Hobby vs. Pro

[chrism]

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An amateur and happy to keep it that way; if it ever became work it might not be fun any more. The only hobby (?obsession) I have that has ever paid me anything is honing straight razors!

 

Chris

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[nhabedi]

I recommend Mike Johnston's essay "The Photographers' Menagerie - A Typology of Photographers" which can be found in his book The Empirical Photographer.

[Torontoamateur]

I have described myself as a Professional Amateur for years. I was a pro but I grew tired of the clients telling me how to shoot, I decided to do photography my way and refuse to be paid, That freed me to do my own vision. I work to a professional standard for myself and friends. I can turn down commissions and I can do what I want on commissions, to the highest professional standard. I remain an amateur because I do not receive money.

 

I do have other employment to keep me alive.

 

Yes this is decadent.

 

I am also careful to not take work from paid professionals. I will not compete with a paid pro's bid or take his commission.

[iShutterbug]

I recommend Mike Johnston's essay "The Photographers' Menagerie - A Typology of Photographers" which can be found in his book The Empirical Photographer.

Thanks for the tip, Edi, I ordered this book to see where I fit in.

Don

[Guest ccmsosse]

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

..... ..... I got my MP a-la-carte today (all black - no engravings) - so I sent the LNIB M6TTL off to PopFlash for a sale. I felt that the MP, M7, M9 are enough to keep me happy and going ... any more would have been decadent ...

[Guest AgXlove]

According to the merry band of thieves who run the IRS, I'm a "hobbyist." According to the insurance company, I'm a "professional."

 

Go figure.

[Maggie_O]

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I sold my first photographs to the local paper at age fourteen but haven't sold a photo for the last ten, so does that make me "retired?"

[bobkatz]

Enthusiastic amateur here....

Bob.

[LMBSGV]

Another rank amateur here. Though friends who really don't necessarily understand the finer points between photos by a good amateur and a pro have asked why I don't turn pro, I've also never wanted the many hassles and pressures of trying to pay my family's bills with my photos. I'd rather keep my photography as 100% self-expression and not worry about how others may judge it.

[surfer dude]

When I fill in a form that asks what profession I am, I always write "photographer" - not because I get any money from it (once upon a time I used to), and not because I don't do other things for the money that sustains me and my family, but because that's what I feel best describes my vocation (as in calling) or standing in life - it's what interests me and entertains me and generally occupies my thoughts.

[normclarke]

Rank amateur from the time in 1950 that I left the employ of a local photographer. Always had a camera of some kind to play with though never been talented enough to take more than adequate as opposed to artistic work. Can do anything mechanical with photo gear that is my main forte!

 

Best,

 

normclarke.

[cidereye]

Started off as an assistant to a pro aged 16 way back when almost 30 years ago, does that count for anything now? LOL

 

Total bumbling amateur for many years now and proud of it.

[FiZZ]

Wow... I feel really young! I'm only 26! And I've been an amateur for 7 years now. I have made some money, but I wouldn't call myself anything more than a serious hobbiest.

[Guest ccmsosse]

Thank you all for replying. I love the way this thread goes - some really great and thoughtful comments ... I couldn't have said it better. It is also nice to see how many of you are just here for the love of photography.

Mike

[maurometallo]

I'm a music critic and journalist in the Classical field. My job is to review concerts and records for magazines and newspapers. I work with sounds, so Photography is my chance to expand my appetite for life in the visual world as well.

I'm a passionate amateur.

[alun]

Er...."ambitious amateur" -- i.e. rarely if ever paid but have exhibited (once) and have had a few pix published also on a non-fee basis....

 

I love the point someone made (unless I misread) about too many cameras equalling decadence. I am constantly amazed by how much some members of this forum spend on Leica (and other) equipment. Some have more (and more expensive) cameras than many world-class photogs and yet never make a penny from their photography. I always remember a photog friend of mine telling me about an internationally known South African photog he knows who, a few years back, when he first met him, was photographing in the townships with a cheap auto-focus Nikon -- the auto-focus worked (sort of) with the aid of gaffer tape.... But out he went every day, taking world class pictures. And when he was able to he did buy more and better gear, but before that he set up a charitable foundation to get SA work better known and help more young SA photographers break through....

 

I don't mean this critically, it's just an observation.... I read some of the posts on the forum and add up the rough costs and it seems that some members think nothing of spending 15k-20k (GBP, USD) over the course of a year or two. EXtraordinary!

[stunsworth]

...an internationally known South African photog he knows who, a few years back, when he first met him, was photographing in the townships with a cheap auto-focus Nikon -- the auto-focus worked (sort of) with the aid of gaffer tape.... But out he went every day, taking world class pictures.

 

Willy Ronis used a Pentax SLR with a consumer zoom, but still managed to take world class photographs of a quality we can only dream of.

[wattsy]

It's interesting how few seem able to classify themselves as simply an amateur - as if there is something wrong with that term.

 

I wonder how many people who play a musical instrument as a leisure activity feel obliged to describe themselves as a "professional amateur" or put down their profession as "musician" just because they have a passion for playing music.

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[bill]

It's interesting how few seem able to classify themselves as simply an amateur - as if there is something wrong with that term.

 

LoL!

 

Not at all. It's just a label, after all. Actually, the term I find most pejorative is "expert" - I distrust anyone who styles themselves as an "expert" in anything

 

I'm proud of my amateur status, and of going on trips and taking snaps, rather than embarking on journeys and capturing images

 

Life is not to be taken too seriously, after all, and for most of us this is a pastime not a profession, eh?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[masjah]

LoL!

 

Not at all. It's just a label, after all. Actually, the term I find most pejorative is "expert" - I distrust anyone who styles themselves as an "expert" in anything

 

I'm proud of my amateur status, and of going on trips and taking snaps, rather than embarking on journeys and capturing images

 

Life is not to be taken too seriously, after all, and for most of us this is a pastime not a profession, eh?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

I entirely agree. Sometimes the word "Professional" is equally strangely used. There is a magazine here in the UK called "Professional Photographer", but, personally, I don't think it seems to be aimed very precisely at professionals.