What Makes a Photographer

FotoPony

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(I'm new to the forums but amazingly horrible at introductions. So, my first post will be a question!)

I love taking photos of animals in my spare time and have recently become the main photo-taker for a local horse club I'm in. It's subtle dream of mine to be an equine photographer, or to go around the world taking photos of wildlife and be able to have them published in magazines. Maybe even make a little income off of something I love to do. But like I said, that's a dream.

I am a very novice/beginner photographer. Some of my shots I am personally fond of, but mostly I stay in the lovely "Auto" or "Program" mode. I get the basics of shutter speed, aperture size, etc but am having difficulties getting good results when I play with these settings myself. And my camera is in no way special; It's a Canon PowerShot SX20.

So to my question: What is it that makes a photographer successful? Is it the equipment they use, their knowledge of what to do to get the special shot, the tricks they know, or the outcome?
 
I would say all of the above, but a little less on the equiptment they use and more leaning towards their knowlege of how to get that shot, and that final product. But another thing to consider you may be the greatest photographer in the world but unless you know how to market yourself you wont ever get anywhere. There are millions of people, just like you that have the very same dream of being a successful professional photographer. So it takes a little knowhow of business tactics to be in front of those people to get noticed. I'm decent at what I do, but ive yet to find a way to get ahead of these people.. I do sell my work, but there are so many more places which I would love to sell my work.
 
My personal definition of a true photographer is a person who is able to use their equipment, ability, and experience to get a proper shot anywhere, any time, under any conditions, with no excuses. Anybody else, myself included, is just a "Picture Taker".
 
There is no one component that leads to success. It is a combination of a various collection of factors, each of which being important in its own right and no one single item being the leading roll overall (though for specific photos one factor might be the major draw).


In general there are always levels you have to clamber up and at the start almost everything needs improving in some manner. My general view is that improving the technical controls over the tools is the best place to focus on at first. Controlling and using the tools that you have is key for all the rest to fit into place (such as composition and being in the right place and anticipating the shot before it happens).

That view is also viewing a photographer as only a photographer. If you want to go pro you've also got to be a business person first and foremost. Good photographer yes, but if you can't balance your books, advertise your work and pay your taxes your business will fail no matter how good you are with the camera. Note also that not everyone has to run their own company, many can be quite happy working for an existing firm.



All that is generalist advice, for more specific advice you'll have to show some examples, let us see what you've made and also hear how you set the settings and took the shots. Once we know what you produce and how you produce it and the tools you use - then advice can be more specific in guiding you toward a more desirable outcome (having an idea and expressing your views on what you consider a desirable outcome also helps)


Also if you want some inspiration : Flickr: Raphael Macek - Horse Photography's Photostream
 
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IMO, it's the ability to consistently make well composed, and/or interesting photographs. It doesn't matter what gear is used.
 
Knowledge and control of gear and techniques, from my POV. The more the person has, the more I consider them accomplished as a photographer.

I see "photographer" pretty much the way I see other professions or endeavors; There are the novice/noobs, apprentices, journeymen, experts, masters. They're all technically photographers, but some are snapshot photographers and may never be much more than that, while others are the true Masters, with a capital "M".
 
So to my question: What is it that makes a photographer successful? Is it the equipment they use, their knowledge of what to do to get the special shot, the tricks they know, or the outcome?

I'm assuming when you use the word "successful" you mean people that can make a living off their photography... It's like 80% marketing 20% actual talent. The fact is most people can't tell a decent photograph from an excellent one and most don't even really care. Most successful photographers are just good at selling themselves and creating the illusion that they are great.
 
The dictionary says it's anyone who takes photographs.

In my opinion, a photographer is someone who enjoys taking pictures, regardless of the outcome.

On the other hand, a good photographer is someone who enjoys taking pictures, and is capable of taking pictures that other people enjoy viewing. A good photographer is also a person who is always trying to improve their shots.

Usually what makes a photographer successful in the end is talent, hard work, confidence, knowledge, experience and self discipline. Equipment is used to improve the percentage of usable shots.
 
IMO, success would stay out of reach until one developes a good, solid fundamental understanding of - the visual arts (form, line, balance, visual weight, proportion, composition, etc), how a camera, digital camera subsystems, and lens work, how a digital photograph works, how to do pre and post production, how to promote and market oneself, how to run a business, and how to network.

With the explosion in digital camera sales over the last 10 years, the number of photographers competing for a slice of the pie has never been greater.

However, there is no doubt that it often boils down to being in the right place at the right time (ie, lucky). Many that are successful though, are also skilled at making their own luck, which very often hinges on effective networking.
 
Patience. Perseverance. Practice.
 
Why not? I don't think someone would be a photographer if they didn't want to. Would put so much time into it and not like?
 
Patriot said:
Why not? I don't think someone would be a photographer if they didn't want to. Would put so much time into it and not like?

I had the same gut reaction to Bitter's comment. But the question is "what makes a photographer" not "what makes a great photographer". Someone can become a photographer without a passion for it, they just have to like it.
Now to be great, I think you need passion.
 

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