Comments on: 21 Signs You’re a Real Photographer Now

By: Carina Felice

Carina Felice — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:20:12 +0000

ahhahaha, fanstastic, it a perfect definition of ourselves. Great.

By: Matt Julien

Matt Julien — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:05:10 +0000

"a real photog. says ASA, not ISO." Whoever said that (or repeated it) should doublecheck their information. Or, we, readers, should be aware they may not be "real photographers" themselves. ISO (International Standard Organization) officially replaced ASA (American Standard Association) around 1987... almost 25 years ago. I guess the last twenty five years must have seen the coming of age of many a "real photographer" that has never used ASA. Considering the dates, the "R" should thence stand for "Retired" rather than "Real. ;o)

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:59:20 +0000

Sexism is when someone's comments or writings are geared towards putting down the opposite sex; not when they are worded in such a way that it points to the fact they the writer or issuer is of a specific gender and that their comments are reflective of such.

By: emmatog

emmatog — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:54:26 +0000

what a load of sexist crap!

By: Celebratographer

Celebratographer — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:01:06 +0000

What a delightful read. Thanks! Some of the comments and suggestions were wonderful too.

CT - Thanks for # 23 - Ka-Ching!

I have 2 vests and I wear them when I shoot IDPA. LOL

By: EperAgi

EperAgi — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:33:19 +0000

Made me chuckle, just what I needed after an awful day. Thank you!

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:40:41 +0000

This article gave me a good chuckle, which I expect was its intention. To the people who decided that this forum was perfect for bragging about their accomplishments, upbringing & self-asserted expert knowledge of who-cares-what, I say stop making lists & go be a photographer. Peter's list wasn't meant to be a serious, definitive checklist of what makes you a professional photographer. His list was all in fun & good taste; some of these earlier comments were not. I can't think of any photographer who would be impressed by some of the things that were said above. Although some of those comments may have been made by "real photographers", they were certainly void of the professionalism that any "real photographer" should possess. Thanks, Peter, for the good laugh!

By: Juan Madrigal

Juan Madrigal — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:06:47 +0000

Awesome, I knew I was o photographer since two years ago when these things started to happen. But there's a couple of facts that I never realized...

Also:
1. ME: I have three backups of my work... PEOPLE: Why? Are you crazy paranoid?
2. You have a workflow and discuss about metadata with photographers.
3. You laugh/chuckle when you see a non-pro holding pro-gear.
4. Feels naked going out without a camera.
5. Has a pro-photo printer at home, and friends ask why do you need 8 ink cartridges.
6. Your photographer friends tell you, you're getting better.
7. Loves B&W but only feels it should be captured on B&W film
8. All your family and friends ask you for gear advice.

Awesome article. keep them coming...

By: kurt dreas

kurt dreas — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:33:53 +0000

sorry, i forgot # 11......

backup backup backup.

camera bodies, flash units, pc cords, batteries, flash cards, film, lenses, lens tissue & lens fluid
( usually overlooked - alas ), small can of air, handheld meter, etc. Remember:

By: kurt dreas

kurt dreas — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:24:36 +0000

1- a real photog. says ASA, not ISO.
2- the tax papers sent to the govt. tell who are real photogs.
3- always has a camera w/ them. ( p&s, dslr, slr,
whatever ).
4- has a fantastic inventory of film equip. = great backup, if needed.
5- knows how to develop, contact, edit, print the films they shot.
6- still has access to or owns a good working darkroom.
7- started out using, developing (etc) tri-x & plus-x hp-5, films.
8- knows how to see where to meter, vs. metering everything.
9- is aware of shades of gray, using B & W films.
10- knowing that B & W is beautiful, & artistic;
although we see in color, B & W is harder to use correctly, but it offers much more - visually.

By: Kaylin Idora

Kaylin Idora — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:03:05 +0000

Hilarious ... Too bad it's geared toward men. But I am sure someone has already pointed that out ...

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:26:54 +0000

Agreed, Kahuna. You should remake the list, substituting the mainstream SLR jokes with inside jokes only rangefinder and view camera users would know. Or it could be over and done with with only one stipulation such as, you know you're a real photographer when there's film in your camera. Zing!

