I'll tweak that statement a tad by saying, secure people encourage others. They don't try to knock them down. The Photography world is full of egocentric people who seem to have a need for superiority over others.
To me the only difference between a "professional" and an "amateur" or "hobbyist" is whether or not you get paid. None of those labels determine if you are good or bad.
Photography is low entry and a huge part is showing up at the right time and having a sense of composition. That's why it's not like it can be compared to any craft people need diplomas for. Thus it's just a lottery who gets a paid job or who even wants to earn money doing it.
I went to a car show a few weeks ago and met a bunch of photographers there, everyone was really nice and helpful except 1 guy that critiqued my entire kit. He kept telling me I need to upgrade to a full frame sensor because my camera is essentially trash and he would never use it. I told him I've never made a dime on photography and I'm just a hobbyist and he said the reason I don't make money is because of my gear. I thought that stuff was reserved for the RUclips comments section but oh well. I just love going out to take/make photos. The other people I met there gave me some great tips for photographing cars and trucks which helped me out immensely.
I assume people like that are projecting their own insecurity and/or tribalism. What matters is you enjoy your camera and it's working for you, whether it's your cell phone, M43, APS-C, FF, MF, or whatever.
@@hanns1401 exactly! I don't remember her name off the top of my head but the last who was the director of photography for the ny times put out some of the most incredible pictures with her cell phone. I loved talking to the other photographers at that show, it's always a great time when you can bounce ideas off of each other and everyone appreciates our privilege of being able to take part in a wonderful pasttime
Moving forward, when someone starts acting foolish, ask them to show you their work. I guarantee you that the guy you spoke with is a horrible photographer.
In a parallel universe you soon realise that Gordon Ramsey, Curtis Stone or Jamie Oliver are not the only cooks on the planet. Plenty of mums and dads serving up wonderful food using an ordinary oven or frypan.
Half the time it's the cheap restaurants that give me more enjoyable food than the fancy ones.. Or, you make it yourself, for yourself, just the way you like it.
@@DrJRaven öhm, not to put shade on your wife, not at all. My Mother and also my Girlfriend both also create wonderful food. But my Brother is an actual chef, and as someone who worked a few months in a professional kitchen myself (as in preparing and serving food to paying customers), let me tell you that there is a reason why not many women work in kitchens of restaurants: It's actual bone crushing work. A lot of stress and a lot of work. Doing something good once a day, and doing something good hours and hours every day are two different pairs of shoes ;)
Interestingly while currently linguistically 'amateur' can be seen as 'low quality' or 'un serious', etymologically it comes from the word 'amare' or to love. Meaning that originally the word was used to describe someone who does the craft for the love of it rather than to feed oneself.
its still used that way .words still have meaning even though americans choose to ignore it , a whole comment section arguing about how each one interprets the word WHEN THE WORD HAS ALREADY A SET MEANING THATS WHY ITS A WORD
@@kwdwn Meanings change over time as well as new meanings get added to words. The dictionary is DEscriptive not PERscriptive meaning it is meant to tell you how people are using a word and not tell you how you're meant to use a word. But something I've never understood is, where is the line between someone is using a word wrong and that word changing in meaning?
@@definingslawek4731 if you can get your hands on the book GARNER'S MODERN ENGLISH USAGE, you'll find there's actually a five stage model (that he uses, at least) to describe how a word changes from "an error" to "accepted." Definitely not worth purchasing the book unless you're an editor or something, but just saying there's a whole body of research behind it. Ultimately it comes down to popularity. When more people think it's right than wrong, a specific usage is here to stay. 😂
I picked up a camera again about six months ago after not touching one for 10 years. I have two kids in elementary school. In my six months, I have gotten some decent architecture and street shots. But by far, my favorite pictures are those of my kids. If all I ever do is take good pictures of my children as they grow up, that will be enough.
I'm an Olympus user and I've went to local photography group events where I sort of get shunned because micro 4/3 is inferior to them. I avoid those people.
I _wish_ I could afford a 4/3 Olympus body and lenses, and can't wait for another decade to pass so I can afford one. In the meantime, I'm quite enjoying myself shooting and experimenting with 15-20 y.o. fixed lens bridge cameras with small sensors. Way more fun than using my "phone" 🤷
So real, I wouldnt mind doing some gigs here and there to pay for equipment (fancy new toys lol) and I would love to shoot the bands I like but I would never do it as a primary source of income
Over 40 years earning my living [professional photographer] never had a bad day I have enjoyed every moment. So while you are going to the office or working at a factory. I was taking pictures. On my days off with my family I was taking photographs. Who had the better life.
I tried to do professional work for awhile but I had to stop for exactly this reason. Afterwards I had to take a year long break from photography before I found any passion for it again
I’ve been a photographer for 30ish years. Sometimes I get paid, but usually it’s just me doing what I want and having no followers to give a shit because I’m an old man now and no one gives a shit what old men are up to. Anyway, I’ve been through the times where I’ve judged others, then thankfully matured to understand every photographer has something to offer, and we should always encourage each other. I look back at some of my old images I thought were crap because it was just me taking a silly snap to test a lens or something, and I am immediately brought back to a forgotten moment that meant a lot to me for some reason. Then I think “shit, I need to be more in the moment like this” and I wish I had done more of that instead of aiming for technical perfection or the adoration of critics.
I still use my 5D from 2005 from time to time, and it still takes awesome pictures, and you don't need to worry about it as much if it gets harmed. I love my fancy new camera, but in the end, I can hardly tell the pictures apart if I do my job well. It's just a little more challenging to use, which is also good for teaching.
I'm remembering my good friend spending an entire day in the darkroom working on ONE negative, dodging and burning, using numerous sheets of good photo paper to finally get the image the way he wanted it. This was 1972. The lesson he left me with was this...."only two things matter when shooting pictures...framing and exposure." Today's phones and digital cameras do a fantastic job of the exposure part, although the cameras have a pretty high learning curve if you venture into the manual settings. Ansel Adams was famous for his patience. He would put the camera on a tripod, frame the scene, and wait for the light to change, sometimes for days.
@@richardvallonjr.6716 My understanding is that she also developed her own film and prints. She was a nanny in NYC and would do this in her bathroom. Her later work, I don't know - it may have been undeveloped and been processed only years later and after her death.
Agreed. I've always said, 'Pro' does not mean better. There are several well known 'Pros' whose work and vision is far worse than many skilled 'amateurs' I have seen. Some people go pro without fully learning the craft whereas, there are so many people who don't earn money from photography but have been mastering the art for decades. Now, someone who is a classed as a master photographer, who has won awards and teaches others for instance, is another matter entirely but...saying that, often my fave photos are from people just documenting life and not caring about likes because its real and in the moment..
THANK YOU! I completely agree. Some people love my photos. Some don't, but to look at them years later and remember the love and joy surrounding the event means everything. The moment probably won't be back.
A great photo is any photo that fulfills the purpose for which the photographer intended. The purpose could be to capture a moment important to you. It could be to make money. It could be to get praise on social media. It could be simply to satisfy your need to take photos. And you can only criticize someone else's photos once you fully understand the intended purpose for that photo.
I'm a dad photographer and proud. Competition over the community. We can all rise together. If someone has to put someone down to make themselves feel better: it's sad. I hope they find true healing in a way that doesn't have to hurt others.
I love this so much. My core group of people tell me that I should be calling myself a professional photographer and I stop them and say that I am a journeyman photographer. I am always learning and always growing. The journey is what I am about not the word that someone wants to associate with what I do.
I told my wife I didn’t feel like a “professional” photographer and she pointed out I enjoy it and get paid for it. Not sure that makes me a professional but I’ll take that definition. All my favorite shots I’ve never been paid for tho. Doesn’t make them any less my favorite.
A professional does photography as a profession(makes money off of it), an amateur does photography because they love it, they are not mutually exclusive.
@@utahnlthe word you're looking for is "hobbyist", not amateur. All amateur (non-moneymaking) photographers are hobbyists. "Professional" equates to money making in a commercial sense. You can be a professional and still be a hobbyist. It can be a side job. You can have a full-time photography job, and shoot things outside of your paid work for your own enjoyment.
Tony Northrup made the comment that the difference between a professional photographer and an amateur is that the former has to get an acceptable image, whereas the amateur may not. But the amateur may be producing generally better more original work. Or comment like that.
I've just discovered your channel today with this video. I have to say i'm very lucky that for once RUclips algorythm did a good job. That's a great topic to share with us. This is a conversation i have with a lot of people / close friend and it's not always easy to explain what make a "great photographer" not based only on followers. In particular nowadays where social network is a huge part of our life and lot of person use this scale has validation. Most of photographers i love (aside well known historical photographers) are often peoples that have a great eyes and love for photography, and spend more time outside doing what they loves instead of build huge fanbase or debate about whatever best gears is. Honestly, the Vivian Mayer example is a good one. Sry for my crappy english, is not my native language. I'm so glad to have found your channel.
I love that you let your nephew use your camera, I am an amateur photographer and I am privileged enough to have spare cameras and lenses available, I handed a 20D and 17-85mm lens to my 7 yr old niece, a couple of seconds of tuition, look through there, press this and she was off. She got straight down on the floor, laid out and took one of the nicest photos of our dog under the table, she was so excited to be using a real camera, running around pointing the camera at everyone and everything. I hope I have encouraged another photographer later in life.
I think you are absolutely correct. I am a dad, grandpa and semi pro photographer who helps out my daughter on occasion as a second shooter and I don’t give a crap what anybody thinks about my photography or the camera equipment I own.
A couple years ago I got my first camera that my friend gave me, a canon eos3. I always wanted to take pictures and after learning how to shoot film I couldn’t stop, I took pictures of everything and took it wherever I went, I fell in love with photography. I later got my hands on a Nikon N60 and had a blast using it as my primary camera. Less than a year ago I got my first digital camera, a Sony a6400 I wanted something nice but nothing crazy, I got it new and did make a horrible financial decision but I could care less I love the camera and take it everywhere. I rarely ever upload my pictures to social media or anything but I love sharing them with friends. Throughout the entire time I’ve been doing photography especially in the later half I’ve had so many people ask and tell me that I should do it professionally but I just like taking the pictures for me and the people around me. I have photo books filled with all my film pictures and every time I look at them I can’t help but smile, as much as I want to do photography as a “professional” and make money off of it, I don’t want it to kill my love of photography and start looking at it as a job and something I HAVE to do, I just wanna take pictures.
