Amature or Pro?

[Snappers]

I realise that we are all different and that we all want something different out of the ProudPhotography course (or maybe we dont) but I was thinking, how many of us on here would consider ourselves to be amatures and how many would consider ourselves to be pros.

Looking at some of the photographs that have been submitted over the past few weeks, it is obvious that some are more advanced with their photography skills than others.

I dont mean this in a detremental way.

Once you have completed the course, what do you want to go on to do?

I.E. (I hope Gary does not mind me using him as an example)

Gary has been pro at quite a few things throughout his life which started out as hobbies, he wants his photography to remain as that, a hobby which is fine. I on the other hand, wish to progress through the course and hopfully in the future, take up photography more seiously and perhaps go into school and wedding photography.

I just wondered what other peoples opinions were.

Hope that makes sense. If not, don't worry, it is 4am here in the uk as I type this :D

[jonrayner]

Well, I'll start, I consider myself very much an ameteur and I believe I wish to remain that way. I do not believe I would ever have the time to go pro (if I ever became that good), what with a full time job, a 2 year old and another one due in May. My aim is to get photos that I am proud of with my ultimate aim to get some good landscape/ water shot that I can put on the wall in the house (probably on a canvas). These shots would have to be extremely good as they would have to go under the scrutiny of my wife. She has very high standards, so my task isn't going to be easy!

Does this answer the question?

As for being up at 4am, are you insane!!!!! It would take me 2 weeks to recover from still being up at that time!

Go to bed, get some sleep!

[LensBaby]

I want to become a pro eventually. I have always wanted to do that, but I am from a family of police officers, and so I followed my fathers footsteps. I can say police officers (in ohio) are nothing like they used to be.(they used to help innocent people and NOW some departments do NOT want you to help. I became a single parent, and missed almost every holiday with my children. Then police work led me into the medical field (emergency medical technician) which then led me to more in the medical field(Nursing and Certified Phlebotomy Technician). (I have had extensive schooling in various fields. I am learner...I am always learning something. I show my children that if you want something go for it, because if you don't you might think "what if" later on down the road. Sorry this is so long. I was just explaining about me and why I want to become pro. I have a very very long road before I get there!

[arrowind]

I have no desire to become a pro. I am a retired Government worker and have time to advance a hobby. Have had a great intrest in photography for many years. This should keep me active in my spare time. Just want to be the best amature out there.

[gjtoth]

One of the big reasons I elected to take this course was to learn the capabilities of my camera (at the time). I learned enough so far to know that the camera I started with was not what I needed to get where I wanted to be. I FINALLY learned what ISO and F-stop and aperture and shutter speed meant and how they affected the shot. I'm FINALLY able and confident enough to get out of AUTO and play in MANUAL. While I would LIKE to be the best amateur out there, I'm realistic enough to know... that ain't gonna happen. Just like the IT industry where GOOD geeks are a dime a dozen, there's just too many folks out there that are beyond good. Not that I want to discourage anyone from trying! It's just where *I'M* at with it. I'm not going to compromise with a mediocre capture when I KNOW I can do better. I'm just not going to get into the trap I've fallen into before because someone said, "You missed your calling. You should do this for a living." Then, hearing it enough, turned my pleasure and passion into drudgery and (UGH) work.

Dang, I'm on a roll this morning! Must be the espresso. I gotta start cutting these diatribes a little shorter. heh :D

[LensBaby]

I konw I will never be the best pro out there and I don't want to be either, but I would love to take some serious professional photos. Everybody in my family wants me to take portraits of their children and I just don't have the courage to do it. (I have photos around my house and just about everyone comments on them) I have one where my husband, and my two sons are sitting and each of them is doing either the hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil...it turned out awesome. I actually developed that in my own dark room (i have since packed all my dark room equipment in the attic), and it looks really old. I get comments on that one all of the time. I am one of those people that get really tired of the same trends in photography. I want to change that with my photos. I see the same thing on every photographers website, not to mention the same SONG. That remake of "over the rainbow and mixed with "what a wonderful world". I cannot even stand to hear that song now. Sorry now I am going on and on and on.

[gjtoth]

Bingo! Exactly what I'm talking about. Overkill.

