Everyone's a professional photographer these days...

[Warpaint]

A lot of what I see on social media feeds in recent years is scenic, delicate, arty shots of various things. (Have you noticed it's normally a local place everyone's been millions of times)

There's all the fillers, lighting effects and what not. Then there's all the comments and likes telling them how wonderful the picture is etc.

Do you think the better technology has hurt the profession of Photography? Or is there certain shots, moments and imaginative snaps that only someone with training could take?

 

[DCICassieStuart]

I blame Brooklyn Beckham

 

[TheScarletgirl]

No i don't think it has but a lot of people are trying to get into it (Amateur couldn't do press or events well ) My friend had an amateur photographer for her birthday and it showed . Now everyone wants to be an influencer or Make up artist.

 

[DanaScully]

I don't think it matters. People can be amateurs and enjoy a hobby or if they're good at it they can start a business and earn from it.

I'm sure people wouldn't hire Joe down the road to photograph their wedding just because he bought a DSLR and uploaded some photos of his garden to Facebook.

 

[klakstrom]

The amount of weddings I’ve been to where the photographer has a crapper camera than me... it’s a shame really.
it’s great that people are finding new hobbies, but I wish they wouldn’t make themselves a Facebook business page after getting a few likes on their heavily photoshopped “couple” photos of mum and dad.
sorry, /rant.

 

[Taetae95]

Yes and no. I think it's nice that people are more into it and that phones/social media have made it easier and more accessible to have nice photos. But at the same time it feels like things are a bit too much about the aesthetics these days and I miss people just posting random things without caring for them looking perfect. I still think there's a difference with people who have a passion for photography or do it professionally!

 

[Warpaint]

I don't think it matters. People can be amateurs and enjoy a hobby or if they're good at it they can start a business and earn from it.

I'm sure people wouldn't hire Joe down the road to photograph their wedding just because he bought a DSLR and uploaded some photos of his garden to Facebook.

I'm sure it's more common than you'd think. Or people asking their friends to do it on the cheap or free.

 

[Kim Mild]

I think a lot of photos of scenery or landmarks that people posr online are so manipulated that they don't look anything like what it does in real life.

 

[HowlOwl]

I think that it’s a wonderful time for photography in that it’s so available for everyone now and the cameras, even in phones, are much cheaper and fantastic quality. However a good camera does necessarily make a good photographer and although people may have a great eye, there’s still a lot to possibly be learnt. There are so many brilliant tutorials on YouTube though, if anyone wants to learn.

I definitely agree that some amateurs set themselves up as professionals when clearly they don’t know what they are doing. They should follow some professional photographers and try to learn, and take up some courses.

People do overprocess photos, definitely - I don’t like that fake look. That’s a whole area in itself, the use of photo editing, and most photographers do edit their pics, but subtly.

 

[cubegame]

Apple seem to have convinced people that phones can take good photos in all hands. The laws of physics disagree.

 

[GoLando]

I strongly believe just let people enjoy things BUT also strongly believe people should enjoy hobbies as hobbies and should stop jumping into a "business" (they rarely are) just because they can do something a little. Often it comes from other people - I do a fair bit of crafting and every singe time it's "you should sell this!!!" - NO. Let me enjoy it for enjoyment's sake!!!

So, in short, let people enjoy things and encourage them JUST to enjoy things. Not everything needs to be monetised.

 

[Kim Mild]

I do think photography can be a hobby everyone can do for enjoyment now , regardless of ability. Everyone is able to post their photos online for the world to see if they wish.

Charging money for hobbies and feeling they need to be turned into businesses seems to be quite a thing lately.

I strongly believe just let people enjoy things BUT also strongly believe people should enjoy hobbies as hobbies and should stop jumping into a "business" (they rarely are) just because they can do something a little. Often it comes from other people - I do a fair bit of crafting and every singe time it's "you should sell this!!!" - NO. Let me enjoy it for enjoyment's sake!!!

So, in short, let people enjoy things and encourage them JUST to enjoy things. Not everything needs to be monetised.

 

[emm]

The amount of weddings I’ve been to where the photographer has a crapper camera than me... it’s a shame really.
it’s great that people are finding new hobbies, but I wish they wouldn’t make themselves a Facebook business page after getting a few likes on their heavily photoshopped “couple” photos of mum and dad.
sorry, /rant.

I've heard of situations where a friend is a "photographer" and volunteers to do it as a wedding gift when really it would be better to pay a professional

 

[Platypusfattypus]

I'm one of those people who have started taking a lot of photos. I really enjoy it and enjoy trying to take a good photo. It's definately only a hobby, I'd never ever want to take photos for someone. I am definately not at a professional level but it's something I really enjoy.