Thank you for this video. I am a retiree who shoots landscapes. A long time ago Elliot Porter got me interested in this genre. I don't share them with anyone. It is about the joy of connecting to my environment and capturing the moment. Put am camera in my hand and I am happy.
I've loved photography for over 20 years now, and ultimately it's really just for me. I haven't posted my work on Instagram or anywhere else in around 10 years now haha, and frankly I haven't felt motivated to truly edit my photos for maybe just as long... Which is maybe a separate issue, potentially around burnout and loss of drive, as editing used to be one of my favorite things. But now I've got thousands and thousands of photos from my trips and hikes and everyday life that I hope to one day edit and share, but if that doesn't happen I still enjoy going back and looking at them myself. And while I have done some paid work here and there for friends and family, mostly events (weddings, family sessions, headshots, etc.), I don't want to make photography my career. It has and probably will always be a passion of mine, and it just brings me joy capturing those moments and memories... That feeling of nailing an awesome shot or creating art. Now I won't lie and say I don't also enjoy the gear aspect and have GAS sometimes haha, but it's typically for $200 lenses or vintage glass to adapt, and that is also just a lot of fun for me to explore and experiment with as another aspect of the photographic process. I think the rise of youtube gear reviewers, influencer street photographers, etc., has kind of changed the game the last ~5 years and brought some of that trendy hypebeast culture to photography. Which is not necessarily a bad thing as it allows more people to find and get into it, but like you said it also leads to a lot of elitism and pretension, consumerism/materialism, tribalism, and a propensity for technicality over creativity. Anyways, an interesting topic and video! I really like your commentary and discussions.
Thank you. I went back to film. Cause I wanted to learn the chemistry more than taking the photos. Cause taking the photo was easier on digital. And I found out I’m a better darkroom printer than a picture taker.
One way of looking at it is this: Many of the now historic photographs that were taken decades ago, ordinary street scenes, photographs of people, relations or complete strangers, many of which were seen as ordinary and noting special are now considered as a rich and important source and are of historical value. I think many of the ‘Ma and Pa/amateur’ could well fall into the same category as those in the future.
When i started back somewhere in 2018-2020, I watched a lot of youtube to learn as much as possible. Especially in 2020 i worked close with someone who was in miss Norway and had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed every aspect of what i was doing. From editing to shooting to just talking about photography! But i felt all the videos i watched were all about how to get the clearest and sharpest and most high quality picture, I have thrown away so many good pictures due to a bit of noise or motion blur, that i now love and I'm currently working on editing. Stuff that I now realize only adds to the pictures. I have started posting again on social media, not to specifically get a lot of views but to hopefully make it into a job someday, and I feel like caring less about the "quality" of my pictures have really woken up my love for photography again, as I had a 3 year long break where I only photographed every now and then, feeling extremely discouraged due to the equipment I had. Only thing I care about now is maybe getting different lenses for different styles not because I feel like I need it to show what I want to show or what I can do.
I never cared about being known for my photographs, I even hate being the guy that is known around his friends as the photographer because when I have my camera I wanna look at something, realize how special or beautiful that thing is and capture it with my camera, but pretty much capture it with my eyes first. It is a nice feeling to show someone a picture I took of them and see how happy they get seeing that picture, but I mostly really care about capturing it in my eyes and photographing it so it can be a memory for someone down the line.
a term professional photographer is just what is implied - you do it as a job. whether you're a certified photographer or not, that's based on your education in the field.
Yeah that’s how I’ve been treating the term. After seeing my photos, people ask if I’m a professional and I answer hobbyist since I don’t do this for a living.
I know a bunch of legit pros that still use 10 year old dslrs. I used a 5dii up until 4 years ago. I still use glass from the 90's...i get weird looks from these kids with kits that cost 5 times what I'm using. Some of these people grill me and i feel like i have to tell them my accomplishments for them to say it's ok for me to use what i use lmao. I don't even do it professionally anymore. I love photography much more just doing it for myself. I don't miss weddings one bit lol
I use 10 year old a6000 for almost a decade now and most of the time i use my phone's camera. I know what you mean when people who just started photography 2-3 years ago only thinks you need an A7mk4 or canon R5 to take good photos when in reality you don't. I have seen people like you before and i know the photos you take with that old gear are on whole different level to what people who are starting out with their shiny sony A7s. I have more respect for people who use older gear because they know how to use it to their advantage from one's who only think you need the latest and greatest.
@@ルカ写真撮影I can hardly tell a difference in the photos from my 5D from 2005 and mirrorless from 2019.. one just takes more skill to use effectively. But slowing down and thinking it's a good thing, too. Or forcing you to use a tripod when you probably should be, but are using crazy iso because you kind of can these days - to the lament of fine image quality.
2:58 Spot On! I have been in this ego-driven profession since 1980, and my most fond memories of this art is when it was not a source of income, but for the pure joy of photography. To this day I see work from amateurs that outclass anything that I could have ever done.
Thank you for putting this out into the RUclips-verse. It is a very positive viewpoint and a good reminder for us to continue to take photographs for ourselves.
Amen! I was quite taken aback with your video. It was as if I was looking in a mirror and seeing myself speaking. I totally agree with everything you said! A Professional Photographer once told me that amateur photographers often take better photographs than do professionals. The difference is that a professional photographer has to take great photos to get the job done. An amateur only has himself to please. I spent 25+ years as a part-time professional. Now I am an amateur. Money ruined Photography for me. When I went back to being an amateur, I regained my love of Photography. I only have to please myself.
The term amateur photographer came about when photography was first invented and people that were highly knowledgeable, as knowledgeable as professionals (people who were paid to take portraits at the time), experimented with the medium and the various materials they could print on. I loved reading the early history of photography because it changed my perspective about the word amateur and made me more comfortable being called one :) I think just like you said, for some reason the word is used in a negative connotation today and people mock those who are not deemed “professional”
Just rewatched this episode/clip and I'm so glad you made it. Totally agree and at this stage in my photographical journey I actively have said no to working at assignments. Mostly because I don't need that added stress in my life, already working a full time job, and that it doesn't really makes me happy. I've always enjoyed the casual part of documenting the life around me. Nerding out on some photo technique to broaden my tool bag and always being able to get a shot that I feel is important for me. I admire my friends that took the professional route, mostly because I know how much work they have to put in, and I'm also sure that isn't for me. But one thing I've to do is making more portriats of my friends..stage portraits that is. It will be a nice challenge and hopefully it will bring some joy to them as well.
It's so much fun opeing up the eyes of others to photography and making it more enjoyable AND helping someone who just getting started that're hungry to shoot and shoot everything they see can be a reminder to do the same and still be as curious about the world as the first time I picked up a camera. This was/is such a great video and subject to talk about!
My main complaint is a review on line of a piece of equipment clearly designed for enthusiasts is trashed by people saying it’s junk because it doesn’t cost five thousand dollars. There are many good lens, and bodies that can be purchased from major companies at consumer prices. The vast majority shoot family photos on cell phones. I tell people on line whatever you use to make images if it pleases you that’s all that matters. Be happy and enjoy your camera.
If this video was on Yelp, I would give it a full five stars. Having shot "professionally" for over 25 years, my general impression of the (far too) many "professional photographers" on RUclips and TikTok, etc. is that they make the majority of their income from video ad revenue, hocking LUTs, and making deals with camera companies to "influence" purchasing. I have many friends who are "amateurs," and they take photos that make my jaw drop! Thanks for the truthful assessment of the industry!
You hit the nail on the head with this one. I have had many hobbies over my lifetime, but none in which I have seen so much criticism of others. The level of gatekeeping is beyond measure. We can all learn no matter what skill level we are at, and we can all pay it forward to others just getting started. I don't think all the greats from the days before internet sought so much approval of others, they took photos because something in them said they had to. And I am pretty sure Lightroom was not around to doctor every image.
Pro photographers consistently deliver the images clients need. A job well done. Every time. Amateurs are usually into pleasing images, and luck. Nothing wrong with that. Photography can be a wonderful and rewarding hobby ... why bother with what pros do for a living... 😊
@@sonofoneintheuniverse I’m not a pro and photographed 5 weddings,no complaints,photographed motorsport,mainly motocross for some of the best riders in Europe all over Europe and for the biggest teams in Britain….consistently,every time,job well done as you say….For me the term “PRO” is banded around far too loosely in photography….you can find an amateur to do what a lot of pro’s can do quite easily in photography….there are a lot of bad “PRO PHOTOGRAPHERS” out there…..
@@sonofoneintheuniversePros rely a lot on luck too. Every one of them deletes tons of images. A lot of them play the volume game. If you want to find a pro photographer for weddings, for instance, give them two rolls of film and that’s it. See how many good photos they give you. Digital and unlimited shots make anyone a pro nowadays.
Im an archaeologist. I photograph artifacts with scale bars and interesting features. My photography is fit for purpose, the purpose being documentation. Its fun to try and get the right shot so i can explain my research better to others
Honestly I don't know how I ended up on professional photography youtube, and so far things were putting a bad taste in my mouth, but this video has relieved some of that and inspired me a bit. I think photography is so interesting as an art form, and i love just taking photos on my phone. I was more into trying to do art with it as a tween, but as someone who is a painter and digital artist I started to aim for taking clear personal reference photos more than trying to make art of the moments themselves. Seeing your example photos while you were speaking on how much photography can mean to the individuals really started to make me rethink it. It also reminded me of a photo album i have from my great great grandfather, all from the 30s and 40s and taken apparently all by the same person (a great uncle who was a teenager and young adult at the time). They're really playful and fun, some candid, some posed, and plenty of annoyed faces that say "really? another one? put the camera down!" It's pretty magical to see all these years later. No one in the photos is still alive, but they're right there, as lively as ever. I dunno, I appreciate this video for giving me a bit more inspiration to capture what's important to me
Honestly this is why I’ve stopped interacting with most photography groups on social media. If I’m just out shooting some prime therapy it’s not the point that I use the “correct” lens’s or “professional” settings.
