master photographer?!?

[Bigbitt8706]

i'm sorry if there has already been a post on this, but how does one become a master photographer? is there a school you go too, or do you just have to do really well in competions? does it come with stronger force powers and a new green lightsaber? any help would be greatly appreciated

[Q-bert]

You must draw a square within a circle, put 4 gold candles at each corner, find a pure white goat.

Oh, never mind, that's something totally different. :oops: :D

[Permagrin]

no I think it's more like shaving your head (except for an apprentice lock) and hanging out with a dude in a long robe for several sequels...


no wait...

[Dennis_Hammer]

You are a Master photography when everyone you think is a Master calls you one.

[craiglee]

paypal me $500 and i'll get you your certificate.

[tim]

You join the recognised national association, get your qualification, then follow their process to get to master level. This usually involves competitions and print judging.

To see what we do in New Zealand try look here (http://www.nzipp.org.nz/index.cfm/1,230,0,0,html/Q-Programme).

[aram535]

AFAIK, it is totally am arbitrary title that doesn't mean anything outside of the community that it was given in.

In most cases, some photographer groups hand them out as a honorary titles to old time photographers so they can claim that they people are associated with their group. The rest of the people have to pay a yearly fee, submit photos and after X many years of getting Y reviews they'll give you that title.

[airfrogusmc]

I donno if PPA still has their program but they used to have something that was like a big photo contest. Ya get enough blue ribbons and take photos like the other "masters" for long enough and win enough contest you to can be a master.

You can get a Masters Degree and a Masters of Fine Arts from a school that offers it. That usually takes a B/A (4 years) and then 2 more for a Masters and some more for an MFA.

[LW Dail]

But, what an idea I've just had!

Imagine 30 photgraphers on a golf course on the same day.

They all have the same camera and the same gear.

They go out in fours, and each can only take one photo at a time.

Each shot is immediately judged and scored and the totals tallied.

At the end of the day, the "Master" photographer gets a green jacket!

Hey, this is not a bad idea...!

I think I'll add this to the competitons area and see what happens!

[PhotosGuy]

the "Master" photographer gets a green jacket! That let's me out. I hate green jackets! They go out in fours, Maybe one shot would be required to be taken while on all fours? ...and a new green lightsaber? Great idea! If it does, I might reconsider joining the association. I already have the hand held light meter!
(One guy asked in a thread if a meter would make him look more professhionl? Yes, he misspelled it.) :D

[Bob_A]

Google can be your friend :) PPA has a "degree" called Master of Photography.

http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=168

Similar to craiglee, I'll give you a Master Photographer certificate for $500 (from the Bob A Institute of Nonsence), but for an additional $50 you can add "with distinction" to the title. For a lesser price you can get an Awesome Photographer or Happy Snapper certificate.

[golfecho]

But, what an idea I've just had!

Imagine 30 photgraphers on a golf course on the same day.

They all have the same camera and the same gear.

They go out in fours, and each can only take one photo at a time.

Each shot is immediately judged and scored and the totals tallied.

At the end of the day, the "Master" photographer gets a green jacket!

Hey, this is not a bad idea...!

I think I'll add this to the competitons area and see what happens!

Does each photographer get to bring someone along to carry his gear . . .?

[airfrogusmc]

Google can be your friend :) PPA has a "degree" called Master of Photography.

http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=168

Similar to craiglee, I'll give you a Master Photographer certificate for $500 (from the Bob A Institute of Nonsence), but for an additional $50 you can add "with distinction" to the title. For a lesser price you can get an Awesome Photographer or Happy Snapper certificate.

Exactly...

When I first got out of school I worked for a guy that was a PPA "MASTER" and he couldn't expose a good neg to save his life. I used to do custom printing for the guy and his negs were always as dense as a china plate.

[*Mike*]

I don't think I've ever met a client that cared about certification... But, the PPA does offer several levels. More than anything, it helps you within the industry... networking, speaking, etc.

That said, I'd like to think that anyone claiming to be a professional is at least capable of passing the PPA's certification exam (even if they never actually take it.) Here's a link to their sample questions - CPP Sample (http://certifiedphotographer.com/sample-test-items.html)

For the record, I'm not certified... haven't seen it as worth the investment.

[tim]

My mentor is a master of photography, awarded by the NZIPP, the national society of professional photographers. He's fantastic at what he does. He's also the head of the NZIPP in Wellington. He'll be the NZ wedding photographer of the year one year before too long. THAT is how you get international recognition and go the the top of your field.