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Are you a professional or an amateur photographer?

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Sounds to me like your wife has you whipped. That's why you came to us for support. My advice is tell her you're the boss and you'll describe yourself to her communist friends any way you like. Her remark is in ape terms "a dominance display," an attempt to establish dominance over you. The correct ape response (we are apes) is to "discipline" her. And I'm not talking about a time-out.

Let us know you you do.

Zidar
Alaska
--
It's not about stuff.
http://www.pbase.com/zidar
 
I'm in a similar situation to you. I've had an artistic drive all my life, that has variously taken form as a painter, furniture maker, videographer, and photographer, but I'm a physician as my carreer. I've been a photographer for almost 30 years, and have recently turned it into a side-business, basically making enough to upgrade my cameras, lenses, printers, etc. I've gotten more word of mouth business after marketing some work and doing a few art shows, and now am doing some commercial landscape shooting for a marketing firm. While certainly less stressful and more creative than practicing medicine, I'd hate to become a pro photographer, as then I'd have to shoot things that I have no interest in, and when I don't feel creative. I wouldn't assume that just because someone is a fulltime pro, that they're actually artistically gifted. I've seen work from a number of 'pros' that, while techinally proficient, lacked artistic merit, and was barely better than a well-exposed snapshot. Don't get too stuck in labels. I like the distinction 'photographer' mentioned above, rather than 'pro' or 'amateur'.
-David
Ninad said:
I have been auditing this forum for the last 2-3 months to see the
quality of the information/ advice given to all aspects of
photography, but mainly the technical issues. The information in
most case that been quite accurate, upto date and informative
although quite subjective with a bit of attitude at times.
I was just curious what your photographic backgrounds were and if
you were professional photographers or not. First, let me say that
I don't think you have to be "professional" to give good or
accurate advice.
Second, what is the exact definition of "professional
photographer"? For instance, I am a surgeon who is passionate about
photography and have been lucky enough to be able to sell my work,
to the point that I have been able to purchase all my camera
equipment and even my studio from the sales. Now, I don't have a
business license, no training certificate nor do I depend on my
photo sales for my living. So am I strictly an amateur? If I got a
business license would that change?
Third, does saying you're professional make you an expert or does
it obligate you to some standard. Recently, someone here claimed
they were a professional and then proceeded to describe a situation
that obviously was a basic mistake on the poster's part. He got
pretty "compact flashed" by the group here, mainly because he
started his thread by saying he was a professional. If he has said
nothing or said he was an amateur, would he have been only "memory
sticked" and been able to survive his injuries?

This thread is our chance to connect your screen name to your
background...don't worry we won't "compact flash" you for saying
you are or are not a professional.......at least not yet ;)!
--
Ninad
...resistance is futile...
http://www.ninadartworks.com
Click to expand...
 
You don't need to qualify yourself as amatuer or professional when you say you took an image.

If the picture is of "professional quality", then great.
Ninad said:
The other day my wife introduced me to a couple of new friends she
had made in our neighborhood and the topic got around to the nice
photos we had hanging on some of our walls. Since the photos they
were referring to were mine I made the statement that I had taken
them and that I was also a photographer. After the guests had left,
my wife nicely suggested that I should not tell people that I was a
photograpgher because it suggested that I was a "professional"
photographer. She felt that I should always qualify that I am an
amateur photographer. I disagree...what do you guys think?
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
 
I am lucky enough to be published regularly in a national magaizine of very high stature. But.... I know roughly 30% of what there is to know about the technical end of digital photography.

I probably have a better then average eye for 'the frame' and composition. I also have perserverance and some savyness about the industry and most important of all - industry contacts, these go along long way to being published at least. Professional? only when I'm on assignment.
Ninad said:
I have been auditing this forum for the last 2-3 months to see the
quality of the information/ advice given to all aspects of
photography, but mainly the technical issues. The information in
most case that been quite accurate, upto date and informative
although quite subjective with a bit of attitude at times.
I was just curious what your photographic backgrounds were and if
you were professional photographers or not. First, let me say that
I don't think you have to be "professional" to give good or
accurate advice.
Second, what is the exact definition of "professional
photographer"? For instance, I am a surgeon who is passionate about
photography and have been lucky enough to be able to sell my work,
to the point that I have been able to purchase all my camera
equipment and even my studio from the sales. Now, I don't have a
business license, no training certificate nor do I depend on my
photo sales for my living. So am I strictly an amateur? If I got a
business license would that change?
Third, does saying you're professional make you an expert or does
it obligate you to some standard. Recently, someone here claimed
they were a professional and then proceeded to describe a situation
that obviously was a basic mistake on the poster's part. He got
pretty "compact flashed" by the group here, mainly because he
started his thread by saying he was a professional. If he has said
nothing or said he was an amateur, would he have been only "memory
sticked" and been able to survive his injuries?

