CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A good photograph has the most pixels.
A good photographer has a mirrorless camera.
A great photographer masters PhotoShop.

JBuckley

Well said.
Over the last 3 decades, Americans (seem to have), adopted a strange culture that accepts rudeness as a normal mannerism.
I wouldn’t stretch the [word] as to call it “diverse!”
I don’t travel abroad anymore, but it would appear that it’s not just an American problem.

I doubt that, what I call rudeness, was an imported mannerism, from abroad, but a world-wide mentality of, “lack of human kindness” !
With the latest adventures of (rude humanity,) being recorded with hidden and palm cameras, one would think that people would act more civil when interacting with other human beings

Or, is being caught while having a [rant,] while spouting off rude and off-color remarks, and acting like an insane individual, the latest display of “great, moral, character” [which ends up as internet entertainment] every week.
Is (being rude), selfish, and unkind to others the BEST that we can do, to get attention?
A great culture starts with self worth.

It begins in the American heart!
.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

How does someone like Ansel Adams fit into your parameters?

delder Loc: Maryland

I have always considered Photography to be the intersection of Art and Technology.

There exist many DISCIPLINES in Photography:
Press Photography
Portrait Photography
Yearbook Photographer
Commercial Photography
Technical Photography
Landscape Photography
[And the list goes on]

Many Photographers I have known have been PHOTOGRAPHERS all their lives BUT who's careers have moved from onec DISCIPLINE to another over the years.

I personally am NOT a professional photographer but I HAVE studied both the Art and Technology of this craft over a lifetime.

I would answer your question this way:
A Photographer will be judged in light of the DISCIPLINE they are pursuing at the time. HOWEVER, the ART of Photography can be brought to ANY discipline.

srt101fan

Some time ago I wondered why I'm attracted to a particular photo (*), what makes me want to linger or want to come back to it. A few reasons I came up with:

-- It realistically depicts a subject I like
-- It evokes pleasant memories (childhood/relationships/travel...)
-- It expresses beauty via form, color, shape...
-- It depicts interesting, thought-provoking forms, colors, shapes
-- It teaches me something (historical sites/events...)
-- It projects a sense of mystery I'm drawn into
-- It projects a sense of serenity and peace
-- It makes me think about the human family

I'm sure there are others......

(*) https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-678775-1.html

MJPerini

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.[/quote]

There is a great quote for which I can't find an attribution....
'If a person buys a violin, they are a Violin Owner. So why , when a person buys a camera do we call him a Photographer."
The world seems to implicitly understand that to be called a 'Violinist' implies both a great amount of work, and great skill developed over time. This stems from the fact that it takes a huge amount of work to be even a poor violinist. (there are no Heifetz or Perlman Presets )
Modern cameras have made well exposed , technically competent photographs nearly automatic. Point and shoot.
While this is a marvelous development that allows nearly everyone to enjoy 'Photography' it also confuses the issues you raise, "What is a Photographer , and what makes a photograph "Good"'

There was a time where the learning curve of Photography approached that of the violin. It took tons of work and maybe polished silver substrate to make any photograph, and they were almost all 'Good' because they were so remarkable.
Things have gotten easier for the practice of photography, which is great. But as a consequence of that only a very few of the millions of pictures we see are Remarkable.
So on the subject of what makes a Photograph "Good" you first have to turn to Purpose. On a personal level, the first picture of your child is (for you) good by definition. If it is a picture that perfectly illustrates how to assemble a Christmas toy, its good. If it is photographic evidence of something unique, it is Good.
But Good related to purpose is not necessarily remarkable in the greater sense.
If you are speaking about what makes a picture Good in an Artistic sense, take a look at painting, go to any large Art show and you will see lots of work by talented hard working artists most of whom have worked years perfecting craft, most times you will find very little of it Remarkable,. That will be the same for photography shows, lots of competence, very little rises to the level of Art.
There is no formula for creating any kind of ART. None of us qualify to call what we do ART, bt each of us does qualify to judge what is meaningful and remarkable in our own work.
So we do what we do, and put it out there. We can't worry about other people's opinion.
BUT, and this is the good part, If we can learn to produce work that pleases us, makes us proud of having done it, it is a rare and wonderful thing.
If you worry about how other people rate it , you are missing the point of creative work.
...at least in my view....

srg

To me, a good photo is one that evokes a feeling. Most of my photos do not do this, but as time passes, some of my photos that do evoke emotion have maintained this magical quality over time. Those are to me, the great ones.

Barre Loc: Fairfax Co, VA

If you like the picture you take...that's all that matters. Don't be swayed by others opinions. Ask yourself, is it a picture that you'd like to see hanging on your wall?

cbg photos Loc: Warren, New Jersey

Amen to that, there is a lot to be learned about photography and that is the fun part! Whether a beginner, advanced or professional, it’s all good and there’s so much to see and shoot!!

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I agree. A photographer is anyone who takes photos.

A good photo is any photo that tells a story, or draws one's interest, or conveys information, or sparks the imagination or brings back a memory. There are probably additional qualities I failed to think of.

A good photographer is one who takes a higher percentage of photos that exhibit one or more of the above listed qualities.

It is even better if the focus, exposure, composition and processing enhances the quality of the image or directs the viewer's eyes to the points of interest.

In summary, a good photographer and good photo is proficient at conveying to the viewer, some significant information or feeling.

Finn Man Loc: wisconsin

Interesting topic. It goes to the eyes of the beholder. Too many variables to consider...K.A.N.

Barre Loc: Fairfax Co, VA

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Photographer is someone who essentially "writes or draws with light." Someone who makes images with a camera.

A GOOD photo is like a Supreme Court justice once said about porn: "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it!"

There are too many factors that make a good photo to list them all. It could be great lighting, composition, exposure choice, moment, subject, event, color, contrast, or something else... or a combination of several factors. A simple snapshot of an historic moment, if unique, might be good solely due to its content and unique historical significance.

camshot Loc: Peterborough ontario Canada

It's often the ones you hesitate to take, but take anyway and when you put it up on your monitor , you say wow, not bad.

Bill_de Loc: US

A good photo for me is one that I like when I first see it. It could be a little out of focus, but still Instill like it.. On the other hand, I also like photos that just look nice because of the detail.

---