Who are you? Poll of POTN photographers...

[klynam]

*************** MODIFIED PROFILES TO KEEP IT SIMPLE ********************

NON-USER = no camera, just interested in the forum

RECREATIONAL = just for fun, never paid, point-n-shoot digital camera

HOBBYIST = seldom if ever paid to shoot, entry level DSLR

AMATEUR = occasionally paid to shoot, any level DSLR

SEMI-PRO = regularly paid to shoot but not a full time photographer, any level DSLR

PROFESSIONAL = Full time photographer, pro-level DSLR(s)

************************************************** ********************


(Here's the original post which was agreed to be to complex. You can still use it if you like)

Thought it might be interesting to see just exactly how the forum shakes out from beginners to pros. The terms below are not intended to be definitive, just to give us all a page to land on.

NON-USER = no camera, just interested in the forum
RECREATIONAL = just for fun, never paid, point-n-shoot digital camera, little or no digital retouching experience
HOBBYIST = seldom if ever paid to shoot, entry level DSLR (300D, 350XT, etc.), 1-2 years experience shooting ‘for real’, under $750 in lenses, 10-50 shots a month on average, some digital retouching experience, little or no other equipment
AMATEUR = occasionally paid to shoot, any level DSLR, 2+ years experience as a serious photographer, under $1500 in lenses, 10-50 shots a week on average, regularly retouches photos, some other photography equipment (external flash, reflectors, stands, etc.)
SEMI-PRO = regularly paid to shoot but not a full time photographer, any level DSLR, 5+ years as a serious photographer, under $3K in lenses, camera in hand 1-3 days a week, experienced digital retoucher, hi-end monitors and computer, studio flash equipment (monolight or packs/lights), under $3K in other equipment (backgrounds, scrims, gobos, etc.)
PROFESSIONAL = Full time photographer, pro-level DSLR(s), $10k-$25k in total equipment, 1-10 years experience as a full time pro, advanced digital retoucher, dedicated digital photography workstation, in-home studio or leased space
SEASONED PRO = Full time photographer, multiple pro-level film and DSLR cameras, $25K+ in total equipment, 10+ years experience as a full time pro, advanced digital retoucher, dedicated digital photography workstation, owner/operator of a dedicated photography studio

Thanks.

[PacAce]

So, what's the difference between a recreational photographer, hobbyist and amateur? To me,they all seem to fall into the same category of non-Pro.

[Radtech1]

What about this:

Began B&W processing in garage darkroom at age 12.

First serious SLR, Canon Ftb.

Full darkroom age 18.

Sold all film equip to buy 10d two and a half years ago (soon for sale)

5000+ in equipment (5d, 70-300do, 28-135 IS, tamron 17-35)

Shoots entirely opportunistic - no paid models.

Sold shots only when approached.

Invited to hang as Guest Artist in local gallery.

If I were to describe myself, I would call it "Fine Arts Enthusiast"

Rad

[jfrancho]

This poll is complete waste of time.

[Tlee05]

i hit about 200+ on adverage each week :( but i have not got payed for any thing and i have only been doing it for a few months now, with about $900 spent on gear so far,

[jfrancho]

Maybe I was a little rude there. In what way does this information help you? What is the purpose of the classifications and on what basis were they created?

[liza]

- Have been snapping pics since childhood with the good, old Instamatic
- Became a serious enthusiast in 1986 with the purchase of my first "serious" camera
- Have participated in numerous amateur competitions and exhibits over the years and was recently invited to participate in the Midwest Photography Show, a juried competition in Central Illinois
- Assumed the duties of yearbook advisor for our local high school in 2003
- I take senior portraits for children at our school, take nearly all the yearbook photos, contribute to the local newspaper, collaborate with the company that makes our sports and senior videos, and am asked regularly to take a variety of photos, such as family and pet portraits. Recently, a local ad agency asked if I was interested in doing some work for them. I would like to eventually add weddings to the list, after gaining more experience as a second shooter.
- I'm beginning to shoot college sports and just scored a sideline media pass to all events at our area university. Hopefully, I will be able to parlay this into a paid opportunity, as they like my work they have seen thus far.
- 5K+ in equipment with no end in sight

[EoSD30fReAk]

i'm not a payed photographer and i'm doing this serieusly for 5 years now and have equipment that's worth more than 1500$ so in wich catagory would i fit ?:confused:

and i think i'm not the only one here;)

[klynam]

I'm always amazed that some people seem to find purpose in life by poking at other people.

Look - all I wanted to do was create a snapshot (i.e. poll) of the forum participants. To do so, I had to choose some words and create some definitions. I tried to to sort of qualify people without boxing in too much. I said this wasn't a definitive list and I purposely put this in the general chat section to avoid all the sticklers for detail.

As my 'ol pappy used to say: No good deed goes unpunished.

Just forget it people. I'm sure we all have better things to do than argue about this.

[jfrancho]

jfrancho - then dont participate and dont reply.So far I haven't participated. Maybe you missed my second post. I had a question. Basically, I think you need many seperate polls to accurately measure the forum membership, and cross reference that data. A greater proportion of members will not fit your sample criteria, therefore not represent the forum.

