this is the first question i asked myself when i went into photography. though i have more to know about this, i have always asked myself this question over and over again. "if" ill be calling myself a photographer, what would i be?
would i venture into landscape? very nice indeed and i love traveling places
or would i be a macro photographer? im not spending too much time at home nor flat face on the ground to shoot macro but i love nature and i love insect shots i see here in 365project.
maybe i can go to portraiture or wedding photography? hmmnn, this means money to spend and money to collect. and i do love emotions of faces and people.
how about commercial photography? this i love because money is here but as of now this is only my hobby. maybe after 30 years i can persuade myself that my pictures can be classified as those in commercial photography but as of now no for me.
sports photography? this one i love though my farthest lens would be 300mm only. and 600mm lens would make me poor.
there are lots of classification of photography not only the ones i listed above. and if you want em all then probably you are rich. until now i haven't figured out what type of photography will i venture into. i have different types of shots and i love them all. :( that's sad. maybe if you guys will lent me thousands of dollars then i can venture to all of these types in photography. anyways,enough of me, how bout you guys?
same problem jumel.. right now i love taking nature shots.. but i have fun taking other photos as well.. you are right and money is definitely a factor.. if only we were really rich haha.. then i could quit my job and gamble on my photography.. :)
gen, we have the same sentiments. oh i wish i can win in the lotto or something. :D definitely will quit job and be a freelance photographer. hahaha. as of now, my heart is at landscape more than the rest.
lol okay so now you getting ready to call yourself a photographer hey!!!?
For me... portraiture and wedding photography is definately what got me hooked on photography initially, would be nice to make some extra cash from that! I have had people asking me to do their's, but so far nothing professionally taken upon myself just yet, still getting into the marketing of my services for now and gaining the confidence!! Hopefully something will come up soon, then I can see if I am made out for that kind of pressure! who knows, maybe it will keep me so busy oneday that I could actually quit my day job! lol
On 365 there is so much to consider everyday, that one tends to focus on a range on photography fields in getting the practise and shot for the day... I find myself loving nature and natural documentary style photos more and more... oppose to just doing portraits!
Jumel, every photographer is a multi-faceted being.... even if someone specialises in a particular 'type' of photography, it does not mean that the person is not capable of other kinds of photography and also does not love other kinds of photography.
If someone is shooting with a DSLR, then your equipment, sometimes determines what you would be shooting more often. If you have a zoom, then you would prefer shooting wildlife, and maybe birds.
If you have a macro lens, then that might be what you like,and so forth.
My advice would be not to label yourself but allow your creativity a free reign...
i 'am' a photographer.. and i have several specialties that i use.. babies, portraiture, weddings, nature.. if i had to narrow it down and choose only one.. i would choose babies for the fun involved.. but weddings for the money ;)
i think i would propose even another 'type'--a documentary photographer. i don't mean like documenting world-events and news 'documentary', but documenting life. i am nowhere close to being a photographer in the proper sense, but i get a lot of joy out of documenting the big and small events in my family and the world we live in. i love capturing moments and memories--and reliving them by looking back over the photos that document them. pictures give a sense of permanence to life that is flying by too rapidly! it will never make me any money, but it sure makes me rich!
I like the feedback given above by Santosh. I think and believe that being a photographer means you are artistic in nature. I do not believe it is neceswsary to zero in on just one style or type. We need to explore and enjoy a variety of opportunities. When I look at some of the art or photographs shared here on 365, I am amazed at the vast array of awesome talent! Each one has their own unique style and expertise, and even though some of us cannot create a gorgeous landscape, still life or portrait, we still have our own artistic eye and the ability to create our own masterpiece. When you enter photography to make money then you will be expected to produce results desired by your customer. Some have that ability and enjoy that challenge. Others do not want that kind of stress, they want to be free to express themselves more freely, and let their art sell itself. It is so individual, as art itself is. But the bottom line is, what do you want to do. We must each answer that question ourselves.
@santosh, i agree with what you say. as for me, im just narrowing down my options to prevent me from buying lens thus maximing the use of what i got yet still shoot whatever i want to. that is why until now i haven't bought any new lens because im not yet sure what i really want. other photographers i believe has somewhat a favorite or specialization but still they can shoot beautifully in other types of photography so maybe what im trying to imply on the matter is what do you love most shooting? also, it doesn't necessarily mean that it depends on the equipment you use, then you are that type of photographer. like if you have a macro lens, that doesn't mean you cannot shoot a portrait out of a macro lens. or if i have a kit lens, it doesn't also mean i cannot shoot racing cars or basketball. maybe i would like to know what is your favorite type of photography?
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For me... portraiture and wedding photography is definately what got me hooked on photography initially, would be nice to make some extra cash from that! I have had people asking me to do their's, but so far nothing professionally taken upon myself just yet, still getting into the marketing of my services for now and gaining the confidence!! Hopefully something will come up soon, then I can see if I am made out for that kind of pressure! who knows, maybe it will keep me so busy oneday that I could actually quit my day job! lol
On 365 there is so much to consider everyday, that one tends to focus on a range on photography fields in getting the practise and shot for the day... I find myself loving nature and natural documentary style photos more and more... oppose to just doing portraits!
lolz!
If someone is shooting with a DSLR, then your equipment, sometimes determines what you would be shooting more often. If you have a zoom, then you would prefer shooting wildlife, and maybe birds.
If you have a macro lens, then that might be what you like,and so forth.
My advice would be not to label yourself but allow your creativity a free reign...
My main problem is time! Bring on that Lotto win!!
@rick, very well said. thanks for the thoughts.