The Seven Levels of Photography

[gr82bart]

Where do you fit in? http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/7.htm

Art (BTW All levels welcome at the APUG Conference!)

 

[Early Riser]

Why is this crap even in here? All it does is insult almost everyone involved with photography and lends credence to someone who's views on photography matter little. Even the stupidest, most inaccurate writings become common knowledge and gain credibilty when repeated often enough.

 

[André E.C.]

I agree with Brian, Ken Rockwell is a foolish snob!
Sad but real!

Cheers

André

 

[Joe Lipka]

This is a hoot! I read the disclaimer at the the top of the page and refused to take it too seriously.

 

[gr82bart]

Why is this crap even in here? All it does is insult almost everyone involved with photography and lends credence to someone who's views on photography matter little. Even the stupidest, most inaccurate writings become common knowledge and gain credibilty when repeated often enough.

Eek! There's no funny bone in you. Read this thread: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

On a different note, who's called themselves the 'whore'? Enquiring minds want to know!

Art.

 

[bobfowler]

Guilty

Yeah, I classed myself as a whore even though I make my living as a photographer. As a pro, I have to give the client what he wants, even if it's against my sense of taste or better judgement. Paying the bills is sometimes a lot more important than "art"...

 

[mark]

Couldn't call myself a Whore. Whores get paid for what they do. Since I give it away free I would be a slut. Slut is not there I had to go to the next level, amateur

 

[df cardwell]

I'd answer this, but I would rather start printing the pictures from a B&W wedding that I enjoyed shooting, for a client who has paid me in full, and whom I hope has a long and happy life.



.

 

[benjiboy]

Art

Yeah, I classed myself as a whore even though I make my living as a photographer. As a pro, I have to give the client what he wants, even if it's against my sense of taste or better judgement. Paying the bills is sometimes a lot more important than "art"...

That's right Bob, "art for arts sake, but money for God's sake " we all have to do things in our working lives that go agains the grain to make a living, it's part of growing up.

 

[joeyk49]

Couldn't call myself a Whore. Whores get paid for what they do. Since I give it away free I would be a slut. Slut is not there I had to go to the next level, amateur

VERY FUNNY!

I'm somewhere in between,as well....I give it away free, to anyone that wants it and I usually like it! Unfortunately, I'm not good at it yet, so I'm not very selective...should I be taking any special precautions?

 

[seadrive]

I agree with everything he says about equipment junkies, and people who spend all their time testing stuff.

The Ernst Haas stuff was priceless. "Best wide angle lens? Two steps backward" and "look for the ah-ha".

 

[joeyk49]

I'm also wondering if we can draw any loose parallels between photography and Dante's Inferno???

 

[Early Riser]

Eek! There's no funny bone in you. Read this thread: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Art.

gr82bart, you don't know me at all.

This stupid "seven levels" crap has been around for a while and I have seen it far too many times in threads like this. Each time it gets put in a thread it gets a small amount of credibility attached to it. In the 30 years that I have been a professional photographer, I have seen the title and profession of photography devalued considerably. Do we need to further demean ourselves and what we do by giving status to this stupid garbage?

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I liked it.... but then I'm a pro.
-Rob Skeoch

 

[Jorge]

I am sorry to dissapoint you Art, but I have acheived enlightment and I am above artist.....so none apply to me...

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

Art,
I like this survey. It is humorous. It got me thinking a little. I can also see why some people may find it insulting. I'm quite certain that there are more than 7 levels.

I suppose I would be an amateur aspiring to be an artist. Occasionally, I'm a slut, as Mark stated, but I like being one. Sometimes I'm a measurbator, especially when I read anything from Ken Rockwell. He's got some interesting insights, but he seems like the kind of person who I wouldn't want to know in real life. He probably talks way too much about himself.
Ara

 

[BruceN]

I'm afraid that I, too, will have to operate outside of that particular little box.