Susan, you need to pluck up that courage and SHOOT! Just go for it. That's what you did before, right? What's changed? Sounds like just the camera and associated equipment. You went from film to digital, right? I've read articles from "pros", and I'm sure Peter will back me up on this, there is little difference between the two except the darkroom and chemicals. Your creativity is still there. Your desire is still there. Grandma Moses didn't start painting until she was well into her 70s. I can give you other examples. Make the jump. You don't have the expense of film and processing now. Make a mistake... retake the shot IMMEDIATELY. Get out there and shoot, kiddo!

[LensBaby]

Yeah I know. I worry about the little technical details that most of my family wouldn't know if it there was something not perfect. I took this photo of my nephews son, and everyone on that side wanted a 13x19 printed out of it, so I did. I don't really care for it myself. Here it is.

[gjtoth]

Yeah I know. I worry about the little technical details that most of my family wouldn't know if it there was something not perfect. I took this photo of my nephews son, and everyone on that side wanted a 13x19 printed out of it, so I did. I don't really care for it myself. Here it is.

Obviously, they see something in it that you don't. I like it. It tells a little story -- I wanna go out and play. A lot of "people pictures" say NOTHING! When I go on Flickr, I want to scream. The only story most of those pictures tell is, "Look at me. I'm making a goofy face." Any moron with a P&S camera can do that ... and do, obviously. But, for some reason, those morons think everyone in the world wants to see that pape. I would MUCH rather look at something like this. It SPEAKS.

[LensBaby]

Why thank you. He was looking for his daddy!

[Snappers]

Thanks guys for your input. It is interesting reading about what people want out of the course and why they have embarked on this journey.

I think it is clear that (and Gary touched on this) the difference between ourselves and the point and shoot brigade, is that we put thought into our photographs, sometimes we could say too much but that extra effort makes all the difference.

I don't know if I will ever turn pro but my main aim is to become better. I know I can do it, it will just take time and paitience.

Jon, 4am is usual for me. I am a nightowl. I love the nighttime but dont like mornings!

[j.bravo]

To be honest, I love taking pictures (and not being in it). it's just a hobby for me---not professional camera here, just your basic Sony digital camera.

[angierae]

I would love to go pro if only to become more widespread. While I am interested in learning portraits and taking people pics nature is where my passion is. I've lived in the country on the farm for most of my life, I'm definetely not what you would call a city person. Because I've been in the country I've seen things that lots of people I talk to haven't even heard of. Try to describe a landscape to somebody in words, it just doesn't work. To sound cliche, a pictures worth a thousand words and I'd much rather supply a bunch of pictures than thousands of words and still fall short.

Since I'm starting to ramble I'll wrap this up heh I take pictures so that I can share with people. Too often people are in too much of a hurry, too impatient to stop and enjoy just the smallest thing. With photos I can help them see this missed serenity. By going pro I'll be better able to convey what I see as well as to spread my photos farther thereby touching more people. That's the idea anyway :o

[jerryph]

Pro or no... lol.

It really depends on what your definition of pro is. Mine is a level of knowledge, excellence and a consistant ability to "get that shot".

I am very early in my learning curve and do not consider myself a "professional". I see myself as a very enthusiastic amateur and nothing more... however, if you consider someone that received money for the purpose of taking pictures for someone else as being a pro, then I am a professional. I did a friend's parents 50th anniversary last year and it was a big success... so much so, that this same person offered me his daughter's batmitzvah, but this time with the promise of a specific dollar amount equivalent to that of a higher end professional photographer doing this job. I have also ghosted as a second photographer in several weddings (none for money, though).

Do I want to make photography my profession? No. I am very comfortable in my chosen field of employment and run my own computer consulting and training business (it also keeps me busy as hell, which is a GOOD thing!). I know what it means to start a business from scratch and build it up over time. It's not for the faint of heart.

Now, I sure would not mind having photography as a hobby that would now and then bring in some cash to pay for a new lens, filter, book or something like that. A self supporting hobby would be quite the novelty for me!

Though I tend to get very enthusiastic about any hobby I start, photography has really captured my heart and I feel that if I had to do it professionally full-time, I would lose that passion, and I have NO desire to do that.

So, I see myself as an amateur with no real aspirations to ever turn pro.

