Are you a “real” photographer? Of course you are! If you love photography, regardless of your level of experience, then you fit the bill. However we have all seen, heard, or maybe even felt a little bit of dissuasion from other people (usually, other photographers) against how many of us define it. So I thought it would be fun to have a little bit of fun and jot down my response to some of the “myths” that we all see from time to time about how a “real” photographer is defined.
Myth #1:
Only real photographers shoot in Manual Mode. ALL THE TIME.
This myth is at the #1 spot because it drives me bonkers when I hear it. Please don’t misunderstand me: I think that learning how to use your camera, primarily a deep understanding of the exposure triangle, is essential for anyone who wants to make better photographs. But does that mean that you need to ALWAYS shoot in manual to prove that you know what you’re doing? Of course not.
As a photographer I have been photographing as a hobby, and professionally, for more than 15 years. I’m pretty aware of how light works, how to use my camera to get proper exposure, and most other things that I should be expected to know and understand at this stage of my career. Yet for the most part, I shoot in the Aperture Priority mode. I won’t get into details here, but to sum it up, I trust my camera. I spent a lot of money getting some of the best gear, and I will use it as a tool to help me create photographs without being slowed-down by setting everything myself. The camera can do a lot of the exact same work that you would be doing yourself in manual mode.
In other words, you don’t need to shoot in manual. If that is the most comfortable way for you to create the best photographs, then go for it! But if not and you want to use something else, then that’s great too! The bottom line is the resulting photograph, and no one should care about how it was made.
(If you would like to read more about my opinion on this topic, please click here to read my post “Aperture Priority vs. Manual Mode“.)
Myth #2:
A “real” photographer always creates near-perfect images SOOC
(SOOC = Straight Out of the Camera)
Anyone who is against fixing or enhancing an image in post-processing clearly never photographed with film (or they did, and they only ever used slide-film). Sure, getting your exposure, composition, and focus is ideal, and always should be what you are trying to do. But does that mean that if a photo is less-than-perfect that it should be rejected and set aside? Of course not! I agree that it’s not ideal to shrug off a bad scene (or, even worse, being lazy about what you are photographing) and just say that you will “fix it in Photoshop”. However, that doesn’t mean that a mistake here and there isn’t worthy of being revived with a pass through the computer.
Myth#3:
Real photographers need big, expensive gear to be considered legit.
There’s definitely something to be said about walking into a photo-shoot with a fancy, expensive camera. To non-photographers, a big camera screams “I’m a professional photographer!”. Sure, it doesn’t hurt to give that impression, especially when you are working with a client. But in reality, we all know that the camera does not matter as much as the photographer.
In my opinion, the average DSLR is bulky and clunky. I still use mine, and the Canon 5D3 is my main, go-to camera for landscape and food photography. However I long for the day when I can trade it in for a mirrorless system I am 100% satisfied with. Smaller, more compact cameras mean a lighter load, less attention drawn to the camera and photographer, and a much more enjoyable experience overall. We are even using point-and-shoots and smart phones to capture print-worthy images. Stocksy, a stock-photography website, even has a collection of images filled with mobile photographs.
The photographer creates the photograph, not the camera. We don’t need big cameras to prove our status as photographers; let’s allow the photographs speak for themselves, shall we?
Myth #4:
You are only considered a “real” photographer if you work in a studio.
If you follow this website, you may remember a post I wrote a few months back titled “What’s your Definition of a Photographer?“, about a fellow over on Twitter who bashed me for not having a studio. He was basically claiming that I was not a “real” photographer because, instead of working out of a studio with clients, I make my living in other ways, primarily selling books and other tools via my online store. A little digging into this photographer’s portfolio revealed that, while he may make a living with photography, he wasn’t necessarily making the best photographs. Does that make him any less of a photographer? Maybe not. But for me, a fancy studio and a paycheck means less than creating beautiful photographs with meaning and impact.
In my opinion, some of the BEST photographers out there are not making ANY money from their photography. And most of them do not have studios. I mean, seriously … travel and landscape photographers don’t need a studio to do their work, and I’m sure most National Geographic photographers would agree. Why pay for the overhead if you don’t need to? Working in a photography studio is not a requirement towards being a real (or even a good) photographer. And, if you ask me, it’s silly to think otherwise.
