Are there too many wanna be photographers these days???

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you have noticed that there are alot of nice cameras out there therefore alot of people have decided that they are photographers.

My wife and I have noticed at weddings that we shoot that there are more and more wanna be photographers with nice cameras. What do you think??

I think as technology becomes less and less expensive, you will see more and more people coming out of the wood work with nice cameras. Some people perception is that "I have a nice PROFESSIONAL looking camera, so that makes me a PRO". IMO opinion that is where you get many of these Craigslist photographers for hire.

With the improved advancements in camera technology it is not difficult for anyone to take a decent photograph. People buy what they can afford and some just like to keep up with the Jones. The business of photography has sparked many until they realize it takes more than a camera to be successful. There will always be Uncle Joe and Aunt Sally with the expensive - impressive camera that because they can get one nicely composed, color balanced photo out of five hundred shots, that they are now experts.

some just like to keep up with the Jones.

My guess is that is what is driving 90% of consumer DSLR sales. They aren't trying to be pros. Just want the best results and assume an expensive camera automatically delivers superior photos. So they never try manual mode. Ever.

Kelly

I have noticed folks over the years who facied themselves as "Pro" level because they had a top shelf camera- I've also noticed that I am still shooting after these wanna be photographers have moved on to the next big thing in their lives. It always amazes me the number of folks who think " It's the CAMERA" that does the work- not the creative person behind the viewfinder !

Rob pix4u2 wrote: I have noticed folks over the years who facied themselves as "Pro" level because they had a top shelf camera- I've also noticed that I am still shooting after these wanna be photographers have moved on to the next big thing in their lives. It always amazes me the number of folks who think " It's the CAMERA" that does the work- not the creative person behind the viewfinder !

I turned down a wedding job because I did not feel qualified. Just because I was shooting a 50th anniversary party with two cameras, peoples thought I was a pro. I am referring them to some friends who are. I know my place, and right now it is "avid enthusiast".

Nah. I think the work speaks for itself. And every photographer had to start somewhere. Those "wannabes" may be the future Greats. I admire anyone wanting to try, and enjoy encouraging others. I guess I take the comment personally to a point, because I AM one of those. I got myself a fancy camera and POOF went after business, or I should say business went after me. I started getting requests simply based on my camera, and I explained that I was very new to it, but willing to try. First sessions were free or bartered and moved up from there. I've been learning as I go, and for whatever odd reason, business is good. I was photographing a graduation the other week (I was hired) and a young boy with a fancy camera (his dad's) wanted to catch some of my shots, He was kind of lurking behind me trying to shoot around me so I motioned him over to sit next to me and told him to just go for it. He sure did. LOL He was really into it, I had to reel him back once, but it didn't bother me at all. And I will be the first to admit that he probably got some better shots that I did.

Cre8tivefix wrote: Nah. I think the work speaks for itself. And every photographer had to start somewhere. Those "wannabes" may be the future Greats. I admire anyone wanting to try, and enjoy encouraging others. I guess I take the comment personally to a point, because I AM one of those. I got myself a fancy camera and POOF went after business, or I should say business went after me. I started getting requests simply based on my camera, and I explained that I was very new to it, but willing to try. First sessions were free or bartered and moved up from there. I've been learning as I go, and for whatever odd reason, business is good. I was photographing a graduation the other week (I was hired) and a young boy with a fancy camera (his dad's) wanted to catch some of my shots, He was kind of lurking behind me trying to shoot around me so I motioned him over to sit next to me and told him to just go for it. He sure did. LOL He was really into it, I had to reel him back once, but it didn't bother me at all. And I will be the first to admit that he probably got some better shots that I did.

I agree to the point that there are some folks who are SERIOUS about photography and I never mind helping them to get better. Last hockey season a student at the local community college just walked up to me and started asking if I minded him asking me questions. Now he is learning from me and I take him along whenever I can. He is a good learner and I'm enjoying teaching him the craft as much as I can. I was referring to those people who are truly not interested in the work but in the glory of being called a "Pro" . I know several in particular who at times were more of a pain in my side than working to be/get better at photography. AS i said I'm still shooting - they have given up.

Rob pix4u2 wrote:

Cre8tivefix wrote: Nah. I think the work speaks for itself. And every photographer had to start somewhere. Those "wannabes" may be the future Greats. I admire anyone wanting to try, and enjoy encouraging others. I guess I take the comment personally to a point, because I AM one of those. I got myself a fancy camera and POOF went after business, or I should say business went after me. I started getting requests simply based on my camera, and I explained that I was very new to it, but willing to try. First sessions were free or bartered and moved up from there. I've been learning as I go, and for whatever odd reason, business is good. I was photographing a graduation the other week (I was hired) and a young boy with a fancy camera (his dad's) wanted to catch some of my shots, He was kind of lurking behind me trying to shoot around me so I motioned him over to sit next to me and told him to just go for it. He sure did. LOL He was really into it, I had to reel him back once, but it didn't bother me at all. And I will be the first to admit that he probably got some better shots that I did.

