Tony Kelts on
Things I have read or heard that are cringe: You have to own a Leica. You can only use Manual mode. You can only use straight out of camera photos. Reality : I have a Canon M6 mark II. I shoot in FV mode. I edit a lot of my photos.
Do We Take "Becoming a Real Photographer" Too Seriously?
Posted by Mark Gladding in General on the Big Photo Hunt community board, .
I watch too many YouTube videos, and tonight I fell into the “real photographer” advice rabbit hole. It reminded me how often I slip into imposter syndrome, like I’m supposed to reach some final destination. But the journey is the whole point. These days, it’s less about the final image and more about enjoying the process. If someone gets two seconds of joy from a photo, great — but making it is what makes me happy (and yes, deleting the bad ones too).
I used to shoot Sony mirrorless and owned all the gear. Eventually I sold it and switched to M43 because the weight was killing the fun. No regrets. My big test is next week: a theater production with very dark sets. I’m a little nervous relying on M43 while still learning the menus, but the group is supportive and it’s the perfect chance to put the system through its paces. And yes, I still have a Sony backup.
Mostly, I’m posting this to remind myself: I am a photographer. No qualifiers. I’m challenging myself to share both a little good and a little bad when I get back. And as Ken always says about this place — it’s really friendly. And it is.
Wish me luck!
Replies
Angela Woods on
I think that, and just my opinion, photographers are really not enjoying the fun of photography. If I had that title and was a true real license photographer , or however you become one, I m not sure about it, but that would be my job not my hobby or that's how I look at it and usually a lot of people don't really enjoy their jobs. I know some do but I think the idea, would take the enjoyment away from the photography. I'm sure there are people who have it as an occupation who do enjoy it but I mean to really have fun and heart felt joy from taking a photo I would have trouble if I looked at taking photos as a job I had to do rather than one I did because it truly was fun and brought joy to my life.
Erin Hayes on
First, and I'm probably late...good luck!
Now...Ive personally never understood the term pro in anything. We never stop learning til the day we die, so why not make use of it?
I dont consider myself a pro in any way, probably never will. Do I hope to one day be able to stop working to live? Yes. But I think too many spend too much time and energy trying to become a "pro" that they lose the joy in it. It becomes more of "What do I HAVE to do to stay where I am?" and less of "what makes me happy?"
I dont consider myself good at portrait photography, though I do have a couple of decent shots. Im more skilled in landscape and (quickly becoming) wildlife. The blessing of living in Alaska.😊
What hurts is when I tell people im a photographer, they get all excited and ask about portraits, and then walk away when I say I do landscape...but any whoo...I decided to check this out after watching a couple of YT videos and even entered a couple of the contests. This is a fun atmosphere 😊
Amy Kauffman on
@Tony Kelts my cringe is when someone else carrying a camera offers me tips (in a condescending way) or to answer questions without seeing any of my photos. 🙄
Erin Hayes on
@Tony Kelts I make use of my phone camera a lot. I dont always have the time to get my camera set up for what im looking at. And that seems to piss off the "pros" too. I also dont go full manual mode. I prefer AV mode(I have a Canon T7rebel, and a T6 rebel...that really ticks them off too🤣)
Erin Hayes on
@Amy Kauffman right? I cant stand that...in any field I know im knowledgeable in...
Amy Kauffman on
@Erin Hayes ya I think maybe the conversation should be engaging as though you are both knowledgeable. Im not in a classroom, im outside taking photos.
Amy Kauffman on
I had to think about how to respond to this and to @Andrew Bailey 's post too. I love photography as much as I love dance and art. I'm not a dancer, or an artist, but I appreciate the passion and joy people carry while performing, creating and sharing.
Photography is whatever we make it out to be. Sometimes I upvote a photo because I feel like the photographer is really proud of this and I'm proud too then. I do understand the difference between the professional world and hobby world due to expectations for published works, but on free sites and friendly competitions, hobbies, expressionism, it should all be here with respectable commends. Even for the courage to share. So thank you everyone for sharing, I really enjoy seeing all the photos each week. 💛
Leo Lopez on
Hello Mark!
