What is a photographer?

[Reef Bass]

I know, one who takes photos. Yeah yeah.

For example, clearly The Artist Formerly Known As BeerGuy is a photographer, and a darn fine one. Produces sweet images, gets paid, and guides others as a forum moderator.

Those of us who don't get paid to shoot, whose drive to produce images comes from some sort of internal desire, who spend their hard earned cash on chunks of glass and dense wads of buttons to hang them on, do you consider yourself a photographer? An amateur photographer? A hobbyist? A camera nut? Image hound? What?

Where is the line? Is anyone with a cell phone camera a photographer? Does having a mountain of expensive eqiupment make one a photographer? Does being compensated for an image make one a photographer? Does it have to be one's primary vocation?

Is it even a distinction worth making? Today's out of focus poorly white balanced blue channel clipped noob posting could be from tomorrow's Ansel Adams. Everyone starts somewhere.

Someone recently asked me if I was a photographer, and I found my hesitation interesting. I answered with a qualified yes, like somehow that mattered.

Thoughts?

 

[JaYbIrD1969]

I am absolutely a photographer. In the same capacity as I am a fisherman, a skier, a bird watcher. Its something I do with passion and it goes much deeper than "takin pitchers". I desire to learn more about it and see the art in simple things that a non "photographer" wouldnt give a passing glance.

ive been seeing some picture with Iphones that have been UNBELIEVABLE! With the access to technology and the unbridled access to knowledge via the internet, anyone could capture a jaw dropping image. an image that could go viral and make the world believe he/she is a pro. I have a close friend that has been a professional wildlife photographer for 35 years. it is a brutal living. He often talks about how technology has enabled anybody to capture pro quality images. He travels 1000s of miles and waits for 1000s of hours to capture the perfect shot, to find out some soccer mom caught the holy grail shot with her D3100 just by dumb luck. She submits it to the right publisher at the right time and BOOM$$$...as my buddy heads off empty handed on his next assignment to sit in a blind for days. LOL
But she is not IMO a photographer. A photographer knows his equipment inside and out and sets it accoringly to accomplish each task... and consistently produces high quality images. Thats my definition of a photographer.

 

[Misled]

For example, clearly The Artist Formerly Known As BeerGuy is a photographer, and a darn fine one.

I LOLed

Good question. Been paid in the past. To much of a hierarchy to deal with at some places, so it's not always worth it. I do still do a few things for a designer but only once in a while. I do it for me. Sometimes I think, why do have all this money tied up in this stuff? I could have some cheaper lenses or a couple less bodies. But then I see something else and still buy it. I still get a bit of a thrill when I'm getting ready to go out. Don't really even have to get any great shots on a trip to consider it worth while. I also like talking about shooting or equipment. I can really loose hours on end.

I think I am. Are there better than me? Well of coarse. Do I worry what others think of my pics? Not really. Do I still enjoy it? You bet your sweet bippie. There's always more to learn. I do play alot. Spring is coming and I'm getting itchy.

Thoughts?

I try to avoid them.

 

[jroovers]

Interesting question. Anyone with a camera that takes pictures is a photography IMO. Where that falls within the spectrum of photography, however, is another question.

I consider myself an amateur photographer and hobbyist. Much like with golf, there are the amateurs and then there are the pros... those who do it because they love it, and those who do it because on top off all other reasons, they earn some income from it. Once you start selling your images for money, whether part-time or full-time, you may then be a freelance, contract or semi-pro or pro photographer.

I do it because it gives me something to do that I enjoy. Also, it typically brings enjoyment, comments, crticisms, etc. from those who view your photos. With birds, I've always been bestowed with a fascination at how complex and beautiful they are. When I take pictures of birds, I want to share that with other people, so they can appreciate what I see and what I feel - espcially for those who don't go out birding very often or maybe never.

 

[_Aaron_]

For me it's another hobby, fortunately it goes hand in hand with the other hobbies I have. To me, as soon as money becomes involved it's more like work than something done for pleasure.

For me the drive is to produce something a bit better than that last picture taken. To top what I've already done. My goals are personal to me and I'm not fussed what others think. It's so true that everyone starts somewhere - I didn't pick up a camera until late 2011 and I had no clue on how to take pics outside auto. Not so long ago I looked at the first pictures on my Photobucket account and cringed.

I do get asked by various people why I spent 1.5k on a camera body if I do it 'just for fun', I don't have much of an answer for it, other than I can, or why not treat myself?

Am I photographer? Yes... An amateur one. Could also be classed as a camera nut or a hobbyist as well, I guess.

 

[BlueCorn]

People get hung up on the whole amateur/professional thing thinking it has something to do with skill level; it doesn't.

Also FWIW - I've made way more money speaking, leading and training folks than I ever had by selling photos.

 

[Reef Bass]

Thank you gentlemen for your inputs on my existential crisis.

I think these comments hit on what are "key differentiators" between photographers and cell phone camera operators for me:

Its something I do with passion and it goes much deeper than "takin pitchers". I desire to learn more about it and see the art in simple things that a non "photographer" wouldnt give a passing glance.

I still get a bit of a thrill when I'm getting ready to go out. Don't really even have to get any great shots on a trip to consider it worth while. I also like talking about shooting or equipment. I can really loose hours on end.

I do it because it gives me something to do that I enjoy. ... When I take pictures of birds, I want to share that with other people, so they can appreciate what I see and what I feel - espcially for those who don't go out birding very often or maybe never.

For me the drive is to produce something a bit better than that last picture taken. To top what I've already done. My goals are personal to me and I'm not fussed what others think.

And when one is recognized publically as particularly proficient with one's actions, one doesn't even need to do whatever it is. Simply talking about it draws crowds...

I've made way more money speaking, leading and training folks than I ever had by selling photos.

Go Doug!

I know the answer to this:

I do get asked by various people why I spent 1.5k on a camera body if I do it 'just for fun'.

Because the one I want costs 3.5k! :lmao:

 

[magdelan]

A photographer knows his equipment inside and out and sets it accoringly to accomplish each task... and consistently produces high quality images. Thats my definition of a photographer.

As soon as I read this, I thought to myself, am I? ...No.

I can accidentally take some decent pictures every now and then but, I can't do this every time.

I am a chef. I consistently make delicious food that that not only tastes good, but is asthetically pleasing as well. Make no mistake about it, I can do this anywhere at anytime.

You "are" what you do well, are recognized for and are knowledgeable about.

I am also a great Husband and Dad!

 

[Misled]

See what you did RB!!! Thought about this thread a few times today. I've seen where there's a few bulbs beginning to break through and figured I'd get some stuff together and check it out. It's still cold and man it was windy outside.


I got nuttin!!! :lol:

 

[Coddigtion]

I have met many "Pro Photographers" that aren't anything but a point and shoot person, a photographer doesn't have to be paid but needs to know the basics and could shoot film if needed, not just point and shoot.