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

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

Yes.

This topic comes up on occasion and HP is right. It was Eastman that made the slogan, "You push the button, we do the rest", over 100 years ago.

As an artist, don't worry about the others. They come and go. Be your own "best" critic and focus on your own growth. As far as I know, cream still rises.

Matthew

An article at PBS

www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eastman/peopleevents/pande13.html

Watch out for the "camera fiend" !!! Somebody just posted about being called a pervert.

Another article

www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kodk/hd_kodk.htm

People have enjoyed photography at varying levels for a long time. The instant feedback of digital makes learning easy, and is fun and inspiring. It doesn't surprise me that lots of people are into it.

Are there to many Pro's, No. Are there too many Semi-Pro's, maybe!

To me a Pro is someone who makes his living from the camera and can perform on queue 95% of the time, a semi-pro is the bod with the camera who thinks he can, goes and shoots and cocks up 50% of the time.

Semi's will come and go but a Pro who will always come recommended will stay around until he's ready to hang up the camera.

TheNissanMan wrote: Are there to many Pro's, No. Are there too many Semi-Pro's, maybe!

To me a Pro is someone who makes his living from the camera and can perform on queue 95% of the time, a semi-pro is the bod with the camera who thinks he can, goes and shoots and cocks up 50% of the time.

Semi's will come and go but a Pro who will always come recommended will stay around until he's ready to hang up the camera.

It like the semi-pro graphic artist, plumber, computer repair person, and so on. They will undercut the pros prices, sometimes deliver the goods, not pay the taxes and move on.

SecondShooters wrote: 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??

It's "a lot" not "alot" though I could allot some time to do a lot of photography work I suppose.

Yeh I notice this often. Usually they have the cheaper cameras with kit lenses on it. I usually get my way because I'm quite big and my camera is larger than theirs.

TheNissanMan wrote: Are there to many Pro's, No. Are there too many Semi-Pro's, maybe!

To me a Pro is someone who makes his living from the camera and can perform on queue 95% of the time, a semi-pro is the bod with the camera who thinks he can, goes and shoots and cocks up 50% of the time.

Semi's will come and go but a Pro who will always come recommended will stay around until he's ready to hang up the camera.

You get some pros (under your definition) that suck and some semi-pros/amateurs that are awesome.

I actually agree with your definition that they make most of their living from photography. Just not your confidence in their abilities.

Oh and it's "cue" not "queue". Though I'm sure they can do it while lining up for their social welfare payments.

it's too early in the morning here to be philosophical but we started the "pro" debate again and the subject was wanna be. Like David i've been on disability due to back surgery the past couple years and am just getting my business back together, so I take the wanna be issue to heart cuz I WANNA BE BACK TO MAKING MY LIVING THROUGH THE LENS !!! there, now that I have that out of my system I can settle in and have my morning espresso and have a more pleasant attitude.

Rob pix4u2 wrote: it's too early in the morning here to be philosophical but we started the "pro" debate again and the subject was wanna be. Like David i've been on disability due to back surgery the past couple years and am just getting my business back together, so I take the wanna be issue to heart cuz I WANNA BE BACK TO MAKING MY LIVING THROUGH THE LENS !!! there, now that I have that out of my system I can settle in and have my morning espresso and have a more pleasant attitude.

And I hope you can reach - and exceed - your goals. I think the "wanna be" reference is like the joker that buys a Shelby or Calloway 'Vette and thinks they are a race driver.
You are not a "wanna be", you are an "aspiring" full-time pro. That means you didn't just buy the tools, you dedicate your time to them, and your "profession". It shows in your work.

Yeap, there sure are in my opinion

By definition a pro photographer makes a living from photography regardless of his/her abilities, a semi-pro partial income, hobbyist no income

cue/queue have to give you that one

cannot see the problam with wanting to be a photographer everyone likes to express themselves be it with a camera a brush or in a craft,I personally am a novice I do it for the love of it I also dable in drawing and painting,I believe everyone should have a go at whatever makes them happy.

I qualify as an aspiring, wanting to learn and be better photographer. I do not make my living off my photos. I happen to also be on disability and a stay at home Mom. That is my 'job'- Mom. I am always Mom. It takes a 2nd seat to my photography. I want to make a living part time off my camera. I aim to sell my nature prints. I am trying to break into the senior portrait business, offering free shoots to build a portfolio. So far no takers, but I am lucky to have a spouse that supports our family. This allows me the luxury of time and to do this right.

I think there are quite a few people with low end DSLR's that are trying to be pro's and get around paying pro prices for photographic work. There is an entire blog dedicated to this, I won't mention them as they are snarky and can be tough to swallow. Some people are trying to learn and those I commend, it is a passion of mine. I try and shoot daily. Does it happen no, but I try. I am trying to purchase the proper equipment and ask the questions I need to learn. Look at my siggie- that says it all. Even though I have been shooting artistically for almost 10yrs.

The low cost of a decent DSLR and etc. has created a "group" of enthusiasts that want to learn all there is to know about photography. That is good for my business.

I think the problem is when someone finally gets the camera, the lenses, and the rest of the gear they've aspired to and say, "I have arrived".

Those of us who have been at this awhile would say, "You have begun".

Matthew

TheNissanMan wrote: By definition a pro photographer makes a living from photography regardless of his/her abilities, a semi-pro partial income, hobbyist no income

cue/queue have to give you that one

Fair enough. I guess that'll put me in the "semi-pro" category. I don't really want to be a pro photographer. I like money too much.

I shot my first paid wedding not so long ago as history goes, but still in the film era. It was typical to see 3 or 4 35mm SLRs among the guests. I was using Nikon FM2n's and Vivitar 285hv's, so it wasn't uncommon to see fancier gear. Today I usually see 2 or 3 DSLRs among guests. I'm using 5DII's. Most of the guests are using entry level DSLRs. It's rare to see a speedlight. I was pleasantly surprised to see a woman using a 50mm lens and only shooting available light last Saturday.

Besides the people who are making some or all of their living from photography the folks I see carrying high end DSLRs and gear seem very similar to the the folks I saw carrying high end/dollar 35mm film gear like Nikon F5's and Leicas. Mostly it's older, wealthy dudes who make 100% of their money from something much more profitable than photography. They also buy those fancy cars. They have a lot of money, and when they get interested in something they buy the top end stuff because they can. They buy the fancy gear, and they bring it out and hang it around their necks at the appropriate time: that's pics of the grand kids, scenic overlooks, to visit the camera store, and weddings.