At What Point Can You Properly Call Yourself a Photographer?

[psykon99]

I was thinking some random thoughts lately (not too uncommon for me), and I got to thinking: who can - or when can you - properly call themselves[yourself] a photographer?

Obviously photographers come in different assortments: professional who make their living from photography, amateurs that do it for fun, etc. But, at what point can you truly call yourself a photographer?

Can
- Anyone with a camera?
- Anyone with a high end point and shoot?
- Anyone with a DSLR?
- Anyone who is a hobbyist/amateur?
- Anyone with a portfolio (online/flickr/print/etc)?
- Anyone who makes their living at it?

How do you define and apply the term photographer?

[xxpinballxx]

I didnt pick any since its not so cut and dry in my mind. I think a photographer is someone who thoughtfully goes about taking photos. Not a birthday party snapper but someone who puts thought into what they are shooting. its definitely not anyone with a camera! Although someone with a disposable camera can very well be a photographer.
I think a person you takes the time to learn about its rules and implements them when they are shooting is a photographer. Hobbyists are definitely going to become photographers once they get into it.....
Good question, it'll be interesting to see what others feel.

[Matthew James Norman]

Photographer
–noun
"A person who takes photographs, esp. one who practices photography professionally."

I'd agree with that. I think anyone who takes a photograph is a photographer. Yes there are differing skill levels and experiences, but a photograph is a photograph is a photograph. The art in composing a shot and getting the image right is only a certain level of photography. Maybe there should be a definition of what type of photogropher one is, e.g. casual, amateur, semi-pro, professional etc.

[carl yeomans]

I beg to differ. Just because someone can change a spark plug, doesnt mean that person is a mechanic. Just because someone can plant a flower, doesnt make that person a landscape gardener, and so on. In my mind, it takes years to reach a professional status where you have experienced all the mistakes to get to the point where you no longer make them in your field.

I can call myself a professional pannel beater because i spent years aspiring to be the best ,to the point that people ask me to show them how its done, and i make money from it.
I will never call my self a photogragher until ive reached the same status as i have in my field of work, and i make money from it.
Iam just a person who likes to take pictures, and learn from my mistakes in the process.

Regard Carl.

Originally Posted by Matthew James Norman

Photographer
–noun
"A person who takes photographs, esp. one who practices photography professionally."

I'd agree with that. I think anyone who takes a photograph is a photographer. Yes there are differing skill levels and experiences, but a photograph is a photograph is a photograph. The art in composing a shot and getting the image right is only a certain level of photography. Maybe there should be a definition of what type of photogropher one is, e.g. casual, amateur, semi-pro, professional etc.

[NJHeart2Heart]

I tend to agree with Matthew. If you see photographer grammatically, it would mean "one who photographs". It is defined in the same realm as "swimmer", "driver" and "writer", which all mean people who perform certain behaviors.
I also agree that when speaking with one another, it is important to use a qualifier to go along with the noun "photographer", if you want to define yourself at a certain level. I consider myself a hobbiest photographer, and will generally converse using "hobbiest photographer" to define my interest and experience with photography.

NJHeart2Heart Dawn

[xxpinballxx]

so a 6 year old who knocks the car into gear and moves the steering wheel into a telephone pole s considered a driver in your eyes.....LOL!
I think im on carls team!

[filemanager]

Originally Posted by xxpinballxx

I think a photographer is someone who thoughtfully goes about taking photos. Not a birthday party snapper but someone who puts thought into what they are shooting.

I agree with Pinball!!!

[carl yeomans]

Can i also add. that is the very reason i never critique other peoples pictures, unless its something ive experienced and made mistakes with. It seems that everyone with a camera these days is also a critic. Ive seen people critique other peoples pic and what they post is utter trash. go figure.

Regards Carl.

[yokolok]

i too agree with pinball...otherwise you are just a picture snapper...or a shutter clicker...

[Digidave]

so a 6 year old who knocks the car into gear and moves the steering wheel into a telephone pole s considered a driver in your eyes.....LOL!

Just food for thought here.

If the cop that arrives on the scene were to ask you who the driver of that vehicle was. How would reply?

1) There was no driver, because they didn't have a driver's license.
2) I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that nothing fits the criteria of a driver.

Likewise, If you're showing a picture to someone, & they want to know who took the picture. How would they ask?

1) Who's the amateur that took that shot? (actually, depending on the quality, this one may be used)
2) Who was the camera holder while this shot was taken?
3) Who was the DSLR owner of the camera that took this shot? Because, if it was taken with a point & shoot camera, I really don't care to know!

Just something to ponder.