Do you call yourself a photographer?

[shniks]

Hi,
I got asked today by a stranger if I was a photographer. I answered no - and thats because my photos are not good enough yet. I will not feel comfortable saying I am a photographer until my photos look like they were taken by a pro. But what is a photographer anyway?
From the dictionary: Photographer - One who practices, or is skilled in, photography
What do you all think? Do you call yourself a photographer, regardless of your skill?

[Jesper]

Someone with a camera in his or her hand taking photographs, is a photographer. Simple...... 8)

So... someday you're going to make a great photo and then you'll think "Ok! Now I can call myself a photographer!"..... And when people ask "Are you a photographer?" you're going to say, "Yes, since I took that great photo I'm a photographer. Look at it, it clearly proves that I'm a photographer".... :roll: :)

[shniks]

Ok Jesper, I partly agree with you. But then I think - well why did that person ask me if I was a 'photographer'. What did he mean by that exactly? Is there some difference between a photographer and the average person with a camera in their hand?

[RichardtheSane]

I always say yes, and if they ask further I say I am a freelance photographer.

I say that because I would not be lying... I will do photography work if someone wants to pay me for it... and I have done some paid jobs.

THe fact I am employed full time to pay the bills is irrelevant!

[LowTechMan]

I got asked today by a stranger if I was a photographer.

He must have thought you looked and acted like a photographer. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it's probably a duck.

Say yes because it's true. :D

[Belmondo]

The proper answer is a question: "Relative to whom?"

Compare to my friend with the P&S who only takes pictures at family picnics, I'm a photographer. Compared to the vast majority of people who have achieved even modest degrees of mastery over the subject, I am not.

It's all relative.

[vfilby]

I think waiting for the 'great photo' so you can call yourself a photog. is rubbish because there will always be something wrong with the image or something that you could have done better. You are setting a goal that you will not be able to acheive.

Regards,

[Laziferous]

Hi guys!

Whenever anyone asked me that before, I would always just say "sometimes". No one has asked me lately... because I never have a camera in my hand. Heh.

That may change though. I've been doing a LOT of whitewater kayaking, and I know the pictures would be rockin' if I shot some. I'll have to trust my friends with my camera to get some shots of me too. How awesome would that be to have people over my house, see some crazy whitewater shots on my walls, and me to be able to say, "yeah, that's me going off of that 12 footer". Hell yeah.

I'd probably answer "no" if someone were to ask me if I were a photographer now... "just a guy with a bunch of photo gear".

D'OH!

[Digital Prophet]

Shniks, I get asked that very thing almost everytime that I am out shooting. Especially when I first started to visit the stables. When people ask me if I am a photographer I always answer "I'm an aspiring photographer".

To me when a person asks if you are a photographer they aren't asking if you can hitthe shutter button on a camera. They assume that the term "photographer" has an understanding of professionalism, ability and experience. Basically, to me a photographer is someone who has enough understanding of what they are doing that almost every shot they take is a keeper. Also a photographer is a person who is ready to say "yes" if the person asking offers a job.

Me? I still have a low keep to delete ratio. And I am not certain that I am ready jsut yet to say yes to a job.

- Digital Prophet -

[Lamplight]

I've had people ask me that and I always say "Just as a hobby". :)

[XXWoodmanXX]

I've had people ask me that and I always say "Just as a hobby". :)

Likewise. :)

[timmyquest]

When people ask me "are you going into photography" i look at them condescendingly and say "i think i already have..."

[Mills]

Not yet. Just say it is a hobby. Hey Laz. Good to see your words. Miss the shots though.

[Conk]

You are a photographer when you comfortably say you are a photographer. That doesn't mean you are a pro photographer. You might be an amateur. Being called pro only means you get paid, it doesn't necessarily mean you are great.

[Jesper]

Ok Jesper, I partly agree with you. But then I think - well why did that person ask me if I was a 'photographer'. What did he mean by that exactly? Is there some difference between a photographer and the average person with a camera in their hand?

It's all just a question of someone's personal interpretation of the word "photographer". We're not going to find an objective definition in this discussion...

If anyone with a camera in their hand is a photographer (what I said), it would ofcourse be silly to ask someone with a camera if (s)he is a photographer.... :roll: The person who asked probably tought of "professional photographer", for a newspaper or magazine or something like that.

[neil_r]

condescendingly

I can believe that

N

[blinking8s]

me...haha...hell no, i hate my own pictures 99% of the time

[Digital Prophet]

I agree we probably won't reach a concensus here. But like I said to me the term just has an understanded level of skill associated with it.