I've been told to start an Instagram so many times, yet I still haven't done it. I take pictures primarily for myself, and while it's flattering that people want me to share them and see them, it's not really what it's about for me. Thanks for making this video. You helped clear up some thoughts about this!
I've been a beginner and made a living from photography. I've been formally trained, published, blah blah blah. One thing I have learned is a good eye is a good eye and that can be anybody regardless of camera, education or titles people give themselves. I am and always will be just a "Photographer" taking pictures of whatever catches my eye. Any add on labels don't mean anything, never did!
Great sentiment. I have thought about this a lot lately when I see people shitting on film photographers, like the endless "film doesn't make your images special" or "I used to shoot film, never going back to it" like, dang man just let people enjoy what they enjoy. And I absolutely agree a lot of pictures made by amateurs will in the long run matter more than a lot of commercial ones. Not all, in either category, obviously.
Great video and a reminder to just get out and shoot and not worry about whether it will work in social media or here or there, just shoot for the enjoyment. This is why I still like blogs. I can post any and all images and it’s more about shooting and sharing the work than it is the likes it receives, great video, much appreciated
Im doing photography as a hobby. I can't afford a camera just yet (and i don't think its worth the money right now) so i just decided to make the best photos with my phone that I can just to prove a point. If it goes somewhere, cool. If not, also cool. Same for my YT channel
I've been a professional photographer for nearly 20 years. My favourite photos are of my kids i took on my phone. I've captured these great moments in life that are awesome. They're not the sharpest or highest resolution but they're brilliant. Everyone loves them. Last few years ive made a photo book for my wife of the year. They make you laugh and cry.
Thankyou.. People ask me why I bother with a YT channel , I point out that it is just a creative space for me enjoy my work. Nothing else. If I had to keep up a channel just to stay monetized the joy would be gone.
Thank you for sharing this. Such an inspiration! I love photography. I’m not a pro, but I enjoy being creative and expressing what speaks to me. I also enjoy sharing what I’ve learned and that’s why I started my channel.
This video showed up as recommended a few days ago. I've never watched a video of yours before, so I was hesitant, thinking the title was just click-bait. I'm glad I finally broke down and watched it. You are right on the money. Side note, I already subscribe to One Month Two Cameras, so that may be how the algorithm got me.
i'm in a facebook group for beginners photography and the amount of comments that harshly criticize an amateur photographer and do not provide any helpful advice or critiques and discourage them from pursuing a professional career is devastating to me. people is constantly reminding each other that its a beginner's group and to reel it in.
Those negative comments come from photographers who are just past new and think they know everything but haven't realized they don't know anything. Dunning Krueger Effect.
I've been shooting for over 25 years, professionally and for just my hobby/love of it. I could not agree with you on your points in this video more. Excellent content mate. New follower here. 👍👍👍👍
I've been shooting film and digital for the past 40+ years. I come from a family of pros, that was their craft and their livelihood. I chose a different profession and still have shot a lot, develop at home, but it's just my hobby. I only share my work with my loved ones and that's it. No IG, no RUclips or anything else. Photography for me is just mental therapy, peace and enjoyment. That's it
I’m an artist an and a photographer. I took it up as a hobby while I was in the army. A professional photographer who was in my unit taught me the basics, I bought a used SLR with a couple of lenses.and we went out for a photo day. I practice everything he taught me. I went to our hobby lab on post and learned to develop film. I really immersed myself into. I got good enough that I got a position as a photographer for our Division’s Public Affairs Office. I thought I knew what I was doing when I got there. I didn’t know half of what I thought I did. But I learned. Both as a photographer and a darkroom technician. After all half of photography is done in post, and this was in the Neolithic film era before digital photography and Photoshop. I wasn’t school trained as a photographer but became our primary photographer for the Division. I think the fact I wasn’t trained was perhaps a plus because I didn’t have all the rules of photography to hold me back. I already knew composition as a painter. Photography was another way to create an image. Though my work was good enough but not great. We had something that each year every photographer and military journalist and military publication tried out for, it is the Keith L. Ware, award, the Army version of the Pulitzer Prize. My boss said get your best work and send it in. I did. We all did in our office. I didn’t expect to win it and didn’t. After all there is a lot of competition, there’s a few thousand people trying for this award . The following year I put in for it again, then Desert Storm happened, and we went to war. I wanted a real Politzer Prize winning photograph of the war. But I got stuck driving the Public Affairs Officer around. After the war I got out of the Army, shortly after I received a large envelope from the Public Affairs Office. In it was my Keith L.Ware Award. I did it but it was for my second year working there, I initially thought it was for my war photos. It wasn’t. When I take a photo I think will this look good on the wall. If the answer is no I work on making it worth putting up. That’s hard to do when you’re trying to work fast doing photojournalism. I still don’t think I’m a great photographer, but a good one. Some of the guys I worked with were school trained, but they didn’t seem to care, it was just a job for them. I developed their photos as well as my own. I did my best to make their photos great, I took pride in my work as a darkroom technician. In the past from what I know is a lot of professional photographers didn’t develop their own film. But the had a good darkroom technician make their work look great. There’s more to photography than just taking a picture. It’s everything else that follows. Being a professional doesn’t make you a good photographer, having a good eye and a love for the art does.
This is it right here. As a news photographer myself it’s so fun to interact with other photographers because they’re passionate, and in my book passionate is more meaningful than pushing knowledge and standards. Photography is photography, credentials be damned
Vivian Maier came to my mind as soon as I started watching your vid. I personally think it all comes down to this need where we have to have our identity wrapped up into something. Sucky part is… some people let others’ need to identify themselves through something to make them feel better about themselves…discourages them. Amateur versus professional.
I like your attitude! Amateurs are not encumbered by the rules, regulations, requirements, schedules, or demands placed upon Professionals. Amateurs are free to pursue their work as they see fit and have only to please themselves with their results. This freedom allows the Amateur a level of creativity seldom afforded the Professional in the pursuit of their creative processes. They work in the moment with a pristine connection to the environment they find themselves a part of in the moment. Being a viable part of this environment enables the Amateur to experience things that others can not see or feel. This connection enables the Amateur to become a co-Creator with the Creative Powers that be.
You’re right, even with 10 year on photography, I really never take it seriously, I love this hobby, I have two cameras and one of them I got it second hand, and film cameras that I got second hand as well. I try to upgrade my work every chance I have, I love practicing, for what? Just because 🤷🏽♀️ I don’t like to post it on instagram because I feel like I’m going to become addicted to the comments or likes, as if o want someone to notice. I post it on vsco, I find great inspiration from others and I can check my progress on my own photography. Thanks for making this video 🤙🏼
As an amateur, I often get asked if I post my photos on Instagram; I don't. I take photos of what interests me and because I love the art of photography. I don't care what arrogant scumbag thinks on Instagram nor am I looking for likes on Instagram.
I get that feeling entirely. I do post online but if I only get a few likes of people I personally know I am happy for it. The experience matters more as well as sharing with fellow people sharing the passion.
I have several bad memories of people being rotten to me for no reason. I'm just out shooting while on vacation and they approach me to begin insulting my gear or technique. Even had them invade my personal space and look through my viewfinder! So I appreciate this video. Thanks.
I consider myself a fan of Ali from OMTC. She may appear to some to be a Mom photographer, but she has photography in her blood in a way most of us can only dream of. I'm not a Mom & Dad photographer simply because I don't have children or other relatives to photograph - I'm an amateur photographer for sure though. With my professional work (non photography related) demanding more and more of me, I don't get to photograph as much as I'd like to. But, every couple of months I volunteer as a concert photographer at a recurring event documenting the entire 6-7 hours long event (no pit - just moving around within the crowd). It's something I always look forward to, and I get to document memories for both myself and complete strangers. I have no doubt some people will have problems with my photos, but that's fine. I'll continue to create them for myself and the strangers - it's not like there is a lot of love coming my way in other ways, so why should photography be any different...
Excellent editorial. I completely agree with you. This is why I describe myself always an amateur. I'm having fun. To me there is a thrill of the instant 'getting the shot'. As an 'amateur' I can shoot what I want, when I want. I don't need to impress a client
Been photographing for 20+ now and it still excites me to this day. Im doing pro event work (its a steady pay) but a lot of amateur work as well. Whenever I travel I shoot photo AND video. I use a crop for that type of work and its so much fun. I’ve gotten a ton of budget lenses and started playing around with it. I try to give my amateur video productions somewhat of a cinematic feel. Also, I share a lot of my video work on youtube. Im quite proud of it but I never really intended it for a large group of people or getting a huge following. These are memories for me and im fine with it.
When you mentioned the great photographers who are technically "amateurs" at the beginning of the video, Vivian Maier came up to my mind instantly. She is an historical gem (of many, many other unknown "amateur" photographers that we will never know about).
I love doing amateur sports photography as an amateur myself. I’m sure professional sports would be cool but these photos mean so much to the parents and kids
6:31 I think "One Month Two Cameras" is great - her enthusiasm is what makes that channel. Usually, if she reviews a camera I use or have used, what she says will give me some new perspective, and if say I think she has missed a good feature or strong point I'll just recommend she tries it, and she always takes my feedback well.
A lot of interesting thoughts here. One of the most interesting bits of feedback I ever received on my own work was that it was "lifeless". This person elaborated that it wasn't that they found the images boring or dull, but rather that I distinctly had a consistent lack of any literal human presence in any of my photography. And I've thought about it on and off for years after the fact, because I think it reflects something in how I see and interact with the world. Mainly, that I go through life pretty much always alone, that I fundamentally feel very alone even though I have people around me all the time. I feel more of an identity and connection with the built environment and natural phenomenon than I do with actual people. And when you asked how I'd feel about photographing my favorite musical artist or my firstborn, a bit of me felt kind of sad because honestly, I'm not sure I'll ever have that kind of genuine, loving relationship with my own family, or another person enough to start a family of my own. I digress. To your point on Maier, I agree there is absolutely a sort of "halo effect" going on with a lot of the more famous photographers. The "greats" and "masters" have their work elevated so much, it almost feels like parody. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely see what many others see in their work; but I feel that often times a lot of that gets replicated pretty readily by so many "amateurs" who've had a lot of time to practice and cultivate their talent, although they'll probably never get signal-boosted the way many of these "masters" (many of whom rose to the top because of very specific industry connections, not raw talent alone), did. I think it's fine to think highly of their work, but I'd caution against putting those "masters" on a pedestal just the same.