A photographer doesn't need a brand. Just a camera. The process, as you said, is what matters to you. Whatever you choose to do, the number of shots you take, the framing, the edigint, the way you move with the camera, even the way you relate with other people on set... All this and more is what's unique about you as a photographer, and that's why you are here and the world is blessed to have you pouring all your energy and artistry into your photography. Keep it up!
Ken Deckinger on
@Leo Lopez bravo !
Ken Deckinger on
Hey Mark, I love this post. It really hits me because I have feelings about labels in general (I don't like them and don't think they define who individuals are), and I think that a photographer is anyone who has a camera and just wants to go experience photography.
One of the main reasons I started the Big Photo Hunt was because I felt tired and frustrated by "real" photographers defining who could be a photographer or who could learn and grow their photography. For me personally, I think that anyone who has a camera and is out there making photographs - without mattering what level they're at - is a photographer.
Photography is what you make it, not what other people define it as.
If you're out there with a camera and it means something to you... You're a photographer.
BTW - @Mark Gladding - Good luck with the M43. Can't wait to see the photos here!
Andrew Bailey on
I think the game is rigged to promote insecurity, from gear to methodology. I'm at the point where my only interest is in what draws me and trying to communicate that as effectively as I can. I say: shoot everything that catches your eye, shoot all the time, and pay attention to what works and doesn't. You'll be on your feet in no time.
Don't invest in self-appointed gatekeepers of proper methodology. They're all selling something you don't need.
Hayley Flint-ahern on
I feel like the one true thing that defines a photographer vs not is the knowledge and practicing that continuing to learn and seeing it as an art a practice as sarbajit said so well. There’s people with cameras and there’s photographers. I think if you take joy from it and others find joy in your work that’s what makes you an artist truly whatever your medium. Striving to learn and improve always. I’m a hairstylist and I’ve always been an artist in a more traditional sense either illustration or other hand crafts. Always learning about all of it so that’s for me what keeps from feeling too much of the imposter syndrome
Ken Deckinger on
@Hayley Flint-ahern "I think if you take joy from it and others find joy in your work that’s what makes you an artist truly whatever your medium." Couldn't agree more. :-)
Nisah Cheatham on
I like to think of photography like a practice - like yoga or martial arts. I call myself a hobbyist, though its not in contrast to "real". Real photographer as opposed to what? Fake? Amateur is the opposite of pro, but that's about paid vs. not paid. So when these YouTubers talk about "real" photography, I don't even think they know what they mean. It would be funny to super edit in a bunch of people talking about what real photographers do... "Real photographers use wide apertures. [jump cut] Real photographers don't shoot wide open. [jump cut] Real street photographers lock it in at F/8 and think in zones!" haha
Side note: what drew me to The Big Photo Hunt was actually @Ken Deckinger on YouTube because he was speaking from a place of data and posing questions. So different than the "let me show/tell you how it is" kind of channels.
Ken Deckinger on
@Nisah Cheatham thanks. Means a lot because I try hard to differentiate the Big Photo Hunt and myself. Nice to know you felt that way. It's not easy and imposter syndrome runs rampant around here ;-) but I enjoy the craft and building the community and I'm so happy to hear when it resonates. 🙏🏼
Ralph Berrett on
I will put it this way: I am very wary of the way YouTube defines anything. I had many faceplants while watching videos on YouTube. One guy said that he uses primes over zooms because (not kidding) zooms are too complicated. He also said you zoom with your feet; nuff said, right. YouTubers tend to follow trends, and trends can be short-lived. Let's take Bokeh, for example. I do use it, yes. Do I use it for every shot? No. But many YouTubers say you should use it for every shot.
I do think there is a difference between a professional and a photographer. My definition of a pro photographer is simple: a photographer who gets paid for his work.
One last thing. Friends don't recommend Ken Rockwell to friends. My advice is to take anything he says with a pinch of salt, which would equal the Dead Sea.