Professional vs. Amateur

By alecsothblog

Who would you rather be:

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A professional (as photographed by an amateur)

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Or an amateur (as photographed by a professional)

7 Responses to “Professional vs. Amateur”

  1. roland Says:

    To me, pro photographer sounds like news or fashion photographer. Which i don’t want to be…

    But then i’d love to live from my photography, which could be seen as art (for the walls or books) but i don’t think i can call myself an artist.

    So now i’ll just keep being a student in an art school and i’ll see when i’m done with that.

  2. Rasmus Riemann Says:

    I’d go for being the pro. Those ‘camera clubs’ are scary things. I’ve seen it in parks in Tokyo. The brings so much equipment and they all have those relflectors that folds out with that cool hand movement. The party can even choose that the models wear their favourite manga-character outfits. If you take pictures of them while they are at it, they will look pretty confused.
    Hers a link to picture of such session:
    http://www.rasmusriemann.dk/blog/?p=391

  3. salishpark Says:

    I’m an amateur because no one will pay for my pictures but also I’ve read that if you look at the original etymology of that word being an amateur means engaging in an art (or a study or sport) with the primary motivation of love or passion for the activity, as opposed to money. Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Every artist was first an amateur.”

    Short answer: Even if I were given the choice I’d still be an amateur.

    …Or am I taking this question too seriously?

  4. Steve Says:

    Amateur! Sign me up! LOL

    Actually, I never could bring myself to shoot that type of photography… for a variety of reasons.

  5. Michael Says:

    I’m still unsure who I’d rather be, but I went to a ‘camera club‘ event once – and it did seem very much an avenue for men to see scantily clad (or un-clad) women, and take photos of them. I guess I was surpised that really happens (although we hear rumors) and that the clubs often market to these people.

    Needless to say, I have not since been back.

  6. alec soth - blog » Blog Archive » More on amateurs Says:

    [...] In a reply to my recent post, Professional vs. Amateur, salishpark writes: “I’m an amateur because no one will pay for my pictures but also I’ve read that if you look at the original etymology of that word being an amateur means engaging in an art (or a study or sport) with the primary motivation of love or passion for the activity, as opposed to money. Ralph Waldo Emerson: ‘Every artist was first an amateur.’” [...]

  7. jmgiordano Says:

    Alec, thanks for calling out Chris Verene!
    He is one of my fav underrated photogs.
    PS; Just got Niagara. Words fail man! Keep on keepin’ on!

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