In today’s world, many amateur photographers believe they have the skills to become professional or semi-professional photographers. However, it’s important to understand that simply owning a camera does not make you a photographer. While it’s great to have a passion for photography, there is a significant difference between an amateur who takes photos as a hobby and a professional photographer who has studied and honed their craft.
The Reality of Amateur Photography
Amateur photographers often jump into the field with enthusiasm and a decent camera, thinking they can provide services at a fraction of the cost of professionals. They might offer to shoot a friend’s wedding or other important events, charging much less than a professional would.
However, this practice can be damaging to the photographic industry. Here’s why:
Quality of Work
Professional photographers have spent years learning and perfecting their skills. They understand lighting, composition, editing, and how to capture moments that tell a story. Amateur photographers, on the other hand, often lack this depth of knowledge and experience. As a result, their work tends to be subpar compared to professionals.
Damaging the Industry
By offering services at a lower rate, amateur photographers undermine the value of professional photography. This creates a false perception that quality photography should be cheap, which in turn devalues the work of true professionals who rely on their skills to make a living.
Client Satisfaction
When amateurs take on jobs they are not qualified for, the results can be disappointing for clients. Important events like weddings are one-time moments that deserve to be captured beautifully. Hiring an amateur can lead to poorly lit, badly composed photos that do not do justice to the occasion.
Why Amateur Photographers Should Stick to Their Hobby
Imagine a person, let’s call him the “Amateur Photographer,” who decides they have the makings of a world-class photographer. This amateur, filled with misplaced confidence, takes a short course in photography, believing it to be the missing link to their success. They invest thousands on high-end equipment, maxing out credit cards to buy a digital SLR camera, lenses, tripods, bags, software, and various accessories.
This newfound “photographer” then creates a Facebook group, boasting of their skills in everything from landscape shots to weddings. They proudly declare that their services come at “reasonable prices 4 great photography!” Encouraged by friends and their own ego, they soon book their first wedding.
The Amateur’s First Wedding
The Amateur Photographer arrives at the wedding, strutting with their expensive gear, ready to capture what they believe will be stunning photos. However, the reality is far different. They fumble through the event, taking shots without proper lighting or composition. Some photos are even taken with the lens cap still on.
After the wedding, they sit down at their computer to display their limited editing skills. They make all the photos sepia, add unnecessary digital lens flares, borders, and restore the color blue to give them an “artistic” touch. Their knowledge of Photoshop is basic at best, and the resulting images are a far cry from professional quality.
When the newlyweds see their wedding photos, they are understandably disappointed. The shots are poorly lit, badly composed, and over-edited. The couple realizes that the extra $400 for a proper photographer would have been money well spent. They demand a partial refund, and the Bogan Photographer’s creative ego is crushed.
The Consequences and Lessons
The amateur’s camera equipment soon finds a permanent place in the cupboard, a testament to their failed attempt at becoming a professional. This story highlights the importance of hiring a true professional for significant events. Professional photographers bring expertise, reliability, and an eye for detail that amateurs simply cannot match.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional
If you’re planning an event, especially something as significant as a wedding, it’s crucial to hire a professional photographer. Professionals bring expertise, reliability, and an eye for detail that amateurs simply cannot match. Here are some reasons why you should always opt for a professional:
Experience and Training
Professional photographers have dedicated years to learning their craft. They know how to handle various lighting conditions, how to pose subjects naturally, and how to capture the essence of the moment.
Consistent Quality
With a professional, you can expect a high standard of work. They have a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to deliver beautiful, consistent results.
Peace of Mind
Hiring a professional means you can relax and enjoy your event, knowing that your memories are being captured by someone who knows what they’re doing.
Detailed Story of the Amateur Photographer
Let’s delve deeper into the journey of our Amateur Photographer
The Initial Spark Our Amateur Photographer’s journey begins with frustration.
After paying considerable amounts of money for fuzzy glamour shots and blurry photos of traffic violations, he decides he has all the necessary attributes to become a brilliant artist; probably the world’s best photographer. The only thing missing, he believes, is a short course on photography.
The Short Course
Four Thursday nights later, this missing link is overcome, and the Amateur Photographer feels ready to bloom. With newfound confidence, he marches into a camera shop and creates a fresh $3,500 of credit card debt on a digital SLR camera and whatever lenses, tripods, bags, software, and random accessories the sales assistant recommends.
The Social Media Hype
Next, the Amateur Photographer spies another potential synergy. He creates a Facebook group, inviting all his friends to join. The group boasts of his expert skills in everything ranging from landscape shots to weddings. “Finally, reasonable prices 4 great photography!” posts one of his friends, under his instruction. The Amateur Photographer struts around with his new equipment, feeling invincible.
The First, and hopefully only Wedding of the Amateur Photographer
The big day arrives. The Bogan Photographer shows up at his first wedding, brimming with confidence. However, his lack of experience quickly becomes apparent. He struggles with lighting, misses crucial moments, and even takes several shots with the lens cap still on. Despite his expensive equipment, he is unprepared for the challenges of shooting a wedding.
The Editing Disaster of the Amateur Photographer
After the event, he sits down to edit the photos. His editing skills are limited to a few tricks he picked up in his short course. He converts all the photos to sepia, adds digital lens flares, borders, and then restores the color blue to the photos for “maximum art value.” His lack of knowledge and experience results in tasteless, poorly edited photos.
The Client’s Disappointment with the Amateur Photographer
The newlyweds are devastated when they see their wedding photos. The shots are poorly lit, badly composed, and over-edited. The couple realizes that the extra $400 for a professional photographer would have been money well spent. They demand a partial refund, leaving the Bogan Photographer’s creative ego in tatters.
The Aftermath
The Amateur Photographer, now facing the reality of his failed venture, stashes his expensive camera equipment in the cupboard, where it remains indefinitely. His brief stint as a “professional” photographer serves as a cautionary tale for others who might be tempted to overestimate their skills and undermine the work of true professionals. In conclusion, while it’s wonderful to have a passion for photography, amateurs should stick to their hobby and not try to compete with professionals. Not only does this protect the livelihood of trained photographers, but it also ensures that clients receive the high-quality photos they deserve. If you truly want the best results for your important events, always hire a professional photographer.
