What are your key skills as a photographer?

[Myky D]

Of course! Nobody who takes images as their profession, day-in, day-out could possibly make any statement regarding photography that carries any weight whatsoever...

I mean, it's not like they have any inkling as to the intricacies of running a business or taking images to suit a brief, in conditions often unfavourable to producing any images, let alone pleasing ones...

Unlike hobbyist photographers who have the luxury of taking images when the conditions are perfect, without regard to weather conditions, location being unsuitable, clients breathing down your neck, subjects being uncooperative etc etc etc...

That statement of yours has as much merit as a chocolate fireguard.
The further opinions of this professional photographer won't make it past the swear filter...

I didn't say they didn't carry weight, just no authority over anyone else's opinions.

There is a phrase comparing opinions to bottoms; about how everyone's got one, and everyone else's stinks.

I've never been too good at obeying authority and/or rules, but I have discovered in this thread that this place isn't a place for the expression or discussion of a difference in opinions, and I don't want to upset anyone else any further, so please accept my apologies.

 

[ed_o_brain]

Unlike hobbyist photographers who have the luxury of taking images when the conditions are perfect, without regard to weather conditions, location being unsuitable, clients breathing down your neck, subjects being uncooperative etc etc etc...

This works the other way too though doesn't it?

Most hobbyists are not going to have pro cameras, pro glass nor the eons of experience!
A good deal of hobbyists also have other more pressings things to do before they get around to taking any pictures!

Not necessarily my personal opinion (why let that get in the way of a good debate, huh? ). Just playing devil's advocate!

 

[itsdavedotnet]

This works the other way too though doesn't it?

Most hobbyists are not going to have pro cameras, pro glass nor the eons of experience!!

There's definitely a lot more to the capability to be able to deliver high quality images in any situation, to a brief, than having xyz gizmo or lens...and if you think otherwise, good luck making any sustained income from photography...

 

[Arkady]

I didn't say they didn't carry weight, just no authority over anyone else's opinions.

There is a phrase comparing opinions to bottoms; about how everyone's got one, and everyone else's stinks.

I've never been too good at obeying authority and/or rules, but I have discovered in this thread that this place isn't a place for the expression or discussion of a difference in opinions, and I don't want to upset anyone else any further, so please accept my apologies.

You have an opinion that's wrong that's all, but that's still no reason not to share it if it's what you think...
Opinions can also change - the more information you have to work with, the more your perception of something is coloured.
You appear to be working with limited information...the pro's on here are offering you more to work with - parameters you might not have considered previously, for example.

Experience in a certain field generally bestows authority when offering opinions...Professional experience generally bestows more, because if a professional isn't any good at what they do, pretty soon clients will go elsewhere.
The only person a hobbyist photographer has to please is himself. A professional has to please everyone every time...

 

[ed_o_brain]

There's definitely a lot more to the capability to be able to deliver high quality images in any situation, to a brief, than having xyz gizmo or lens...and if you think otherwise, good luck making any sustained income from photography...

Now I'm confused. Did you not read to the end of what I wrote?


"eons of experience" ??

 

[david1701]

The thing that interests me is how many hobby photographers I know that are far better than most professionals I've encountered.

then you need to know better professionals

I completely agree regarding clients - my girlfriend is a freelance designer, and I've done a couple of paid photography jobs, and I understand that the first rule of freelancing is that the client is an idiot, but since they pay the bills, what they say goes.

ever done work for the same person twice?

Of course they don't know I think they're idiots! Dear gods if people were honest with each other the world would fall apart.

"Why do you want this job?" should never be replied to with the true answer of "I have bills to pay."

Everyone is a prostitute, everyone will jump for a price, and the client is just an organism that can provide revenue for the employee to do what they really want to do, be it photography, travel or hedonism.

Of course, part of the package that one buys as a client is how such is disguised to one - how much kow-tow one can expect.

You need to go be an office drone or do something else as photography is not a career for the mercenary, the money is better elsewhere and a photographers success is proportional to how much he cares about the job its outcome and its client

I'm sorry to have upset you. I didn't mean it personally. I'll keep my opinions to myself from now on.

you might as well

 

[Arkady]

This works the other way too though doesn't it?

Most hobbyists are not going to have pro cameras, pro glass nor the eons of experience!
A good deal of hobbyists also have other more pressings things to do before they get around to taking any pictures!

Not necessarily my personal opinion (why let that get in the way of a good debate, huh? ). Just playing devil's advocate!

All of which is understood and accepted, in which case thier opinions are slanted as a result.
I wouldn't generally take advice from someone who's only been into photography for a couple of years and who has limited technical experience...
I would expect it to be different the other way round, however...

 

[Myky D]

You have an opinion that's wrong that's all, but

Hahahaha thank you.

Sadly, some people do actually think like this, but I do realise the tenets of this place and know it isn't somewhere for discussion (as illustrated by responses to my previous/disapproved of opinions). But again - thank you for understanding.

 

[ed_o_brain]

All of which is understood and accepted, in which case thier opinions are slanted as a result.
I wouldn't generally take advice from someone who's only been into photography for a couple of years and who has limited technical experience...
I would expect it to be different the other way round, however...

Nice to finally agree with someone on here.
In any debate, it is healthy to see the opposing point of view.

 

[Wail]

I guess I have the pleasure to choose to be a hobbyist and I wish to remain as such; for me it's the drive & motivation to get that next shot which makes me go "wow, the beauty of such creation"! Hence, my fascination with Nature, Wildlife and Landscape.

As a hobbyist, I have the luxury of not meeting clients' deadlines, not having clients breath down my neck, not having a clients' budget to work within; but I do have these very similar constrains! Time is finite, so too is my ability to pay for trips and equipments! But I do not let anything else put me down. I've been out in climates, and at times & situations, that make many question my sanity!

However, on the flip side of this, I have to keep the hobby in perspective of my necessities, since anything spent on this (money & time, mostly) takes from more important things (work & family).

 

[driftanddie]

well i was gonna join in with this thread with a bit of humour........... seems the tone has changed somewhat as its gone along........ shame cos it had so much promise..... oh well !