When can you legitimately call yourself a photograper?

[Bitter Jeweler]

Are you a photographer when you go around snapping random pics of random things?

Or are you a photographer when you start thinking about what you are photographing, and do it with intent?

:mrgreen:

 

[bentcountershaft]

What if you intend to be random?

 

[Darkhunter139]

When you get paid for it or are recognized by another photographer as a photographer.

No other way to become a photographer, sorry guys.

 

[chito beach]

Are you a photographer when you go around snapping random pics of random things?

Or are you a photographer when you start thinking about what you are photographing, and do it with intent?

:mrgreen:

snapping with intent is not an option?

Id say w hen you start thinking about what you are photographing, and do it with intent

 

[RauschPhotography]

When you get paid for it or are recognized by another photographer as a photographer.

No other way to become a photographer, sorry guys.

But some photographers may not recognize you or respect someone as a photographer out of insecurity. Oh, the joy of the giant ego.

 

[misstwinklytoes]

As soon as you open this thread...



CONGRATS!

 

[Darkhunter139]

When you get paid for it or are recognized by another photographer as a photographer.

No other way to become a photographer, sorry guys.

But some photographers may not recognize you or respect someone as a photographer out of insecurity. Oh, the joy of the giant ego.

That kind of sounds like me. I really don't respect anyone but myself as a photographer. I have just not seen anyone that can match the quality of my work.

Now I am not going to pretend that I would be this good if it was not for my camera. A lot of credit has to go to my D40 and $200 lenses.

 

[RauschPhotography]

As soon as you open this thread...



CONGRATS!

:lmao:

 

[Derrel]

As soon as you mash that shutter button down, you iz a photo-grapher!

 

[Vinny]

I think as long as you are taking photos with the intent on getting better at it - then you are a photographer. Getting paid to take photos doesn't make you a photographer or professional though!

 

[Rekd]

You can't.

You have to wait for someone else to call you a Professional Photographer.

 

[Light Artisan]

Once you have a camera in hand and take your first photo.

That's why people use the terms 'amateur, professional, hobbyist, etc' in front of the word.

 

[Overread36]

You may only call yourself a photographer once you have the official certificate - in order to apply for consideration please send me your name, address and £40 in used notes to me and I'll put your name up for round one of consideration.

 

[KenC]

You may only call yourself a photographer once you have the official certificate - in order to apply for consideration please send me your name, address and £40 in used notes to me and I'll put your name up for round one of consideration.

So now you are a purveyor of online degrees?

 

[jfreaksho]

"Photographer" means "a person who takes photographs", similar to the way "driver" means "one who drives" or "guitarist" means "one who plays guitar". When that is a defining characteristic of a person, it is an appropriate word to use.

The implied meanings of "professional" or "artistic" are sub-categories under the overall umbrella of "photographer", much like "truck" or "race-car" or "device" are categories of "driver".

Although, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure why we're having this discussion when the topic is clearly about "photograpers".
J.