By: Kahuna

Kahuna — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:56:18 +0000

Humorous, but ultimately, hogwash.

By: CJ

CJ — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:17:51 +0000

Wesley!! "I find it extremely annoying when I'm asked to fill out copyright releases, which is why I don't get my photos printed at Wal-Mart anymore."
Real Photographers don't go to mass department stores to print photos! Your funny!!

By: Denver Engagement Photographer

Denver Engagement Photographer — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:30:32 +0000

"9. Photo lab workers ask you to complete paperwork to verify that you own the copyright to the pictures you bring in."

That happened to me just last week, and made me re read this post. Hilarious stuff.

By: Gary Tanner

Gary Tanner — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:31:27 +0000

OMG, I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time. BTW, what is a vest? ROFL

By: Leon Poels

Leon Poels — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:45:24 +0000

When asked to make outdoor portraits, you're delighted when the sun disappears.

By: Dallas

Dallas — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:07:23 +0000

well that tears it for me... If a 30 year vet does not wear a vest, neither am I!!

By: Ivanovitch

Ivanovitch — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:48:05 +0000

Peter, this is great, a pity too many people could not see the funny side, a sure sign we have become too PC. I have been pro for 30+ years and sadly have never worn a vest

By: Claimsman

Claimsman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:06:59 +0000

Lots of laughs.... loved the list. I will never be a "real" photographer because I have no desire to shoot professionally (though I have done some paid work... hired by people who like my work), and I wear a vest when shooting seriously... those pockets are really handy!

By: Bryan Lever

Bryan Lever — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:56:40 +0000

#26 When someone says to you "Oh, is that what that button is for!"

By: Stock photo blog

Stock photo blog — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:52:39 +0000

I'm still working on point 3. My three year old now makes me stop in the street because she wants to take a photo!

By: DeeAnn

DeeAnn — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:18:59 +0000

Don't buy the vest Dallas if you are short like me. The small Domke vest I won, sold to another photographer. Maybe if I was bigger...

By: dallas allbritton

dallas allbritton — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:13:26 +0000

some of the response are a little too serious but that's cool to. SO.. I should not go out & get that vest? They look soo cool in the mag's

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:28:05 +0000

Thanks for the laughter. Loved the article. Keep it up! And people, it's supposed to be funny. Don't take it too seriously, and don't take it too personally. That's part of the problem with the world today.

By: CT

CT — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:28:40 +0000

22. You can't look through a photo album without wondering what camera wa being used

23. Whenever you look through a book that has pictures of landscapes, if you're impressed, you make a note to go there and best the photo

By: Shiva - Malaysia Thru the Lens

Shiva - Malaysia Thru the Lens — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:51:44 +0000

End of the day, it is the person behind his equipment. I have seen people with really hihg end cameras and not knowing how to operate it according to its extended abilities. What is scarier is that they pay $$$$ for such equipments and use it no better than a point an shoot

By: shyfotogrfr

shyfotogrfr — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:53:24 +0000

Wow! At first I thought this was funny and self-deprecating (especially about the vest), but I was soon overcome by a sense of photography elitism. There are people who paint that aren't artists, people who play sports who aren't athletes and certainly people who take pictures who aren't 'real photographers'. But for some who have a passion for photography and a lust for learning and honing our skills, this list is pretty discouraging. I hope you meant it to be funny, but if some of your readers are checking things off and then saying they've arrived, then it's not that funny really. Ansel Adams was a real photographer. How many of you take photographs the same way he did? It's an evolving art form and to each his own as long they achieve their art!

By: Scott Baradell

Scott Baradell — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:12:32 +0000

Peter, you haven't gone viral unless you've annoyed at least a few people Keep up the great posts!

By: Peter Phun

Peter Phun — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:06:57 +0000

Since this list went up, I've been checking periodically on the comments. I compiled this list mostly because I was bored with writing yet another advice post. Thanks for your comments. Especially important are those who didn't find it funny. Looks like I have a ways to go judging from what's been said: "load of self congratulatory nonsense," "You are a man. There ARE real women photographers too you know..." Thankfully "we" are passionate, artistic and unafraid to speak our minds. I don't know about you, that's what makes me return here daily.