What is a professional photographer (Page 9): Just another (cynical) point of view. I think if you look around, you'll find some truth in it. >Alan...

aellman Loc: Boston MA

JD750 wrote:

And now you claim to know how I feel! Prey tell please enlighten the rest of the readers. ;)

Back to the topic, your words 'I don't believe he is wrong' were in response to the claim "anybody who calls himself a pro is one". Which says nothing about actually making a living at it.

But if you are now saying a pro is defined by someone making a living with her camera, then I agree.

Just another (cynical) point of view. I think if you look around, you'll find some truth in it. >Alan

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Same issue with art. What is art? Art is anything you say is art.

Real issue: is it good art? Answering that question takes you down a more meaningful path.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

JD750 wrote:

And now you claim to know how I feel! Prey tell please enlighten the rest of the readers. ;)

Back to the topic, your words 'I don't believe he is wrong' were in response to the claim "anybody who calls himself a pro is one". Which says nothing about actually making a living at it.

But if you are now saying a pro is defined by someone making a living with her camera, then I agree.

I asked you, if you know of anyone claiming to be a pro who isn't.

A professional photographer makes a living from photographing. Whether that person is good or not is irrelevant. They are still professional by definition.

pstar

Well there are lots professional photographer signs on buildings that need to be changed according to dictionary definition just putting that out there

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

duane klipping wrote:

There have been many famous starving artists who never made a living off their work but were real professionals. Many died poor. So this does not ring true always.

In those case, I would not call them professionals, but failed attempts at that!

DTCOP Loc: Camarillo, CA

In the States there are few gods higher than the Internal Revenue Service and I read once that their definition is "If you make one fourth of your total income from a source you are considered a professional in that field."
So far I have not had to worry But since I eat, sleep, live and dream stock photography I consider myself a "pro". Besides. no sane thinking amateur is going to invest as much money in photography as I have. Just bought a DJI drone.... what with the cost, FAA test fee and ground school that is one big professional expenditure.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Marionsho wrote:

So I guess I might as well quit studying since I don't 'have it'.
No way to learn, according to you.

You are right.
You can practice piano all day every day and might become good but never great if you don't have the natural ability. Same with football, baseball, painting etc. All can do these things but few are great due to lack of innate ability.
That does not mean you can't get good, but unless you innately have it you can never be great or we all would be equally great.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Architect1776 wrote:

You are right.
You can practice piano all day every day and might become good but never great if you don't have the natural ability. Same with football, baseball, painting etc. All can do these things but few are great due to lack of innate ability.
That does not mean you can't get good, but unless you innately have it you can never be great or we all would be equally great.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

DTCOP wrote:

In the States there are few gods higher than the I... (show quote)

I am sorry, you are not a pro and can't understand why you would think of yourself as one?

Is Jay Leno a professional race car driver?

Is the owner of the Lakers a professional basketball player?

LOL!!!!

What you are is an enthusiastic amateur. Nothing wrong with that. Now I need to apologize to JD750. I honestly didn't think there were people like yourself.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Architect1776 wrote:

You are right.
You can practice piano all day every day and might become good but never great if you don't have the natural ability. Same with football, baseball, painting etc. All can do these things but few are great due to lack of innate ability.
That does not mean you can't get good, but unless you innately have it you can never be great or we all would be equally great.

Damn, I thought I was already great.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Marionsho wrote:

Damn, I thought I was already great.

You know in your own mind that is fine.
But like the lousy singers in American Idol at the tryouts. Their friends and mother say they sing wonderful, so they think they are great when in reality they can't even carry a tune in a bucket.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Architect1776 wrote:

You know in your own mind that is fine.
But like the lousy singers in American Idol at the tryouts. Their friends and mother say they sing wonderful, so they think they are great when in reality they can't even carry a tune in a bucket.

TomKat Loc: Not here

Unfortunately.. it's more about Over the Top Marketing than talent. That's a result of social media. We all have our niche but the " Coporations Are Poeple Too" BS puts us all on an unwanted, and different playing field. Forget your 10 point thoughts. CREATIVITY is becoming an afterthought.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

tdekany wrote:

I asked you, if you know of anyone claiming to be a pro who isn't.

A professional photographer makes a living from photographing. Whether that person is good or not is irrelevant. They are still professional by definition.

We seem be in violent agreement.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Fotoartist wrote:

Same issue with art. What is art? Art is anything you say is art.

Real issue: is it good art? Answering that question takes you down a more meaningful path.

Yes that is exactly right!