What makes you a photographer?

[radical7]

Help me out here, I've been pondering this to no avail. I was wondering what is a photographer? Or more precisely what makes you

[Every monkey with a DSLR think he's a photographer] is true and [Every artist was first an amateur] is true.....

So what defines a person as a photographer? Does having a brush and palette make me a painter? Here's what I had thought of so far:

- Photographer is a self assigned title, so anybody can be a photographer if they say so.... but are they really? If this is so do you ascribe the term when you have acceptable photographs?

- Photographer is an assigned title, if people like your work, they make you a photographer.... but what about making photographs for the self? Vivian Maier never put her work out there and she was a photographer. But what about up and coming photographers that do not do good work now but will... aren't they photographers?

Is it when your photographs are good enough? When you have enough reputation? But what defines "good enough"? The self or other people? What about the artist's intent if it's other people?

Is the term photographer too vague? Should there be something in front of it to describe someone?
- Hello I'm an amateur photographer
- Hello I'm a professional photographer
But wouldn't that makes it sound like amateurs cannot do great work (Vivian Maier again)? Is it fair to categorize photographers between those making money and not when they produce art? van gogh only sold one painting...but he was a professional painter...

What do you think? What the heck makes you a photographer? Do you even consider yourself a photographer? Do you feel like you are faking it when you call yourself a photographer?

[back alley]

the hair on my chinny chin chin...

[radical7]

Ansel??? Ansel Adams is that you?

[Dektol Dan]

A person who make a records of weddings.

[gb hill]

A photographer is someone who takes photographs...period. What level of photographer a person is is a different topic.

[radical7]

Originally Posted by gb hill

A photographer is someone who takes photographs...period. What level of photographer a person is is a different topic.

So would a 5 year old with a P&S be a photographer by your definition?

[dave lackey]

When one is contemplating one's belly button about what makes a photographer, then, many opportunities are missed that could define one as a photographer.

Seriously. It is nothing to spend much thought on... just get to work shooting and you will know.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by radical7

So would a 5 year old with a P&S be a photographer by your definition?

My 3-year old grandson used my Nikon F3 and S3 2000 for a book that I put together about children as photographers...so, the answer would be "yes".

Since then (age 7), he uses ipods, my DSLRs, my Leica X1, and every other camera than may be in my bag when he is with me when we are out shooting. He is quite good, actually.

[gb hill]

Originally Posted by radical7

So would a 5 year old with a P&S be a photographer by your definition?

yes I would. Why would you not think so?

[radical7]

I was only pondering the question, I don't really know the answer , I do tend to think too much. gb hill, is grandma with the occasional point and shoot also a photographer?

[I Love Film]

What about the monkeys with DSLRs that are FINE ART photographers?

[back alley]

they would be monkeytogs...

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by back alley

they would be monkeytogs...

[fstops]

Who's a photographer

Someone who has photographed on a regular basis for at least five years. Knows all the basic technical stuff such as exposure, ISO, focusing etc. knows post-processing with darkroom/photoshop or similar software and has put together at least one book or a series of photos with a singular theme - or has a portfolio of images with a consistent subject matter, style or aesthetic.


Good or bad is not the issue, the issue is commitment to photography and the physical and mental effort to improve.

[flip]

Your photographerness is

proportional to the product of megapixels x lens price if you shoot using an SLR,

proportional to the inverse of megapixels x time spent on developing and talking gear if RF,

proportional to the weight of your gear for MF and FF,

not something you think about if shooting a compact.

[Godfrey]

Yes. No.



Elf
"Ask not of the Elves for they will answer both yes and no."

[gb hill]

Originally Posted by radical7

I was only pondering the question, I don't really know the answer , I do tend to think too much. gb hill, is grandma with the occasional point and shoot also a photographer?

If you haven't guessed my answer by my other answer then yes you are thinking too much. I adjure you to grab your camera, relax your mind, & go out & be a photographer. Don't forget to post them in the gallery.

[charjohncarter]

I've been in a dry spell for a year (illness) but I still try, but you have to have that push to get a good image. I'm getting a little down because I don't think I've taken a good shot for 12 months. Still, I consider myself a photographer just a little off my game right now.

I think developing a style is what separates a snap shooter and a photographer. By developing a style, to me, means exposing, developing and printing the same basic way every time. Unless you are at a party.

[zuiko85]

Anyone can check all my postings in many forums. Not once have i ever said I'm a photographer.



"Do you know me? I'm not really a photographer but I pretend to be one on internet forums."

[seakayaker1]

I am.

My daughter is.

My better half is not.

I wish you luck on your journey.

[DNG]

When I am out making photographs, or at home working on photographs, or when I am thinking about what photographic project I want to work on next, or when I am chatting in the many photography forums I engage in, or reading photography blogs about inspiring projects they blogged about.

[icebear]

Originally Posted by back alley

they would be monkeytogs...

ROFL ... one of the best ever !

[farlymac]

Well, photographer really is a technical term/title. Such as, when a photo is being critiqued, someone will state what they think "the photographer" was thinking or doing at the moment. In that instance, photographer can be considered a temporary title.

However, to call oneself "a photographer", infers that the person considers photography as their main focus in work/life (no pun intended), whether they do it professionally, or as an amateur (another technical term, refering to someone who does something for no monetary gain, or on a temporary basis, or is in training).

Still, anyone who points a camera at a scene, and records same on whatever medium they are using, is "the photographer" of record. Whether they are "a photographer" remains open to interpretation. Just ask the good folks in Spain whether they consider the elderly lady who was only helping out, "an art restorer".

PF

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Anyone that does photography is a photographer. The word is a description of what someone does, not the quality of their work.

[it'sawhat?]

hey monkeytogs are photographers too. Seriously as far as I'm concered if you can operate a camera and do you are a photographer. However this begs the question of are you any good at it. i'm willing to admit to being fairly bad by most standards but I'm doing it for my own amusement and pleasure.