When it comes to photography, some folks seem to enjoy sitting on the sidelines, tossing comments and opinions around in chatrooms, rather than actually being in the game.
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Anyone can observe an aircraft with smoke billowing out from its engines… and theorize about what the pilot should do. Or parrot something that they saw or read somewhere. It is a completely different perspective to be in the pilot’s seat, and know what needs to be done.
I suppose it comes down to what being a photographer means to us individually. For some, it is defined as being paid for the work that they produce. Receiving client payment equates with attaining a professional level of photographic performance.
Other people define being a photographer by the camera equipment that they own and use. There is a belief in some segments of the photography market that ‘real’ photographers use full frame gear. Users of smaller sensor cameras are viewed as being somehow inferior… or not being serious about their craft.
It will be interesting to see if this gear-based opinion of being a ‘real’ photographer shifts over time.
What if an equipment based definition of what constitutes a ‘real’ photographer comes to mean users of medium format cameras?
Will full frame owners be viewed less favourably in the future? Will the owners of this camera format be looked down upon by owners with a medium format kit? Will the camera equipment pecking order shift a notch?
At times it can be interesting to observe what happens at popular bird photography sites… especially on weekends when a higher number of people are in attendance.
Some folks have a high level of engagement and are continually scanning their surroundings as they look for photographic opportunities. They often act as spotters for other people at the same location. They call out when a specific bird-in-flight is approaching. They have a genuine intent to share with others so more people can take advantage of the photographic opportunity.
They contribute to a sense of community, cooperation and kinship. These folks are often supportive of each other’s photographic pursuits and interests. For the majority of these people what camera gear someone happens to own is not top of mind… and is rarely even mentioned.
At the other end of the spectrum it is sometimes possible to observe people who seem to be completely removed from the environment around them. They rarely, if ever, even attempt to capture any photographs of birds in the immediate area.
They form small clusters and typically have their largest and most expensive gear visible. Discussions with others in the cluster are focused on equipment specifications and the benefits of ownership that are marketed by various manufacturers.
Invariably the discussion moves to the price of various pieces of camera gear. Detailed justifications concerning the investments made are exchanged… and acknowledged by knowing nods. Of course each of us have our individual motivators… that’s just a part of life.
External validation based on cost… and the ownership of specific camera equipment… can become a never ending and complex merry-go-round. It can continually siphon money from our wallets. The process could be simplified. Maybe we could all carry a certified statement of our net worth that we could show other people. Then we could just leave our camera gear at home. 🙂
All kidding aside… what we own in terms of image creating equipment is irrelevant to being… or not being… a photographer. Buying dedicated camera gear makes us camera owners… and not necessarily anything more.
In my mind being a photographer is attitudinal. It is about having clear intent… and a powerful, internal need to create visually. This internal drive transcends only taking quick snapshots of family events, or documenting holiday travel. Obviously creating well thought out quality images of family members is s different situation.
I find it very interesting that in some of the camera clubs for which I’ve done presentations over the past couple of years… 10% or more of the club members do not own a dedicated camera. All of their images are created with Smartphones. Club executives assess that these folks who don’t own dedicated cameras are still innovative and creative.
For what it is worth, I have a simple, minimalistic perspective of what constitutes being a photographer… regardless of the image creating tools that we may use,
If we go out at least once or twice per month with the clear intent to create visually for the sheer joy of doing so… we are photographers.
If we consistently create a good number photographs per month… none of which are of our families or vacations…. we are photographers.
If we can look back at photographs we created in the past and be immediately transported back to the exact moment that we created the image… and relive the feelings of joy and creativity we felt… we are photographers.
We have not been sitting on the sidelines… we have been living in our creativity… and expressing it through our photography.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files or out-of-camera jpegs. This is the 1524 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.
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An interesting topic Tom, I am always being the family photographer at every gathering like today’s visit.
I value these images so much that always shoot with a real camera and Zuiko lens. My family almost accept that good photos will follow!
These occasions are actually good practice also so it’s a win win situation!
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your comment… it is always good to hear from you. Your comment prompted me to adjust the wording in the article to recognize the effort put into creating well thought out quality images of family members.
Tom