What exactly is Professional to you?

RonHendriks1966 · 10-14-2013, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Photos are the domain of the bride, so who cares what the Groomsmen look like?

Oh boy am I in trouble, since for the wedding I plan to photograph the groom is the one arranging things with me. No idea why?

stevebrot · 10-14-2013, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by derekkite

It think the 'Professional' moniker attached to photography hardware is often geared towards well monied amateurs.

Unless of course the hardware is geared toward a pro. I know several "well-monied" amateurs who shoot with the same gear favored by pros, but that does not change the reason why the gear is favored by the pro user.

The example that comes to mind would be almost any medium format film SLR or rangefinder camera. Pick up the camera and play with the controls. Mount/dismount the lens. Cycle the shutter. Bring the camera to the eye and squeeze off a few frames. Now do the same with a consumer-level SLR of the same vintage. The difference is readily apparent. At least it is apparent to me. It is that difference that leads me to lust after a Pentax 645N or a Hasselblad or a Bronica or any number of very wonderful tools that were/are targeted at the professional market.

Steve

(...me = not well-monied...)

stevebrot · 10-14-2013, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

However, how I *carry* myself when out shooting is also part of being a "Professional".

Very good! I frequently am singled out by security guards and such because of my confidence with the gear and how I approach the subject. "Amateur photography only..." Ha! Ha! I tell them that I am a hobbyist and do it for fun and creative outlet only.

Steve

Joel B · 10-14-2013, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Very good! I frequently am singled out by security guards and such because of my confidence with the gear and how I approach the subject. "Amateur photography only..." Ha! Ha! I tell them that I am a hobbyist and do it for fun and creative outlet only.

Steve

You wouldn't have that problem if you used an I-pad

kricha6431 · 10-14-2013, 05:41 PM - **1 Like**

I don't consider myself Pro Photographer! But I'll give my description:
Being a Pro Photographer means getting paid for what you do regardles of what Brand or even the expense you put into your gear! and YOU DON'T have to have the the most expensive camera in the world! But, YOU DO need to know how to use your gear with WHAT YOU HAVE!
Just my $.0.02

Vylen · 10-15-2013, 02:26 AM

Being a professional is about what you know, what you do and how you do it.

**MetteHHH** · 10-15-2013, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Oh boy am I in trouble, since for the wedding I plan to photograph the groom is the one arranging things with me. No idea why?

Ah - I bet the groom will be happy anyway, if you make his bride look terrific!

RonHendriks1966 · 10-15-2013, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by MetteHHH

Ah - I bet the groom will be happy anyway, if you make his bride look terrific!

Then I'm luckey since his future wife was modelling before for my camera.

alexfoto · 10-20-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

What exactly is Professional to you?

Those who behave as such (so attitude), regardless of make a living from it, and able to give consistent result.
I understand that my position will be certainly a minority but I think that even the most entrenched conventions should be questioned, in the end I think that each of us, in the most diverse fields, I have seen people who, while coming in perfectly canonical descriptions, aren't sufficiently good, on one or both the above points.

Instead about the endless discussion relating to equipment I think the a gear able to facilitate the job got obtain consistent result more easy matter and depending on the situations could be determinant, despite the photograph is an artistic field and modern camera has reached really high quality feautures.

snake · 10-20-2013, 10:50 AM

How many of you are applying the knowledge from this thread to go pro?

**jatrax** · 10-20-2013, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by snake

How many of you are applying the knowledge from this thread to go pro?

What do you mean by pro?

AndyN · 10-20-2013, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

I spent a summer working with a master carpenter. He was a 'professional' in any possible sense of the word. He was a 'master' at his trade and knew more about getting things built than I ever imagined there was to know.

His tools were the most motley collection of beat up, cheap, used, over used and downright disreputable things I have ever seen. If he could not lay hands on a hammer a length of steel pipe was just fine with him. His only focus was on getting the job done to the best possible standard. And his standards were very high. We spent an entire day redoing work because we were 1/4" out over 30 feet, most any other carpenter I've ever worked with would have been delighted at a 1/4" deviation.

Amateurs worry about gear, professionals only worry about the end result.

+1

+1

I remember many years ago when I worked in the trades. When someone would show up with complete set of shiny tools we knew they where green. It is all about how you use the tools, know their weaknesses and strengths.

Parry · 10-26-2013, 02:44 AM

A professional photographer captures more than just the visible spectrum of light and a good photograph is far more than the resulting two-dimensional image.

Does the image convey emotion to, or cause an emotional response in the viewer?

Does the image communicate information greater than the two-dimensions? By this I mean, does the photo tell a deeper story?

Whether it's taken with a PhaseOne, a Mamiya Leaf, a Pentax K-3 or a Polaroid, a good or great image needs to meet either or preferably both of these criteria.

Here's a good example of what I mean. This photograph by James Nachtwey strongly meets both criteria.

ChrisA · 10-26-2013, 03:32 AM

Why is this thread in the K-3 forum?

TaoMaas · 10-26-2013, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by ChrisA

Why is this thread in the K-3 forum?

I think it's because it's origins were in a rant about the K-3 not really being enough to be considered a "pro" camera. This thread was started to ask, "What is 'pro' anyway?"

