Pro v/s amateur photographers - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/10/2008 02:27:39 PM · #1

I wondered, then searched, but couldnt find anything on this topic:

Has there ever been a time when there was a challenge specifically for professional photographers, and likewise, only for amateur photographers?

The closest I could find on this topic was a thread discussing DPCer's professions.

ETA: spell check.

Message edited by author 2008-09-10 14:29:58.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

09/10/2008 02:35:55 PM · #2

No. It would lead to too many questions of what counts as a pro...

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

09/10/2008 02:40:04 PM · #3

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

No. It would lead to too many questions of what counts as a pro...

True. It would be hard to identify based on just the profile. I would imagine one who makes even part of their living with photography would be a Pro. But I agree it will open too many questions:-)

On the one hand, being in the same pool as Pros gives one so much to learn. On the other, there could be an added advantage of skills for the pros in the challenges.

I think DPC is a great platform.. a great mix of people from all walks for careers. Wondering if just sometimes it would make more sense to have challenges specific to skill set, example: exclusive challenge for people with a non-SLR, or exclusive only to people with a certain type of lens and body.

P.S. With all due respect, this is -not- an attempt to try to change anything on DPC, just some honest questions. Please ignore this thread if you find it annoying:-)

Message edited by author 2008-09-10 14:48:05.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

09/10/2008 02:49:14 PM · #4

What about us retired pros? (wink)

R.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/10/2008 02:56:47 PM · #5

According to Ken Rockwell, a pro is someone who makes 50% or more of their income from photography.

Anyone who didn't submit a tax return showing such with their entry would be DQ'ed.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/10/2008 02:58:17 PM · #6

I think you'd be surprised that the skill set among serious DPC people who do not earn their living shooting pictures is probably about the same as those who do.

As an example, of the Top 5 ribbon winners all time on this site, I think only one is a pro (

librodo)

Message edited by author 2008-09-10 14:59:47.

09/10/2008 03:00:28 PM · #7

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

According to Ken Rockwell, a pro is someone who makes 50% or more of their income from photography.

Anyone who didn't submit a tax return showing such with their entry would be DQ'ed.

Lol!

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

09/10/2008 03:01:27 PM · #8

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I dont question that observation at all. And thank you for finding a way to answering my question. Those were just a few questions I had.

Message edited by author 2008-09-10 15:08:00.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

09/10/2008 03:03:48 PM · #9

I sent a cover letter and some examples of my work to a want ad for a Graphic Designer/Photographer.

The final line in my cover letter was:
"I will make your wildest dreams come true."

That was Monday. I haven't heard back from them yet. Maybe I'm just too hot for them?

:-D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/10/2008 03:06:32 PM · #10

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Hahahah! I would hire you if that resume came to my desk.

In fact the first e-mail id I used for my job search had these words in it: 'dreamerswanted'. And believe it or not, I did get a job with that:-)

Wenders11

Canon EOS-40D

09/10/2008 03:24:24 PM · #11

I never know what to call myself. I make 100% of my income from photography, but unfortunately that income is maybe a couple hundred dollars a month on a good month. Thank goodness I'm not the breadwinner in the family or we'd be living on the streets.

Besides, I'm thinking of retaining my amateur status so I can photograph in the Olympics. ;P

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

09/10/2008 03:46:23 PM · #12

Originally posted by Wenders11:

I call myself a starving professional -- I make some money from it (probably over half of my income), but if I had to feed my family, we'd be starving.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

09/10/2008 03:51:11 PM · #13

Originally posted by karmat:

I call myself a starving professional -- I make some money from it (probably over half of my income), but if I had to feed my family, we'd be starving.

I'm not quitting my day job...

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

09/10/2008 03:59:47 PM · #14

Originally posted by yospiff:

Originally posted by karmat:
I call myself a starving professional -- I make some money from it (probably over half of my income), but if I had to feed my family, we'd be starving.

I'm not quitting my day job...

me either, by a long shot.

Of course, my "day job" is only 4 hrs/day, 2 days a week.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/10/2008 04:07:05 PM · #15

Originally posted by karmat:

Of course, my "day job" is only 4 hrs/day, 2 days a week.

Where can I get one of those? ;o) (with the same pay I have right now of course)

Message edited by author 2008-09-10 16:07:34.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

09/10/2008 04:51:59 PM · #16

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

I hope you didn't forget to attached your DPC ribbons to show proof of your authority.

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

09/10/2008 05:15:58 PM · #17

I want to see another "Master's Challenge" ... but thats only because after all this time I finally 'qualify', hehehe

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/10/2008 05:46:20 PM · #18

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

According to Ken Rockwell, a pro is someone who makes 50% or more of their income from photography.

Anyone who didn't submit a tax return showing such with their entry would be DQ'ed.

I think Ken Rockwell's formula should be revised to state; a professional is someone who makes 50% or more of Gainful Income from photography.
And of course you have to take in account retired Professional photographs. I would say a retired professional photographs would be the above with at least 12 years of experience before retiring.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/10/2008 06:25:24 PM · #19

Originally posted by SDW:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
According to Ken Rockwell, a pro is someone who makes 50% or more of their income from photography.

Anyone who didn't submit a tax return showing such with their entry would be DQ'ed.

I think Ken Rockwell's formula should be revised to state; a professional is someone who makes 50% or more of Gainful Income from photography.
And of course you have to take in account retired Professional photographs. I would say a retired professional photographs would be the above with at least 12 years of experience before retiring.

Well, you do need to consider Ken's status as a fool before taking his definition too seriously.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/10/2008 06:53:17 PM · #20

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by SDW:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
According to Ken Rockwell, a pro is someone who makes 50% or more of their income from photography.

Anyone who didn't submit a tax return showing such with their entry would be DQ'ed.

I think Ken Rockwell's formula should be revised to state; a professional is someone who makes 50% or more of Gainful Income from photography.
And of course you have to take in account retired Professional photographs. I would say a retired professional photographs would be the above with at least 12 years of experience before retiring.

Well, you do need to consider Ken's status as a fool before taking his definition too seriously.

Honestly I would have to Google him. I don't even know who he is.

But I do feel they are a lot of photographers here and in the real world that may not be a profession photograph by definition but certifiably qualify based on their work, ethics, and loyalty to their clients and photography.

levyj413

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

09/10/2008 06:53:36 PM · #21

A local photo contest I'm going to enter uses the 50% of income definition to split people into classes. I have no clue how they intend to enforce the distinction.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/10/2008 07:03:46 PM · #22

Originally posted by SDW:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by SDW:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
According to Ken Rockwell, a pro is someone who makes 50% or more of their income from photography.

Anyone who didn't submit a tax return showing such with their entry would be DQ'ed.

I think Ken Rockwell's formula should be revised to state; a professional is someone who makes 50% or more of Gainful Income from photography.
And of course you have to take in account retired Professional photographs. I would say a retired professional photographs would be the above with at least 12 years of experience before retiring.

Well, you do need to consider Ken's status as a fool before taking his definition too seriously.

Honestly I would have to Google him. I don't even know who he is.

But I do feel they are a lot of photographers here and in the real world that may not be a profession photograph by definition but certifiably qualify based on their work, ethics, and loyalty to their clients and photography.

Google "Ken Rockwell", the 3rd or 4th link should be to a thread on DPC.