Myth #5:
You’re not a real photographer if you don’t make money with your photography.
This myth carries over somewhat from # 4 (above), and as I already said, some of the best photographers I know make very little to nothing from their photography. These days even I now make more money self-publishing and educating about photography than I do from my stock photography portfolio. Does that make me less of a photographer? No way. The same goes for anyone who carries a camera, creates photographs, but does not do it full-time (or even part-time). If you create photos with passion, you are a photographer. Don’t let the lack of a paycheck fool you into thinking that you’re not.
What types of “myths” have you heard about being a “real” photographer? Share them in the comments below!
So true! I dont have a studio, have no need for one! If people dont think im a photographer then that doesnt bother me. My office is wherever I want it to be on whatever day I want it to be, thats worth more to me than being labelled :-)
I don’t really care if people think I am a “photographer” or not. I take photographs for my own enjoyment. I make not one penny from it, OK, I sometimes make a couple of buck selling GEAR on eBay.
Great article Nicole, and timely given some of the feedback that I saw on an article written about me on FB this past week. Some of the myths that I’ve heard include:
1. If you haven’t shot film, you’re not a photographer (followed closely by #2…)
2. If you haven’t developed film in a darkroom, you’re not a photographer.
3. If you didn’t go to photography school, you’re not a photographer (followed closely by #4…)
4. If you’re self-taught, you’re not a photographer.
Thanks for the great post and keep busting those myths. :-)
Mike, welcome to the site… see you at PPE? And yes… a lot of us here aren’t real photographers… *sigh*
A real photographer is a person who brings enthusiasm and dedication at some level to the field of photography, be it a snapshot artist who enjoys candid photography of friends or strangers; a casual artist who enjoys taking picture of interesting sights including buildings landscape or sunsets. Granted, there might not be much money in some of these venues, but a great picture is a great picture and sometimes only one in a thousand. There is no rule saying which pile of one thousand photographs, if any that that one great shot has to come from. That is what makes… Read more »
Such a great article Nicole. Having been in the photography industry for decades I have seen a myriad of changes but the basics of my photography still are relevant today. You certainly don’t have to shoot in manual all the time and I know I can trust my own experience and my well used DSLR.It still does everything very well but I do use my experience to optimize the lighting and the standout features of my human or natural subject matter. I believe this is the art of photography. What do you think? My gallery can be seen @www.anthonytreynolds.com Cheers… Read more »
this is the subject I have had to deal with… I ain`t a real photographer because I am self taught and I do not have a studio. But hey, I can be a fake then :D Good article!
I had to wait to respond to this Nicole. I have been a photographer since the late 1970’s. Yes I am older then most of the people that follow photofocus. I shared a studio with a high school friend for 20 years, we had the big 3500 square foot studio with the in house lab, (processed my own E6 ((slide film)) and black and white processing and printing) When digital was first introduced we had several discussions as to what that will do to the field of photography. More later Let me say that 3,4,and 5 I agree with. As… Read more »
Thanks for your thoughts, Terry. I’ll admit that, while I was a photography enthusiast before I shared shooting digital, the Internet + digital photography allowed me to live my dream. If not for digital photography I would still be going through the motions in a job I was not entirely happy with instead of doing something I love. Whether or not people like me are considered “real photographers” is irrelevant. I LOVE my job, that I can teach and inspire others to do what they love … even if it consists of sitting behind a computer fixing a less-than-perfect photograph.… Read more »
I am not a professional photographer, but I like to make pictures that go beyond snapshots. Ihave a lot of sympathy for Terries idea. When text editing programs came to the market, it became difficult to get a budget foe a “real” edito. Bosses and employees thought that it is easy to make a folder or whatever. The same hapened to photography. My definition would be that good gear helps a lot, a painter likes good paint and canvas, ans a comfortable easel. The gear does not make the picture, the painting not the folder. But it is a great… Read more »
Your last Myth brought to mind a saying a Nikon Company employee told me.
