Hobbyist vs Pro

[hlai]

Hello Everyone,

I've been visting this fourm quite often, and decided to join the fun.

This is something I have been thinking for a while now.

What seperates a hobbyist from a pro photographer? Other than that one gets paid and does it for a living. I am more asking from an image quality difference.

Is it the difference in skills/composition/exposure? Is it the consistency of the quality of the shots? Is it the difference in the equipment and gear?

I mainly asks this to learn about how I can improve to be a pro photographer.

Your authenticity is greatly appreciaed. Thanks!

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by hlai

Hello Everyone,

Is it the difference in skills/composition/exposure? Is it the consistency of the quality of the shots? Is it the difference in the equipment and gear?

Mostly all of the above, especially photographic, business and marketing knowledge.

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by hlai

What seperates a hobbyist from a pro photographer?

To be honest, the only thing that separates a hobbyist from a professional is that the professional makes income from it. A hobbyist may even be paid but not be professional because it's not a primary source of income, just "pocket money".

The word hobbyist has nothing to do with the skill level of the photographer. You can be a professional in the technical meaning of the word but still be crap. Heck, we've been shown the horror of some "pros" in threads on this forum.

[brianxlt]

Reality speaking there is no real difference - a pro photographer is just a hobbyist who took it to the next level and is using their hobby to make money.

There are so many different pro photographers - the photo journalist, magazine photographer, freelance, wedding, and of course you have the portrait studio shooters, ect.....

Before you decide to move in to the pro ranks you must consistently deliver a quality product, market that product and yourself and most important decide what you will be shooting as some markets are far easier to enter and make a name for yourself than others.

[Niresangwa]

Pro's, by and large, work for other people, not themselves.

That in and of itself opens up an absolute myriad of other differences.

[nickbedford]

And learn to run a business