sjones
Established
How folks want to identify themselves is up to them, but if someone told me that they were a photographer, I’m conditioned to initially assume that they do this for a living. Likewise, when asked if I am a photographer, my first-thing-that-comes-to-mind response is no, I’m just a hobbyist. A photographer, maybe, but with a qualifier (someone once asked me if I was an “avid photographer”; that sounded good).
This said, the Vivian Maier example brings up an interesting angle, since I do consider her a photographer, not just enthusiast, although it was not a source of income for her. So sort of like a posthumous photographer if owing to dogma, but I’ll avoid such pedantry, since it’s getting silly.
As others have stressed, actual quality is not determined by titles, whereby an amateur photographer can prove better than a professional (with the issue of subjectivity duly noted). So in the end, the semantical matter is a flexible one.
This said, the Vivian Maier example brings up an interesting angle, since I do consider her a photographer, not just enthusiast, although it was not a source of income for her. So sort of like a posthumous photographer if owing to dogma, but I’ll avoid such pedantry, since it’s getting silly.
As others have stressed, actual quality is not determined by titles, whereby an amateur photographer can prove better than a professional (with the issue of subjectivity duly noted). So in the end, the semantical matter is a flexible one.
Yokosuka Mike
Abstract Clarity
If a stranger walks up to you and asks “are you a photographer?” it’s probably best to ask that person “why do you ask?”.
If they say something along the lines of “I hate photographers and if you are one prepare to die” then you should respond with a hearty “nope, I’m no photographer, not me, no way”.
On the other hand, if they say something like “I love photographers! If you are one I’d love to buy you a drink”. Well then respond as you like
Anyway, it’s always best to establish a stranger's motivation before providing any personal information.
Have a nice day,
Mike
If they say something along the lines of “I hate photographers and if you are one prepare to die” then you should respond with a hearty “nope, I’m no photographer, not me, no way”.
On the other hand, if they say something like “I love photographers! If you are one I’d love to buy you a drink”. Well then respond as you like
Anyway, it’s always best to establish a stranger's motivation before providing any personal information.
Have a nice day,
Mike
farlymac
PF McFarland
I rarely get asked if I'm a photographer. The question usually is "Do you work for the county?". They could give a rats patootie about the equipment I'm using, or that I might be a professional. But on that rare occasion where they really think I'm doing it for the money, I tell them it's just something I like to do.
PF
PF
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
With VM been all over in this thread...
I do recommend not only watch documentary about her, but listen and process it. She wanted to be in photography as business or circles, at least.
But she couldn't, for obvious (if you watch and get the message) reasons.
Was she photographer, yes, does it applies for regular person in normal circumstances we are talking about here, no.
Were here any recognized good photographers "after words"? Not only her. But it is not what I was asking about.
If you really need to call names, Fred Herzog. Or Viktor Kolar. If you good enough and able to make some connections...
Personally and first of all, I'm not good enough...
I do recommend not only watch documentary about her, but listen and process it. She wanted to be in photography as business or circles, at least.
But she couldn't, for obvious (if you watch and get the message) reasons.
Was she photographer, yes, does it applies for regular person in normal circumstances we are talking about here, no.
Were here any recognized good photographers "after words"? Not only her. But it is not what I was asking about.
If you really need to call names, Fred Herzog. Or Viktor Kolar. If you good enough and able to make some connections...
Personally and first of all, I'm not good enough...
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
I honestly don't understand. Of course you are a photographer. But what does being published, being interviewed, name recognition, winning contests, or being paid have to do with it?
David Hughes
David Hughes
But this shows how the meaning has been lost.
It's possible to be both amateur and professional at the same time (like me) because I don't do it for money but I do it brilliantly ;-)
And there are others who are both amateur and professional at the same time because they do it badly and are paid for it.
So I'll stick to it being a hobby, fttb.
But in my little world only architects, medics and lawyers are professional because if they screw up they can be stopped from doing it by their professional body. Whereas a photographer can legally start snapping away within minutes of coming out of prison...
Regards, David
leicapixie
Well-known
I am a photographer.
I was a Photojournalist doing 'exciting things'
but also.School kids, weddings, Families and Publicity..Advertising, Fashion.
I always have a camera, not necessarily my Leica M's ,Nikons Pentax..
I love really small cameras, starting orig. Olympus Pen-S to now Tiny Digital.
I need to document each day!
I have gone on shoots with some of the world's top photographers..
Magnum,etc, but for sheer joy of photography,
be it on streets or doing Landscapes out in the Bush.
Landscapes in a certain country anything but safe..
I was usually piggy in middle as I carried no weapon..i.e Pistol..
I am retired but still shoot all the time.
I was a Photojournalist doing 'exciting things'
but also.School kids, weddings, Families and Publicity..Advertising, Fashion.
I always have a camera, not necessarily my Leica M's ,Nikons Pentax..
