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Posted: August 8, 2012

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What makes someone a photographer?

Forums > Art Related > Photography

~ShaliANel Aug 8, 2012

Hi everyone!

I've been looking for some interesting new topics for my blog "Inspired", and remembered this debate we had in my first year at uni.

What makes someone a photographer?

I remember we couldn't agree on anything (as you might expect) but in my opinion owning a camera makes you as much a photographer as telling a friend or family member where to place their new sofa makes you an interior designer. I believe it takes a lot of commitment to improvement and the willingness to learn and experiment before one can call themselves a photographer. I have studied photography at university for a year now, and don't count myself as a photographer just yet - I do, however, count myself as an aspiring photographer. I have no idea when the line between "aspiring" and "professional" is crossed, however. Is that something that can simply be explained through money? Is someone a professional photographer once people start paying you for it, or is it more than that?

I also don't think that using instagram makes you a photographer, or owning a fancy DSLR. I think there are so many details that make the difference, but can't say that I've found all of them yet.

This is where you come in. What makes someone a photographer in your opinion? I will write and feature the most interesting answers on my blog, but will include a link to this debate here as well.

Thank you,

Sarina

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=RavenDarke Sep 19, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

Quality, at point when you are on trip with someone owning camera too but at the end he wants use your photos over his/her, you are good photographer... what cause it? Lot of little thing from ability to observe to see, to knowleadge about composition, colors theory etc..

*Fuzzypiggy Sep 17, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

I fix things on my car, like brakes, fluids anything I can do without having the need for very specialist tools and a full workshop, would you call me a mechanic? I do my own plumbing and wiring at home, am I a plumber or an electrician? I shoot my own photos I don't pay anyone to do that, am I a photographer?

All those are specialist skills that are taught and used to make a living and anyone can take them up to a lesser or greater degree in a capacity of a keen amateur. Am I entitled to use those titles to describe my ability to do some of what the professionals in those jobs do?

~Blendedspecial Sep 17, 2012

There is no monopoly on the use of a word. The idea (perpetuated in these "debates")that only "true" photographers can call themselves photographers is a fallacy. There are broad subjective values commonly applied to words. So you may find it beneficial to accurately describe yourself. It doesn't matter if your describing yourself as a plumber or photographer. You still have to do it under the broad definition of plumber or photographer. Your a hobbyist what?

~Blendedspecial Sep 16, 2012

The wording of your question is a bit confusing. It implies that the word photographer does not have a definition. And that there is some great debate raging in the world about the definitions of a photograph, photography and photographer. This is just not true. These words are defined and can be found in a dictionary. A better question could be. What personal values have you associated or identified as being important to your photography? The answers to this question are subjective, personal. Also known as an opinion and everyone can have one or many. This is great, but should not be confused with an objective definition. Because the definition of a photographer is so broad we often add descriptive words to refine or categorize photographers. Landscape, wedding, film, digital, professional etc. A photographer is or isn't something, based only on if they meet the definitions of the words describing them. The competence, how “good” or “bad” a photographer is, is also subjective and does not determine if someone is or isn't a photographer. You asked for opinions of what makes a photographer and this is fine. I would just like to put some perspective out there for people that have made photography a part of their identity, (which is most of us here) and therefore something that is very valuable and something to be defended. When someone gives you an opinion, take it for what its worth. This is just my 2 cents.

~ShaliANel Sep 17, 2012

You're right that it has a definition in the dictionary, everything does. But that doesn't mean that it's an accurate one, or holistic

It is a debate, and rightly so! Have a look through all the comments I have received on this, no two are the same. If it was as a easy as that, this wouldn't be the case

As you said, it's all about opinion. There's no right or wrong definition on this, just opinions which are more common and those that are less common

~Blendedspecial Sep 17, 2012

My point is there is a difference between what is SUBJECTIVE and OBJECTIVE. Objectively a photographer is the definition in the dictionary, end of story only one answer. Subjectively people are free to add descriptions, emotions and skill levels to describe who THEY are as a photographer. These are endless and valuable but will for ever be separate from the object. Photography does not change. What YOU bring to it does. When stating your OPINION of what a photographer is you are defining yourself or others NOT photographers. The power is not in the definition of photographer. It is in you. This is important to understand.

~Blendedspecial Sep 17, 2012

I would also like to point out that "debates" like this often have the effect of making something exclusive. For example saying instagram photography isn't real photography. By doing this you're excluding them and their ideas. And limit yourself from exploring a new technique. You will never know what could have been learned. People do this to feel powerful, to be in the club making the rules. As an online community is this something we desire? Do we all want to subscribe to a definition of what photography is? Is a photo only good if it was taken in manual mode? Is is imposable to take a good photo on a point and shoot or Iphone? Myself I desire to be inclusive. I want my photography to be without limits. I believe I can learn from everyone regardless. Do discussion like this limit us or empower us as photographers?

*InsanityWorks Sep 15, 2012 Professional Photographer

If anything, what makes you a photographer isn't owning a camera or getting paid. It's your outlook on your life, its how you define yourself, just because your a photographer doesn't mean your a good photographer. But someone who invests their life into photography is a photographer. I make my living taking photos, I've been studying and practicing photography for the last 4 years of my life, and it is how I plan to spend the next 1000 years of my life. That is what makes me a photographer.

~ShaliANel Sep 17, 2012

Very well said, thank you

`FallisPhoto Sep 15, 2012

Not that long ago, a photographer was someone who made a living with a camera. Now it's someone who owns a camera. It's all part of the mediocritization of the art world.

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