Hobby vs. Pro

[Guest ccmsosse]

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How many forum members are true amateurs or hobbyists, as I am?

I read a lot of interesting posts on the M9 and Leica film site, but many are truly by pros..

So I am wondering who many readers and contributers here are pure amateurs, use Leica stuff and film bodies for "pleasure" only (and I am not saying that pros can't have "pleasure" when using Leica film bodies). I am just trying to get a feeling how many contributers here are still just hobbyists ... and are willing to spend $$$ for Leica bodies and lenes (am I all alone?).

 

Cheers

 

PS: I am using a M9, M6, M7, MP and am questioning my sanity... Maybe I should sell my M6?!

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[andybarton]

Rank amateur here.

 

I would venture to suggest that the vast majority of members here are amateurs.

[aesop]

...long-suffering film-only amateur. Don't sell the M6.

[NZDavid]

Semi-pro ain't bad, where you've got the chance to publish pictures and make some money out of them occasionally, but don't depend on doing so for a living. Forking out for camera gear is just as crazy as spending money on cars, motorbikes, hi-fi gear, watches....Enjoy it!

[wirat]

I am amateur also and very much in love with Leica.

[Sailronin]

Hobbyist here

[ezc203]

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I'd like to think of myself as a pro-amateur. AKA, my mind thinks I'm pro, but my skills suggest otherwise E.

[bill]

"Gentleman Amateur", just like my signature says. I make a few bob along the way, which pays for a G&T or two and the odd weekend break, on which of course I take more photos... It's a pastime, and I really don't take it too seriously; there are far too many other people who do, and who suffer extreme sense of humour failure all too often as a result. I decided long ago not to go pro - it's too much like hard work and I didn't want to conflate work and pleasure.

 

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Xmas]

Rank amateur here.

 

I would venture to suggest that the vast majority of members here are amateurs.

 

And what camp do we put the dentists in?

 

Noel

[keithdunlop]

Full time pro here . . .

 

How much do you want for your M6?

[sandro]

Michael, I am an amateur and I don't own a digital camera. I decided to wait and wait longer, and now I find the M9 too expensive (lost money in the crisis) and besides that, I enjoy using a bunch of M-bodies and lenses. The M-3 came first, then an M-6TTL and then several more. Recently I found a very good lab to have my color and black & white negative films and slide films developed and scanned on CD. Second-hand material can still be wonderful and I hope to continue this way for quite a while.

Lex

[holmes]

I must confess to being a "professional". Now the only difference between the two is the pro gets paid for his/her efforts while the non-pro does it for his/her own pleasure and enjoyment. Although I have been photographing for the past 40 odd years most would be considered 'pro'. For the past 7 years since I retired, I have shot nothing but editorial work, and got paid. The invoice along with my agent's check always describes the work as "professional services". Does that help answer that question lots of photographers have.

[semrich]

Like Andy I'm a Rank amateur, have digital but prefer and shoot mostly film including medium format.

[kanzlr]

Amateur with a few outings into pro land

Did learn photography from a Pro, did a few weddings and commercial shootings (portrait mostly), but never got the hang of it and stopped to accept paid shootings. The investment in gear and the trouble with getting competent secondary photographers...oh my.

 

Sold everything I needed for the pro jobs, use Leica M8 now, shot a wedding as a tertiary shooter last weekend, and I am happy now. No money, but also no stress. Have enough of that during my day job

[andym911]

Hopeless amateur..but gain a lot of pleasure from being one:D

Spend many hours per week on photography, either reading books, taking pictures,on this forum or just thinking about it.

 

best

andy

[peter_n]

...long-suffering film-only amateur. Don't sell the M6.

Same here, except that I'd also describe myself as rank. Sell the M6.

[johnwolf]

I once had pro aspirations but am glad I stayed amateur. For me this practice requires effortless effort, which goals and deadlines would likely undermine. Free and easy wandering suits me best.

 

John

[metalphil]

Just an amateur, do not take myself seriously, but love the Leica film camera. Phil Birmingham UK

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[twittle]

I've never even tried to sell my work. Then again, I doubt if anyone would buy.

[matiasgd]

100% amateur