100% agree. I am just an armature photographer that got in the trap of "I need the best gear and that will make me better" or "how do I get more likes from internet strangers" only to realize my best and most meaningful images were taken with an old Kodak wind and shoot film disposable on top of the twin towers in NYC back in 1996 or some cheap camera I bought 25 years ago and took images of my family. I love landscape photography but I only do it for myself and if someone comments on a photo I have hanging in my house I am happy with that.
I agree with your perspective I've been an amateur photographer for years and I've enjoyed every moment. I like that I don't feel pressured to capture the perfect shot. Like an amateur athlete, you love the sport and enjoy all the effort and time you put in, but you may never earn a penny doing it and that's okay.
Just for fun... I have been a hobby photographer for over 50 years (yeah, I'm ancient!) started with film - and processed my own Colour & B/W photos back in the day - fell in love with digital in the early 2000's and finally started editing RAW a couple of years ago. Never wished to make money, get famous, whatever. Just enjoy taking pictures of things that please my eye. Maybe that is why I've not stopped? I do watch a couple of 'pro' 'tubers, who, incidentally, have targeted the amatuer and manage to do a great job of sharing tips without looking down on us plebs. Loved this video, thanks for making it, great respect from this grandad photographer! ETA: You got another subscriber, just because of this!
@the_rat_run Whippersnapper! Actually, we may be close, and I'm also a granddad. I still have some photos I took with the family Box Brownie when the circus came to town in the late 1950s. They're in an envelope from the long defunct camera shop in my home town. I developed black and white film and printed in the darkroom in the 60s, but never colour. Nowadays I'm mostly digital, but still shoot film occasionally... I'm not sure why this video came up in my suggestions, but Dee is spot on and I'll be back!
Couldn't agree more with your sentiments, Dee, and so appreciate your respect for amateur photographers and the value of their contribution to photography. Back in 1983, I started my journey with photography as a "teenage snapshooter" dreaming of becoming a "pro" one day. When I started a family, I became a "dad photog", I guess. Now that my kids are grown up, I've become a - what will that be: a "cat photog"? The truth is I've stopped trying to emulate professional photographers and regard them as the be-all and end-all of photography for quite a while now. If people need to put me in their boxes and drawers, if they feel this inner need to put me down just because I'm a "mere" amateur, because I'm "just" shooting Pentax, haven't "upgraded" to mirrorless, am not using that "superior" F0.9 lens or moose eye detection AF, haven't "returned" to film or whatnot, let them go on their rants, I try not to care anymore. Sometimes I succeed in that, sometimes I don't, but I do notice that I am happiest with my photography when I ignore them, do what I enjoy, and go where my creativity leads me.
Dee Spot on, i fell in love with photography capturing my family and travels, but at one point i felt i needed to monitize it because if you're decent at something why not make money from it, but trying do that, i was doing photoshoots that didn't mean anything to me and mainly for social media for a following. i believe your best work is created when it means something to you and you're passionate about it. i now just shoot with Xpro 3 and older lenses because i love the fact not everything is about perfection or being tack sharp and the eye in focus but capturing a moment i think is important to me. i love shooting with the xpro 3 so much i just ordered an xpro 2 graphite, cant take money to the grave, might as well use it to enjoy what brings you joy.
I have been full-time pro, part-time pro and total amateur. Can honestly say being a pro did not make me any better and when I was a pro I had more work than I can handle. I just don't do it professionally anymoe because I earn more and have better benefits doing something else. (I'm a senior consultant at a software company).
I know a lot of great photographers who started out as dadshots or momshots. We all have to start somewhere, and there is no reason to knock those willing to put forth the effort to try and become better at anything in life, not just photography. Finding a passion that brings you joy makes those who have become jaded within photography envyous.
Couldnt agree more with this video. Im a professional photographer in that people pay a lot of money for one of my images BUT I think of myself as an amateure photographer. My work is very flawed and I make up for that in ideas and post production. I remember talking to a mum at school who took amazing photos. I remember her being so shocked when I told her I thought she was a better photographer than me. Anyone who is critical of other people trying and enjoying themselves making images is in a sad place. To everyone taking photos carry on making what you love.
Well said. I think those who put down others are insecure about their own skills or are threatened by other photographers. Putting others down is how they build their own ego and try to limit competition. I think no matter how skilled we become as photographers, we need to remember that there was a time when we were starting out too.
I picked up a Fujica ST801 for a steal on eBay last year, and shooting it has been great! Just went and shot some model train dioramas last weekend, can't wait to see how they turn out
I can’t remember where or who said this saying/thought, but has resonated with me ever since. As we are all human, we look to other like minded creatives and do the worst thing to ourselves. We compare our work with theirs. The notation that we will never be “good enough” to be like person A, B, etc. However, we are all different steps in our lives with different experiences. And that the only person that we ultimately should compare ourselves to is who you were yesterday. Did you grow? Did a new thought process come to you? How does that influence you creatively? Seeing your work progress through out your lifetime is an interesting self reflection. Photography is my outlet after the 9-5 job. I’m a dad photographer. But love the process of seeing light in my own way. Sure I took classes at my local community college years ago, but that is to do one thing. Make my photography better than yesterday me. Have those like minded artists help look at your work if you want and learn. As always Dee Rosa, a thought provoking conversation. Thank you.
The distinction between "amateur" and "professional" in relation to photography is irrational and irrelevant because there is no such thing as a "professional photographer"; it is a colloquial appropriation applied to many industries that is incorrect in the first instance. A "profession" is defined as a trade or industry that is governed by a body that sets legally enforceable rules and standards for the trade or industry and applies an entry qualification for a person to conduct business within that trade or industry; see lawyer, accountant, architect, medical practitioner, etc. A "professional" is a person who is legally entitled to conduct any such trade or industry by its governing body. Photography does not require participation in any such form of governance; one does not need to be a member of the Royal Photographic Society in order to sell images for example. Equally, we do not describe someone who paints as a "professional artist". Consequently, we are all just "photographers" where the appropriate distinction is "commercial" photographer for someone who earns their living from photography. Sub-divisions between sports, wedding, journalist, etc remain relevant because they distinguish the nature of photography in which an individual predominantly makes images.
I totally agree with this. I am in high school right now about to be a senior and I have been photographing since freshman year. I've done sports to events and recenty did a photo shoot for a friends clothing brand. My friends always wonder like why do you shoot x and x sport. I always say because I love it. If i get paid great thats fantastic if I don't and they arent asking anything from me then thats fine I'll do it for free. I think other photographers should be encouraging people to photograph and not shut them down because of their brand or what they do or events they cover. I photograph for myself I also do it for friends but thats a second priority I take photos because I want to take photos and I really enjoy it.
I consider myself a serious hobbyist and I don't even have any social media. Nobody can see my photos unless they're in my house. I have many albums filled with photos and I have very large photos that I have hanging on my walls. Once in a while I'll be invited to a party at a friend's house and I'll take countless photos and create a physical album for them and they're always extremely grateful for it. I love what I do and couldn't care less who doesn't.
What has been said in this video is well said. I’m an amateur/hobbyist and I take photos for myself and not for others. If someone wants to like a photo of mine that’s great and if not then that’s fine as well. I’m just having fun.
Starting as a young hobbyist teenager, I went on to make a decent living as a social photographer for over 20 years. That allowed me to raise a family and buy my studio, which is now something else. The rent from it boosts my retirement income, so I can buy stuff I like, including photographic gear, and again take photos for my own interest. Photography has been good for me. There is no denying that some modern phones can in many situations compete with good cameras, that is technological progress.
Damn, the Boss Dee almost made me tear up! That was another real video. Thank you, man. You and your videos are so greatly appreciated, I hope you are fully aware of that. I got the best advice from you and that's real.
REAL professionals encourage amateurs. They don’t mock them.
@@derekprospero we're all out here capturing light and moments in our own way, that makes us just as different as we are alike.
I’ve noticed a lot of “gate keeping” in the world of photography.
I'll tweak that statement a tad by saying, secure people encourage others. They don't try to knock them down. The Photography world is full of egocentric people who seem to have a need for superiority over others.
I'm a professional in New Orleans- I've been helping amateurs learn the art for 43 years.
@@kerrid3481yes. They are afraid of competition.
To me the only difference between a "professional" and an "amateur" or "hobbyist" is whether or not you get paid. None of those labels determine if you are good or bad.
My first thought also.
Imo, true professionalism is purely a mindset and not a fiscal transaction.
Photography is low entry and a huge part is showing up at the right time and having a sense of composition. That's why it's not like it can be compared to any craft people need diplomas for. Thus it's just a lottery who gets a paid job or who even wants to earn money doing it.
You are wrong. Swindlers also get payed, at least once.
Don't forget, "professional" and "amateur" are not mutually exclusive.
I went to a car show a few weeks ago and met a bunch of photographers there, everyone was really nice and helpful except 1 guy that critiqued my entire kit. He kept telling me I need to upgrade to a full frame sensor because my camera is essentially trash and he would never use it. I told him I've never made a dime on photography and I'm just a hobbyist and he said the reason I don't make money is because of my gear. I thought that stuff was reserved for the RUclips comments section but oh well. I just love going out to take/make photos. The other people I met there gave me some great tips for photographing cars and trucks which helped me out immensely.
I assume people like that are projecting their own insecurity and/or tribalism. What matters is you enjoy your camera and it's working for you, whether it's your cell phone, M43, APS-C, FF, MF, or whatever.
