DanCulleton

I just need to focus on what I am.
What other people are, or even think is not my business!

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Photograph: Drawing with light. Seems to leave room for a lot of technique variety.

fotobyferg

Wow! I wouldn’t give two cents for any of those crappy photos!
Another “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, I guess.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

With all due respect Paul, I never purchased a copy of Photoshop, LightRoom or any of the other editing software. When I started way back during High School in 1976, I spent a fortune on film and took it to the drugstore on the corner. I thought I was the greatest photographer ever. A week later, I learned I was not and had three good prints out of thirty three that I would show around. I figured I would just give up. My teacher would give up assignments like photographing a lit cigarette or the dangers of drinking. This was a challenge I could wrap my brain around.

As time would have it, I increased my yield of good photos but never really showed them off. I always thought I could do better. After about a “trillion” rolls of film I purchased a Canon 5D Mark II but I became guilty of “chimping.” Now I try to fix the photographs in the camera by “jiggering” the aperture and shutter speed. Yes, I dial up or down the ISO. Back then it was called the ASA or DIN.

I think we are all photographers on a journey to become better than we were yesterday. When I become a good photographer, I let you all know.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Sometimes our journey takes us nowhere but other times it is an amazing trip. I just look forward to every one, great or not so great and also just look forward to getting better.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Photography is easy, it's learning PhotoShop that's hard.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The above quotation is the question. Why not just answer the question. I attempted to answer the question by relating my own experience. Thereis no purpose in suggesting that the OP is a troll or calling the question click bate. Some folks, again suggested that there is only one correct way or mode of shooting- OK that's their opinion.

So, let's analyze the question. First of all, if a "photograher" always shoots on programmed or automatic modes, how does he or she end up with overexposed, out-of-focus images. The automation should have prevented that. That would indicate thathte the unnamed photograher would have purposely worked to defeat the automation or would have switched to manual mode while not havg the slight idea of how to manually open the camera. Perhaps the unnamed photogher considers blurred, washout, dark, dense inmates as an art form. Not all photographs or other art forms need to be realistic and sharp.

I do not know of any photographers who misrepresent themselves as professionals and continuously create poorly crafted images.

The OP implies that the photographs sho is CREATED in the camera. I differ from that concept. The photograph is CREATED in the photographer's mind's eye, long before it appears on the film or sensor. The job then requires have the technical and artistic ability to realize that image. That mental creative process may take days or weeks of planning and contemplation or may happen in a split second. Obviously, different kinds of photography do not offer the same window of opportunity. Photographing an architectural subject or a landscape requires different skill sets and speeds or modes of operation. Shootg an architectural subject, a landscape, or a still life have different technical demands that shooting a fleeting bird, a fast-moving sporting event, or a police chase. Shooting a birthday party is different from shooting in a war zone or covering a riot.

Of there only one way for the professional to operate, all "professional" calabre cameras would have only one operating mode- MANUAL. Funny thing, it used to be that way. The good news is, that modern high-end consumer and "profession" cameras have multiple operating modes and other options and it is up to the creative a savvy photograhers to apply the best ones for the job at hand.
"PRIORITY" is a good word-
"the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important". If Aperature is more important in a particular shot- depth of field, "bokeh", etc. that may be the most suitable setting for a particular job. If the shutter speed is more important for freezing motion or creating intentional blur, the "S" setting may do the job. And, of course, if one knows the basic exposure triangle, including ISO settings, one can make the proper decisions and compromises needed to get the shot.

"Photoshop" is not a dirty word! It is a legitimate software to process digital images. Photoshopped" become a misnomer for fakery among the uninitiated just like "airbrushed" was a misnomer for scandalously altered images in overly sensational newspapers and magazines. Post-processing software and airbrush art can be incredibly artistic tools in the hands of a skilled operator or artist. If they are badly or inaptly applied- well- it's like anything else- there are legitimate craftsperson and hacks.

Modern cameras have many built options and operating modes. It's up to the skilled photograher to employ the settings that are most appropriate for the job at hand, based on their own level of skill in certain kinds of work, their personal levels of speed and dexterity and the existing conditions and circumstances.

Havg written all of this, I do, however, realize that if photography is a HOBBY, you can approach it any way you prefer. If you want to make it into a personal challenge to shoot and produce everything SOOTC, that is your right and privilege. "Most professions, however, do not have that luxury. The need to produce results regardless of the conditions and/or difficulties once they undertake an assignment.
If they can not deliver on time they may not get paid, injure their reputation or even end up at the receiving end of a lawsuit. They need to use every resource their equipment has to offer and even the best of us can make mistakes or run into insurmountable shooting conditions or unexpected problematic issues. Believe me, it is a great resource to be able to rescue a less than perfect file in post-processing. Under more ideal circumstances it is even a greater resource to be able to utilize every bit of "information" in a good file and create a truly fine finished product.

Gallopingphotog

A professional is one who offers his skills to the public for money. Doesn't matter how much he makes, how good he is, what gear he has or if he knows how to use it.
When I was chair of the trip-state fair's amateur photo competition, every so often I'd get an entry from someone who had cute little business cards, sample photos from their best friend's wedding, etc. A check of the phone book (this was back when dinosaurs roamed the earth) would find them listed. So I would politely tell them to toddle along to the Open division with the other professionals and "professionals."

Norm Rosenberg

I guess there aren't many real photographers left.

ELNikkor

If people pay $1000 for a Moriyama, then I'm trying too hard, need to downgrade everything and put on some kind of mystique facade, wear a funny hat and slur my speech a bit...

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Amen!

williejoha

There are many other “Professionals” that should be bakers, this way they at least could eat their own crap. JMHO
WJH

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

"Silly" may be a good way to describe this thread. However something is taken and processed that turns out well is what counts. AA's Hernandez was a rush job and printed in many ways. Still a great pic.

GEngel-usmc Loc: Spencerport NY - I miss Lakeland, FL

Funny, Paul 😂😂😂

GEngel-usmc Loc: Spencerport NY - I miss Lakeland, FL

(Re: Polaroid…) - Paul’s on a roll today 😂😂😂