Do you consider yourself a photographer?

cyclone said:
Interesting, I do think there is a line, somewhere, and it's well out of focus.

I'm going to a gig tonight, I'm probably going to photograph it. I know the band and I have shot for them before at their request.

If one of the band, lets say the bass guitar player, picks up my camera and fires off a shot or 2 then that won't make him a photographer. At the same time I can pick up his guitar and pluck a few strings, that will not make me a guitar player (guitarist?).

We'd each probably get equally bad results out of each others tool, but he'd take a picture of something, and I'd play... something.
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Kind of agree. However, I think being called a photographer goes hand-in-hand with the decision to actively take photographs as a pre-meditated act. If you snap on your phone or as you say take a shot with a compact while jumping around at a gig, then you're primary focus isn't the act of photography. However, if you go armed with a camera, intent on taking a photograph above anything else, then you're a photographer regardless of the kit you own.

Or something like that... :)


I'm a photographer because I spent three years at Uni learning my trade and I photograph stuff everyday.
 
specialman said:
I'm a photographer because I spent three years at Uni learning my trade and I photograph stuff everyday.
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But you can be a photographer without being qualified and without photographing stuff every day. Those are not the reasons that you are a photographer.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
But you can be a photographer without being qualified and without photographing stuff every day. Those are not the reasons that you are a photographer.
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Why not? Those are MY reasons for classing MYSELF as a togger - you may have different reasons. The fact I spent all that time grafting in darkrooms and studios, and since then I've been photographing stuff as part of my job is more than reason enough to call myself as a photographer...
 
specialman said:
Why not? Those are MY reasons for classing MYSELF as a togger - you may have different reasons. The fact I spent all that time grafting in darkrooms and studios, and since then I've been photographing stuff as part of my job is more than reason enough to call myself as a photographer...
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I stand corrected, they are your personal reasons for calling yourself a photographer. Others may decide you are a photographer without knowing about your qualifications or quantity of work though for a reason just as valid - the fact that you take photographs.


Steve.
 
I have changed my mind I am a photographer

Just thought that when I knock on a customers door I introduce myself as a alarm engineer, and I hate the job and Im Cr_p at at that to.

So yeah Im a photographer just not a good one
 
Titles, what do they mean. An interesting but totally pointless discussion. Having said that, a couple of thoughts:

I play quite a bit of golf and would consider myself an amateur golfer. I have an interest in Shetland Family History and undertake a lot of research and help in this area and would consider myself an amateur family historian. I enjoy the challenge of photography, all the variables when taking shots; it doesn't stop there - post processing and acceptance by a peer group and would consider myself an amateur photographer.

We could perhaps add other descriptors like assistant, deputy, novice, beginner, improving etc.

Happy snapping to all newbie amateur photographers!!!

John
 
Generally people who have qualifications in photography ie a diploma / masters etc... call themselves photographers etc...

But at the end of the day just because you have the qualification it doesn't mean you can take the best images in the world - I am self taught and have friend who are also self taught and they take better images than some of the pro's - I personally think you either have the eye or you don't
Surely if you are making money from this subject then you have every right to call yourself a photographer whether you are qualified or not!!

I may be totally off the mark here but that's just my little opinion!
 
I own a car, have passed my test and think I'm safe in calling myself a driver. I'm not a specialist driver such as a formula one driver, forklift truck driver, taxi driver or a bus driver but I am a driver. I am fairly competent in my photography so I'd call myself an amateur photographer not a professional but a photographer nonetheless ;)
 
Shelly Snapshot said:
Generally people who have qualifications in photography ie a diploma / masters etc... call themselves photographers etc...
But at the end of the day just because you have the qualification it doesn't mean you can take the best images in the world...
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Not what's been said. Skill isn't the issue, the fact they participate actively in photography makes them a photographer
 
Just because you own a camera doesn't make you a photographer, and just because to have papers doesn't make you a photographer. Now if you are constantly thinking where to go to get some great shots, how to improve on your next shots and you eat, drink, sleep and play with those thoughts I'd say yo were a photographer. Photography is an art and not a marketing get rich quick train. ;) Oh Hum !!
 
sometimes i'm a photographer.
sometimes i'm a lorry driver and forklift operator.
mainly i'm a photographer when i have a camera round my neck.
especialy when i'm getting paid(or the wife is) for it.
people get too tied up in descriptions.
does it realy matter what anyone else thinks , if you enjoy your time behind the camera?
 