Bruce

 

[Andy K]

Hilarious! Its good to see that there are many people who still know how to laugh at themselves!

I'm not on the list though... broke amateur makes photographs when he can substitute materials for food!

 

[jd callow]

I'm not on the list though... broke amateur makes photographs when he can substitute materials for food!

Broke, not paid, balances food v. film, and if you add horribly misunderstood, subject to wild mood swings and obsessive behavior you qualify for #7

 

[mark]

gr82bart, you don't know me at all.

This stupid "seven levels" crap has been around for a while and I have seen it far too many times in threads like this. Each time it gets put in a thread it gets a small amount of credibility attached to it. In the 30 years that I have been a professional photographer, I have seen the title and profession of photography devalued considerably. Do we need to further demean ourselves and what we do by giving status to this stupid garbage?

SOmeone missed their coffee this morning.

I mean, are you really that insecure about your chosen profession?

Joey-Live it up man. Life is short. To hell with the precautions. The cool thing about giving it away to any takers means you are getting a lot of practice. When the deed is done ask questions. Those you gave it to will respect you more. At least you are trying to learn from each experience.you are trying to learn from it. Hell give it to a few whores and artists they might be able to teach you something.

 

[Andy K]

Broke, not paid, balances food v. film, and if you add horribly misunderstood, subject to wild mood swings and obsessive behavior you qualify for #7

Hmmm... I get paid, just not for photography...
horribly misunderstood? Ok I'll give you that, there are many who don't 'get' my gentle humour
Wild mood swings? WTF?!! I never had a mood swing in my life you &*£!&%$*£!!!
Obsessive behaviour, not sure about that, unless it applies to getting better at photography...
Definitely don't qualify for seven because I'm not an artist, just someone who messes with photography as best he can and learning as much as he can as he goes.

 

[gr82bart]

should I be taking any special precautions?

We're all glad your thinking about practising safe photography.

Art.

 

[Bob F.]

Well, I aspire to be a whore, but as it is, I can't even give it away... I think that makes me an amateur, except that that would be an insult to the vast army of skilled amateurs out there... I can't be be a snapshooter 'cos I always use a tripod and I definitely ain't rich. I don't care for shiny new equipment, nor spend too much time testing and measuring. I'm not a Pro. I guess that makes me an Artist...

Hang on... no... that can't be right either...


Pass.

 

[Early Riser]

SOmeone missed their coffee this morning.

I mean, are you really that insecure about your chosen profession?

Mark, you're another person who doesn't know me at all. Feel free to look at my work and google my name if you wish to see if I need to be insecure about my profession.

When K Rockwell first posted this crap, there were no disclaimers that it was a joke or was posted as humor. It was orignally posted as his observations, he only added the humor disclaimer after catching a huge amount of criticism. What you might fail to realize is that what he wrote is what he really thinks of us all.

Here's an old photographer's joke for you;

Question; How many photographers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Answer: Fifty, one to screw in the bulb and 49 to say, "I could have done that"

 

[mark]

Mark, you're another person who doesn't know me at all. Feel free to look at my work and google my name if you wish to see if I need to be insecure about my profession.

Uhh. it was a question. Note the question mark at the end. If it was an accusation there would have either been a period, or an exclamation point. Since you are secure in what you do why let it bother you?

When K Rockwell first posted this crap, there were no disclaimers that it was a joke or was posted as humor. It was orignally posted as his observations, he only added the humor disclaimer after catching a huge amount of criticism. What you might fail to realize is that what he wrote is what he really thinks of us all.

I saw it when it first came out. It was as hard then as it is now to believe that anyone would take it serious. Now, assuming he does feel this way for real, then the laugh is on him.

Here's an old photographer's joke for you;

Question; How many photographers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Answer: Fifty, one to screw in the bulb and 49 to say, "I could have done that"

I thought three more asked what equipment the guy used, and at least one more claimed he did it before the first. It is an oldie but a goody.