This thread is our chance to connect your screen name to your
background...don't worry we won't "compact flash" you for saying
you are or are not a professional.......at least not yet ;)!
--
Ninad
...resistance is futile...
http://www.ninadartworks.com
Click to expand...
--
Not taking life too seriously.
'The French: They're Always There When They Need You'
http://www.pbase.com/march1/root
 
Well, it could be classified like sports,
if you get paid to do it, your a pro, if not amateur.
Ninad said:
I have been auditing this forum for the last 2-3 months to see the
quality of the information/ advice given to all aspects of
photography, but mainly the technical issues. The information in
most case that been quite accurate, upto date and informative
although quite subjective with a bit of attitude at times.
I was just curious what your photographic backgrounds were and if
you were professional photographers or not. First, let me say that
I don't think you have to be "professional" to give good or
accurate advice.
Second, what is the exact definition of "professional
photographer"? For instance, I am a surgeon who is passionate about
photography and have been lucky enough to be able to sell my work,
to the point that I have been able to purchase all my camera
equipment and even my studio from the sales. Now, I don't have a
business license, no training certificate nor do I depend on my
photo sales for my living. So am I strictly an amateur? If I got a
business license would that change?
Third, does saying you're professional make you an expert or does
it obligate you to some standard. Recently, someone here claimed
they were a professional and then proceeded to describe a situation
that obviously was a basic mistake on the poster's part. He got
pretty "compact flashed" by the group here, mainly because he
started his thread by saying he was a professional. If he has said
nothing or said he was an amateur, would he have been only "memory
sticked" and been able to survive his injuries?

This thread is our chance to connect your screen name to your
background...don't worry we won't "compact flash" you for saying
you are or are not a professional.......at least not yet ;)!
--
Ninad
...resistance is futile...
http://www.ninadartworks.com
Click to expand...
 
Sorry, I can't give good technical advice. My tech IQ is about 2 . . . and I'm just a lowly amateur.

But, I love photography.

http://www.pbase.com/tomrok

--
Tom
Photography – you gotta love it. All kinds of flavors and enough
for everyone. :-)
 
zidar wrote:

Sounds to me like your wife has you whipped. That's why you came to us for support. My advice is tell her you're the boss and you'll describe yourself to her communist friends any way you like. Her remark is in ape terms "a dominance display," an attempt to establish dominance over you. The correct ape response (we are apes) is to "discipline" her. And I'm not talking about a time-out.

zidar,

So how long have you had this animosity against women? I assume aren't married, otherwise you wouldn't make such comments lightly. My wife is my best friend and I respect her view and opinions but I don't have agree with them. Part of being married means sharing and being honest with one another not dominating each other. Having said that, I told my wife that I would have to spank her into submission....she went for it...she's gotten tried of me playing doctor. Thanks for the idea...

BTW,

I'm an amateur surgeon...with very professional instuments...so I must be good, right? ;)

--
Ninad
...resistance is futile...
http://www.ninadartworks.com
 
Icypeak,

Glad to me you...so do you have the same problem of time constraints I do? I also have 2 young kids and that makes getting out for a "shoot" nearly impossible. I do most of my post processing between 11 and 1 am.
Keep shooting...

--
Ninad
...resistance is futile...
http://www.ninadartworks.com
 
Tomrok said:
Sorry, I can't give good technical advice. My tech IQ is about 2 .
. . and I'm just a lowly amateur.

But, I love photography.
Click to expand...
...and you take great photos too. that would mean being a great photographer is a no brainer! How are you going to deal with the technology involved with the digital medium?
 
