Photography experience level

Not the most helpful set of options to choose from... I've been taking photographs for >20 years, and I think I have a reasonable mastery of the subject. So I fit category 3 ("your work isn't always perfect but ... you feel you know photography well enough to produce consistently good photographs most of the time") except for the fact that I have never made any money from my photography, and indeed have never tried to.

There are actually 3 different dimensions here:

1. experience
   
2. competence
   
3. professionalism (in the sense of being paid, not in the sense of competence)

I'm happy enough with the three options as they are given. To me, photographic professionalism is more about having the skills and experience to deliver consistent performance - to someone else's requirements - than actually making a full-time living out of photography.

No doubt. One need look no further than my daughters' latest class photos for proof of that simple fact - even if it is just preschool.

I have to say that as good of a photographer I am, and I am, my "theory" is much higher. Thanks to the plethora of reading and researching. But theory is naked without experience.

I have been a published working Pro for the last 25 years.

Mike Doran
D&W Images
www.dandwimages.com

Amateur/intermediate -- always learning.

As in,. after you shoot a super fast burst of perfectly timed shots at 8.5FPS on the MkII a deep voice in your head says "SHOOTING SPREE" echo echo echo ...

Like that?

I added my poll as amature, I am learning right now and I am planning to go next summer to pratt university to take photography lessons. I am making money right now on my photos, although I do not see them as much more then amature. I am still learning the ropes and that is what is so great about this site, I am always learning something new here.

couldn't agree with you more.. as for me, i'm an amature who knows how to use my camera.. and I have been paid to shoot.. Doesn't make me a pro. I constantly feel like i'm coming up short of my own expectations..

sari

Well... I was going to go for the middle option but I know that I produce consistent results and get paid $$$ for my work so that plonks me in the third option. This is a little misleading as I don't consider myself any more than an advanced amateur when it comes down to it, it's not like I make the majority of my income from photography yet. If I do end up doing that, it'll be next year before I find out.

i rate it on deepdown confidence, the more confident you are, without your ego talking that is, then the better you are, confidence grows on experience.

where do i fit in? 10 yrs pro, images published every week.... sometimes I'm the master, other times I'm the amatuer. All times I'm good though

I would have to agree that there is a paradox between the "Level of Experience" with Photography, and the "Professional exposure/success" one can acquire.

As far as Experience Level, my Father in law -for example-, has spent the last thirty years traveling the world, and walking around with a camera. He takes some of the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen. I have no record of him ever getting paid to take a photo. Yet his expertice level with a Film Camera (He is in the process of converting to Digital, he's been 'waiting' for the perfect DSLR) is incredible, and composition is an instinct.

On the Professional level, I have other press photographers come to events I attend to, with MkIIs with the 18-55 lens on it, no hood, and standing almost directly against the sun. I often cannot believe they work for more money than I get.

This thread though is pretty useful, if you read the criteria that was used to classify each one of the three available options. Just my thoughts.

I asked my dog. He gave me three licks and a tail wag. Dogs are so easy to please.

The people that matter, the ones that buy my photos, think I'm top notch. I look at the imperfections and think about how much I need to improve. I believe I get a little better every time I go out.

What was the question? Oh, yeah, novice-grade semi-pro.

This poll is flaw in it discription as someone have already said before. The dividing line between a pro and an amature is the very fact that a Pro makes their living in shooting photo its not a matter of experience or quality of the photos they take. For example, little Miss Kitty during her summer recess takes photos at the entry on the Six Flag Park. In turn Six Flag paids her a salary. But when school starts she does not work. Now she is classified as a Professional Photographer when she is working and a Stundent when she is not. How good is she??? It doesn't matter.

Now an amature is someone who enjoys taking picture and takes pride in their work but have no interest in making money from doing so. I believe ther are a lot of us here that fits into this category and possibly better then most individual who classified themself as being a professional (not the ones here at POTN). I have witness these so call pros at work and they have no idea what they are doing and how to use their equipment. Amatuer does not mean we do care enough to be the best. Just not looking at it as a means to survive.

Agreed.