sparky192 Loc: Manitoba, Canada

LICENSING???
The Canadian government spent TWO B I L L I O N DOLLARS on gun control and registering firearms. It didnt worked and is being scrapped and all records destroyed. and PROFESSIONALS(??) are running the country.
WE DO NOT NEED MORE LICENSES LAWS AND PERMITS!!!
This supposed to be a hobby for some, a job for others...

ruben.vuittonet

I think we should have a licensing requirement for those who want to license people.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Dongrant,
Took me a while to understand what you meant. You have thrown no fly in the ointment at all. I have said this if you go back and look into my posts. I have seen the work of some of these so called pros and they produced terrible photos. Licensing will do one thing make money for whomever is issuing the license. You will still have the incompetent shooting that has the money for the License.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Ruben,
Would you care to explain why it was directed at him since it seems you misunderstand what he wrote? That is the impression that I get, I could be wrong.

dongrant Loc: Earth, I think!

So...If I understand you then, we are more or less in agreement. As are most of the people that have posted on this thread. And most will say that the idea of licensing photographers is about as absurd as you can get. Am I correct?

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Sparky,
In simple terms yes it does, you were paid by someone because the photos you took were of the quality they needed for a cover or article. As an editor you know that as well as I do. Now I do agree with your statement of being overwhelmed with submissions.

BBNC

Time and time again, it has been shown that the mere possession of a license is not proof of one's competence.

I have a friend who has made his living as a professional photographer most of his life. He is not afraid of so-called "professionals" because he knows they will weed themselves out eventually. Professional photography is a tough business, like any other art, and those who don't perform are soon gone by the wayside.

Study and perfect your craft, that will speak for itself.

marmesto Loc: Hamburg, NY

In my state, English teachers do have to be licensed and certified. Demonstrated success at student teaching is required before a B.S. is awarded. Five years of probation, a Masters Degree, and annual performance reviews occur prior to permanent certification. Even with that, performance reviews occur at least annually. Should that level of scrutiny be applied to photographers?

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Yes, you are.

ruben.vuittonet

There is nothing wrong with being ignorant or new to a field (in this case photography). Especially, in my opinion, on a site like this one which contains a liberal mix of both experienced (and sometimes professional) and amateur photographers. I say "Especially," but perhaps I mean specifically.

It may be that one wishes to learn about photography, yet does not have 40 hour a week, 2080 days a year to spend on its pursuit. Maybe one is home-maker and simply wishes to take nice photographs of one's family. Whatever the reason, when inquisitiveness is denigrated, it is offensive.

As I said, I have yet to find a "rule book" for discussing photography. When and if they (and who gets to pick 'they') post one, I suppose holding people to that standard might make sense. Probably not, however, if they are going to come off as snobbish and rude as the poster of the original post.

Sorry to become strident here, but I am a little offended by his post. My mother died a few years ago and I have taken up her sewing machine with an interest in learning how to sew. Perhaps they should register potential seamsters, too.

BBNC

Sparky,

dongrant Loc: Earth, I think!

Question: Who determines what is good and what is bad? I bet you can not come up with an answer to satisfy all. While there may be SOME general agreement among a group there is never a definitive answer suitable to everyone. Quality is a very subjective matter and different individuals will have different sets of values.

BBNC

Sparky,

I know your job has got to be a tough one, especially these days. As a working editor, you should be able to spot the real writers and photographers through the fog of submissions.

The other side of that coin is when you receive something that fits your needs and is good stuff, does it really matter if it was done by an amateur or pro, unless name recognition is important?

alaskanfrog Loc: Alaska

To accuse people of not being a photographer just because they are not in the "elite" pro standards with a "License" is not fair. There are literally thousands of people who own cameras and love the craft of photography. I have seen many a professional photographer that have produced stunningly beautiful photos but at the same time, published crap I wouldn't even consider. I have also seen many an amateur photographer publish bad photos, but a the same time, produce photos that rival and even surpass professional works.

If you want to be a professional, then by all means, be a professional, be proud of your license, but don't take your frustrations out on honest people just because they truly enjoy what they are doing.

Most of us here are not in it for the recognition or claim to fame. We're here because we love doing photography. We're here because we enjoy each others company and the sharing and exchange of knowledge that goes on here without judging one another. This is an unfair attack on people who did nothing to deserve it and as a photographer I am offended by the words you chose to publish. I have been doing photography since I was 17 years old, mostly on an amateur level and only on a semi-professional level.

To make the statement that a "Photographer should be licensed" is unwarranted and shows a narrow minded attitude that is not befitting of the art of photography. This is not a popularity contest that I'm aware of. This website is a community of people who share something in common, a love of photography. This statement is debasing and will discourage others from coming and sharing in this site. Many newcomers who come here want to learn about this "honorable profession." I had to learn about it on my own as I'm sure many others did. I didn't go to school, I had no training. All that I know of photography was learned through trial and error, including setting shutter speed, ISO, F-opening, and whatever technical term that is used in the field and "craft" of photography. Photography is much more than just a profession or a craft. It's a true expression of creativity and a passion for many people, myself included...

How would you feel if you were discouraged from doing your profession simply because you didn't have a "License?" Where would you be if no one wanted you to do it because you weren't licensed and didn't exactly fit the criteria you are demanding that a photographer be? How long did you do photography without a license before you earned your credentials?

I might be going out on a limb here, but I feel it's important to speak for the "Non-professional" photographers who love this art. That BS of requiring a license before you can call yourself a photographer is exactly that: BS!!! I'm sure that what I'm saying will probably upset a few people at least, but I'm equally certain that there are many more who would agree with my opinion.

In fairness to you, your opinion is yours alone and you're welcome to it... I just happen to disagree with it, STRONGLY.

My Proof, I'm a photographer...

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Ruben,
Do you call yourself a Professional Photographer, one who makes his living shooting? If you do fine, I just hope you take photos that are good. I have seen some pros that do not take good photos, too dark, too light, not in focus, far too shallow depth of field for what is supposed to be captured. These are people who because they have great equipment, and were told how great they are, now come to Fashion Shows. Now most shots can look pretty good on the small screen on back of the camera, but take it to an 8x10 and it turns into a poor photo. The term Professional has now been compromised by mediocrity. Oh by the way I have also tried to learn how to sew, daunting.