The seven words every amateur photographer longs to hear, I heard tonight:

pathdoc · 10-28-2016, 05:01 PM - **4 Likes**

"Thanks for the pictures; they were great!"

**pepperberry farm** · 10-28-2016, 05:10 PM

bravo!

**robgski** · 10-28-2016, 06:48 PM

Congrats, those are great words to hear. I'd add "Here's the check"

If I could make my ~~obsession~~ hobby pay for itself, that would be enough.

DeadJohn · 10-28-2016, 08:07 PM - **1 Like**

Good for you.

I like to hear these 5 words: "Your camera takes good pictures." Then I can reply with the sarcastic "Your mouth makes good words."

**From1980** · 10-28-2016, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by robgski

Congrats, those are great words to hear. I'd add "Here's the check" If I could make my obsession hobby pay for itself, that would be enough.

I agree with this one too. The first time you are paid for any kind of photograph is a very special moment recognizing that your craft and creativity are appreciated by someone else who is still mystified about things we have come to take for granted in our hobby.
However, I used to get that recognition a lot more when the person getting the photos was used to looking at the world through a Kodak Instamatic on 126 or 110 film. Now most people think I'm wasting my time while they share "great" smartphone photos on facebook.

**Alex645** · 10-28-2016, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by From1980

I used to get that recognition a lot more when the person getting the photos was used to looking at the world through a Kodak Instamatic on 126 or 110 film. Now most people think I'm wasting my time while they share "great" smartphone photos on facebook.

That is very true, but I wouldnʻt worry about what most people think. The ones that matter are the ones that see the difference and the challenge for all of us both hobbyists and pros is rise above and make special images. I think great images can be made with phones and lesser cameras, but it is so much harder because of all the limitations.

Nevertheless, this is a good reminder for all photographers that when we critique or give feedback to someone elseʻs images, to praise and encourage the glass half full. Donʻt nit pick or offer advice with good intent unless itʻs asked for.

pathdoc · 10-29-2016, 03:05 AM

Originally posted by robgski

Congrats, those are great words to hear. I'd add "Here's the check"

If I could make my ~~obsession~~ hobby pay for itself, that would be enough.

The shots are for my kids' scout group, so this particular gig will never be a paying one. That doesn't bother me. Besides, I have a regular day job anyway and making money on the side would only complicate my tax situation.

**robgski** · 10-29-2016, 06:11 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

The shots are for my kids' scout group

In that context, I completely understand. For most of my life I've been the "guy with the camera" at events and gatherings of family and friends. As time goes on, I wish I'd taken more pictures, but my friends are grateful to have the pictures I did take, the memories that are preserved and shareable, and that is better than money.

10-28-2016, 05:01 PM - 4 Likes	#1
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	The seven words every amateur photographer longs to hear, I heard tonight: "Thanks for the pictures; they were great!"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The sharpest lenses for a Pentax according to Amateur Photographer Magazine.	Nickrs	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	96	04-08-2018 08:41 AM
Is the K1 really for the average amateur photographer?	robert	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	94	05-30-2016 02:56 AM
"Welcome to Afghanistan" in Feb '13 Amateur Photographer Magazine	Heie	Photographic Industry and Professionals	42	06-22-2013 06:38 PM
The Best Street Photographer You've Never Heard Of	wildman	Photographic Technique	9	08-06-2011 04:23 PM
Pentax K-5 on the cover of Amateur Photographer	fearview	Pentax News and Rumors	36	02-04-2011 12:39 PM

10-28-2016, 05:10 PM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,660	bravo!

10-28-2016, 06:48 PM	#3
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,796	Congrats, those are great words to hear. I'd add "Here's the check" If I could make my ~~obsession~~ hobby pay for itself, that would be enough.

10-28-2016, 08:07 PM - 1 Like	#4
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Good for you. I like to hear these 5 words: "Your camera takes good pictures." Then I can reply with the sarcastic "Your mouth makes good words."

10-28-2016, 08:35 PM	#5
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	Originally posted by robgski Congrats, those are great words to hear. I'd add "Here's the check" If I could make my obsession hobby pay for itself, that would be enough. I agree with this one too. The first time you are paid for any kind of photograph is a very special moment recognizing that your craft and creativity are appreciated by someone else who is still mystified about things we have come to take for granted in our hobby. However, I used to get that recognition a lot more when the person getting the photos was used to looking at the world through a Kodak Instamatic on 126 or 110 film. Now most people think I'm wasting my time while they share "great" smartphone photos on facebook.

10-28-2016, 09:07 PM	#6
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by From1980 I used to get that recognition a lot more when the person getting the photos was used to looking at the world through a Kodak Instamatic on 126 or 110 film. Now most people think I'm wasting my time while they share "great" smartphone photos on facebook. That is very true, but I wouldnʻt worry about what most people think. The ones that matter are the ones that see the difference and the challenge for all of us both hobbyists and pros is rise above and make special images. I think great images can be made with phones and lesser cameras, but it is so much harder because of all the limitations. Nevertheless, this is a good reminder for all photographers that when we critique or give feedback to someone elseʻs images, to praise and encourage the glass half full. Donʻt nit pick or offer advice with good intent unless itʻs asked for.

10-29-2016, 03:05 AM	#7
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381 Original Poster	Originally posted by robgski Congrats, those are great words to hear. I'd add "Here's the check" If I could make my ~~obsession~~ hobby pay for itself, that would be enough. The shots are for my kids' scout group, so this particular gig will never be a paying one. That doesn't bother me. Besides, I have a regular day job anyway and making money on the side would only complicate my tax situation.

10-29-2016, 06:11 AM	#8
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,796	Originally posted by pathdoc The shots are for my kids' scout group In that context, I completely understand. For most of my life I've been the "guy with the camera" at events and gatherings of family and friends. As time goes on, I wish I'd taken more pictures, but my friends are grateful to have the pictures I did take, the memories that are preserved and shareable, and that is better than money.