Can you tell the photographers from the picture takers?

[Groucho]

What's the difference between a photographer and someone who likes taking pictures anyway? I always thought you had to be paid to be a photographer or at least be trained.

I think you're thinking of "professional" vs "amateur" - as soon as you're paid, you're a professional no matter what skill level you are at.

I find the dichotomy in this thread kind of amusing. On the one hand, we have the "it's the photographer, not the equipment" line of thought, but on the other hand, obviously this example shows that it is the equipment, too; as this guy had shouldered his cutting-edge slice-'em-dice-'em D700 in favor of an old fashioned rangefinger. No autofocus, probably manual metering, one frame per second if you're lucky... but a different feel and, by all accounts, some of the finest lenses you'll ever see (certainly on a different plane than most modern lenses.) They also have some very fast lenses if you're after low-light - how about F0.95? But be prepared to spend some very serious bucks.

Some folks like using Leica lenses on DSLRs via an adapter; I believe Canon and Olympus are the only ones that really give you the proper room. I recently watched an eBay auction for a Leica lens designed for use from an airplane, which had been converted to M42 mount, but it went higher than I was willing to go; that was the only time I can remember seeing one set up that way. Actually, the old lenses use an M39 mount which can be adapted to M42 easily but you won't be able to focus very far. I haven't paid much attention as I just don't have the money to look into such things. I do have an acquaintance with a Leica that I don't think he uses any more and I keep telling him to keep me in mind if he wants to part with it!

To sum up... IMHO - it's the photographer and the equipment. And by equipment, this does not automatically mean the latest and greatest with a zillion FPS and 100,000 ISO and lens that weighs 12 lbs and is painted bright orange with pink polka dots. It means both the equipment that will 1) produce the photo that the photographer is after and 2) inspire the photographer to take more interesting photos.

 

[jann1033]

I think you're thinking of "professional" vs "amateur" - as soon as you're paid, you're a professional no matter what skill level you are at.

I find the dichotomy in this thread kind of amusing. On the one hand, we have the "it's the photographer, not the equipment" line of thought, but on the other hand, obviously this example shows that it is the equipment, too; as this guy had shouldered his cutting-edge slice-'em-dice-'em D700 in favor of an old fashioned rangefinger. No autofocus, probably manual metering, one frame per second if you're lucky... but a different feel and, by all accounts, some of the finest lenses you'll ever see (certainly on a different plane than most modern lenses.) They also have some very fast lenses if you're after low-light - how about F0.95? But be prepared to spend some very serious bucks.

Some folks like using Leica lenses on DSLRs via an adapter; I believe Canon and Olympus are the only ones that really give you the proper room. I recently watched an eBay auction for a Leica lens designed for use from an airplane, which had been converted to M42 mount, but it went higher than I was willing to go; that was the only time I can remember seeing one set up that way. Actually, the old lenses use an M39 mount which can be adapted to M42 easily but you won't be able to focus very far. I haven't paid much attention as I just don't have the money to look into such things. I do have an acquaintance with a Leica that I don't think he uses any more and I keep telling him to keep me in mind if he wants to part with it!

To sum up... IMHO - it's the photographer and the equipment. And by equipment, this does not automatically mean the latest and greatest with a zillion FPS and 100,000 ISO and lens that weighs 12 lbs and is painted bright orange with pink polka dots. It means both the equipment that will 1) produce the photo that the photographer is after and 2) inspire the photographer to take more interesting photos.

finally someone who agrees with me so i figured i'd post it again

 

[luvthemouse71]

Ok, I'll be purchasing a DSLR later this year...I I want to educate myself more on photography basics before I take the plunge...I'd like to be fairly comfortable with it come September...

Any recommendations on books, courses, websites etc?

 

[GrumpyOne]

Any recommendations on books, courses, websites etc?

A lot of people will recommend "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson. The current edition is a revised version of what he did as people were making the transition from digital to film though, and it shows in some areas.

My preference for a beginning text is "The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Photography" by Jim Miotke. I feel it's laid out better and there aren't nearly as many pages that "celebrate" the author.

The problem with web sites is that they frequently go from beginner to advanced pretty quickly. They'll cover a lot of topics and may confuse beginners. I'll point you to http://photo.net/learn/ and strongly suggest that you avoid very specific topics until you have a handle on the basics of exposure.

 

[jann1033]

Ok, I'll be purchasing a DSLR later this year...I I want to educate myself more on photography basics before I take the plunge...I'd like to be fairly comfortable with it come September...

Any recommendations on books, courses, websites etc?

it's not real basic although there is an understanding dof and understanding exposure in in the "understanding series" on this site but i find this author easy to understand maybe when you have some more basics under your belt
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/briots_view.shtml
and imo one of the best things to do is once you get your camera study the manual that comes with it with your camera in hand so you are fully aware of what the settings do. sometimes it has really good pointers on what to use for what situation, not only for auto settings but also for the partial manual settings.