Do you think anyone can be a photographer?

A photographer is just somebody who takes pictures.

You should have asked if anyone can be a GOOD photographer.

Henry Peach wrote: My favorite definition of a real photographer: Has to have owned a 3 legged dog named tripod.

I've actually heard of that ... might have been in a movie though.

Some of my students grab the mechanics quicker than others. Some have a natural eye for what is interesting to photograph (and a sense of composition). But, both "types" can learn photography.

I could always draw well, but I also studied art history. Now I know WHY an abstract piece or something dadaist is an important piece of work, when others might think their 5 year old could do it.

So yes, anyone CAN become a good photographer. Even a great one. For some it may require more work than for others. But if you dedicate yourself, you can get there.

Matthew

Scotty wrote: A photographer is just somebody who takes pictures.

You should have asked if anyone can be a GOOD photographer.

Do you think anyone can be a photographer?


Yup

effron wrote: Do you think anyone can be a photographer?


Yup

Isn't that "Yuppers"?

It is much easier to take Photos now than it would of been 50 years ago ,,,,,So there is more people that can shoot a camera ,,,,more opportunity to take photos so more photos more chances of getting 1 good shot ,,,Before in the age of Film on a good day I would shoot 36 to 50 shots and wait a week for the results now a good day may be 600 ,,,,

And beauty is in the eye of the beholder ,,,so what is good ,,,You may compose the right way but I don't like the subject ,,,Who's to say

Pictures are like music everybody doesn't like all of it ,,,

You may post 10 pics ,,,and your Fav. is not the ONE that you get the most likes or comments on ,,,,

So there is no answer to the Question

Aldric wrote: It is much easier to take Photos now than it would of been 50 years ago ,,,,,So there is more people that can shoot a camera ,,,,more opportunity to take photos so more photos more chances of getting 1 good shot ,,,Before in the age of Film on a good day I would shoot 36 to 50 shots and wait a week for the results now a good day may be 600 ,,,,

And beauty is in the eye of the beholder ,,,so what is good ,,,You may compose the right way but I don't like the subject ,,,Who's to say

Pictures are like music everybody doesn't like all of it ,,,

You may post 10 pics ,,,and your Fav. is not the ONE that you get the most likes or comments on ,,,,

So there is no answer to the Question

For your first post, well thought out. I enter few competitions and my "favorites" are not usually the ones that get the highest ratings.
By the way .

I agree. I have some of my "stock images" in my albums and they seem to get lower ratings than the pix I really didn't think people would like. It's all perspective and what people find appealing.

Hmmmmm....... "composition" can be taught (rule of thirds, etc) but I'm not so sure that's the same as having an "eye".... from my experience it just seems to come natural to some people - - - a gift. I see a "negative" aspect of my personality - having "ADD" - as being a huge contributor to my success as a wedding photojournalist.... that aspect of "distraction" .... being hyper-aware of everything around you that develops into an intuitive advantage.

Pettigrew wrote: This just stir up some interesting answers! I for one think not, some people just don't have an eye for photography. Now granted you can hand a camera to a monkey and they can manage to take a photo, so really anyone can take a photo. I think there is a line between clicking a button on a camera and that called a "photographer".

What I find comical is people who buy a camera and then make claims of being a photographer. {I have a camera in my hand, therefor I must be a photographer}

So the table has been set, who wants to jump in on this conversation?

Scotty wrote: A photographer is just somebody who takes pictures.

You should have asked if anyone can be a GOOD photographer.

Addressing the thread question.
1. Depends on what "photographer" means.
2. I think anyone can be a photographer, not everyone is good.
3. It's pretty darn subjective.
4. People who aren' t good can still make money from it, so that's a poor standard to judge a photographer by.

I wrote this before I read this:

Scotty wrote: A photographer is just somebody who takes pictures.

You should have asked if anyone can be a GOOD photographer.

And I obviously agree.

Crazyguy wrote: Not everyone,

Here are my projections:

1%- Peter Like
5% - Pro's of pro's
10% - Wedding and Portrait photographers
40%- Hobbyist and humble
44% - People who's skills are less then par, but claim to be pro's

I'm probably in the 44%.

Here's the kicker though. I have exactly the same tripod as Peter Lik (one of the ones he uses at least), so by pure awesome ninja logic, I must be as good as Peter Lik. Put me in that 1% please.

I won't be a photographer until I go Google Peter Lik (or is it Like?) and discover what tripod he uses. One question... What's a tripod?

chasrich wrote: I won't be a photographer until I go Google Peter Lik (or is it Like?) and discover what tripod he uses. One question... What's a tripod?

It's "Lik" but it's pronounced like "Like", like, you get it, like, man? It's like totally radically, like, great!

Here's a good link for you Charles: lmgtfy.com/?q=Peter+Lik%27s+Tripod+Setup


One thing for sure, he seems to use a RRS head and a Gitzo tripod.