Leonard Nimoy

[RSL]

I disagree.  Anyone with a camera in their hands can take pictures, but that doesn't make them a photographer.  Of course then we devolve into a 'what is art' conversation!    

Mike.

Mike, You have to know I agree with you on that point, but, as I said, "Just ask them."

Here's another point I'm sure you've witnessed yourself: Many years ago I entered a photograph in a contest being run up in the mountains around here. It's so long ago I don't even remember the name of the town where it was held. My third son -- then just a kid -- had shot what I thought was a very good photograph with his box camera. I helped him print it in my darkroom (now long gone), and mat it. He put it in the contest and won a prize. When the jury pinned the ribbon on my son's picture, another guy who hadn't won anything became quite irate. He told the judges that there was no way a kid with a box camera deserved a prize when he, with his thousands of dollars worth of equipment, hadn't won anything. I'm happy to say I managed to avoid rolling on the ground laughing, though it was difficult. I get the same reaction when someone who's a celebrity picks up a camera, shoots some pictures, and is feted for his ability as a photographer. In the end, what you said applies.

[bill t.]

"A photographer is a person who takes a photograph using a camera. A professional photographer uses photography to make a living whilst an amateur photographer does not earn a living and typically takes photographs for pleasure and to record an event, place or person for future enjoyment."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographer

Guess that excludes unpleasant or unenjoyable photographs for you amateurs, sorry!

And clearly the author of that never met any of the legions of professional photographers who aren't quite making a living.

But some other definitions want to apply "photographer" to pros only.

[Rob C]

"A photographer is a person who takes a photograph using a camera. A professional photographer uses photography to make a living whilst an amateur photographer does not earn a living and typically takes photographs for pleasure and to record an event, place or person for future enjoyment."




Interesting that 'an amateur photographer dos not earn a living and typically takes photographs for pleasure'. Seems they are all unemployed, then, and came into the world with silver spoons firmly gnashed between their teeth.

Like the idea...

Rob C

[wolfnowl]

Since this thread had gotten a little sidetracked into 'celebrity photographers', I came across a link on Jeff Revell's site to the photography site of Tipper Gore (Al Gore's wife).  I must say, she has a pretty good eye!

Tipper Gore Photography

Mike.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I agree. Thanks for pointing it out, Mike.

[Rob C]

Since this thread had gotten a little sidetracked into 'celebrity photographers', I came across a link on Jeff Revell's site to the photography site of Tipper Gore (Al Gore's wife).  I must say, she has a pretty good eye!

Tipper Gore Photography

Mike.

Thanks for the link; one surprising thing: with that eye, how could she end up married to a politician - any politician? Maybe she sees what I can't.

Rob C

[DanLehman]

Interesting that 'an amateur photographer dos not earn a living and typically takes photographs for pleasure'.

No pain, no gain.

 

[RSL]

Interesting that 'an amateur photographer dos not earn a living and typically takes photographs for pleasure. Seems they are all unemployed, then, and came into the world with silver spoons firmly gnashed between their teeth.

Rob, I'm sure you're aware that "amateur" comes from Latin: "Amator," lover. And that's exactly what the original meaning of amateur was. Unfortunately the word has been corrupted to include the connotation "novice," which is a long, long way from being universally true. As far as silver spoons are concerned, I certainly never had one, and I'm proud to be considered an amateur. I sell prints but I sure don't make a living doing it, so there's no way I could consider myself a "professional."

[Rob C]

Guess the web ain't no place for humour, then...

I shall giggle at funny statements by myself.

Rob C

[JeffKohn]

I must confess I missed what Rob was talking about first time around, and had to read more carefully. I think he was commenting on the fact that the quote said "an amateur photographer does not earn a living" rather than "an amateur photographer does not earn a living from photography", thus implying that amateur photographers don't make a living at any job.

[Rob C]

I must confess I missed what Rob was talking about first time around, and had to read more carefully. I think he was commenting on the fact that the quote said "an amateur photographer does not earn a living" rather than "an amateur photographer does not earn a living from photography", thus implying that amateur photographers don't make a living at any job.

Thanks, Jeff; I thought for a moment that I had taken another walk on the slow side...


Rob C

[RSL]

Rob, No, you were fast enough. I missed it too. Guess I was the slow one.