A Rant.
So…
I own a calculator. Does this mean I’m a mathematician?
I’ve got a copy of CS5 Illustrator on my Mac. So now I’m a graphic artist?
Every now and then, I like to do a little dance. No one would ever claim I’m a dancer.
I was in a few school plays when I was (much) younger. I’m a far cry from being described as an actor.
Ferchristsake, there’s a hole in the head of my cock, it doesn’t make it a dolphin.
Yet, another rich kid buys himself a camera, and suddenly he’s a fucking photographer. No, you’re a camera owner. You’ve got yourself a flickr account, and a copy of lightroom, you’ve taken some pics of some friends, and now you’ve the right to announce you’re an experienced photographer? No, you’re a camera enthusiast.
What do you really know of photography? I don’t mean what do you know about your camera and technique, I mean PHOTOGRAPHY. The study of light, the historical importance of the medium, the photographers who’s names will live on forever. Who are the photographers who inspired you? What can you tell me about them, about why they took photos, and why those photos are important? Are you even aware there’s other settings than Auto on your camera? etc. blah.
And we all know, having a gazillion megapixel camera is really important when you’re only putting your photos on facebook…
I will state, that I have nothing at all against real camera enthusiasts, people who get real joy from taking photos. I’m not even saying that you have to have qualifications to be a photographer. But before you go and get those cheap Vistaprint business cards made up, you really need to ask yourself, am I really a photographer?
If this bristles some people, I don’t care.