For instance anyone who nails two pieces of lumber together could be called a carpentar. But you know what? I wouldn't want some like me (who can in fact nail two pieces of wood together) to build an addition on to my house. I would want someone with experience, equipment and all the necessary know-how to build me something to say "yeah I'm a carpentar". Now just any schmuck with a hammer.

And until I can get to the point where I am confident that I can hit the shutter button and get a good pic 9 out of 10 times I am just some schmuck with a camera.

- Digital Prophet -

[shniks]

Thanks for all the comments. Digital Prophet - I couldn't agree with you more. You managed to articulate my thoughts on the matter perfectly.
Jesper I know there is no objective answer, thats exactly why I wanted to bring this up in the first place, to see what other people out there thought.
I think I will not call myself a photographer for a while, as mentioned above - I will not do it as I am not comfortable with it yet. Because to some people, the term photographer comes with some expected amount of skill and experience.
LowTechMan - I think the reason the person asked if I was one was because I spent 15 minutes taking shots a lorikeet at the wildlife reserve, I guess he realised I was putting a lot of effort into it.

[Cadwell]

Mmm... I know what my answer normally is, but I decided to look up some dictionary entries to clarify things...

Photographer
(n.) One who practices, or is skilled in, photography.

or

Pho`tog´ra`pher
Noun 1. photographer - someone who takes photographs professionally

or

photographer
noun {C}
a person who takes photographs, either as a job or hobby

So.. three different definitions from different dictionaries.

The "skilled" bit rules me out of definition 1, "proffesionally" rules me out of definition 2 because I've never sold a photo (although I have had people offer to buy my photographs in the past), but I guess I sneak in under definition 3.

[Claire]

I've asked myself this recently. Don't call myself photographer and not sure if I ever will. I'm just a beginner. I hardly dare calling myself an amateur. lol

[roanjohn]

But there are different types of photographers:

...........amateur, pro, collector, enthusaist and wannabe!!!.............

I'm a WANNABE!!!

YIPEE!!!

...........one day I'll be a pro............if my plan as being president of the USA doesn't work out.

:-)

Ro1

[XXWoodmanXX]

But there are different types of photographers:

...........amateur, pro, collector, enthusaist and wannabe!!!.............

I'm a WANNABE!!!

YIPEE!!!

...........one day I'll be a pro............if my plan as being president of the USA doesn't work out.

:-)

Ro1

I'd have to say, I fall in all your categories, with the exception of the label,"pro"

Now, home theater? I might call myself a "pro". Afterall, it's my job. :)

[geisha]

Ok Jesper, I partly agree with you. But then I think - well why did that person ask me if I was a 'photographer'. What did he mean by that exactly? Is there some difference between a photographer and the average person with a camera in their hand?

passion
perfection
art
:D

[theflyingkiwi]

the term is different to many people, as for me if someone asked, my response would be that I am an amateur photographer.

Then they understand that I do take photos, or try to at least, and that when I do they also understand that I am trying to unlearn what I have learned.

8)

[LowTechMan]

I agree we probably won't reach a concensus here. But like I said to me the term just has an understanded level of skill associated with it.

For instance anyone who nails two pieces of lumber together could be called a carpentar. But you know what? I wouldn't want some like me (who can in fact nail two pieces of wood together) to build an addition on to my house. I would want someone with experience, equipment and all the necessary know-how to build me something to say "yeah I'm a carpentar". Now just any schmuck with a hammer.

And until I can get to the point where I am confident that I can hit the shutter button and get a good pic 9 out of 10 times I am just some schmuck with a camera.

- Digital Prophet -

This thread really has some good food for thought.

"I am just some schmuck with a camera." That certainly takes off the pressure and self imposed expectations to some extent.......perhaps that is a good thing. It has a nice ring to it too!

If I ever get to the point where I feel the need to have business cards printed,that will be my title, "Just some schmuck with a camera" A nice ice breaker. I have a feeling that will bring some smiles. :D :D

[forrest64]

The TRUE definition of being called a PROFESSIONAL in any field is that you get paid for your services or product. One might call themselves an actor or a model but until they get paid for acting or modeling they are amateurs. Same goes for photography. If you take pictures then you are a photographer whether you are amateur or professional.

[XXWoodmanXX]

In light of your definition, I suppose I'd be called a pro. But, not in my eyes. Always a hobby, now and forever. *modest shrug* :)

[forrest64]

I guess I should clarify the phrase "get paid." I meant make a living at.

[XXWoodmanXX]

I guess I should clarify the phrase "get paid." I meant make a living at.

If by "living" you mean Top Ramen and cardboard boxes,.....then possibly. :P