I love really small cameras, starting orig. Olympus Pen-S to now Tiny Digital.
I need to document each day!
I have gone on shoots with some of the world's top photographers..
Magnum,etc, but for sheer joy of photography,
be it on streets or doing Landscapes out in the Bush.
Landscapes in a certain country anything but safe..
I was usually piggy in middle as I carried no weapon..i.e Pistol..
I am retired but still shoot all the time.
css9450
Veteran
airfrogusmc
Veteran
My profession is photography and has been for over 35 years. My hobby is photography (personal work) and I have had some moderate success with my personal work or hobby but not enough to give my family any standard of living.
So I would say in the work that really keeps me going and feeds my soul I am an amateur. In the work that feeds the family I am a professional. They are two different worlds. My professional work is usually a calibration with other visual professionals and is always in the end the clients. My hobby, my personal work or you could say my amateur work is all mine. It is what has kept me from burning out all these years.
I do pro work to pay the bills feed the family and pay for my hobby. Not unlike someone that goes to work at whatever job and has photography as a hobby. Only difference is my job is also my hobby.
A great quote by Weston. I don't hate the professional work like he did though.
"When money enters in, - then, for a price, I become a liar, - and a good one I can be whether with pencil or subtle lighting or viewpoint. I hate it all, but so do I support not only my family, but my own work." - Edward Weston
So I would say in the work that really keeps me going and feeds my soul I am an amateur. In the work that feeds the family I am a professional. They are two different worlds. My professional work is usually a calibration with other visual professionals and is always in the end the clients. My hobby, my personal work or you could say my amateur work is all mine. It is what has kept me from burning out all these years.
I do pro work to pay the bills feed the family and pay for my hobby. Not unlike someone that goes to work at whatever job and has photography as a hobby. Only difference is my job is also my hobby.
A great quote by Weston. I don't hate the professional work like he did though.
"When money enters in, - then, for a price, I become a liar, - and a good one I can be whether with pencil or subtle lighting or viewpoint. I hate it all, but so do I support not only my family, but my own work." - Edward Weston
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I like making photographs and have since I was eight years old. I work hard at it. My photographs are in many ways completely unlike the photographs I see my friends making, and in some ways the same. Over the course of my life I've created and/or worked at several businesses producing photographs. At times, I've claimed all of my earned income from my photographs and the consequential licenses, print sales, etc, that I've sold from their making. I've studied photography by participating in classes, workshops, and exhibition events. Many people know of my photographs, and I've published a couple of books of photographs over the years.
I don't consider myself a "photographer" in these contexts in any way other than as analogy to the way that I consider myself a chef because I can cook reasonably nice tasting food. The fact that I've categorized myself as Photographer from time to time for tax purposes, for the purpose of billing a client, etc, etc, is completely irrelevant in my perspective; that's a mechanical requirement of the machine used in making an income and living as part of today's human society.
I consider myself a photographer because I'm interested in, study, and practice both the art and the science of Photography as part of my life's works.
G
I don't consider myself a "photographer" in these contexts in any way other than as analogy to the way that I consider myself a chef because I can cook reasonably nice tasting food. The fact that I've categorized myself as Photographer from time to time for tax purposes, for the purpose of billing a client, etc, etc, is completely irrelevant in my perspective; that's a mechanical requirement of the machine used in making an income and living as part of today's human society.
I consider myself a photographer because I'm interested in, study, and practice both the art and the science of Photography as part of my life's works.
G
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I just call myself a keen amateur photographer if asked. I have earned precisely two medium sized cornish pasties when I gave this print to the owner of the pasty shop in Plymouth whose little dog this was. I'm not sure that qualifies me as a professional!
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
These are excellent observations. They are true. Yet somehow I feel that a person's photography knowledge and skill should count for something - it should manifest itself somehow.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Many old pro were pro enough if they could get it in focus and expose, print is right.
iPhones left them jobless. And here is nothing wrong with it. Trade was replaced by software and electronics.
I realized it by myself. People I knew called me if something was done wrong and they want to document it. Driveway pavement, new hardwood. I would come and take pictures.
Now they are taking these pictures by themselves. Even at parties. Nobody needs my pictures two months later. They are taking it instantly.
The only reason why they would accept my pictures if they are better. Not technically, but photography wise.
This what happened with many old style pros. In focus and well exposed doesn't cut the slack and dough anymore.
iPhones left them jobless. And here is nothing wrong with it. Trade was replaced by software and electronics.
I realized it by myself. People I knew called me if something was done wrong and they want to document it. Driveway pavement, new hardwood. I would come and take pictures.
Now they are taking these pictures by themselves. Even at parties. Nobody needs my pictures two months later. They are taking it instantly.
The only reason why they would accept my pictures if they are better. Not technically, but photography wise.
This what happened with many old style pros. In focus and well exposed doesn't cut the slack and dough anymore.