What’s the difference between a large pizza and a professional photographer?
A large pizza can feed a family of four!
Good article Nicole. These all ring pretty true from what I’ve seen or heard. It really doesn’t matter, we as professionals, hobbyists, customers shouldn’t judge anyone on labels.
A real photographer is someone who enjoys making images, perseveres thru the crappy ones, and help others in the process :)
I love what I do.
You know you are not a real photographer unless your lens measures at least 8″ long, before zooming. :-).
I think it is just as valuable to learn the new photography technics as it was the old film days. I did both and it has been more work learning the new cameras and Photoshop than using a darkroom and developing film. If you did shoot Kodachrome, you had to nail your exposure. Even today, getting an exposure right is important. I don’t think we should diminish the fact that not everyone has had to go through that experience.
HI Nicole, I always enjoy your articles. Take a look at the November issue of FOTOdigital (http://issuu.com/joseantunes/docs/fdonovember2014issuu) Jose Antunes’ article “Photographers Photographed”, page 71, shows people taking pictures of the Sintra National Palace in Portugal. It’s great to see how others love to capture images to remind them of their sense of a place and the time they were there. Jose’s images show the “photographers'” curiosity and enjoyment, and the intensity with which they tried to make their photo whether they were using a DSLR, tablet, cell phone, point and shoot, and so on. Jose wrote, “In their different ways,… Read more »
When I see someone walking around with a big huge Camera I like to walk up to them and play a Dummy and I ask the this question , Whats an “F” stop ? Why are the numbers on the Lens staggered?? you would be surprise at the answers I get. Sometimes none. I had one Pro tell me that a fast lens speeds the light up as it goes through the lens. Too funny
Digital photography has allowed me to be a digital artist because I can’t paint or draw. I am not the best photographer but I can create art from a my photos. Photography is whatever you want it to be for you. Using software,textures, paint programs ect. allows me to be creative. I know it is not for everyone and that is ok. Everyone has a camera now days and it has inspired them. Isn’t that what it is about? Not just the camera settings?
A most thoughtful and considered article Nicole. I agree with all points, even though I am guilty with respect to shooting in manual :-) I have been passionate about photography since the mid 1970’s, and although I learned all the principles the old fashioned way (largely from books, also from trial and error) I feel that the digital age has really accelerated my learning, knowledge and skills as most passionate (obsessed, haha!) photographers are very happy to share their knowledge and skills. After all, the camera is a recording device for what the eyes see, the mind imagines and the… Read more »
One common myth about “Pro” photographers is also the lens size ; if you don’t have a big bulky telezoom you’re not a pro…I sometime shoot lanscapes with my Canon 5KII and a small 50mm/f1.2 and people don’t believe it produces sharp and crisp pictures…I’m just a joker !
Nicole, many of your points are valid. The joke about the pizza and a professional photographer also has a lot of validity. I was one of those who earned a degree in photojournalism, shot and developed film, used a light meter, always shot in manual, etc. After seven years of shooting professionally for newspapers, I left the career to make an actual living. You can find many articles about the poor state of news photogs anywhere, particularly if you are familiar with the Strobist. Now, I too, shoot in aperture priority rely on a sophisticated camera to read a scene… Read more »
Oh I SO needed to read this today. I see way too many comments about who makes a “real” photographer. I shoot with standard “Non Pro” Olympus cameras.. E PL2 and an old E620. I have only the original kit lenses. Today I posted this on a facebook page in response to a “Real photographer’s don’t” comment. ” I’ve sold at least 100 photos to Getty Images AND Internationally as well. ( Sweden, Germany, Britain) My Granddaughter was featured prominently in a store campaign for K Mart across the USA , and also on a Good Morning America promo. I… Read more »
HAD A STUDIO, for a couple of decades. One day realized that Id stopped taking the subjects that were MIST important to me. Was only shooting Babies, children, schools, and weddings…. The ones Id taken while learning in the early thirties with my Kodak Vest Pocket made in 1928, with variable aperture and speeds….. Began doing so after attending a seminar with Ed Weston…Within two years, closed the Studio… Went back to free lancing for Boston and New York papers, and had the freedom to do all the nature and landscapes again.
