Do you "admit" to being a photographer?

[CharlesBecker-Toronto]

<p> Hi Linda-I think that Bob Atkins' reply says it all. cb :-)</p>

[Lou_Meluso]

<p>"As a man thinketh, so he is. As he continues to think, so he becomes"<br>

-James Allen</p>

[john_a5]

<p>One way to look at it is to just call yourself whatever you like as we all know that others will call us whatever they want!</p>

[Tim_Lookingbill]

I often introduce myself in my local community as a "Digital Imaging Consultant" with a specialization in photography workflow development. That often shakes off the bohemian vibe and impresses the chicks. Got to impress the chicks, man. Yah dig?

[rossb]

<p>If someone asked me if I were a photographer I would answer by saying "Just a hobbyist". Then I would wait for their response. Usually people just want to chit chat about the camera or something. I cannot recall anyone ever thinking I was around in an official capacity. </p>

[steve_swinehart]

<p>When do people ask you if you're a photographer? I've never been asked that question in 40 years. If I'm working professionally, obviously, I'm a photographer because I'm being paid to work at making photographs. Otherwise, I'm just another guy with a camera that doesn't warrant a label of any kind.</p>

[bobcossar]

<p>OK, Linda.....So.....ARE you a photographer?</p>

[KyleE]

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=2099894">"Chris H (SoCalif)</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub4.gif" alt="" title="Subscriber" /> <img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/3rolls.gif" alt="" title="Frequent poster" /> </a> , Jan 03, 2010; 04:29 p.m.</p>

 

<p>If you cook, you are a cook (admittedly, you may be a bad cook);<br>

If you read books, you're a reader; and<br>

If you take photographs, I'd say that you are a photographer (and you may be a bad or good photographer at varying times, we all are). I guess it comes down to what you and your viewers actually think of your photography, doesn't it?"</p>

<p>I agree with Chris on this one. If you take photo's then you are a photographer.</p>

<p>To draw the parallel between chef and cook, if you cook you are a cook, if you cook professionally in a restaurant for a living then you are a chef (you also have to make creative decisions with respect to the menu but that is nitpicking) if you take photos specially for more than just recording memories then you are a photographer, if you make a living from taking photos and that is your main source of income then you are a professional photographer.</p>

<p>Though I don't personally call myself a photographer if anyone asks ;).</p>

 

[brucecahn]

<p>I will admit it if pushed, though most of us have a poor reputation.</p>

[walter_strong5]

<p>I USED to be a real photographer, but since Photo Shop came along, I no long am!</p>

[mark_chartrand]

<p>@Walter</p>

<p>You can still be a photographer and use Photoshop. You just don't have to get your fingers wet anymore. You can use either a darkroom or Photoshop to create wonderful images. The only problem with Photoshop is that you don't smell as good as when you used a darkroom.</p>

<p>Mark</p>

[kyoshi_becker]

<p>Agreed on the darkroom! A photographer is one who uses light as his/her art form. Photographers are artists, and "commercial photographers(primarily for money)" are shooters...</p>

[constance_cook]

<p>I thought I was just a diligent serious amateur until one day a woman I know well said to another person, "My husband is a photographer. Conni does takes pictures too." At that moment, I knew I was a photographer and said so in no uncertain terms. I haven't questioned it since.</p>

<p>Conni</p>

[a._branson]

<p>I am a lawyer, but I feel much more comfortable telling people I am a photographer. Why? Because in my opinion, there is everything to respect about a person who chooses their pursuits -- especially today -- not based on what will bring them money or respect, but what will bring them personal satisfaction. I realize your question is more along the lines of "do you feel comfortable ascribing the title 'photographer' to yourself." And I am comfortable with that title. Not because I think I have attained some mastery of the art of photography, but because for me, being a "photographer" is about possessing a curiosity about things I don't know much about. It's about being open to the world around me, and therefore being open to an evolving sense of how I fit into that world (and who I am).</p>

