Everyone's a pro nowadays.

It's an interesting phenomenon that since DSLRs became more affordable, everyone seems to be photographer now. It seems that just because you have the camera, say a Rebel, you're instantly some great photographer.

This guy I went to high school with, and now college, he has an XSi and seems to be excessively proud of his photos. They're not particularly strong images in terms of lighting and composition, and mine aren't incredible either, but it wouldn't hurt to have some humility.

I do like that cameras are more accessible to the general public, but it does bother me that suddenly everyone is so arrogant of their work. It's almost as if having the camera itself is a sort of status symbol. And in general, a lot of people are just trying to flaunt it without making art.

Sorry, this was just a little rant about how photography is changing with the advances in technology. I should take a cultural anthropology class and write a paper about this. haha.

I'm assuming most people have had a similar observation. Any thoughts?

Having a big pair will take you farther than having a strong portfolio. It's sad, but it's true. If you talk the talk and can convince others that you walk the walk, you will succeed.

Humility has no place in the conversation.

it's even more interesting when people are just hobbyists but extremely proud of their work.

i think it might also have something to do with the new generation. I'm 20 years old, and the trend i described appears to be very common in teenagers and young adults.

iwasinvertedx wrote in post #10021117
it's even more interesting when people are just hobbyists but extremely proud of their work.

i think it might also have something to do with the new generation. I'm 20 years old, and the trend i described appears to be very common in teenagers and young adults.

There is definately a sense of entitlement with some quarters of the population now days.

"I bought this gear, therefore I deserve attention and respect for the results" (regardless of the actual quality...)

But like I said, if you have the chops to convince someone else that what you've shot is worth something, then that's what matters. I'll be the very first to admit my marketing "skills" are sorely lacking and I know that if I don't push harder, I won't have much of a future!

Don't worry about it. Just go out and shoot and have fun.
Some folks have a big car and think they can drive fast now, some buy expensive guns and think they are Any Oakley, some buy big cameras and think they are Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Yup, to some degree, buying a dslr is a status symbol, but isn't it the same with certain brands of phone/computers/cars/c​lothes/watch/shoes or other consumer goods?

In the end, life is too short, go have fun.

i have similar thoughts...after a couple years i felt that my work was ok, then i went to my first critique session with people who knew what they were talking about. It certainly knocked my ego down quite a bit, but it was great advice and helped me out a ton. Then after a few more workshops and a lot more practice, I can honestly say that I am much better. My friends and neighbors like my work but it seems like now I'm more and more critical of it...can one critique their work too much?

When someone tells me that they really like a shot, i feel like saying "Yeah, well, I wanted to get better lighting here or there and I wish the colors had been a bit better" instead of "Thanks!"

I'm definitely not a pro, but I've had enough sales that they have paid off my last 2 semesters of college so I can't ask for any more than that....after I graduate I'm not sure that I want to sell any more until I get work that I'm super happy with...it just seems like I'm too timid when I show my work to people.

I believe everyone has to start somewhere. pride really depends on the person.

and beyond photography, humility is rare these days

Jaysmithphotos wrote in post #10021665
and beyond photography, humility is rare these days

nicely stated.
i was being facetious and commented on this guy's facebook status updates that were bragging about his pictures that he should be a little more humble. and he told me to F*** off. he got all defensive. it's probably more hilarious to me because i've known him since high school.

Humility and Confidence are not mutually exclusive.

I'm quite modest when it comes to what people say to me about my photography but I'm supremely confident about my abilities and not afraid to show the results.

Now, if you want to discuss Confidence Vs Arogance, that's a different animal altogether!

Huh, I guess I'm the opposite. People always ask me to do shoots for them and I decline because I don't think I can do it to their liking.

Orangegsx wrote in post #10021735
Huh, I guess I'm the opposite. People always ask me to do shoots for them and I decline because I don't think I can do it to their liking.

Why do you suppose they're asking? Maybe they like what they've seen from you...?

all I can say is that the camera and gear is a small amount of what you need to become a pro.

I have alot of gear and can shoot a good pic but where I am having problems is getting my finished product out to my customers , somthing a pro has no problems with.

many people have good gear and take good pics but do they make it past the hardrive?

I am a pro wedding dj and do many gigs a season and I almost always have better photo gear than the photogs I see at the weddings I do/.

Whats wrong with being proud of shots done with an XSi? I'd be way prouder of a nice shot shot with a Rebel than a "better" camera since it shows I have technique. Good technique and ability can be applied to any camera.

What drives me crazy aren't people who buy a DSLR and thinks it makes them a photographer, but the people who right off the bat buy a pro/pro-sumer camera and thinks it will automatics take amazing photos.

shayneyasinski wrote in post #10021745
all I can say is that the camera and gear is a small amount of what you need to become a pro.

I have alot of gear and can shoot a good pic but where I am having problems is getting my finished product out to my customers , somthing a pro has no problems with.

many people have good gear and take good pics but do they make it past the hardrive?

I am a pro wedding dj and do many gigs a season and I almost always have better photo gear than the photogs I see at the weddings I do/.

Pros don't need good gear. They just need gear that produces stuff good enough for their customers. I find hobbiests often have more expensive gear than some pros. Many hobbiest have the 70-200 f2.8 IS MKII when I know many pros that are still using the MK1. Why? Because it is good enough and gear costs money and money is hard to come buy when you make your living taking photographs. Plus, as I stated above, if you got the skills, the gear doesn't matter that much.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10021739
Why do you suppose they're asking? Maybe they like what they've seen from you...?

Hey everyone gets lucky every once in a while! I think before I shoot seriously for anyone I need to get rid of my extreme fear of portraits and flash.

I was at a wedding this past Saturday and the hired photographer had (I think) a 5D or 5DMkII, a Speedlite + Stofen Omni and a 24-70 only. His second had a Rebel with a Kit Lens only.

(Very small, intimate wedding so I'll chalk up the lens choice to the fact he didn't have to shoot from way off to one side or from the back of a church...however neither photographer had a back up camera within easy reach.)

According to the FotB, the Bride picked this young man over another more established photographer (who was also a friend) because she liked his style better.