[klynam]

jfrancho

I know exactly what you're saying, but to create that kind of matrix would go beyond the scope of this forum's polling capability and my goals for the question.

BTW - I checked out your shots on smugmug. very nice work

[Pekka]

I don't fit into any category. All pros do not have studio flashes at all, very few semi pro (or even amateur on this forum) has put less than 3000 on lenses, overall the assumption that you put more money into photography means you are higher on the ladder does not work in real life. And what is the difference between "experienced digital retoucher" and "advanced digital retoucher"?

Nice idea, but should be chopped into simpler individual questions.

[klynam]

Looks like this dog just wont hunt.

Yes my error was in the "equations." Too many variables to qualify/quantify.

Thanks to all who took time to give it a shot.

[Darkhamr]

Interesting idea, but I think you need to keep it very simple. There is just too many variations and exceptions. Maybe just edit your categories like this and see what you get?





NON-USER = no camera, just interested in the forum

RECREATIONAL = just for fun, never paid, point-n-shoot digital camera

HOBBYIST = seldom if ever paid to shoot, entry level DSLR

AMATEUR = occasionally paid to shoot, any level DSLR

SEMI-PRO = regularly paid to shoot but not a full time photographer, any level DSLR

PROFESSIONAL = Full time photographer, pro-level DSLR(s)

[klynam]

Great idea - done

[tim]

When I first joined POTN one year ago, I was asking questions like "can a DSLR take video". Now, one year later, I have half a dozen weddings under my belt, another this weekend, and 4 lined up for next year. I call myself semi-pro here, I call myself a professional in the real world because otherwise customers would run away screaming ;) It's amazing what can happen in a year if you're motivated... or obsessed ;)

[schmoelzel]

I consider myself a hobbyist since I take pictures (usually of my daughter) just for enjoyment sake and to spend more quality time with her.......I definitely have too much money invested in glass but any hobby can become expensive. Hope I never get paid for this hobby because I think the 'fun' factor would be ruined!!

[Moppie]

I don't fit into any category.


Neither do I, and I don't think we're alone.

[gmaize]

Neither do I, and I don't think we're alone.

Ditto

--gmaize

[Rob612]

Reading the original post, I am an amateur for what concerns the being paid side, a pro for the timeframe I have been seriously in photography (with some breaks), and somewhere (han't made the calculations) in between a pro and a seasoned pro for the cost of my stuff.

At the end what am I ? Probably, an amateur with a lot of passion and (temporarily) deep pockets :)

[Zepher]

I now fit into the semi-pro bracket. My full time job is video production.

[Jesper]

I have a 5D, I've never been paid for a shoot (except for a watch and a free meal...), but I do have more than $1,500 in lenses. So the category that comes closest is "amateur", but I don't meet all the criteria.

[thomascanty]

I can fit into a couple categories, but I settled on Semi-Pro.

[TammieO]

I don't fit into any category. I shoot for fun only (don't get paid). But as you can see from my signature, I have lots of $$ invested in lenses and more than an entry level DSLR.

[rklepper]

Not sure where I fit. I have quite a bit in lenses. I have been taking photographs for 42 years. I take a great number of photos at events, but always give them away. Not sure any of your descriptions actually describes me. More of a blend of 3 descriptions.

[cmM]

When I first joined POTN one year ago, I was asking questions like "can a DSLR take video". Now, one year later, I have half a dozen weddings under my belt, another this weekend, and 4 lined up for next year. I call myself semi-pro here, I call myself a professional in the real world because otherwise customers would run away screaming ;) It's amazing what can happen in a year if you're motivated... or obsessed ;)

Tim, what happened to your moderator status?

[Citizensmith]

Interesting to see what % of folks consider themselves at what level. The results are probebly to be expected as the non-user/recreational will have very little interest in a photography forum, and the Pro/Seasoned Pro is really just there out of the kindness of their heart as they have little to gain.

Personally, been taking photos for 11+ years, SLR and DSLR, $1800 in lenses (forced myself to sell a few), very experienced in digital retouching and use personally built equipment for it, regularly paid (Occasionally on a per shot basis, most often on a per hour basis). Never use studios though so no need or desire for studio lights and such.

Think that makes me a Semi-Pro, so, um yeah.

[Citizensmith]

It's amazing what can happen in a year if you're motivated... or obsessed ;)

Such as run up close to 9,000 posts in a year. :)

[Carzee]

Here's a POLL:

IS this thread as informative as the recent grammar and spelling thread?

I don't think so.

[elTwitcho]

I don't have enough money in lenses and camera bodies to count as anything other than "hobbyist" apparently, hope the magazine doesn't find out and ask for their money back ;)

[thomascanty]

IS this thread as informative as the recent grammar and spelling thread?

Well, it isn't as funny as that thread. I don't think the grammar/spelling thread was all that informative, though. :)

[Carzee]

I had learnt's a lot from the POTN spelling 'thread'.