This post was inspired in part by Patricia Ann. While her point was about how companies should judge by talent, rather than experience or degrees, I wanted to riff a little on the theme she started. Visit her blog. It's something special. For every "like" on her latest post, she will donate 100 yen to Japan.
Anyone with a digital SLR can be a photographer these days. Is this necessarily a good thing? Or is it bad? Yes, I've taken photos at a wedding for money. Yes, I've got a lot of cameras, a slide and negative scanner, and my fridge is sometimes more full of film than food. But I would hesitate to call myself a photographer. Think of it this way; if, instead of buying cards for friends on special occasions, you made cards, and once in a while someone wanted to pay you money to make them, does this suddenly make you Hallmark? Or a graphic designer? Or a copy writer? Probably not. My point is, yes, use what technology has made so freely available but make sure you acknowledge and respect people who've studied the craft, and have the degree as well as the guts to actually try to make a living on something that for you, is truly only a hobby, not a career.
Now for a complete aboutface; Natasha at Candy Pop has featured me as her Friday photographer on her blog. Thank you so much, Natasha for the feature and the kind words!
Now for a complete aboutface; Natasha at Candy Pop has featured me as her Friday photographer on her blog. Thank you so much, Natasha for the feature and the kind words!
♥ Dress is vintage from Missy's Room ♥ Shoes from Mi Piaci ♥ Belt from Glassons ♥
I SO agree with you. I love taking pictures (done a few senior pics and an engagement shoot) and fancy myself fairly good at editing, but no way jose would I ever tell someone I'm a photographer. It's just a hobby, something I enjoy, but I know that a lot of it can be chalked up to me having a nice camera and a few handy editing skills.
ReplyDeleteThis is something I've discussed (and argued) with people about before. I think some people find it sensitive. It's difficult, because unlike other fields where you have to have a degree from an accredited university and then also certification through experience and testing, there are no strict guidelines for photography. I know people who have had nightmares hiring someone who isn't a pro to shoot their weddings, yet that's how I got my start and think I do quite well by it. A couple of years I would've said I dabble in photography, but now I would call myself a photographer. Like art, I think it has little to do with whether or not one receives financial compensation, and more to do with dedication to the craft. If you were to ask me, I would say that you are a photographer. Like an artist, you are what you label yourself, or how others label you. For better or for worse. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. To make it worse, there are (wonderful) apps like Hipstamatic out there. Oh lord..
ReplyDeleteIts scarey to think that you could be hiring someone to shoot a wedding who could potentially have so little experience. I would deffinately go by word of mouth for good photographers.
ReplyDeleteYour photos here are beautiful yet again. Reminds me of autumn and spring :)
Rose
these photographs are amazinggg, atmm im experimenting with my film camera soo look out for the pics on my blog
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I think with photography, you need to have a good eye and talent. Although the latest gadgets and technology help a lot in making the final photo beautiful, it´s the person behind the camera who captures the perfect moment/details/angle to make the whole thing flawless.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteOne of the first things my lecturers rammed home when I started my degree was that nobody gives a - if you've studied photography. A photography degree looks nice on a CV but when it comes to "the industry" it means doodly squat.
ReplyDeleteWhen I graduated I decided I wanted to pursue personal projects rather than do time as a technician (which is the main way to get into commercial photography). Minimum wage, long hours and a hell of a commute is what put me off. :)
I totally see what you're saying but I have such mixed feelings about this. The definition of a professional photographer when you enter into competitions is usually someone who earns a certain percentage of their income through photography. So considering you currently earn some income through photography you are a pro whereas I am not. Skill doesn't even come into it (although you most certainly have that too!)
I think some people have a natural talent for photography and if they feel they are photographers so they are. It 's a skill sure but it can be an art too so I see it more as a state of being than a job description :)
Oh bla - I am going off on one - interesting topic, wish I could get my thoughts straight about it ;)
Happy weekend!
lovely photos ! :--)
ReplyDeleteI throughly enjoyed reading about your thoughts on photography and I agree with you. If I were to get a better camera and get beautiful results, I wouldn't consider myself a photographer.
ReplyDeleteYour feature by Candy Pop is super cute, loved all the photos....makes me wish it was sunny here in Michigan today!
Its funny because just a few days ago a lovely lady stuck up a conversation with me. She saw my SLR and asked me if I was a professional photographer and I had to laugh it off and say no haha.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I love photography but no way do I consider myself on par with a pro!
Your photos and blog are great. :). Def following.
Interesting topic - with the technology these days, anyone with an SLR can take a pretty decent photo, it doesn't seem as difficult as it once was. But I think having an interest in photography doesn't make you one.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I was at Summerset. It was freaking amazing. Still buzzing from the high of the night it was outrageous lol x
Congratulations on the feature! It was very sweet.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to read the comment you left about the Fujicolor Superia film. The beautiful blue tint it gives snowy, wintertime pictures is one of the very reasons why I love it.
Yes, I bought the hyacinth in bloom. I haven't grown anything from a bulb before either. I would like to try it, though. It seems like one of those things you'd have to be indifferent about until you actually see it growing. I'd hate to get all excited and then have nothing produce.
The dress you're wearing in these photos is a dream. It looks gorgeous with your chestnut brown shoes!
you're photos are alway so dreamy and pretty! have you ever worked with a pentax k1000? i love taking photos with mine; there's just something about photos on film that even the best photoshop software can't replicate.
ReplyDeleteI like to think I am an artist who uses photography - but like you I wouldn't call myself a photographer. I studied Fine Art, not Photography!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog :)
These pictures are BEAUTIFUL. I guessed initially that they were from tumblr or something. I loved reading the soundoff about photography here- it was fun seeing what people said!
ReplyDeletei would call you a photographer. I understand the hesitancy behind the title (like it bugs me when people who work at libraries call themselves librarians. really? does a receptionist working at the dr's office call herself a doctor, too?) but I also think it's depending on how much you dedicate yourself to the art/craft. I think you do a pretty good job at that :)
ReplyDeleteIt's tricky isn't it? I hesitate to call myself an artist. Am I? Because I don't make my main source of income from the art, can I call myself one? hmmmm....I am going to take the easy way out and agree with dear Diana above - I think she says it best! P.S. These photos are glorious! The blues and yellows!!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I can't believe the amount of event photographers who can't even keep the horizon level (it's not intentional). Even if they're blind drunk at the time of shooting, surely they can rotate during editing.
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