Dzvonko Petrovski over at Light Stalking has stated it clearly: professional photography is something completely different than just taking pictures.
I guess the main reason why people don’t appreciate photographers’ work anymore is the way everyone is able to take a quick photo these days. If they knew all it took for us to create a magnificent image – the planning, the gear, the countless hours of work, they might think otherwise.
In my personal experience I’ve learned that people often ask for photographers to work for free because they compare the profession to snapping pictures with their smartphone. Since that is a fairly easy task, the work that professional photographers do is devalued. Here are some things you should consider before pitting your personal opinion against the value of the work that a professional photographer does.
You might see photography as a mere art of pressing a button on a fancy camera, but if you (as a person who has no knowledge in professional grade cameras) were to wield that thing, you’d realize that it is not an easy task.
Additionally, all the variables that photographers need to work with are really overwhelming, but not everybody is aware of that. Professional photographers dedicate their lives to photography, and so that is what they do, all day long. It is the same case with an extremely proficient individual in any other career. Take, for example, a professional chef – it is not the fancy pans that make that a meal appetizing, but it is the experience and knowledge of the chef which results in culinary masterpieces.
Professional photographers are more aware of their surroundings than those who don’t practice photography as a career. Chances are that professional photographers will notice a greater number of moments worth capturing than a non-photographer would. Add to this the experience they have in the field. They will certainly be ready to capture the right moment and surely will have a greater success rate in turning out pictures that are usable and professional.
Professional photographers, much like professionals in any other field, invest a great amount of time, money, and effort in what they do. Devaluing their work is just rude and ignorant. Just as you wouldn’t want anybody to devalue or voice a lack of appreciation for what you do, professional photographers who take pride in their work feel the same way. So if you’ve stuck with me until this point in this article, I leave you with one simple question: how would you feel if your work and passion were devalued and discredited?
Read the full article over at Light Stalking.
Source: Light Stalking
