Are " Instagrammers" photographers?

[rottie102]

Somebody told me they are a photographer and sent me a link to "their portfolio".

It's a blog with poorly composed, heavily filtered photos. I have another friend though whose mobile phone's instagram photos are actually amazing.

What's your stand on people who don't know what's aperture, how focal length affects distortion, how to change white balance and whose photos are only ever usable when seen on mobile phone screen?
Can they call themselves "photographers"?

[v10yep]

Yes, absolutely, if they are using a camera then they are a photographer

Sure, the standard of work might not be there but who am I to judge.

[curtisl]

If you have a camera and taking a picture then you can be a photographer, like if you have a car and you drive, you can be a driver. that label is not affected by the standard of your expertise. You can also be a semi pro photographer or a pro photographer. These classifications should normally have something more to do with your skill levels.

[covboy]

What bugs me (although I don’t think it should because it sounds snobbish) is when photographs (of any quality) are still referred to as “snaps” – even in the mainstream press. I like to think I take photographs – My Dad used to take snaps with his 20 year old Kodak when we were on holiday - - See I’m a photo snob.

[rottie102]

They are not using camera though
They are using an image capturing device

[AndrewEH1]

My honest opinion? No they aren't. The average 'Instagrammer' has no actual photography skills.

Whilst I have seen some really good photos taken using the app, I wouldn't consider the person who took the photo a 'Photographer'.

Edited by AndrewEH1 on Thursday 29th January 15:26

[gforceg]

I knew a chap once who described himself as a guitarist. Turns out he just played guitar now and then. Like billions of people.

I take photographs but I would never dream of calling myself a photographer. It's conferring a level of skill I don't think I have, or suggesting I make my living from it.

[v10yep]

rottie102 said:

They are not using camera though
They are using an image capturing device

"A camera is an optical instrument that records images that can be stored directly, transmitted to another location, or both."

So they're using a camera then?

[y2blade]

v10yep said:

Yes, absolutely, if they are using a camera then they are a photographer

Sure, the standard of work might not be there but who am I to judge.

Who says they have to be using a "Camera" to be a photographer?

PHfotosnobsrus?

[v10yep]

y2blade said:

v10yep said:

Yes, absolutely, if they are using a camera then they are a photographer

Sure, the standard of work might not be there but who am I to judge.

Who says they have to be using a "Camera" to be a photographer?

PHfotosnobsrus?

I think you misunderstood, I'm using the term camera as in any camera, be it mobile phone camera or otherwise

[thespannerman]

Personally I think that instagram takes all the fun out of composition, imagination and post-editing. Nowt like imagining the shot you want and then going out to make it happen and knowing how to get the desired endpoint

[y2blade]

v10yep said:

I think you misunderstood, I'm using the term camera as in any camera, be it mobile phone camera or otherwise

Aye..."At ease"

[DibblyDobbler]

Instagram = Instaste

[Mr Will]

Is someone a photographer if they use a D810 and a pro-zoom to take technically perfect, but poorly composed photographs of boring subjects? That's the flip-side of this.

My view is that photography is about the image, not the gear (otherwise it's camera collecting - not that there is anything wrong with that!). "Better" gear gives you more control and a wider operating envelope but if you're capable of creating a great shot on a smart-phone then how is that any less valid?

[Simpo Two]

It doesn't matter what you take the photo with - it can MF digital or a shoebox with a pinhole and a bit of film sellotaped to the back.

What you do afterwards is the question here I think - fine dining with truffle oil or chips with gravy and ketchup?

[kman]

Instagrammers are not necessarily photographers - but then you don't necessarily have to be - there are people creating large followings and movements that progress their business/objectives even if their photography is rubbish. Quite intriguing.

[anonymous-user]

Who are we to say who is an who isn't a Photographer? As already alluded to, anyone who creates a still image by pressing a button is a photographer.

Most people who upload to Instagram are just sharing 'snaps' and don't consider themselves to be professional at it, whereas I know a couple of people upload stunning images to Instagram that they have taken with a DSLR and suchlike.

I also know people who take really, really good iPhone photos. Great subject/scene choice, amazing composition, and good use of light, and yet they have no idea what aperture, shutter speed, or ISO is.

So now I'm even more confused as to what a 'photographer' is

[V8Wagon]

I joke with my wife that she can't drive.....she can operate a car.

[RobDickinson]

thespannerman said:

Personally I think that instagram takes all the fun out of composition, imagination and post-editing.

I like the square format, its a compositional challenge that can work well.

I add filters to some of my roadtrip/bts shots but not to any 'proper' photography.

Getting qutie into my instagram..
http://instagram.com/robjdickinson/

[DeuxCentCinq]

I invented a word for these people: "Fauxtographers".