@@hanns1401 exactly! I don't remember her name off the top of my head but the last who was the director of photography for the ny times put out some of the most incredible pictures with her cell phone. I loved talking to the other photographers at that show, it's always a great time when you can bounce ideas off of each other and everyone appreciates our privilege of being able to take part in a wonderful pasttime
Damn, s.cks for him.
Its not about the tool, its about who’s using it.
Idiots will be everywhere
Moving forward, when someone starts acting foolish, ask them to show you their work. I guarantee you that the guy you spoke with is a horrible photographer.
In a parallel universe you soon realise that Gordon Ramsey, Curtis Stone or Jamie Oliver are not the only cooks on the planet. Plenty of mums and dads serving up wonderful food using an ordinary oven or frypan.
Indeed. My wife is a prime example. She runs rings around most so called chiefs.
But that frypan needs to be cast iron. ;)
My mom could out cook Gordon any day of the week
Half the time it's the cheap restaurants that give me more enjoyable food than the fancy ones..
Or, you make it yourself, for yourself, just the way you like it.
@@DrJRaven öhm, not to put shade on your wife, not at all. My Mother and also my Girlfriend both also create wonderful food. But my Brother is an actual chef, and as someone who worked a few months in a professional kitchen myself (as in preparing and serving food to paying customers), let me tell you that there is a reason why not many women work in kitchens of restaurants: It's actual bone crushing work. A lot of stress and a lot of work.
Doing something good once a day, and doing something good hours and hours every day are two different pairs of shoes ;)
Interestingly while currently linguistically 'amateur' can be seen as 'low quality' or 'un serious', etymologically it comes from the word 'amare' or to love. Meaning that originally the word was used to describe someone who does the craft for the love of it rather than to feed oneself.
its still used that way .words still have meaning even though americans choose to ignore it , a whole comment section arguing about how each one interprets the word WHEN THE WORD HAS ALREADY A SET MEANING THATS WHY ITS A WORD
@@kwdwn Meanings change over time as well as new meanings get added to words. The dictionary is DEscriptive not PERscriptive meaning it is meant to tell you how people are using a word and not tell you how you're meant to use a word.
But something I've never understood is, where is the line between someone is using a word wrong and that word changing in meaning?
@@definingslawek4731 if you can get your hands on the book GARNER'S MODERN ENGLISH USAGE, you'll find there's actually a five stage model (that he uses, at least) to describe how a word changes from "an error" to "accepted." Definitely not worth purchasing the book unless you're an editor or something, but just saying there's a whole body of research behind it. Ultimately it comes down to popularity. When more people think it's right than wrong, a specific usage is here to stay. 😂
If you're picking up a camera and enjoying it then nothing else should matter!
That’s when you’re a real photographer ❤
I picked up a camera again about six months ago after not touching one for 10 years. I have two kids in elementary school. In my six months, I have gotten some decent architecture and street shots. But by far, my favorite pictures are those of my kids. If all I ever do is take good pictures of my children as they grow up, that will be enough.
What better subject for photography than family? It's the closest thing to a time machine we will ever have.
Facts bro pictures of my growing fam are the ones I enjoy taking the most
A true dad, you're to commended.
I'm an Olympus user and I've went to local photography group events where I sort of get shunned because micro 4/3 is inferior to them. I avoid those people.
Olympus forever!
Which is insane cos that's a great system lol at the end of the day it takes a photo - that's the intention and that's what you're doing
I _wish_ I could afford a 4/3 Olympus body and lenses, and can't wait for another decade to pass so I can afford one. In the meantime, I'm quite enjoying myself shooting and experimenting with 15-20 y.o. fixed lens bridge cameras with small sensors. Way more fun than using my "phone" 🤷
Those people are "camera man" not photographers.
I have had a few Olympus cameras and loved them. Ignore the people who think they are better than you.
Getting paid for photography is something I will never want to do because it will make it commercial at that point removing any enjoyment.
My view exactly. I don’’t want to screw up a perfect hobby of more than 5t0 years.
So real, I wouldnt mind doing some gigs here and there to pay for equipment (fancy new toys lol) and I would love to shoot the bands I like but I would never do it as a primary source of income
Over 40 years earning my living [professional photographer] never had a bad day I have enjoyed every moment. So while you are going to the office or working at a factory. I was taking pictures. On my days off with my family I was taking photographs. Who had the better life.
Eh it's fun, I enjoy getting paid occasionally to gain experience doing something I enjoy but I wouldn't want to do it full time.
I tried to do professional work for awhile but I had to stop for exactly this reason. Afterwards I had to take a year long break from photography before I found any passion for it again
I’ve been a photographer for 30ish years. Sometimes I get paid, but usually it’s just me doing what I want and having no followers to give a shit because I’m an old man now and no one gives a shit what old men are up to. Anyway, I’ve been through the times where I’ve judged others, then thankfully matured to understand every photographer has something to offer, and we should always encourage each other. I look back at some of my old images I thought were crap because it was just me taking a silly snap to test a lens or something, and I am immediately brought back to a forgotten moment that meant a lot to me for some reason. Then I think “shit, I need to be more in the moment like this” and I wish I had done more of that instead of aiming for technical perfection or the adoration of critics.
I’ve got back in to photography after 20 years and a 20 year old dslr has unlocked so much creativity and passion for me it feels amazing.
😊😊😎😎👏👏
I still use my 5D from 2005 from time to time, and it still takes awesome pictures, and you don't need to worry about it as much if it gets harmed. I love my fancy new camera, but in the end, I can hardly tell the pictures apart if I do my job well. It's just a little more challenging to use, which is also good for teaching.
I’ve been an amateur and a professional. The best photographer I know is an amateur. I’ve met a lot of professionals who are not good at all.
I'm remembering my good friend spending an entire day in the darkroom working on ONE negative, dodging and burning, using numerous sheets of good photo paper to finally get the image the way he wanted it. This was 1972. The lesson he left me with was this...."only two things matter when shooting pictures...framing and exposure."
Today's phones and digital cameras do a fantastic job of the exposure part, although the cameras have a pretty high learning curve if you venture into the manual settings. Ansel Adams was famous for his patience. He would put the camera on a tripod, frame the scene, and wait for the light to change, sometimes for days.
Just like Vivian Maier - She never showed her pictures to a large audience. She has photographed for herself.
Well, things were different back then, no social media. Who knows, maybe she'd have an IG account, in these days and time, with a larger audience.
she was/is a fantastic photographer. ..........also note how lovely the images are- whoever did her developing knew what they were doing.
I think a lot of her film she never saw because she never developed the film.
Indeed
@@richardvallonjr.6716 My understanding is that she also developed her own film and prints. She was a nanny in NYC and would do this in her bathroom. Her later work, I don't know - it may have been undeveloped and been processed only years later and after her death.
As an amateur photographer I said thanks to you, we love taking photos, just that. You get the point of what is this real love.
Agreed. I've always said, 'Pro' does not mean better. There are several well known 'Pros' whose work and vision is far worse than many skilled 'amateurs' I have seen. Some people go pro without fully learning the craft whereas, there are so many people who don't earn money from photography but have been mastering the art for decades. Now, someone who is a classed as a master photographer, who has won awards and teaches others for instance, is another matter entirely but...saying that, often my fave photos are from people just documenting life and not caring about likes because its real and in the moment..
THANK YOU! I completely agree. Some people love my photos. Some don't, but to look at them years later and remember the love and joy surrounding the event means everything. The moment probably won't be back.
A great photo is any photo that fulfills the purpose for which the photographer intended. The purpose could be to capture a moment important to you. It could be to make money. It could be to get praise on social media. It could be simply to satisfy your need to take photos. And you can only criticize someone else's photos once you fully understand the intended purpose for that photo.
Good perspective.
I'm a dad photographer and proud. Competition over the community. We can all rise together. If someone has to put someone down to make themselves feel better: it's sad. I hope they find true healing in a way that doesn't have to hurt others.
@@Reggiebphoto it’s a wild world to live that way. I hope they find something.
Dad photographer here as well. My only competition is against my own shortcomings, which I very much enjoy slowly but surely overcoming with practice.
I love this so much. My core group of people tell me that I should be calling myself a professional photographer and I stop them and say that I am a journeyman photographer. I am always learning and always growing. The journey is what I am about not the word that someone wants to associate with what I do.
I love this!
I told my wife I didn’t feel like a “professional” photographer and she pointed out I enjoy it and get paid for it. Not sure that makes me a professional but I’ll take that definition. All my favorite shots I’ve never been paid for tho. Doesn’t make them any less my favorite.
A professional does photography as a profession(makes money off of it), an amateur does photography because they love it, they are not mutually exclusive.
@@utahnl I think enjoying it is the difference between a job and a career.
@@utahnlthe word you're looking for is "hobbyist", not amateur.
All amateur (non-moneymaking) photographers are hobbyists. "Professional" equates to money making in a commercial sense.
You can be a professional and still be a hobbyist. It can be a side job. You can have a full-time photography job, and shoot things outside of your paid work for your own enjoyment.
thank you I needed to hear this, I get so caught up in trying to improve and be better that it actually hurts more than it accomplishes.
Tony Northrup made the comment that the difference between a professional photographer and an amateur is that the former has to get an acceptable image, whereas the amateur may not. But the amateur may be producing generally better more original work. Or comment like that.
I've just discovered your channel today with this video. I have to say i'm very lucky that for once RUclips algorythm did a good job.
That's a great topic to share with us. This is a conversation i have with a lot of people / close friend and it's not always easy to explain what make a "great photographer" not based only on followers. In particular nowadays where social network is a huge part of our life and lot of person use this scale has validation.
Most of photographers i love (aside well known historical photographers) are often peoples that have a great eyes and love for photography, and spend more time outside doing what they loves instead of build huge fanbase or debate about whatever best gears is.
Honestly, the Vivian Mayer example is a good one.
Sry for my crappy english, is not my native language. I'm so glad to have found your channel.
I love that you let your nephew use your camera, I am an amateur photographer and I am privileged enough to have spare cameras and lenses available, I handed a 20D and 17-85mm lens to my 7 yr old niece, a couple of seconds of tuition, look through there, press this and she was off. She got straight down on the floor, laid out and took one of the nicest photos of our dog under the table, she was so excited to be using a real camera, running around pointing the camera at everyone and everything.