I agree to the point that there are some folks who are SERIOUS about photography and I never mind helping them to get better. Last hockey season a student at the local community college just walked up to me and started asking if I minded him asking me questions. Now he is learning from me and I take him along whenever I can. He is a good learner and I'm enjoying teaching him the craft as much as I can. I was referring to those people who are truly not interested in the work but in the glory of being called a "Pro" . I know several in particular who at times were more of a pain in my side than working to be/get better at photography. AS i said I'm still shooting - they have given up.

I have noted this before but I bears repeating. At National Geographic, Dewitt Jones' boss, Bob Gilka, gave him some advice that applies to us all. He told Dewitt, “You don’t have to prove yourself, not to me or to the other photographers." Dewitt added, "“Improve ourself? That’s a different story. There’s so much for all of us to learn to make our vision clearer, stronger, sharper. And Gilka knew that the fastest way to learn is to trust and share rather than compete.”

Rob pix4u2 wrote:

Cre8tivefix wrote: Nah. I think the work speaks for itself. And every photographer had to start somewhere. Those "wannabes" may be the future Greats. I admire anyone wanting to try, and enjoy encouraging others. I guess I take the comment personally to a point, because I AM one of those. I got myself a fancy camera and POOF went after business, or I should say business went after me. I started getting requests simply based on my camera, and I explained that I was very new to it, but willing to try. First sessions were free or bartered and moved up from there. I've been learning as I go, and for whatever odd reason, business is good. I was photographing a graduation the other week (I was hired) and a young boy with a fancy camera (his dad's) wanted to catch some of my shots, He was kind of lurking behind me trying to shoot around me so I motioned him over to sit next to me and told him to just go for it. He sure did. LOL He was really into it, I had to reel him back once, but it didn't bother me at all. And I will be the first to admit that he probably got some better shots that I did.

I agree to the point that there are some folks who are SERIOUS about photography and I never mind helping them to get better. Last hockey season a student at the local community college just walked up to me and started asking if I minded him asking me questions. Now he is learning from me and I take him along whenever I can. He is a good learner and I'm enjoying teaching him the craft as much as I can. I was referring to those people who are truly not interested in the work but in the glory of being called a "Pro" . I know several in particular who at times were more of a pain in my side than working to be/get better at photography. AS i said I'm still shooting - they have given up.

I don't mind people who are just into buying the fancy stuff for looks either. Because that just bring that much more equipment within my used price range. That and the more bad photographers there are out there, the more the really good ones will stand out.

Consumers help us...
a. Get better equipment faster through increased RD and product development.
b. Keep profits and competition healthy and prices lower.
c. Supply a neverending supply of used stuff on eBay.
d. My camera is a Chick magnet - I mean totally. When I step from my beater old Chevy truck and haul out my big Canon with the expanding length lens. I turn from feeling like a turnup farmer into a photographic ROCK STAR! Viva the belief in images...

Encourage everyone to believe that it's the camera. Those with any real sense will figure out the secret soon enough.

At the end of the day they are there wether pros like it or not, its the nature of the beast, I get my bookings by word of mouth and if I lose any so what life goes on, I am certainly not going to worry about it as there are more important things to worry about, like my health.

SecondShooters wrote: Are there too many wanna be photographers these days???

Yes, I blame George Eastman!

"Somebody let the rabble in." -Lewis Carroll, dedicated colliodian process photographer, on the sudden popularity of photography after Kodak cameras and roll film were introduced.

EDIT: I think when point-n-shoots have zero shutter button lag and decent high ISO quality the popularity of DSLRs will fade.

Henry Peach wrote:

SecondShooters wrote: Are there too many wanna be photographers these days???

Yes, I blame George Eastman!

"Somebody let the rabble in." -Lewis Carroll, dedicated colliodian process photographer, on the sudden popularity of photography after Kodak cameras and roll film were introduced.

EDIT: I think when point-n-shoots have zero shutter button lag and decent high ISO quality the popularity of DSLRs will fade.

I'm not sure. The iPhones will take over from the P&S models and the status-conscious will still but the DSLR's just like they buy the Porsches and can't parallel park.

Baydream wrote: The iPhones will take over from the P&S models...

I agree. I think it's already pretty much happened. I consider the cell phone cams to be point-n-shoots with additional features.