To me a photographer is anyone who can do as follows (written by fellow photographer Marie Cardona) ~ To freeze a fraction of a moment in eternity and you will outwit time itself. Giving a message with neither a word nor a sound. When a moment passes, that moment is gone forever ~ impossible to reproduce ~ unless it is captured.
Great reminder! Thanks for sharing!
So true! I dont have a studio, have no need for one! If people dont think im a photographer then that doesnt bother me. My office is wherever I want it to be on whatever day I want it to be, thats worth more to me than being labelled :-)
I don’t really care if people think I am a “photographer” or not. I take photographs for my own enjoyment. I make not one penny from it, OK, I sometimes make a couple of buck selling GEAR on eBay.
A real photographer is a person who brings enthusiasm and dedication at some level to the field of photography, be it a snapshot artist who enjoys candid photography of friends or strangers; a casual artist who enjoys taking picture of interesting sights including buildings landscape or sunsets. Granted, there might not be much money in some of these venues, but a great picture is a great picture and sometimes only one in a thousand. There is no rule saying which pile of one thousand photographs, if any that that one great shot has to come from. That is what makes… Read more »
Great article Nicole, and timely given some of the feedback that I saw on an article written about me on FB this past week. Some of the myths that I’ve heard include:
1. If you haven’t shot film, you’re not a photographer (followed closely by #2…)
2. If you haven’t developed film in a darkroom, you’re not a photographer.
3. If you didn’t go to photography school, you’re not a photographer (followed closely by #4…)
4. If you’re self-taught, you’re not a photographer.
Thanks for the great post and keep busting those myths. :-)
Mike, welcome to the site… see you at PPE? And yes… a lot of us here aren’t real photographers… *sigh*
Such a great article Nicole. Having been in the photography industry for decades I have seen a myriad of changes but the basics of my photography still are relevant today. You certainly don’t have to shoot in manual all the time and I know I can trust my own experience and my well used DSLR.It still does everything very well but I do use my experience to optimize the lighting and the standout features of my human or natural subject matter. I believe this is the art of photography. What do you think? My gallery can be seen @www.anthonytreynolds.com Cheers… Read more »
I had to wait to respond to this Nicole. I have been a photographer since the late 1970’s. Yes I am older then most of the people that follow photofocus. I shared a studio with a high school friend for 20 years, we had the big 3500 square foot studio with the in house lab, (processed my own E6 ((slide film)) and black and white processing and printing) When digital was first introduced we had several discussions as to what that will do to the field of photography. More later Let me say that 3,4,and 5 I agree with. As… Read more »
Thanks for your thoughts, Terry. I’ll admit that, while I was a photography enthusiast before I shared shooting digital, the Internet + digital photography allowed me to live my dream. If not for digital photography I would still be going through the motions in a job I was not entirely happy with instead of doing something I love. Whether or not people like me are considered “real photographers” is irrelevant. I LOVE my job, that I can teach and inspire others to do what they love … even if it consists of sitting behind a computer fixing a less-than-perfect photograph.… Read more »
I am not a professional photographer, but I like to make pictures that go beyond snapshots. Ihave a lot of sympathy for Terries idea. When text editing programs came to the market, it became difficult to get a budget foe a “real” edito. Bosses and employees thought that it is easy to make a folder or whatever. The same hapened to photography. My definition would be that good gear helps a lot, a painter likes good paint and canvas, ans a comfortable easel. The gear does not make the picture, the painting not the folder. But it is a great… Read more »
Good article Nicole. These all ring pretty true from what I’ve seen or heard. It really doesn’t matter, we as professionals, hobbyists, customers shouldn’t judge anyone on labels.
A real photographer is someone who enjoys making images, perseveres thru the crappy ones, and help others in the process :)
I love what I do.
this is the subject I have had to deal with… I ain`t a real photographer because I am self taught and I do not have a studio. But hey, I can be a fake then :D Good article!
Your last Myth brought to mind a saying a Nikon Company employee told me.
What’s the difference between a large pizza and a professional photographer?
A large pizza can feed a family of four!