I hope I have encouraged another photographer later in life.
I think you are absolutely correct. I am a dad, grandpa and semi pro photographer who helps out my daughter on occasion as a second shooter and I don’t give a crap what anybody thinks about my photography or the camera equipment I own.
A couple years ago I got my first camera that my friend gave me, a canon eos3. I always wanted to take pictures and after learning how to shoot film I couldn’t stop, I took pictures of everything and took it wherever I went, I fell in love with photography. I later got my hands on a Nikon N60 and had a blast using it as my primary camera. Less than a year ago I got my first digital camera, a Sony a6400 I wanted something nice but nothing crazy, I got it new and did make a horrible financial decision but I could care less I love the camera and take it everywhere. I rarely ever upload my pictures to social media or anything but I love sharing them with friends. Throughout the entire time I’ve been doing photography especially in the later half I’ve had so many people ask and tell me that I should do it professionally but I just like taking the pictures for me and the people around me. I have photo books filled with all my film pictures and every time I look at them I can’t help but smile, as much as I want to do photography as a “professional” and make money off of it, I don’t want it to kill my love of photography and start looking at it as a job and something I HAVE to do, I just wanna take pictures.
Thank you for this video. I am a retiree who shoots landscapes. A long time ago Elliot Porter got me interested in this genre. I don't share them with anyone. It is about the joy of connecting to my environment and capturing the moment. Put am camera in my hand and I am happy.
Fellow retiree landscape fan here. I do them for me. That’s it! :)
I've loved photography for over 20 years now, and ultimately it's really just for me. I haven't posted my work on Instagram or anywhere else in around 10 years now haha, and frankly I haven't felt motivated to truly edit my photos for maybe just as long... Which is maybe a separate issue, potentially around burnout and loss of drive, as editing used to be one of my favorite things. But now I've got thousands and thousands of photos from my trips and hikes and everyday life that I hope to one day edit and share, but if that doesn't happen I still enjoy going back and looking at them myself. And while I have done some paid work here and there for friends and family, mostly events (weddings, family sessions, headshots, etc.), I don't want to make photography my career. It has and probably will always be a passion of mine, and it just brings me joy capturing those moments and memories... That feeling of nailing an awesome shot or creating art.
Now I won't lie and say I don't also enjoy the gear aspect and have GAS sometimes haha, but it's typically for $200 lenses or vintage glass to adapt, and that is also just a lot of fun for me to explore and experiment with as another aspect of the photographic process.
I think the rise of youtube gear reviewers, influencer street photographers, etc., has kind of changed the game the last ~5 years and brought some of that trendy hypebeast culture to photography. Which is not necessarily a bad thing as it allows more people to find and get into it, but like you said it also leads to a lot of elitism and pretension, consumerism/materialism, tribalism, and a propensity for technicality over creativity.
Anyways, an interesting topic and video! I really like your commentary and discussions.
do what you can to get those photos seen. If something happened to you, your family would have loved to have seen all of yoru work
Thank you.
I went back to film. Cause I wanted to learn the chemistry more than taking the photos. Cause taking the photo was easier on digital. And I found out I’m a better darkroom printer than a picture taker.
this is my absolute favorite photography related video I have ever seen.
One way of looking at it is this: Many of the now historic photographs that were taken decades ago, ordinary street scenes, photographs of people, relations or complete strangers, many of which were seen as ordinary and noting special are now considered as a rich and important source and are of historical value. I think many of the ‘Ma and Pa/amateur’ could well fall into the same category as those in the future.
When i started back somewhere in 2018-2020, I watched a lot of youtube to learn as much as possible. Especially in 2020 i worked close with someone who was in miss Norway and had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed every aspect of what i was doing. From editing to shooting to just talking about photography! But i felt all the videos i watched were all about how to get the clearest and sharpest and most high quality picture, I have thrown away so many good pictures due to a bit of noise or motion blur, that i now love and I'm currently working on editing. Stuff that I now realize only adds to the pictures. I have started posting again on social media, not to specifically get a lot of views but to hopefully make it into a job someday, and I feel like caring less about the "quality" of my pictures have really woken up my love for photography again, as I had a 3 year long break where I only photographed every now and then, feeling extremely discouraged due to the equipment I had. Only thing I care about now is maybe getting different lenses for different styles not because I feel like I need it to show what I want to show or what I can do.
I never cared about being known for my photographs, I even hate being the guy that is known around his friends as the photographer because when I have my camera I wanna look at something, realize how special or beautiful that thing is and capture it with my camera, but pretty much capture it with my eyes first. It is a nice feeling to show someone a picture I took of them and see how happy they get seeing that picture, but I mostly really care about capturing it in my eyes and photographing it so it can be a memory for someone down the line.
a term professional photographer is just what is implied - you do it as a job. whether you're a certified photographer or not, that's based on your education in the field.
Yeah that’s how I’ve been treating the term. After seeing my photos, people ask if I’m a professional and I answer hobbyist since I don’t do this for a living.
I know a bunch of legit pros that still use 10 year old dslrs. I used a 5dii up until 4 years ago. I still use glass from the 90's...i get weird looks from these kids with kits that cost 5 times what I'm using. Some of these people grill me and i feel like i have to tell them my accomplishments for them to say it's ok for me to use what i use lmao. I don't even do it professionally anymore. I love photography much more just doing it for myself. I don't miss weddings one bit lol
I use 10 year old a6000 for almost a decade now and most of the time i use my phone's camera. I know what you mean when people who just started photography 2-3 years ago only thinks you need an A7mk4 or canon R5 to take good photos when in reality you don't. I have seen people like you before and i know the photos you take with that old gear are on whole different level to what people who are starting out with their shiny sony A7s. I have more respect for people who use older gear because they know how to use it to their advantage from one's who only think you need the latest and greatest.
@@ルカ写真撮影I can hardly tell a difference in the photos from my 5D from 2005 and mirrorless from 2019.. one just takes more skill to use effectively. But slowing down and thinking it's a good thing, too. Or forcing you to use a tripod when you probably should be, but are using crazy iso because you kind of can these days - to the lament of fine image quality.
2:58 Spot On! I have been in this ego-driven profession since 1980, and my most fond memories of this art is when it was not a source of income, but for the pure joy of photography. To this day I see work from amateurs that outclass anything that I could have ever done.
Thank you for putting this out into the RUclips-verse. It is a very positive viewpoint and a good reminder for us to continue to take photographs for ourselves.
Amen! I was quite taken aback with your video. It was as if I was looking in a mirror and seeing myself speaking. I totally agree with everything you said! A Professional Photographer once told me that amateur photographers often take better photographs than do professionals. The difference is that a professional photographer has to take great photos to get the job done. An amateur only has himself to please. I spent 25+ years as a part-time professional. Now I am an amateur. Money ruined Photography for me. When I went back to being an amateur, I regained my love of Photography. I only have to please myself.
You are the photography voice of reason , bravo
Well said. Take pics of what you like and if other like them good but your focus is how photography makes you feel.
The term amateur photographer came about when photography was first invented and people that were highly knowledgeable, as knowledgeable as professionals (people who were paid to take portraits at the time), experimented with the medium and the various materials they could print on. I loved reading the early history of photography because it changed my perspective about the word amateur and made me more comfortable being called one :) I think just like you said, for some reason the word is used in a negative connotation today and people mock those who are not deemed “professional”
Just rewatched this episode/clip and I'm so glad you made it. Totally agree and at this stage in my photographical journey I actively have said no to working at assignments. Mostly because I don't need that added stress in my life, already working a full time job, and that it doesn't really makes me happy. I've always enjoyed the casual part of documenting the life around me. Nerding out on some photo technique to broaden my tool bag and always being able to get a shot that I feel is important for me. I admire my friends that took the professional route, mostly because I know how much work they have to put in, and I'm also sure that isn't for me. But one thing I've to do is making more portriats of my friends..stage portraits that is. It will be a nice challenge and hopefully it will bring some joy to them as well.
Great channel. Finally someone raw and authentic. Not afraid to talk his ish!
It's so much fun opeing up the eyes of others to photography and making it more enjoyable AND helping someone who just getting started that're hungry to shoot and shoot everything they see can be a reminder to do the same and still be as curious about the world as the first time I picked up a camera. This was/is such a great video and subject to talk about!
My main complaint is a review on line of a piece of equipment clearly designed for enthusiasts is trashed by people saying it’s junk because it doesn’t cost five thousand dollars. There are many good lens, and bodies that can be purchased from major companies at consumer prices. The vast majority shoot family photos on cell phones. I tell people on line whatever you use to make images if it pleases you that’s all that matters. Be happy and enjoy your camera.
If this video was on Yelp, I would give it a full five stars. Having shot "professionally" for over 25 years, my general impression of the (far too) many "professional photographers" on RUclips and TikTok, etc. is that they make the majority of their income from video ad revenue, hocking LUTs, and making deals with camera companies to "influence" purchasing. I have many friends who are "amateurs," and they take photos that make my jaw drop! Thanks for the truthful assessment of the industry!
You hit the nail on the head with this one. I have had many hobbies over my lifetime, but none in which I have seen so much criticism of others. The level of gatekeeping is beyond measure. We can all learn no matter what skill level we are at, and we can all pay it forward to others just getting started. I don't think all the greats from the days before internet sought so much approval of others, they took photos because something in them said they had to. And I am pretty sure Lightroom was not around to doctor every image.
I know a lot of amateur photographers that turn out better work than so called “PRO” photographers …..
Pro photographers consistently deliver the images clients need. A job well done. Every time. Amateurs are usually into pleasing images, and luck. Nothing wrong with that. Photography can be a wonderful and rewarding hobby ... why bother with what pros do for a living... 😊
@@sonofoneintheuniverse I’m not a pro and photographed 5 weddings,no complaints,photographed motorsport,mainly motocross for some of the best riders in Europe all over Europe and for the biggest teams in Britain….consistently,every time,job well done as you say….For me the term “PRO” is banded around far too loosely in photography….you can find an amateur to do what a lot of pro’s can do quite easily in photography….there are a lot of bad “PRO PHOTOGRAPHERS” out there…..