I am of the view that there is only one person that can decide if I am a photographer or not, and that is me. I consider myself to be a photographer, while as it does not define me (That woudl be way too hard) it is part of my identity as a person regardless of whether I am carrying a camera at the time.

If someone else doesn't consider me to be a photographer I don't see that as my problem.
 
Kryptix said:
Lately I've been told despite owning photography gear, being interested in photography, (being told) that I'm good at photography and earning money from photography isn't enough to be known as a photographer.
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Whoever told you that is a nob ... :lol:

If you pick a camera up and take pictures, you're a photographer, no matter how good or bad you are.

The only difference i see is that if you earn a living from photography, you can call yourself a professional... :shrug:


.
 
As has been said many times already, if you take photos you are a photographer. It's the adjectives that can go before the word that really define. i.e. Professional, amateur, good, bad, crap, etc. There are also secondary adjectives such as Wedding, sports, events, portrait, etc.
Those who think you need to be "Professional" to be called a photographer need to get over themselves!
Oh and I've seen some crap wedding photos from claimed professionals!
 
Garry79 said:
Whilst you are taking photographs you are a photographer.
Whilst you are runninig for the bus you are a runner.
Whilst you are playing football you are a footballer.

These are nouns that describe an action, not proficiency or profession.
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I would say this guy is right.

As i earn my total living from photography i would say i was a photographer as my profession. If someone asked you about your hobbies perhaps you would say i enjoy photography or i like running not i am a photographer or i am a runner. I just sounds wrong!

I used to work as a life guard on a busy surfing beach. There you were either "a surfer or a person with a board". :lol:
 
It's a shame that it is usual to define people by what they do to earn money rather than by what they enjoy.

I was at a dinner party recently with people that I didn't know very well and two or three of them assumed I was a professional photographer because I had done some photos of the school open day. They were so disappointed to find out I worked in a bank like almost everybody else there that evening.

I'd much rather be defined by my passions than my career but I guess it's not down to me.
 
There's a question, if you use a camera are you a photographer or a camera operator?
Under normal definitions if you get paid you are a professional if not you are an amateur.
Are you good or bad?
If you are selling your pictures other people have to like them even if you don’t.
If you are NOT selling your pictures you should like them even if other people don’t
(Check some of my posts) , but it a real buzz if they do :lol:.

Personally I take pictures because...
I enjoy finding a subject that I like, better still if it’s a bit of a challenge.
Working on the image afterwards, if required.
Getting pleasure from those unexpected shots where you go wow!
“chatting” to like minded people, get good advice, tips, etc.
Passing on comments, suggestion, etc. To try to help someone else out or just to share view points.

Basically in my opinion...
Good Profession Photographer
Must be able to sell his/her work.
He/she is an artist, who takes brilliant images that capture the mood and essence to order for a client.
Or studies a subject and portrays that subject, which could be technical or artistic, to the highest standard and fit for the purpose of the commission at an acceptable cost.

Amateur photographers
Enjoys their hobby.
Take pictures of what they likes at their level.

Me ... I consider myself as an amateur photographer as opposed to a professional or an operator.
(please don’t take offence if you are a professional camera operator :lol: )
 
ShawWellPete said:
It's a shame that it is usual to define people by what they do to earn money rather than by what they enjoy.
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This is very true. I will usually describe myself as a musician and a photographer before I mention my full time work of electronic and mechanical engineer.

Most people tend to just drift into a job that's available rather than go for something which they really enjoy so including your profession in your opening sentence when meeting someone isn't really describing yourself fairly.


Steve.
 
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