<p>I suppose anyone who takes a photograph is a photographer, and that is the short answer. But for me, being a photographer is about developing a sort of intellect, openness and appreciation for subtleties that I think is sadly lost on many people today. That's why I'm proud to say I am a photographer -- not because of the quality of my photographs, but because of the thinking that, I hope, goes into them.</p>

[alvinyap]

<p>It's taken me 8 years, but yes, I am confident in my skills and work to say yes, I am an amateur photographer. And no, my gallery on pnet only reflects part of what I do ;-)</p>

<p>Alvin</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>I'm a fauxteaugravurist and absurdist. Those boxes and lens thingies hanging from straps are just props to distract the rubes.</p>

[matt_needham]

<p><em>"Now days with the digital revolution , everyone is a photographer."</em></p>

<p>"Somebody let the rabble in." -Lewis Carroll, dedicated wet plate photographer, commenting upon the introduction of film, and the subsequent surge of popularity of photography.</p>

<p>Blame George Eastman and his new fangled invention. Real photographers pour the plate, make the exposure, and process the plate in the field. Everything since then has been a trade off of quality for the ease of convenience, or so we are told. ;)</p>

<p> </p>

[matthew_newton]

<p>Sure I say I am a photographer if asked, but I also ususally say something like "I am a photographer, but not a pro". My level of skill is certainly not as high as a number of people are on this board or just really talented photographers in general, but it is higher then most people I've met including some who do make a living at it. Just like if someone asks me if I am a cook, sure I am a cook, but not a chef. I have a passion for both and I consider myself pretty talented at both, at least using the meter stick of the average populace.</p>

[GerrySiegel]

<p>"Are you now are have you ever been a photographer?"... Can't you tell?</p>

[GerrySiegel]

<blockquote>

<p>.....for me, being a "photographer" is about possessing a curiosity about things I don't know much about. It's about being open to the world around me, and therefore being open to an evolving sense of how I fit into that world (and who I am).</p>

</blockquote>

<blockquote>

<p>I suppose anyone who takes a photograph is a photographer, and that is the short answer. But for me, being a photographer is about developing a sort of intellect, openness and appreciation for subtleties that I think is sadly lost on many people today. That's why I'm proud to say I am a photographer -- not because of the quality of my photographs, but because of the thinking that, I hope, goes into them.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>A pretty darn good reflection on such matters for a lawyer :-), Mr A. Branson, <strong>Esq</strong> . You may legitimately add <strong>Ph.</strong> to your name I think. I wish we all could. Be well, gs</p>

[jennifer_h1]

<p>Of course i admit it. No reason not to.</p>

[rashed]

<p>Very nice statment from my friend</p>

<p > </p>

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=5245443">John A</a></p>

 

<p>One way to look at it is to just call yourself whatever you like as we all know that others will call us whatever they want</p>

<p>while we been going through our electrical engineering practical study with the National Power in England, we had to go through a first aid course for 2 days on compeletion of the course one of our group students, went missing for a week and I been asked to go to his place and ask him why he do not attend his classes.<br>

So I went to him and asked him the same question, he stright away told me that he no more need to be an electrical engineer any more after receving his first aid cirtificate, he told me that he is now a doctor and he like to practise medical with his ciritficate !</p>

<p>2 or 3 or 10 images here of makes no photographer of a person, some times I feel that there is so much in this art than just few photos.<br>

I am learning bits and pieces but I can not call myself a photographer, I do not dream during the day while the sun above my head but live my day in according to my capabilities and understanding.</p>

 

[patrick j dempsey]

<p>I'm more afraid of admitting that I'm an American.</p>

[mark_chartrand]

<p>@ A. Branson</p>

<p>Well said.</p>

<p>Mark</p>

[LindaM]

<p>This has been really interesting. It hadn't occurred to me before that the question "are you a photographer?" is maybe the problem. I have a camera around my neck, am looking through the view finder and clicking a button. I'm obviously not cooking. So what are they asking? And Steve S., I have been asked that question fairly often. I might be at a ball game, a parade, a festival, the race track, on a hike....</p>