Indeed
@@sonofoneintheuniversePros rely a lot on luck too. Every one of them deletes tons of images. A lot of them play the volume game. If you want to find a pro photographer for weddings, for instance, give them two rolls of film and that’s it. See how many good photos they give you. Digital and unlimited shots make anyone a pro nowadays.
Im an archaeologist. I photograph artifacts with scale bars and interesting features. My photography is fit for purpose, the purpose being documentation. Its fun to try and get the right shot so i can explain my research better to others
Honestly I don't know how I ended up on professional photography youtube, and so far things were putting a bad taste in my mouth, but this video has relieved some of that and inspired me a bit. I think photography is so interesting as an art form, and i love just taking photos on my phone. I was more into trying to do art with it as a tween, but as someone who is a painter and digital artist I started to aim for taking clear personal reference photos more than trying to make art of the moments themselves. Seeing your example photos while you were speaking on how much photography can mean to the individuals really started to make me rethink it.
It also reminded me of a photo album i have from my great great grandfather, all from the 30s and 40s and taken apparently all by the same person (a great uncle who was a teenager and young adult at the time). They're really playful and fun, some candid, some posed, and plenty of annoyed faces that say "really? another one? put the camera down!" It's pretty magical to see all these years later. No one in the photos is still alive, but they're right there, as lively as ever.
I dunno, I appreciate this video for giving me a bit more inspiration to capture what's important to me
Honestly this is why I’ve stopped interacting with most photography groups on social media. If I’m just out shooting some prime therapy it’s not the point that I use the “correct” lens’s or “professional” settings.
I've been told to start an Instagram so many times, yet I still haven't done it. I take pictures primarily for myself, and while it's flattering that people want me to share them and see them, it's not really what it's about for me.
Thanks for making this video. You helped clear up some thoughts about this!
I've been a beginner and made a living from photography. I've been formally trained, published, blah blah blah. One thing I have learned is a good eye is a good eye and that can be anybody regardless of camera, education or titles people give themselves. I am and always will be just a "Photographer" taking pictures of whatever catches my eye. Any add on labels don't mean anything, never did!
Great sentiment. I have thought about this a lot lately when I see people shitting on film photographers, like the endless "film doesn't make your images special" or "I used to shoot film, never going back to it" like, dang man just let people enjoy what they enjoy.
And I absolutely agree a lot of pictures made by amateurs will in the long run matter more than a lot of commercial ones. Not all, in either category, obviously.
this is probably one of the best motivational videos ive ever seen
Great video and a reminder to just get out and shoot and not worry about whether it will work in social media or here or there, just shoot for the enjoyment. This is why I still like blogs. I can post any and all images and it’s more about shooting and sharing the work than it is the likes it receives, great video, much appreciated
Im doing photography as a hobby. I can't afford a camera just yet (and i don't think its worth the money right now) so i just decided to make the best photos with my phone that I can just to prove a point. If it goes somewhere, cool. If not, also cool. Same for my YT channel
I've been a professional photographer for nearly 20 years. My favourite photos are of my kids i took on my phone. I've captured these great moments in life that are awesome. They're not the sharpest or highest resolution but they're brilliant. Everyone loves them. Last few years ive made a photo book for my wife of the year. They make you laugh and cry.
Thankyou.. People ask me why I bother with a YT channel , I point out that it is just a creative space for me enjoy my work. Nothing else. If I had to keep up a channel just to stay monetized the joy would be gone.
Thank you for sharing this. Such an inspiration! I love photography. I’m not a pro, but I enjoy being creative and expressing what speaks to me. I also enjoy sharing what I’ve learned and that’s why I started my channel.
This video showed up as recommended a few days ago. I've never watched a video of yours before, so I was hesitant, thinking the title was just click-bait. I'm glad I finally broke down and watched it. You are right on the money.
Side note, I already subscribe to One Month Two Cameras, so that may be how the algorithm got me.
i'm in a facebook group for beginners photography and the amount of comments that harshly criticize an amateur photographer and do not provide any helpful advice or critiques and discourage them from pursuing a professional career is devastating to me. people is constantly reminding each other that its a beginner's group and to reel it in.
Those negative comments come from photographers who are just past new and think they know everything but haven't realized they don't know anything. Dunning Krueger Effect.
I've been shooting for over 25 years, professionally and for just my hobby/love of it. I could not agree with you on your points in this video more. Excellent content mate. New follower here. 👍👍👍👍
I've been shooting film and digital for the past 40+ years. I come from a family of pros, that was their craft and their livelihood. I chose a different profession and still have shot a lot, develop at home, but it's just my hobby. I only share my work with my loved ones and that's it. No IG, no RUclips or anything else. Photography for me is just mental therapy, peace and enjoyment. That's it
I’m an artist an and a photographer. I took it up as a hobby while I was in the army. A professional photographer who was in my unit taught me the basics,
I bought a used SLR with a couple of lenses.and we went out for a photo day. I practice everything he taught me. I went to our hobby lab on post and learned to develop film. I really immersed myself into. I got good enough that I got a position as a photographer for our Division’s Public Affairs Office. I thought I knew what I was doing when I got there. I didn’t know half of what I thought I did. But I learned. Both as a photographer and a darkroom technician. After all half of photography is done in post, and this was in the Neolithic film era before digital photography and Photoshop. I wasn’t school trained as a photographer but became our primary photographer for the Division. I think the fact I wasn’t trained was perhaps a plus because I didn’t have all the rules of photography to hold me back. I already knew composition as a painter. Photography was another way to create an image. Though my work was good enough but not great. We had something that each year every photographer and military journalist and military publication tried out for, it is the Keith L. Ware, award, the Army version of the Pulitzer Prize. My boss said get your best work and send it in. I did. We all did in our office. I didn’t expect to win it and didn’t. After all there is a lot of competition, there’s a few thousand people trying for this award . The following year I put in for it again, then Desert Storm happened, and we went to war. I wanted a real Politzer Prize winning photograph of the war. But I got stuck driving the Public Affairs Officer around. After the war I got out of the Army, shortly after I received a large envelope from the Public Affairs Office. In it was my Keith L.Ware Award. I did it but it was for my second year working there, I initially thought it was for my war photos. It wasn’t. When I take a photo I think will this look good on the wall. If the answer is no I work on making it worth putting up. That’s hard to do when you’re trying to work fast doing photojournalism. I still don’t think I’m a great photographer, but a good one. Some of the guys I worked with were school trained, but they didn’t seem to care, it was just a job for them. I developed their photos as well as my own. I did my best to make their photos great, I took pride in my work as a darkroom technician. In the past from what I know is a lot of professional photographers didn’t develop their own film. But the had a good darkroom technician make their work look great. There’s more to photography than just taking a picture. It’s everything else that follows. Being a professional doesn’t make you a good photographer, having a good eye and a love for the art does.
This is it right here. As a news photographer myself it’s so fun to interact with other photographers because they’re passionate, and in my book passionate is more meaningful than pushing knowledge and standards. Photography is photography, credentials be damned
Vivian Maier came to my mind as soon as I started watching your vid. I personally think it all comes down to this need where we have to have our identity wrapped up into something. Sucky part is… some people let others’ need to identify themselves through something to make them feel better about themselves…discourages them. Amateur versus professional.
I like your attitude! Amateurs are not encumbered by the rules, regulations, requirements, schedules, or demands placed upon Professionals. Amateurs are free to pursue their work as they see fit and have only to please themselves with their results. This freedom allows the Amateur a level of creativity seldom afforded the Professional in the pursuit of their creative processes. They work in the moment with a pristine connection to the environment they find themselves a part of in the moment. Being a viable part of this environment enables the Amateur to experience things that others can not see or feel. This connection enables the Amateur to become a co-Creator with the Creative Powers that be.
You’re right, even with 10 year on photography, I really never take it seriously, I love this hobby, I have two cameras and one of them I got it second hand, and film cameras that I got second hand as well.
I try to upgrade my work every chance I have, I love practicing, for what? Just because 🤷🏽♀️ I don’t like to post it on instagram because I feel like I’m going to become addicted to the comments or likes, as if o want someone to notice.
I post it on vsco, I find great inspiration from others and I can check my progress on my own photography.
Thanks for making this video 🤙🏼
As an amateur, I often get asked if I post my photos on Instagram; I don't. I take photos of what interests me and because I love the art of photography. I don't care what arrogant scumbag thinks on Instagram nor am I looking for likes on Instagram.
I get that feeling entirely. I do post online but if I only get a few likes of people I personally know I am happy for it.
The experience matters more as well as sharing with fellow people sharing the passion.
I have several bad memories of people being rotten to me for no reason. I'm just out shooting while on vacation and they approach me to begin insulting my gear or technique. Even had them invade my personal space and look through my viewfinder! So I appreciate this video. Thanks.
Some of the greatest photos ever have been taken on affordable, old, beat up cameras.
Mine have been taken on my phone, I don't always carry my dslr 🤷
I consider myself a fan of Ali from OMTC. She may appear to some to be a Mom photographer, but she has photography in her blood in a way most of us can only dream of.
I'm not a Mom & Dad photographer simply because I don't have children or other relatives to photograph - I'm an amateur photographer for sure though.
With my professional work (non photography related) demanding more and more of me, I don't get to photograph as much as I'd like to. But, every couple of months I volunteer as a concert photographer at a recurring event documenting the entire 6-7 hours long event (no pit - just moving around within the crowd). It's something I always look forward to, and I get to document memories for both myself and complete strangers.
I have no doubt some people will have problems with my photos, but that's fine. I'll continue to create them for myself and the strangers - it's not like there is a lot of love coming my way in other ways, so why should photography be any different...
If I could like this video more than once, I’d like it 57 times
Excellent editorial. I completely agree with you. This is why I describe myself always an amateur. I'm having fun. To me there is a thrill of the instant 'getting the shot'. As an 'amateur' I can shoot what I want, when I want. I don't need to impress a client
Been photographing for 20+ now and it still excites me to this day. Im doing pro event work (its a steady pay) but a lot of amateur work as well. Whenever I travel I shoot photo AND video. I use a crop for that type of work and its so much fun. I’ve gotten a ton of budget lenses and started playing around with it.