[daltoned]

Just been reading with interest the various replies on this topic. Me,I'm a retired Public Service worker and will never be a Pro. I was getting on fine with my Fuji 9600 but when I decided to get a DSlr, I realised I needed to get help to get best use from the new camera and after some searching found this course. Like others have said, my aim is to get pleasure from my hobby, get some good landscape and be able to do good family photo's when required. It all helps to fill my day (and night) and now look forward to getting through the course with the prospect of being a better amateur photographer.

EddieD

[LensBaby]

OK, this is my answer to this. I want to know photography on a professional level, but only to use it for my family and extended families photos. I do not want to do it for money, and have had several jobs that I have refused any type of payment. They did however, go out and buy me two different items. One was my Canon Pro 9500 printer, and the other a set of Alien Bee Digi bee package lighting. It was relatives, and they knew what I needed and what was on my wish list , so in return for the photos, this is the "thank you" that they gave me. I refused, but they wouldn't take NO for an answer, so now I have this equipment and want to learn how to use it to the best of my ability.

[jerryph]

One was my Canon Pro 9500 printer, and the other a set of Alien Bee Digi bee package lighting.

Wow Sue, you have a wonderful family to have recognized your passion in digital photography, but more, as a group did something to support and augment that passion for you in such a grand manner. It's no surprise to me that you want to return the gift by learning as much as you can and getting as nice a picture as possible for them.

In this world of "everyone for themselves", I always get that warm feeling inside when I see these acts of kindness expressed so eloquently.

I recently spoke of setting up a thread on lighting, and I am motivated to start such a project a little sooner, jut so that I may help you out a little, and in the process learn and improve myself. :)

[LensBaby]

Thanks Jerry, that would be great! I would enjoy that.

[dkippen]

My two cents - I don't forsee myself ever going professional, I just want to be able to take better pictures and understand the theory behind taking pictures. I also want to be able to share with others what I see through my eyes. We are such a diverse group and have seen things some of us may never see and we all have our own photo niche. Gary for example captures birds very well, Sue has got it with portraits. Some of us may not have figured it out yet, but it will come.

Okay - enough rambling.

[ladyups]

I'm with Debbie on this....I don't foresee myself doing this for a living but would love to be good enough to do it, but without the stress that goes along with it. I just want to take great photos that I can pass down to my family. I don't have a clue what my niche is...I just like to be behind the lens, whether its wildlife, landscapes or my dear grands...I'm happy as a lark when I upload a great image to my computer...

[dkippen]

Mary - as I took pictures this weekend, the photographer I was with said I do very well at architecture, but I want to get better at nature and landscapes.

[jerryph]

Mary - as I took pictures this weekend, the photographer I was with said I do very well at architecture, but I want to get better at nature and landscapes.

Your North Shore Fieldtrip Path picture proves you take some truly beautiful landscape and nature pics. :cool:

[dkippen]

Thank you Jerry. I had a opportunity to spend the weekend on the N. Shore and took well over 500 pictures and hope to have some posted later this week.

[LensBaby]

I can't wait to see them Debbie. I will be watching!

[dkippen]

Sue and Jerry -

I got as far as sorting them into folders last nite, so I'll be busy the rest of the week.

I did post eagle pictures. Go figure, I get my feeders set up, don't see a gosh darn thing, and 200 miles from home, I see 10-15 eagles.

[ladyups]

Mary - as I took pictures this weekend, the photographer I was with said I do very well at architecture, but I want to get better at nature and landscapes.

Isn't landscape God's architecture? Seems to me that you do a great job on any architecture, be it God's or man's.

[dkippen]

Mary -

What a wonderful way of putting this.

I had a great opportunity to spend time taking pictures of an over 400 year old tree growing out of rock on sacred ground this weekend - truly a work of God.

[ladyups]

Mary -

What a wonderful way of putting this.

I had a great opportunity to spend time taking pictures of an over 400 year old tree growing out of rock on sacred ground this weekend - truly a work of God.

And a unique tree it is, too....I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your images.

[dkippen]

Mary - right now, it's looking like later this weekend for posting pictures. Right now, it's too overwhelming to think about. I had ambitious ideas Monday nite when I came home and right now, just too worn out to think about it.

[LensBaby]

That would be a GREAT caption for a landscape photo at a contest!
Mary that is a great saying!