Ninad said:
Tomrok said:
Sorry, I can't give good technical advice. My tech IQ is about 2 .
. . and I'm just a lowly amateur.

But, I love photography.
Click to expand...
...and you take great photos too. that would mean being a great
photographer is a no brainer! How are you going to deal with the
technology involved with the digital medium?
Click to expand...
Nobody ever accused me of being smart. Maybe I'm an idiot savant.

Ignore that last statement. I have enough wits about me to know I'm just kidding.

How will I deal with the technnology involved with the digital medium? Somehow I manage to get by. I don't know how I know what I know, but I know what I need to know. :-)

BTW, you are very good (as a photographer) yourself. I'll be back to visit when I have more time (slow connection, too).
--
Tom
Photography – you gotta love it. All kinds of flavors and enough
for everyone. :-)
 
Sounds familiar. We don't have kids, just dogs and cats, but I do most of my photo work very early or late, and used to wake up my wife with the table saw and router running in the basement at 5am, with me swearing up a blue streak thru my respirator mask, when I was in my furniture-making phase ;-) I don't yell and scream nearly as much with photography. Luckily, I live close to many world-class scenic areas in Utah and Wyoming, so don't have to travel very far for scenic photography.
-David
Ninad said:
Icypeak,

Glad to me you...so do you have the same problem of time
constraints I do? I also have 2 young kids and that makes getting
out for a "shoot" nearly impossible. I do most of my post
processing between 11 and 1 am.
Keep shooting...

--
Ninad
...resistance is futile...
http://www.ninadartworks.com
Click to expand...
 
I want to make sure I thank the folks here who have been willing to share THEIR technical knowledge. They have been a GREAT help to a technically-challenged person like me!

Thanks to all for sharing!
--
Tom
Photography – you gotta love it. All kinds of flavors and enough
for everyone. :-)
 
I am a student. Due to graduate in a bit, I have been getting more serious about photography over the last year. The main outlet for my photos is my web page, http://tjclark.ath.cx/ , and from there my pics end up on my friends' pages. Far from being annoyed about it as a professional might be, it brings me great joy to see my work used and appreciated this way.

 
If Ninad could buy all his gear and a studio selling his work, you must be able to buy a small island selling yours.
 
Ninad said:
Second, what is the exact definition of "professional
photographer"?
Click to expand...
Profession means by definition, the trade you ply to make your living. You're a professional surgeon as opposed to a back alley hack.
Ninad said:
For instance, I am a surgeon who is passionate about
photography and have been lucky enough to be able to sell my work,
to the point that I have been able to purchase all my camera
equipment and even my studio from the sales. Now, I don't have a
business license, no training certificate nor do I depend on my
photo sales for my living. So am I strictly an amateur? If I got a
business license would that change?
Click to expand...
No, but the income is taxable according to the IRS.
Ninad said:
Third, does saying you're professional make you an expert or does
it obligate you to some standard.
Click to expand...
Nope! Why? Photography has no standards per se. It seems only to be what sells that sets the standards.
Ninad said:
This thread is our chance to connect your screen name to your
background...don't worry we won't "compact flash" you for saying
you are or are not a professional.......at least not yet ;)!
Click to expand...
I have a degree in professional photography. I've shot for pay; weddings and environmental portraits. But I'm neither a professional, nor an amature. What am I then? I'm an ar-tist:-)

I have a job that treats me fiscally very well. It too allows me to buy all the equipment of my choosing. Which is cool:-) But I don't sell my work. I don't show my work in competitions and I don't hire myself out for pay, photographically speaking. What do I do with the images I create. I place them in a portfolio and when I have time, show them to my customers and I give my customers any of my extra prints. I also have the images framed and place them on the walls about the home.

I'm currently using the D30 and am holding out, as it's working just fine, for the next model so as to do panoramics with. I may have to breakdown and get the 10D as I might not be able to hold out for much longer but then again when the pest control season kicks into high gear, I barely have time to get off a shot.

Here's the image I picked up from the frame shop today.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1401902

Here's the next image I'll have framed next when I get the first one paid off in a couple of weeks.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1401923

If you have a day job, bewary of making money with the hobby. When you make money with it, it becomes a job and then you won't be able to relax from your day job cause you'll be too busy with your second job:-)
 
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