Photographer or an artist ?

[Sean N Photography]

So would you call yourself a photographer or an artist
or a combination of the 2 ?

[StephenBatey]

Based on what a "photographer" appears to be from some of the latest news stories, I'm definitely not one. Artist for me.

[laura-ashford]

I think it depends on what you photograph and maybe what you do post processing. For instance I would class myself as a Fine Art Photographer because a lot of my work uses a lot of post processing; filters, layers, masks, blending etc etc. That is not to mean I skimp when composing the photograph either. I think maybe Documentary Photographers would called themselves Photographers as opposed to Artists.

[Edmack]

If the picture you produce, could conceivably be taken, by anyone, a photographer took it, if not, it's a Digital Image. Ed.

[Sabrina_De_Winter]

I'm an artist learning to photograph and I hope I will be both at the same time one day...

[Fuzzypiggy]

Surely both as most photographers are artists? We take images that we display, others enjoy, we print them, mount them, just like all other forms of art. The only possibly exception may be documentary photographers who simply record what they see to ensure it's seen as is but quite a lot of classic journalistic images are now classic pieces of photographic art.

[StephenBatey]

Originally Posted by Fuzzypiggy

Surely both as most photographers are artists? We take images that we display, others enjoy, we print them, mount them, just like all other forms of art. The only possibly exception may be documentary photographers who simply record what they see to ensure it's seen as is but quite a lot of classic journalistic images are now classic pieces of photographic art.

I can't agree there, I'm afraid. In my limited experience (from photographic forums) most forum members don't meet my criteria for artists (which has nothing to do with the quality - in my opinion - of the results, but in the attitude and approach). I admit that not all photographers are members of forums, and the number is probably a minority, so possibly most photographers are both. But I doubt it.

[Markulous]

I'm a 'happy snapper'!

Just that some think my shots are OK, some will pay for one or two and some even commission me to take them!

[John B.]

Originally Posted by Sean N Photography

So would you call yourself a photographer or an artist
or a combination of the 2 ?

I think it depends on what you do with the photo after it's been taken. A photographer is one who takes the photo. The artist post-processes it to improve it. Ansel Adams took photos but he processed them in his darkroom afterward. I think he earned the right to be recognized as an artist as well as a photographer.

It may be easier for us to post-process our photos with editing software but it's still an art. Even so, it can be argued that getting the photo right in the camera, is an art.

In summary I'd say that the person who takes a snapshot without giving it any thought, and leaves it at that, is a photographer and not an artist.

[StephenBatey]

So anyone who used/uses colour slides could not - by definition - be an artist?