I joined a local camera club, they have an evaluation night.. so i submitted a few shots. but looking for shots got me thinking about how my photos really are not in a league of photographers.. and are more just family and friend shots.. I feel i am very competent with my equipment, technically i can get the shot I want if i try. but what I'm lacking is the drive to get a beautiful or meaningful photo, something with a story or something that really would make people think.. I have lots of great animal photos from the zoo and travel photos of my family. but does that really make me a photographer? I'm not so sure.. then i think about the sports photographers and how they are there capturing the moment and the emotion but not really telling a story either.. and i feel like i technically could be a sports photographer.. somehow this seems easier..(no disrespect meant to sports photographers). but when i compare myself to some landscape or portrait photographers i feel like i can't measure up..
Depends on what your definition of a photographer is.
Do you think a photo should be fine art, reportage, documentarian, commercial, journalistic or utilitarian?
Make lists of what types of photos you believe belong to each of those groups, then you might easier decide which category(ies) mean what to you. All you have to do is subscribe to what feels right, then focus on your craft.
I have lots of great animal photos from the zoo and travel photos of my family. but does that really make me a photographer?
No, it makes you a person with a camera. You have not been trained, or have any experience in commercial photography, sports, or photojournalism. From what you say I think you are looking for the easy road to be successful, or to shoot meaningful pictures without much effort. None of it is easy, and competence with a camera is just for starters. Some of the landscape prints you see at the camera club are by those who have spent years working their specialized interest. There are some who have studied photography books, attended seminars, and taken part in field trips to beautiful parts of the world. I am sure those photographers were in your boots at one time.
Try to self-assign yourself to capture/explore photographically any one topic over a number of weeks or months. Stick with it. That will give you structure and help define your direction. As you know, thinking and doing something about it are not the same thing.
yes you are a photographer.. photography is about making yourself happy. you dont have to please anyone but yourself. Are you a professional photographer? no. but dont let anyone say your not a photographer.
you are
yes you are a photographer.. photography is about making yourself happy.
I can change an electrical socket plate therefore my family trusts me with electrical things. They think of me as a gifted electrician (which I must be). I also know that if I lift the toilet tank top and fiddle with the chain it usually stops the water from running. Who's to say I am not a plumber? I just bought a 1975 Corvette. Tomorrow I will sign up to be a NASCAR driver. I am so happy.
Photography for some is a career and for others it is a hobby. It also can be argued that for some it is a passion and for others a pleasant diversion. I take pretty good landscape photos but I won't ever do as my friend does, driving to the eastern Sierra's and hiking from three a.m. up a mountain so he can capture a perfect sunrise shot. Yes, his photos end up in Sierra Club calendars while mine show up in my Picasa account, but so what? We're both photographers and both pretty happy with what we're doing.
Now that doesn't mean there isn't more for me to learn. That is one of the things that sharing images online is about. For years I did more looking than sharing, but in the process I saw how others were looking at scenes, how they were framing shots, how they processed images. All of that improved my photography.
Yes, I've licensed photos. One ended up on the cover of a college recruiting brochure... 10,000 copies of which have been mailed around the world. But that isn't what qualifies me as a photographer. That comes from the simple act of caring about what I'm shooting, knowing how to use the gear in my hands and having a certain facility for processing and sharing images with others. If you're not happy about what you're producing with your camera gear, you might wish to reflect a bit on what might tickle your fancy in that regard. You don't need to disparage yourself by asking someone else to give you their opinion. Frankly, that is a waste of time. Life is too short to be asking anyone else how to live your life. That task belongs to you. Enjoy yourself!
Photography for some is a career and for others it is a hobby.
Right, but the discussion here is about calling oneself a "photographer" not how photography is a career or hobby. If you read the OP you will find that he "thinks" he could be good at sports photography. That's it! No effort, no energy, no commitment. "I think, therefore I am" really doesn't work when it comes to taking on the title of any profession including "photographer". In his case, something like 'amateur photographer, interested in photography, or shutterbug' would be more suitable. Please, the profession of photography is watered down enough without including everybody who owns a camera to call themselves a photographer. At least earn it.
I wouldn't read into the OP's comment about thinking. Maybe he stopped short with an explanation there, but what he said doesn't necessarily imply that he thinks as of right now he could be a 'pro sports photographer'.
