What is a photographer?

[pbyd]

I found this cool web site (Urban Dictionary.com) and found this when I put in Photographer:

What just about every scene kid and hipster under the age of 25 calls themselves these days. Many own Canon Rebel xtis and rely heavily on cropping and Photoshop filters to give their otherwise mundane photos an "artsy" feel. It is also not uncommon to see them wielding Lomography cameras (usually a Holga, now that they're sold at Urban Outfitters) on any given day. Typically, these "photographers" cite Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe, or, in the case of those Vice Magazine devotees, Terry Richardson, Cobrasnake, or Richard Kern, as major influences, because they couldn't name any other photographers to save their lives.

The typical subjects of their photographs include, but are not limited to: pidgeon-toed girls in Converse that have been drawn on with ballpoint pens and/or Sharpies, flowers/weeds growing out of cracks in sidewalks, juxtapositions of objects that typically don't go together (in one such case, a Queen of Hearts playing card on a cracked sidewalk), a girl who looks like something out of an American Apparel ad smoking a cigarette, decaying buildings, and just about anything that looks "vintage" (ie, yellowing washing machines in a laundromat).
16-year-old Dylan took to calling herself a photographer after receiving her Canon Rebel for Christmas, and snapping a few photos of sidewalks in Decatur.

It seems so true, what happened to my world?
Wayne
Photography by Design

[Jake]

I for one love seeing teenagers and younger adults taking interested in photography. And if they are using a holga, more power to them!
That article has a negative tone that sounds like it was written by some old jaded dude.

And when it says this:
"Typically, these "photographers" cite Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe, or, in the case of those Vice Magazine devotees, Terry Richardson, Cobrasnake, or Richard Kern, as major influences, because they couldn't name any other photographers to save their lives...."

So what? That makes absolutely no difference in their ability as a photographer. Heck, some of my influences aren't even photographers at all!
People need to get over themselves and quit putting people down that do things different then they do.

[bondarnes]

A professional photographer is a person that owns five or more cameras several lenses and other gear and has a spouse/significant other with a six figure income.

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

A professional photographer is a person that owns five or more cameras several lenses and other gear and has a spouse/significant other with a six figure income.

I am always open for the spouse/significant other with a six figure income, I have always had to make it with a photographers income, and we all know it does not reach the six figure in take home

Wayne
Photography by Design

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by pbyd

...what happened to my world?
Wayne

Wayne's World?

[Hanky]

I like being a lamer, less pressure.

[jerrykr]

stop being so judgemental of people Jake!

[bryanlindsey]

Live and let live. Or in this case, shoot and let shoot.

If a kid wants to take pictures of a flower and a sidewalk, what do I care?

[Jake]

Originally Posted by jerrykr

stop being so judgemental of people Jake!

I am sooo judging you right now......

[jerrykr]

'cause I have a couple of Holgas? Shame on 'ya!

[pbyd]

I did this post because I really thought it was funny, with some truth. It is strange how some people may find it hits to close to home to be funny. For the photographers that know me and have been in my studio for help or advise, they know I am very open to all photographers be they amateurs, part-time, full-time or just playing and have had all types in my studio. If things like this make you angry and you let us know we my feel that you think we are talking about you, we are not. These things are written in jest and in humor.
LIGHTEN UP

Wayne
Photography by Design

[Jake]

Originally Posted by pbyd

I did this post because I really thought it was funny, with some truth. It is strange how some people may find it hits to close to home to be funny. For the photographers that know me and have been in my studio for help or advise, they know I am very open to all photographers be they amateurs, part-time, full-time or just playing and have had all types in my studio. If things like this make you angry and you let us know we my feel that you think we are talking about you, we are not. These things are written in jest and in humor.
LIGHTEN UP

Wayne
Photography by Design

I hear what you're saying, it's just who ever wrote that was obviously angry. It just comes off a lot more bitter than funny.
I'm all for humor and satire as long as it's actually funny. That just sounds like an old guy rambling about the kids today....

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by pbyd

It seems so true, what happened to my world?

Followed by: LIGHTEN UP

Weird.

Shoot and let shoot.

[C!LLY]

laff

[Ahh!]

Whats the going rate for a punctual professional photographer who makes house calls? Enough to cover the pizzas plus 15% tip.