REBLOG: Why Everyone is a Photographer
source: http://jeremycowart.com/2013/10/why-everyone-is-a-photographer/
Everyone is a photographer these days.
Why?
There is one reason but people think there are more reasons such as:
* Gear is so cheap these days
• Digital has made everything easier
• There are so many apps now
• Everyone has a nice mobile camera in their hands
• Software is cheap
• Education and learning is free
• Nothing is sacred anymore. There are no longer secrets.
• New photographers are hungry and will shoot for free.
The complaints go for miles. I hear them every day.
While some of these complaints are valid and true, I think there is one real reason why there are so many photographers these days:
People want to be liked. I want to be liked and you want to be liked.
But people have boring jobs or jobs that they’re not passionate about.
Waiters and waitresses, banktellers, doctors, pharmaceutical salespeople, teachers, even musicians…
I have friends with all of the above job descriptions who would rather be photographers.
Some of them make far more money than photographers.
So what’s the deal?
No one tells them “You really killed it today, waiting those tables.”
No one gets 1,000 likes for teaching a kindergarten class.
No doctor gets over 300 likes when he saves a life.
Sure, we all know that saving a life is more important than photography and teaching is an incredible profession.
But those doctors and teachers and waiters are just like you and me. They want to be known, seen and heard.
People come home from their jobs, post a photo to Instagram or Flickr and get validation by everyone. “Epic.” or “You’ve got a great eye!” or “You should really take this more seriously” or “OMG AMAZING!!!!” or an endless series of complimentary hashtags. On top of that, all our friends see those compliments. It’s the most uplifting ego boost possible, isn’t it?
Being a photographer is the new “rockstar” in an online, visual culture.
But do they get these compliments from their other jobs? Nope.
So they come home and buy a camera. They put the word “Photographer” on their Twitter bio. The first wedding comes along and now they’re officially a photographer.
The photo industry mocks and moans.
I say “Welcome. You’re just like me. I love photography and I too, want my voice to be heard and my images to be seen.”
We’re all in this together. Enough with the complaining.