Perhaps he was implying that with the effort, training and dedication that one day, possibly, he could work as a pro in that sector. Maybe he feels most comfortable and confident about whatever type of sports photos he's already taken, and simply is saying he'd like to pursue that type of work, if he were to make the effort to take photography to a professional level. The same way a photographer who has already begun to pursue a professional career eventually decides on a certain area of photography to focus on, professionally, maybe because it comes more naturally to them over another area of the medium. I can't photograph people, partly because and I have zero interest in doing so. I love still life, and prefer those images over anything else. Things like that are subjective, and the same is true for you, and the OP.
Your reaction to what he said, more so, what he didn't say but you instead assumed he was suggesting, was a bit presumptuous. Give the guy a chance to explain himself.
I say all this objectively, with all due respect to you.
Do you value photographs ? The art of storytelling in a single frozen moment ? Or perhaps capturing an emotion/moment in time ?
Do you constantly push yourself to experiment and try to learn more about the craft ?
Yes/No.
The end.
Being a photographer isn't hard, being a good one is a never ending road.
I think it is a bit presumptuous to assume a title that one hasn't earned, or attempt to interpret what the OP implied. I know the poster came off as honest and concerned. His comment "what I'm lacking is the drive to get a beautiful or meaningful photo" IMO summarizes a non-commitment, a hesitation to move forward. I answered the question "Am I really a photographer" and offered a suggestion to start. Not enough? Maybe people should ask this question on the pro forum. I doubt that their responses will be much different than mine. It maybe semantics to some, but those who shoot for a living and earned the title of "photographer" this misconception is often perceived by the pros as an affront to the profession.
It's an affront if the OP was referring to himself as a photographer, when we're using photographer to solely describe professionals. However, he isn't.
I watched the same thing happen in graphic design, where I worked professionally. Anyone who got their hands on Photoshop started claiming design rights, and attempted to do things in PS that should have been done in other software (their lack of knowledge showing through).
So, if we're to say you're not a photographer just because you own a camera system (which I agree with), then it's safe to say those who are professional photographers, videographers, established painters, etc., don't necessarily have the knowledge, experience, skill set or inclination to take the next step into professional web design to create their own websites, correct? Yet some of them do, and it could be interpreted by the professionals working in the design industry as an affront. However, it happens all the time. There are some sterling examples of this in the FM Pro forum, too.
When you put it so simply, the arrogance and stupidity behind such notions really shines through. As is suggesting that if someone hasn't yet earned a title in their life that they have no business considering that as a goal. I went from a designer with an enthusiasm for photography, to a fulltime, salaried photo assistant with a staff of photographers that solely rely on my abilities to make their shoots easier.
For me, the first step was the acknowledgement that I didn't know anything, but wanted to know everything. To enter the photo industry had to start from scratch, educate myself, and learn by working with professionals. That was how dedicated I was to working professionally. I'm now in the industry, and currently building my strongest portfolio to date (it isn't live yet). I'm not shooting professionally yet, but I'm also not abandoning that goal, when only two years ago I was most certainly an amateur.
I guess I'm just from the school of thought that anything is possible, if you apply yourself, accordingly.
I appreciate your input, and experience. Some of the logic (third paragraph) was a kind of a stretch regarding the word "affront", but in the spirit of peace, I'm cool with that. Nice to know that you are on top of the profession(s). I could never do all that, but I did learn to delegate. Good luck on your quest.
borderlight wrote:
Right, but the discussion here is about calling oneself a "photographer" not how photography is a career or hobby. If you read the OP you will find that he "thinks" he could be good at sports photography. That's it! No effort, no energy, no commitment. "I think, therefore I am" really doesn't work when it comes to taking on the title of any profession including "photographer". In his case, something like 'amateur photographer, interested in photography, or shutterbug' would be more suitable. Please, the profession of photography is watered down enough without including everybody who owns a camera to call themselves a photographer. At least earn it. ...Show more →
Actually, "photographer" isn't a profession, it is a word denoting someone who uses a camera to take photos. Of course, you identify yourself as a "Ex-Pro Photographer" so this topic may evoke some strong feelings for you. I don't know whether you're status as a "Ex-Pro Photographer" indicates you were so successful that you no longer need to work at anything, or that for one of the thousand and one reasons that exist in the real world, that particular adventure didn't turn out too well for you.
