Comments on: [Discussion] Pro or Amateur… Which one are you?

By: Jesse Kline

Jesse Kline — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:50:00 +0000

“In my view, the amateur does not love the game enough. If he did,
he would not pursue it as a sideline, distinct from his “real” vocation.”

This line kind of bothers me. While I consider myself an amateur and always will, I just don’t like the tone being presented here. I love photography more than anything else in my life. I love it even more than the subject I’m majoring in. However, I don’t want it to be my career. I want it to remain that wonderful hobby that fills everyday with joy, not the worry of whether or not this next shoot is going to pay my bills. I shoot photos for the love of it and the joy it brings me, not for financial gain in any sort. I guess I just don’t see where my love differs from the love of someone who makes money from what their photography…?

By: Anthony Kurtz

Anthony Kurtz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:39:00 +0000

I’m an artist. Period.

By: Eric Fialkowski

Eric Fialkowski — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:06:00 +0000

Recently defeated by Resistance amateur here.

By: Daniel Lisbona

Daniel Lisbona — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:23:00 +0000

Of course not… but do you want to say that turning in to Pro is giving his Heart to the money?

By: Daniel Lisbona

Daniel Lisbona — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:21:00 +0000

Absolutely PRO,
24/7 Baby … :)

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:21:00 +0000

Definitely an amateur here. I shoot only on weekends – when and where I want it, and the way I want it.

By: Jon McRae

Jon McRae — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:05:00 +0000

That book changed my life. More accurately, it made me aware that I could change my life. I’d argue a few of the points made by commenters below but then I’d be arguing on the internet and that’s senseless. You guys who are out on the weekend and the evenings shooting because you love your art, Pressfield would applaud you. Then he’d probably advise you to build that into a full time gig because you have the tools and you have the talent.

You’re free to read the whole book or not. To understand what he means or not. To be changed by it or not. But I dare you to read it. It’s short and simple. Read it if you aren’t afraid of change.

By: Emanuel Brunson

Emanuel Brunson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:27:00 +0000

I am a photographer…period.

By: Sam Dickinson

Sam Dickinson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:35:00 +0000

Currently an Amateur trying to see if I have what it takes to become pro. I’d love to have a career change into Professional Photography, but it is a REALLY tough industry to crack into.

By: Marian Cihoň

Marian Cihoň — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:58:00 +0000

i consider myself amateur even though photography makes a portion of my income and i basically could be defined as a pro… i don’t care. i just like to shoot.