10-20-2013, 10:15 AM	#69
alexfoto Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Italy Photos: Albums Posts: 182	Quote: What exactly is Professional to you? Those who behave as such (so attitude), regardless of make a living from it, and able to give consistent result. I understand that my position will be certainly a minority but I think that even the most entrenched conventions should be questioned, in the end I think that each of us, in the most diverse fields, I have seen people who, while coming in perfectly canonical descriptions, aren't sufficiently good, on one or both the above points. Instead about the endless discussion relating to equipment I think the a gear able to facilitate the job got obtain consistent result more easy matter and depending on the situations could be determinant, despite the photograph is an artistic field and modern camera has reached really high quality feautures. Last edited by alexfoto; 10-20-2013 at 10:38 AM.

10-26-2013, 02:44 AM	#73
Parry Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 606	A professional photographer captures more than just the visible spectrum of light and a good photograph is far more than the resulting two-dimensional image. Does the image convey emotion to, or cause an emotional response in the viewer? Does the image communicate information greater than the two-dimensions? By this I mean, does the photo tell a deeper story? Whether it's taken with a PhaseOne, a Mamiya Leaf, a Pentax K-3 or a Polaroid, a good or great image needs to meet either or preferably both of these criteria. Here's a good example of what I mean. This photograph by James Nachtwey strongly meets both criteria. Last edited by Parry; 10-26-2013 at 02:54 AM.

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10-14-2013, 01:25 PM	#61
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by monochrome Photos are the domain of the bride, so who cares what the Groomsmen look like? Oh boy am I in trouble, since for the wedding I plan to photograph the groom is the one arranging things with me. No idea why?

10-14-2013, 05:05 PM	#62
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by derekkite It think the 'Professional' moniker attached to photography hardware is often geared towards well monied amateurs. Unless of course the hardware is geared toward a pro. I know several "well-monied" amateurs who shoot with the same gear favored by pros, but that does not change the reason why the gear is favored by the pro user. The example that comes to mind would be almost any medium format film SLR or rangefinder camera. Pick up the camera and play with the controls. Mount/dismount the lens. Cycle the shutter. Bring the camera to the eye and squeeze off a few frames. Now do the same with a consumer-level SLR of the same vintage. The difference is readily apparent. At least it is apparent to me. It is that difference that leads me to lust after a Pentax 645N or a Hasselblad or a Bronica or any number of very wonderful tools that were/are targeted at the professional market. Steve (...me = not well-monied...)

10-14-2013, 05:09 PM	#63
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by LaurenOE However, how I carry myself when out shooting is also part of being a "Professional". Very good! I frequently am singled out by security guards and such because of my confidence with the gear and how I approach the subject. "Amateur photography only..." Ha! Ha! I tell them that I am a hobbyist and do it for fun and creative outlet only. Steve

10-14-2013, 05:37 PM	#64
Joel B Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Barnett MO. Photos: Albums Posts: 2,336	Originally posted by stevebrot Very good! I frequently am singled out by security guards and such because of my confidence with the gear and how I approach the subject. "Amateur photography only..." Ha! Ha! I tell them that I am a hobbyist and do it for fun and creative outlet only. Steve You wouldn't have that problem if you used an I-pad

10-14-2013, 05:41 PM - 1 Like	#65
kricha6431 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Silsbee, TX Posts: 91	I don't consider myself Pro Photographer! But I'll give my description: Being a Pro Photographer means getting paid for what you do regardles of what Brand or even the expense you put into your gear! and YOU DON'T have to have the the most expensive camera in the world! But, YOU DO need to know how to use your gear with WHAT YOU HAVE! Just my $.0.02

10-15-2013, 02:26 AM	#66
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	Being a professional is about what you know, what you do and how you do it.

10-15-2013, 04:27 AM	#67
MetteHHH Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,817	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Oh boy am I in trouble, since for the wedding I plan to photograph the groom is the one arranging things with me. No idea why? Ah - I bet the groom will be happy anyway, if you make his bride look terrific!

10-15-2013, 08:18 AM	#68
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by MetteHHH Ah - I bet the groom will be happy anyway, if you make his bride look terrific! Then I'm luckey since his future wife was modelling before for my camera.

10-20-2013, 10:50 AM	#70
snake Banned Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY/Germany Posts: 1,183	How many of you are applying the knowledge from this thread to go pro?

10-20-2013, 11:42 AM	#71
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by snake How many of you are applying the knowledge from this thread to go pro? What do you mean by pro?

10-20-2013, 11:50 AM	#72
AndyN New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 2	Originally posted by jatrax I spent a summer working with a master carpenter. He was a 'professional' in any possible sense of the word. He was a 'master' at his trade and knew more about getting things built than I ever imagined there was to know. His tools were the most motley collection of beat up, cheap, used, over used and downright disreputable things I have ever seen. If he could not lay hands on a hammer a length of steel pipe was just fine with him. His only focus was on getting the job done to the best possible standard. And his standards were very high. We spent an entire day redoing work because we were 1/4" out over 30 feet, most any other carpenter I've ever worked with would have been delighted at a 1/4" deviation. Amateurs worry about gear, professionals only worry about the end result. +1 +1 I remember many years ago when I worked in the trades. When someone would show up with complete set of shiny tools we knew they where green. It is all about how you use the tools, know their weaknesses and strengths.

10-26-2013, 03:32 AM	#74
ChrisA Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 393	Why is this thread in the K-3 forum?

10-26-2013, 10:42 AM	#75
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by ChrisA Why is this thread in the K-3 forum? I think it's because it's origins were in a rant about the K-3 not really being enough to be considered a "pro" camera. This thread was started to ask, "What is 'pro' anyway?"