Why do people say they are photographers? ?

Question: Why do people say they are photographers!? !?

when they use like crappy compact cameras and take mirror pictures of them selves!. or they will take a picture of the sky and say they are an awesome photographer!. what do you think!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I think they should just stick to taking lame MySpace pictures!.

The problem with compact point and shoot digital cameras is that now anyone THINKS they can pick up a cheap camera, press a button and suddenly they're a "photographer!." At least with film, there is some disclipline involved because every shot costs you money!. It forces you to be more careful and really take your time with your pictures!. Someone is not going to take MySpace pictures of themselves in front of a bathroom mirror (usually with the flash on and the camera tilted) if every picture is going to cost them something!.

I don't mind so much pictures taken of the sky!.!.!.if there is an interesting cloud formation or something else that would make it an interesting and unique picture!. What annoys me is the pictures some people take of their shoes! That seems to be a fad now!. People on MySpace and Flickr like to take snapshots of their shoes and think it's artistic!. Or they take random snapshots of dull, ordinary objects in their house and then edit the heck out of it on their computer and call it "photography!." I don't care how much someone "photoshops" a picture of shoes, it's still just a lame, dull snapshot!.

So like other people have said!.!.!.TECHNICALLY someone is a "photographer" for just using a camera!. But hey, if you drive a golf cart, that technically also means you're a "driver!." That doesn't mean anything!. I'll tell you what, the day they can pick up a camera, put it into completely manual mode and take a decent picture with good composition and exposure, THEN I'll call them a photographer!. I've always liked taking pictures, ever since I was a kid!. But I never called myself a "photographer" until I learned the basics about photography!.

Real photography is a talent and skill that you have to practice and improve!. You have to earn the right to truly be called a "photographer!." It's the same thing with any other art and skill!. Just because someone picks up a pen and paper, that doesn't necessarily make them a "writer!." Some people might think that sounds elitist, but oh well!. Too bad!. Someone who just picks up a cheap digital point and shoot camera and takes blurry MySpace "pics" of themselves in front of a bathroom mirror should not call themselves a photographer!.!.!.it's not fair to everyone else who actually learns the basics about real photography and puts work and passion into their pictures!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think maybe you, and many more should get over themselves!.
Photography is a way of sharing with someone else what you saw with your own eyes, to preserve it for yourself as a remembrance of a split second in time!. I've had some crappy cameras and taken some great pictures, because they were great to me and showed or captured what I was feeling at that moment!. It's not the camera!. or a degree from a snooty school that makes a good photographer, it's the feeling behind the moment!. That's what makes it art!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

photograph |?fōt??graf|
noun
a picture made using a camera, in which an image is focused onto film or other light-sensitive material and then made visible and permanent by chemical treatment!.
verb [ trans!. ]
take a photograph of!.
? [ intrans!. ] appear in a particular way when in a photograph : that cityscape photographs well!.
DERIVATIVES
photographable adjective
photographer |f??t?gr?f?r| noun
photographic |?fōt??grafik| adjective
photographically |?fōt??grafik(?)lē| adverbWww@QuestionHome@Com

I suppose the aggravation is that a person cannot call themselves, for example, a doctor or fireman, just because they put on the clothes!. But all someone has to do is buy any kind of camera, and they are a photographer!. Technically, they ARE!. A monkey pushing a shutter button is a photographer also!.

Like others have said, the question becomes are you a GOOD photographer or not!?

Until there is a unique term that distinguishes a GOOD and / or professional photographer from just anyone with a camera, there is nothing really to do or say about it!.

I drive a car so I am a driver!. So was Michael Shumacher a driver, but a multi world champion Formula One driver!. Big distinction there, but he probably does not allow himself to get upset over the common person calling themselves a driver!.

steveWww@QuestionHome@Com

I'm sorry, "sugar", but just because you went to school for it and others haven't does not make you more of a photographer than they are!. Ansel Adams never went to "school" for photography!. Is he less of a photographer than you!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

I've ask myself this same question!. I call myself a photographer cause i've gone to school for it and now its my job!. But to answer what i think, i think anyone can call themselves a photographer, but only the true ones are the ones that have went to school and got a degree in photography!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Inside, I know I'm better!.!. and I think a lot of people who take good photographs with expensive equipment and have invested a lot of hard work and time into their photos think that!.!. But I don't think I'd ever tell someone that their work was horrible or that mine actually WAS better, but I would get them pointers!. I wouldn't wanna rain on anyone's parade :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Anyone that produces a photograph is a photographer!.

Whether they are skilled, good or professional is definitely a different question!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They are photographers, but not the best ones!. Good photographers are the ones that try to become professional ones by taking classes and working very hard!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

anyone can be a photographer - but not just anyone can be a good photographer!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think if they want to call themselves photographers that's THEIR business!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They're photographers, just bad photographers!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Like in sex, the size of your tool makes no difference!.

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