I did read what OP had to say and all I found was a person questioning his skills with a camera and pondering where he might go with his photography. You concluded that he is a wannabe unprepared for the hard work required to perfect the craft required to work as a professional and proceeded to show him the error of his ways. I concluded he is confused and would welcome some support in sorting these things out. I guess OP will have to choose for himself which response is most useful. I certainly wish him well.
borderlight wrote:
I can change an electrical socket plate therefore my family trusts me with electrical things. They think of me as a gifted electrician (which I must be). I also know that if I lift the toilet tank top and fiddle with the chain it usually stops the water from running. Who's to say I am not a plumber? I just bought a 1975 Corvette. Tomorrow I will sign up to be a NASCAR driver. I am so happy.
being an electrician requires a license as does a plumber.
as far as your analogy to nascar i guess if your not a photographer for national geographic then your not a photographer.
there is no defenition of photographer other than one who takes pictures.
the op might not be a PRO photgrapher but he is a photographer.
Actually, "photographer" isn't a profession, it is a word denoting someone who uses a camera to take photos. Of course, you identify yourself as a "Ex-Pro Photographer" so this topic may evoke some strong feelings for you. I don't know whether you're status as a "Ex-Pro Photographer" indicates you were so successful that you no longer need to work at anything, or that for one of the thousand and one reasons that exist in the real world, that particular adventure didn't turn out too well for you.
Actually it is. The IRS accepts it too. It's what most of the great masters of photography simply call themselves, although obviously the title is not just reserved for them. When you find a professional photographer who bills himself as "someone who uses a camera to take photos" instead of "photographer" please share with forum members. FYI: I did my thing with photography - went to photography school, got awards, worked with agencies, designers, clients for 30 years. I'm 65 years, old enough to do my own thing. Last year I had a more extensive pro portfolio on FM, but now I see no point in showing it anymore.
rdking647 wrote:
First of all I didn't write "yes you are a photographer... photography is about making yourself happy".
You're right about the electrician and plumber having licenses. I thought that by using absurd illustrations that one would find humor. Sorry you took it so literally.
I don't know what you do for a living but imagine if everyone used your job title too. Say you are an accountant. I say, "Me too. I just did my Turbo Taxes online." I also took math in grade school. In fact, everybody I know took math therefore we must all be accountants in some manner of speaking because if I can say it, I own it. So that being true it stands to reason that we all are photographers too. Yes, all DSLR owners, iPhone users, Uncle Bob, the unofficial wedding photographer, my four year old niece, or the chimp at the zoo who was trained to push the button on the plastic camera. Brilliant!
While not implying that Wikipedia is the fount of all knowledge, here is it's definition of photographer:
A photographer (from Greek φωτός (photos), meaning "light", and γράφω (graphos), meaning "written") is a person who takes photographs. A professional photographer uses photography to earn money whilst amateur photographers take photographs for pleasure and to record an event, emotion, place, or person.
Actually it is. The IRS accepts it too. It's what most of the great masters of photography simply call themselves, although obviously the title is not just reserved for them. When you find a professional photographer who bills himself as "someone who uses a camera to take photos" instead of "photographer" please share with forum members. FYI: I did my thing with photography - went to photography school, got awards, worked with agencies, designers, clients for 30 years. I'm 65 years, old enough to do my own thing. Last year I had a more extensive pro portfolio on FM, but now I see no point in showing it anymore.
rdking647 wrote:
First of all I didn't write "yes you are a photographer... photography is about making yourself happy".
You're right about the electrician and plumber having licenses. I thought that by using absurd illustrations that one would find humor. Sorry you took it so literally.
I don't know what you do for a living but imagine if everyone used your job title too. Say you are an accountant. I say, "Me too. I just did my Turbo Taxes online." I also took math in grade school. In fact, everybody I know took math therefore we must all be accountants in some manner of speaking because if I can say it, I own it. So that being true it stands to reason that we all are photographers too. Yes, all DSLR owners, iPhone users, Uncle Bob, the unofficial wedding photographer, my four year old niece, or the chimp at the zoo who was trained to push the button on the plastic camera. Brilliant! ...Show more →
im sorry your ego doesnt allow you to admit that anyone takign pictures is a photographer.
period
Adam, At some point you need to decide: Are you going to define yourself or allow others to do so? And even that question assumes that definition-of-self, whether by you or others, is necessary. You might consider whether that's true. In the meantime, I suggest that you limber up your trigger finger and shoot.