I think it is just as valuable to learn the new photography technics as it was the old film days. I did both and it has been more work learning the new cameras and Photoshop than using a darkroom and developing film. If you did shoot Kodachrome, you had to nail your exposure. Even today, getting an exposure right is important. I don’t think we should diminish the fact that not everyone has had to go through that experience.
Digital photography has allowed me to be a digital artist because I can’t paint or draw. I am not the best photographer but I can create art from a my photos. Photography is whatever you want it to be for you. Using software,textures, paint programs ect. allows me to be creative. I know it is not for everyone and that is ok. Everyone has a camera now days and it has inspired them. Isn’t that what it is about? Not just the camera settings?
HI Nicole, I always enjoy your articles. Take a look at the November issue of FOTOdigital (http://issuu.com/joseantunes/docs/fdonovember2014issuu) Jose Antunes’ article “Photographers Photographed”, page 71, shows people taking pictures of the Sintra National Palace in Portugal. It’s great to see how others love to capture images to remind them of their sense of a place and the time they were there. Jose’s images show the “photographers'” curiosity and enjoyment, and the intensity with which they tried to make their photo whether they were using a DSLR, tablet, cell phone, point and shoot, and so on. Jose wrote, “In their different ways,… Read more »
One common myth about “Pro” photographers is also the lens size ; if you don’t have a big bulky telezoom you’re not a pro…I sometime shoot lanscapes with my Canon 5KII and a small 50mm/f1.2 and people don’t believe it produces sharp and crisp pictures…I’m just a joker !
When I see someone walking around with a big huge Camera I like to walk up to them and play a Dummy and I ask the this question , Whats an “F” stop ? Why are the numbers on the Lens staggered?? you would be surprise at the answers I get. Sometimes none. I had one Pro tell me that a fast lens speeds the light up as it goes through the lens. Too funny
A most thoughtful and considered article Nicole. I agree with all points, even though I am guilty with respect to shooting in manual :-) I have been passionate about photography since the mid 1970’s, and although I learned all the principles the old fashioned way (largely from books, also from trial and error) I feel that the digital age has really accelerated my learning, knowledge and skills as most passionate (obsessed, haha!) photographers are very happy to share their knowledge and skills. After all, the camera is a recording device for what the eyes see, the mind imagines and the… Read more »
Oh I SO needed to read this today. I see way too many comments about who makes a “real” photographer. I shoot with standard “Non Pro” Olympus cameras.. E PL2 and an old E620. I have only the original kit lenses. Today I posted this on a facebook page in response to a “Real photographer’s don’t” comment. ” I’ve sold at least 100 photos to Getty Images AND Internationally as well. ( Sweden, Germany, Britain) My Granddaughter was featured prominently in a store campaign for K Mart across the USA , and also on a Good Morning America promo. I… Read more »
You know you are not a real photographer unless your lens measures at least 8″ long, before zooming. :-).
To me a photographer is anyone who can do as follows (written by fellow photographer Marie Cardona) ~ To freeze a fraction of a moment in eternity and you will outwit time itself. Giving a message with neither a word nor a sound. When a moment passes, that moment is gone forever ~ impossible to reproduce ~ unless it is captured.
Nicole, many of your points are valid. The joke about the pizza and a professional photographer also has a lot of validity. I was one of those who earned a degree in photojournalism, shot and developed film, used a light meter, always shot in manual, etc. After seven years of shooting professionally for newspapers, I left the career to make an actual living. You can find many articles about the poor state of news photogs anywhere, particularly if you are familiar with the Strobist. Now, I too, shoot in aperture priority rely on a sophisticated camera to read a scene… Read more »
HAD A STUDIO, for a couple of decades. One day realized that Id stopped taking the subjects that were MIST important to me. Was only shooting Babies, children, schools, and weddings…. The ones Id taken while learning in the early thirties with my Kodak Vest Pocket made in 1928, with variable aperture and speeds….. Began doing so after attending a seminar with Ed Weston…Within two years, closed the Studio… Went back to free lancing for Boston and New York papers, and had the freedom to do all the nature and landscapes again.
Great reminder! Thanks for sharing!