What is a “Real” Photographer?
My chiropractor asked me today, “Are you a proper trained photographer?”
It stopped me in my tracks. What does this mean? In 1994 I started an art course at Polytech that included photography. A month later I left, bought myself a camera and taught myself. I’ve been taking photographs for 15 years on and off professionally and over the last 4 years – professionally full-time. So am I a photographer? As far as I’m concerned, yes I am! Photography is my passion – I take photos whether I get paid or not.
This question really intrigued me as it made me think about people’s perceptions about what a “real” photographer is or what a “real” artist is or what a “real” job may be. Actually what is a “real” job because as a full-time artist and photographer, I’ve often been told, “that’s not a real job!”
So what is a “real” photographer? Someone who has done all the training and now has a degree in photography? Does this make them any better than a person who is self-taught who has not learnt in a classroom environment where there are influences of both teacher and other students?
I don’t think that I would be the photographer I am today if I had trained for four years in a classroom to be a photographer. I mean, that’s a ridiculous amount of time if you ask me especially if I can go and buy a camera and take photos, read some books and teach myself! And why waste time in a classroom when you should be out taking photos!!
It might be different it you are a doctor where you work in a job where the lives of people are in your hands. That’s different, and I would hope that the doctor I go and see actually knows what he or she is talking about!
But if I see an amazing art work, or an amazing photograph, it is of no concern to me how many hours a person has studied that led them to taking that photograph. The proof is in the work right in front of me and I don’t need for that person to even justify or say to me where they got their degree from. I have seen some amazing photographs taken by people who have never picked up a camera in their life before then! Take the kids with cameras project. These are some amazing photos of some amazing lives!
No disrespect to people who spend all their lives studying, I have been there myself, but I really do think that life’s experiences and learnings are far more valuable and worthy of acknowledgment than people give them credit for. Next minute we’ll be sending expectant mother’s to university to study to be parents. How would that be?
Sometimes I think we put too much value on a piece of paper and forget about the journey that it took to actually get us there. I do hope that people remember this and know that regardless of how many letters come after our names we are already worthy participants in this world.
Action
For those out there who feel they can’t do anything with their lives because they don’t have the “qualifications” or the learning in school or university to justify their abilities, take a look at your life; really take a look at all your life’s experiences. There will be something in there, some life experience, something that you have achieved or experienced that you could share with others. And if you are a parent you already have something right there – the gift of giving life to another.
Inspirational Quote
There is no greater work than life itself.
