We Are All Photographers
evrt:
I hear this sentiment frequently. “Now with digital, everyone thinks they’re a photographer”. And the more defensive, “owning an expensive canon or nikon doesnt make you a photographer”. But if I remember correctly, nearly everyone in the country has owned a camera since the 1970’s. That’s the reason you can pick up a Canon AE-1, that would have cost several hundred dollars in 1976, at the thrift store today for $40. Digital cameras have not popularized photography in the last ten years. duh. Not to mention, that mind-set is completely psuedo-elitist. Everyone who takes photos IS a photographer and taking photographs has been a staple of american society and culture for decades. Who cares who calls themselves a photographer, what settings they use, or how much they spent on a camera. Worry more about YOUR pictures if it’s something you like and/or want to take seriously.
f/8 -Keith
I guess when I said “photographer” I meant the people who are looking to turn it into a business, not the generalized definition of “one who takes photographs.” By me saying I many times prefer to manual focus, manual expose, and not look at my LCD screen often, I only meant that is how I prefer to shoot because I feel it makes me a better technical photographer. I learn more from my experience that way, instead of everything being auto. I was not in any way trying to be elitist or saying one type of photography is better than the other. Please don’t take everything I say out of context.
I know it does not matter what camera you use. That is why I use everything from a $15 crappy rangefinder or $15 plastic camera to an $8000 DSLR. Believe me, I am not elitist. If anyone, however is being elitist, I would have to say it is you. I took a thorough look at your blog and you seem to very much enjoy sharing with everyone, how much you hate this type of photography, or can’t stand this type. You even contradict yourself several times, including with this statement you made above: “Who cares who calls themselves a photographer, what settings they use, or how much they spent on a camera.” You previously posted on your blog that you apparently dislike Holga photography, because they are cheap and take crappy photos. But here I thought it didn’t matter.
At least, at the very least, have some dignity man and reblog my post so I have a chance to explain. Don’t copy and paste only a fraction of what I say, and then link to my blog while you bash me, so it makes me seem like an asshole. What I actually said in the sentence before what you have copied and pasted, was: ”..those are things I really try to push myself on so I don’t become lazy.”
I don’t really care if you like my photos or not, or whether other people do or don’t, but I don’t really like being made to look like an asshole elitist. I tend to take that personally because if you only actually knew me, I am the most modest person you will ever meet.
Kind of interesting discussion going on here. I hope to return to this and offer my two cents, but know this: I’m kind of an asshole elitist, and I have no problem being labeled as such.
(though I have no problem with crappy equipment)
