makes a good photo?
I mean, what your opinion is as to what makes a good photo is very much about one's opinion, so it would be interesting to read people's own ideas for this question.

When I was in the local camera club (2013-2018) sometimes I used to enter what I called 'my rubbish photos' in the competitions to test the judges. Sometimes my rubbish photos were awarded higher awards than what I think they were worthy of. And other times some of my rather good photos didn't fair so well. However, over all, my photos did very well in the competitions - most of my photos were awarded the top award ("Honours") or the second top award ("Merit"). It was fascinating hearing some judges' comments about what they thought made the photos (mine as well as others) good or not.

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand