Are you a Pro or Amature?

Amateur..or "hobbiest"

My sense of the words is that if I sell photos every now and then, I become "semi-pro" and if I sell lots and lots of photos I am "pro". Even if the photos are terrible.

Sorry guys. I don't mean to say that professionals are the only photographers or anything. I was just wondering how many people who have a DSLR are a professional in the sense that it is their job, career, source of income, or whatever compared to the people who work other jobs not related with the stated equipment but do it for fun. I am sure there are many hobbiest (thanks Samiad, I think that word sounds better in this sense) who are really good photographers and may even be better then some of the professionals (career photographers).

As for artists, I think that is a sub term to what I am thinking of. Some artists might make their living and career out of it and some maybe not. I mean I think of my self as an artists, many here probably think of their work as art, I think anything can be art in the eyes of the creator (like, "R. Mutt 1917").

So I don't mean anything bad about anyone here. I am just curious about other peoples reasons for getting the camera they did.

Pro=someone who does photography for a living

Semi-Pro/Advanced Amateur=Someone who has a job but makes money from photography on the side or is really good at photography but wants to keep it a hobby (once you rely on photography for a living, its not a hobby anymore)

Amateur=If you do not fit in the first two

there are many advanced amateurs on this board who are incredible photographers, maybe better than some pros.

Just because a person is technically a "professional photographer" - making a living via photography - does not necessarily mean that that person is truly a competent photographer. I would agree that any professional photographer who makes a decent living at it over a long period of time has to be able to turn out an acceptable product, at least in their specialized segment of photography. This may mean, however, that that the photographer cranks out a lot of "cookie cutter" work - the same lighting setup, no real creativity in each job, etc. A typical example would be the folks that do school photos. Definitely "professional", decent quality for the individual shots, but not very creative or requiring a lot of skill once the basics are understood.

I have seen "professionals" in many lines of work whose quality of work makes me either laugh or become disgusted, depending on how it directly affects me. I, for example, refuse to hire folks to work on smaller projects inside my home such as carpentry, drywall hanging, painting, plumbing, electrical work, etc. The reason is that I take much more care than the typical "pro" when doing all of these types of jobs and the finished job is usually much more satisfying to me. The "pro" is usually too conscious of the time spent (to make money against their quote) to do the quality job that I would do. If I would hire someone for a project that for some reason I didn't want to tackle personally, I would generally be supervising quite closely to make sure the quality of their work is up to my standards.

I really think you need to have the terms better defined:
Career photographer = someone that earns a living from photography
Paid photographer = some that earns income from photography
Photographer = a person that participates in photography

Professional photographer = a person that treats photography as an artform or a craft
Amateur photographer = a person that participates in photography casually or as a hobby

I've actually been looking at this thread with amusement. What am I? I liked the discussion on equipment doesn't make you either or, but I have to agree with those who say that this board has many advanced amateurs. I think the original poster is not used to our little sensitivities about describing what we do and if we get paid for it and if we have the right equipment. Being a member of this board and being involved, even if it's just lurking, makes a person a photographer, because he/she likes photography. But all bets are off for equipment. Some can't afford or don't care to have more expensive equipment, and you will read lots of threads on what makes a good photographer. This is the same type. Please don't take offense.

I am a semi-pro-amateur, but not a very good one yet. I get paid sometimes, usually not, but I have great gear. Camera & lenses and all other gear are tools, they don't really expose ones level of expertise or talent. Just imagine, I have a fantastic tool box filled with lots of really nice hammer, drills, etc. Does that make me a good carpenter?

Amateur...always will be...even when the day comes that I own my wish list.

as others have said, amature/pro is a matter of hobby/career. i've seen plenty of excellent amatures and my share of horrible pros (*cough* studio that takes pictures for my school *cough*). as for me, i'm an amature, but i do want to make a few bucks on the side through photography in order to pay off some of that expensive equipment i own...

Hmmm,

I would say 'semi-demi-halfcut-pro', I make a living or part of one as a photojournalist, this 'obviously' involves creative photography and creative writing.

I'm still in the position where I still love the photography, writing was a love that turned into a job and I don't get the same kick out of it as I used to.

I work with and know several 'professional' photographers who rely on photography alone to feed their weans, one common factor is that they don't fuss about dust on their CCD's, don't care about having the very latest DSLR, hae manufacturer snobbery, they are all just tools and they have no emotional attachment to them, they don't post on forums (they are too busy out earning money) and they have all pretty much lost their love of photography as a creative process which they want to constantly improve.

I don't wanna be like them

As some have said, be careful about turning a hobby into a living.

Just enjoy the photography and the learning

That's not what I am.
So I guess I am an amateur

Best regards,
Andy

What camera someone uses does not, in any way, shape, or form, determine whether someone is a pro or amateur.

With regard to most of my photography, I'm a hobbyist. I consider myself an "advancing semi-pro" when it comes to concert photography. More importantly, my clients consider me a professional.

Many have said that, if you're earning money, you're a pro, regardles of what you're using. I guess that could be true, but I go a bit further with my definition of "pro". In order to be a professional, you have to act like a professional. I've lost count of the number of photographers I've met, with high-end Nikons or Canons around their necks, who have all the personality and tact of an unflushed toilet. Conducting themselves in a professional manner is something that never crosses their minds.

I've met "pros" who use 300D, 350's, and D50's. Aside from earning some income with their cameras, they don't let what some may consider "low-end" gear to get in the way of their being "professional"...

In April when I was in DC, bumped into a nice lady who was using a 10D and she's not upgrading anytime soon. She's got photos in textbooks and magazines and she loves it. She goes all over the world taking very interesting and boring pictures and get published. Her gear is not as good as mine, but I consider her a pro. Equipment does not define a pro, thank heavens.

I am a pro.......now if I can figure out how to get the lens cap off of this Family Dollar disposable camera...............

Very much an amateur........and working my way down !

My coil windings are a sight to behold