I try to give my amateur video productions somewhat of a cinematic feel. Also, I share a lot of my video work on youtube. Im quite proud of it but I never really intended it for a large group of people or getting a huge following. These are memories for me and im fine with it.
When you mentioned the great photographers who are technically "amateurs" at the beginning of the video, Vivian Maier came up to my mind instantly. She is an historical gem (of many, many other unknown "amateur" photographers that we will never know about).
I love doing amateur sports photography as an amateur myself. I’m sure professional sports would be cool but these photos mean so much to the parents and kids
6:31 I think "One Month Two Cameras" is great - her enthusiasm is what makes that channel. Usually, if she reviews a camera I use or have used, what she says will give me some new perspective, and if say I think she has missed a good feature or strong point I'll just recommend she tries it, and she always takes my feedback well.
A lot of interesting thoughts here.
One of the most interesting bits of feedback I ever received on my own work was that it was "lifeless". This person elaborated that it wasn't that they found the images boring or dull, but rather that I distinctly had a consistent lack of any literal human presence in any of my photography. And I've thought about it on and off for years after the fact, because I think it reflects something in how I see and interact with the world. Mainly, that I go through life pretty much always alone, that I fundamentally feel very alone even though I have people around me all the time. I feel more of an identity and connection with the built environment and natural phenomenon than I do with actual people. And when you asked how I'd feel about photographing my favorite musical artist or my firstborn, a bit of me felt kind of sad because honestly, I'm not sure I'll ever have that kind of genuine, loving relationship with my own family, or another person enough to start a family of my own. I digress.
To your point on Maier, I agree there is absolutely a sort of "halo effect" going on with a lot of the more famous photographers. The "greats" and "masters" have their work elevated so much, it almost feels like parody. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely see what many others see in their work; but I feel that often times a lot of that gets replicated pretty readily by so many "amateurs" who've had a lot of time to practice and cultivate their talent, although they'll probably never get signal-boosted the way many of these "masters" (many of whom rose to the top because of very specific industry connections, not raw talent alone), did. I think it's fine to think highly of their work, but I'd caution against putting those "masters" on a pedestal just the same.
100% agree. I am just an armature photographer that got in the trap of "I need the best gear and that will make me better" or "how do I get more likes from internet strangers" only to realize my best and most meaningful images were taken with an old Kodak wind and shoot film disposable on top of the twin towers in NYC back in 1996 or some cheap camera I bought 25 years ago and took images of my family. I love landscape photography but I only do it for myself and if someone comments on a photo I have hanging in my house I am happy with that.
I agree with your perspective I've been an amateur photographer for years and I've enjoyed every moment. I like that I don't feel pressured to capture the perfect shot. Like an amateur athlete, you love the sport and enjoy all the effort and time you put in, but you may never earn a penny doing it and that's okay.
Just for fun... I have been a hobby photographer for over 50 years (yeah, I'm ancient!) started with film - and processed my own Colour & B/W photos back in the day - fell in love with digital in the early 2000's and finally started editing RAW a couple of years ago. Never wished to make money, get famous, whatever. Just enjoy taking pictures of things that please my eye. Maybe that is why I've not stopped?
I do watch a couple of 'pro' 'tubers, who, incidentally, have targeted the amatuer and manage to do a great job of sharing tips without looking down on us plebs.
Loved this video, thanks for making it, great respect from this grandad photographer!
ETA: You got another subscriber, just because of this!
@the_rat_run Whippersnapper! Actually, we may be close, and I'm also a granddad. I still have some photos I took with the family Box Brownie when the circus came to town in the late 1950s. They're in an envelope from the long defunct camera shop in my home town. I developed black and white film and printed in the darkroom in the 60s, but never colour. Nowadays I'm mostly digital, but still shoot film occasionally...
I'm not sure why this video came up in my suggestions, but Dee is spot on and I'll be back!
Couldn't agree more with your sentiments, Dee, and so appreciate your respect for amateur photographers and the value of their contribution to photography. Back in 1983, I started my journey with photography as a "teenage snapshooter" dreaming of becoming a "pro" one day. When I started a family, I became a "dad photog", I guess. Now that my kids are grown up, I've become a - what will that be: a "cat photog"? The truth is I've stopped trying to emulate professional photographers and regard them as the be-all and end-all of photography for quite a while now. If people need to put me in their boxes and drawers, if they feel this inner need to put me down just because I'm a "mere" amateur, because I'm "just" shooting Pentax, haven't "upgraded" to mirrorless, am not using that "superior" F0.9 lens or moose eye detection AF, haven't "returned" to film or whatnot, let them go on their rants, I try not to care anymore. Sometimes I succeed in that, sometimes I don't, but I do notice that I am happiest with my photography when I ignore them, do what I enjoy, and go where my creativity leads me.
I love “One month two cameras”, it’s a great channel and she has an amazing eye.
Dee Spot on, i fell in love with photography capturing my family and travels, but at one point i felt i needed to monitize it because if you're decent at something why not make money from it, but trying do that, i was doing photoshoots that didn't mean anything to me and mainly for social media for a following. i believe your best work is created when it means something to you and you're passionate about it. i now just shoot with Xpro 3 and older lenses because i love the fact not everything is about perfection or being tack sharp and the eye in focus but capturing a moment i think is important to me. i love shooting with the xpro 3 so much i just ordered an xpro 2 graphite, cant take money to the grave, might as well use it to enjoy what brings you joy.
I have been full-time pro, part-time pro and total amateur. Can honestly say being a pro did not make me any better and when I was a pro I had more work than I can handle. I just don't do it professionally anymoe because I earn more and have better benefits doing something else. (I'm a senior consultant at a software company).
I know a lot of great photographers who started out as dadshots or momshots. We all have to start somewhere, and there is no reason to knock those willing to put forth the effort to try and become better at anything in life, not just photography. Finding a passion that brings you joy makes those who have become jaded within photography envyous.
Couldnt agree more with this video. Im a professional photographer in that people pay a lot of money for one of my images BUT I think of myself as an amateure photographer. My work is very flawed and I make up for that in ideas and post production.
I remember talking to a mum at school who took amazing photos. I remember her being so shocked when I told her I thought she was a better photographer than me.
Anyone who is critical of other people trying and enjoying themselves making images is in a sad place. To everyone taking photos carry on making what you love.
Well said. I think those who put down others are insecure about their own skills or are threatened by other photographers. Putting others down is how they build their own ego and try to limit competition. I think no matter how skilled we become as photographers, we need to remember that there was a time when we were starting out too.
I picked up a Fujica ST801 for a steal on eBay last year, and shooting it has been great! Just went and shot some model train dioramas last weekend, can't wait to see how they turn out
I can’t remember where or who said this saying/thought, but has resonated with me ever since. As we are all human, we look to other like minded creatives and do the worst thing to ourselves. We compare our work with theirs. The notation that we will never be “good enough” to be like person A, B, etc. However, we are all different steps in our lives with different experiences.
And that the only person that we ultimately should compare ourselves to is who you were yesterday. Did you grow? Did a new thought process come to you? How does that influence you creatively? Seeing your work progress through out your lifetime is an interesting self reflection.
Photography is my outlet after the 9-5 job. I’m a dad photographer. But love the process of seeing light in my own way. Sure I took classes at my local community college years ago, but that is to do one thing. Make my photography better than yesterday me. Have those like minded artists help look at your work if you want and learn.
As always Dee Rosa, a thought provoking conversation. Thank you.
The distinction between "amateur" and "professional" in relation to photography is irrational and irrelevant because there is no such thing as a "professional photographer"; it is a colloquial appropriation applied to many industries that is incorrect in the first instance. A "profession" is defined as a trade or industry that is governed by a body that sets legally enforceable rules and standards for the trade or industry and applies an entry qualification for a person to conduct business within that trade or industry; see lawyer, accountant, architect, medical practitioner, etc. A "professional" is a person who is legally entitled to conduct any such trade or industry by its governing body. Photography does not require participation in any such form of governance; one does not need to be a member of the Royal Photographic Society in order to sell images for example. Equally, we do not describe someone who paints as a "professional artist". Consequently, we are all just "photographers" where the appropriate distinction is "commercial" photographer for someone who earns their living from photography. Sub-divisions between sports, wedding, journalist, etc remain relevant because they distinguish the nature of photography in which an individual predominantly makes images.
I totally agree with this. I am in high school right now about to be a senior and I have been photographing since freshman year. I've done sports to events and recenty did a photo shoot for a friends clothing brand. My friends always wonder like why do you shoot x and x sport. I always say because I love it. If i get paid great thats fantastic if I don't and they arent asking anything from me then thats fine I'll do it for free. I think other photographers should be encouraging people to photograph and not shut them down because of their brand or what they do or events they cover. I photograph for myself I also do it for friends but thats a second priority I take photos because I want to take photos and I really enjoy it.
I consider myself a serious hobbyist and I don't even have any social media. Nobody can see my photos unless they're in my house. I have many albums filled with photos and I have very large photos that I have hanging on my walls. Once in a while I'll be invited to a party at a friend's house and I'll take countless photos and create a physical album for them and they're always extremely grateful for it. I love what I do and couldn't care less who doesn't.
What has been said in this video is well said. I’m an amateur/hobbyist and I take photos for myself and not for others. If someone wants to like a photo of mine that’s great and if not then that’s fine as well. I’m just having fun.
I’ve done the professional thing…now I just piss pros off on RUclips. Dude, great words.
Starting as a young hobbyist teenager, I went on to make a decent living as a social photographer for over 20 years. That allowed me to raise a family and buy my studio, which is now something else. The rent from it boosts my retirement income, so I can buy stuff I like, including photographic gear, and again take photos for my own interest. Photography has been good for me. There is no denying that some modern phones can in many situations compete with good cameras, that is technological progress.
Damn, the Boss Dee almost made me tear up! That was another real video. Thank you, man. You and your videos are so greatly appreciated, I hope you are fully aware of that. I got the best advice from you and that's real.
The gatekeeping that goes on in this craft is anyways wild to me.