[ I choose a random post to reply to, nothing particular about
this one. Oh, by the way, this IS NOT a rag on you guys and gals
who are professional photographers. It is a statement about how
the times they have/are a changing, more or less. ]
Graywolf wrote:
> Yes, I think that amateur is one who does something for the love of it.
This isn't photography specific, but rather a bit more general.
A long time ago the status of amateur in many fields was a highly
acclaimed position. To grab a quote from webster:
2 : one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a
pastime rather than as a profession
Amateurs were honored and upheld as much or more than professionals.
In many cases their skill level and quality of work often _exceed_
that of professionals. The difference is that one was _paid_ for
the work, or worked to maintain a living in the field. Looking in
webster again, it can be seen that the definition of "pro" is based
upon the amateur status:
2 : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or
field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs
It seems the earlier definition of amateur still holds true for many
things in the UK. However, in the US, another definition has taken
hold when the word amateur is used:
3 : one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science
This is unfortunate thing, as it demeans the, IMO, true definition
of amateur. It implies that people who aren't paid to do something
are idiots, which can be the furthest thing from the truth.
Even in this day and time, there are fields where the _amateur_ is
still esteemed, and occasionally called upon to perform tasks that
_professionals_ are unable to do. Why? Because the professionals
in that field lack the skill, talents, and craft to do the job.
Bolo -- Josef T. Burger
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