definition of a photographer

[tikal]

i see there are always discussions arise about people photography, weather or not they should become or even call themselves professional.

what is your definition of a photographer?? is it the artistic person shooting on shoe string budget? is it the guy that goes to location with all the latest and greatest gadgets? is it the person who is in the studio where he controls lighting, background, every pose and yet still needs photo shop to fix his photos? is it that guy trying to shoot some celeb looking like hell coming out of a bar at 2am?

i have seen nice photos from all kinds of photographers as well as ones i would have thrown away, but i look at them and see what i do and dont like to learn from each and try to apply to my photos.

is this industry just filled with ego maniacs who need a constant pat on the back that feel they should be the only professional out there??

[Ambrosia76]

It is someone with a camera in their hand. Whether they are good or not remains to be seen.

[metallion58]

Let's try to keep this simple.

Photographer: someone who use a camera.
Amateur Photographer: someone who use the camera for the love of it.
Professional Photographer: someone who gets paid for using the camera.
Best Photographer: someone who combines the previous two.

All those categories have sub-categories ranging from clueless to visionary.
I think that sums it up.

[SwissJon]

photographer (adj) - Someone with a camera
Photographer(n) - someone with a camera who sets out to create something more than just a snapshot
professional (adj) -someone who earns money from photography
Professional(n) -as above, but is actually quite good at it.

[Pinellas Guy]

It also depends who you are photographing/selling to.

Many snapshoters don't know a good portrait photograph. I live near the beach and beach portrait photography is very popular. Go on Craigslist here and so many photographers are on there. They call themselves professional and yet their ocean horizon is at a tilt.

Do I make photographs that are portraits and not snapshots which are framed in someone's living room, yes. Can I make improvements on this said photograph, yes. Can another photographer do a better job at it, yes Are they happy, yes. Did I charge for it, yes. Did I charge enough for it, no. Did I have fun at it and want to create the best photo, yes.

I don't like calling myself a professional photographer because it's not my day job. Like many friends/relatives they think my shots are the best. As soon as you start charging, their views change...

I think to call yourself a "Professional" you have to make a living wage at it. Account for the camera, session time, editing time, and all other incidental expenses. It does not have to be your "day job" but you should still be paid decently for it. You probably should have a name registered, pay your local business tax, have insurance, report your income to IRS, charge/remit sales tax. Calling yourself "Professional" and not having done everything you are required to, is not very responsible of you. Being professional means being responsible -IMO

[andyw]

Definition of a photographer - Someone who takes photographs. Simple as that really.

Now if you want to talk about good or bad photographers then that is something else but at the end of the day it is just a tag.

Not worth bothering about in the big scheme of things.

[JFSanders]

+1 Jon. Words and definition have real consequences when it comes to communicating our thoughts and intent.

The "problem" that is continually discussed in the chit chat forum about what is a photographer is an effect of the degradation of the written language rules and definitions of words. We have relative morality to thank for this damage. Look it up.

Jim

[nickbedford]

I'm sorry, but another one of these threads?

[Izzy]

A monkey with a camera

[private]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

photographer (adj) - Someone with a camera
Photographer(n) - someone with a camera who sets out to create something more than just a snapshot
professional (adj) -someone who earns money from photography
Professional(n) -as above, but is actually quite good at it.

Agreed - except a professional also pays his/her taxes and is 100% legal. There are too many who call themselves professional and don't follow the rules...