Once upon a time............. everyone you knew did not own a camera. Picture making was kind of hobby that only affluent folks could afford. Few if anyone thought of it as an art form and seldom gave a thought about hanging one of their images on someones wall. The images that did hang were mostly framed portaits of their loved ones made by the local Professional in his or her studio. This idea of amatuer folks and layman making pictures caused George Eastman to hire some of the best known picture makers to help him design and start a business creating items to make picture making easier. Not for the love of photography did Eastman start to build his business but simply a way for him to fill a void with his products with little or no competetion to make money. His products were well received and provided what a certain group of people that could afford his offerings a great hobby. People with money began purchasing a few pictures they liked from a few camera persons but seldom thought of the pictures as an art form.
This trend lasted for many years and finally evolved into what we have today. Everybody now owns some kind of picture making device. Everyone who ownes one believes in his heart he is following directly in Adams and Westons foot steps. An that his work is second to none. We have a few of those folks here on APUG but fortunitly that there are far more members here that know better.
That idea that any one can be an artist with a camera has in my minds eye severly hurt the legitimate persons that "have paid" their dues by learning composition, the techinique for making top quality photographs, learned to make "masterPrints", manage their business, and satisfy the community they live in with the best product they can deliver. To simply own a high dollar box with more high priced glass and a roll of film does not make an artist. With so many folks involved with creating wall art, shooting their friends wedding, making Platinum prints, etc. still does not qualify or make them true professional photographers or artists.
All of what I have said here taken into consideration I believe that the times have changed enough that ordinary folks today, other than the affluent will begin and continue to buy photographs of high quality when presented to them. A degree from a college does make one an artist. It is what he does with his/her tools only that can make one an artist.
My opinion.........................
C Webb
