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pro vs amateur photographer

Can amateur with pro gear shoot better photos than pros with cheap gear?

Jun 8, 2017 by Dunja Djudjic 35 Comments
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We’ve all repeated it many times – it’s not the gear that makes good photos, it’s the photographer. Guys from Mango Street put this claim to the test in an interesting video. In one corner, there are professional photographers with cheap cameras and lenses. In the other corner, there’s an amateur photographer with an expensive full-frame camera and lens. They shoot the same model at the same location, trying to get the best out of their gear and skills. So let’s see who (or what) takes better shots – professional gear, or professional photographers.

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Hey Vogue, This Is Why Couples Should Hire Professional Wedding Photographers

Jan 14, 2016 by Liron Samuels 47 Comments
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Vogue magazine caused quite a bit of rage among photographers, along with copious amounts of ridicule, when it recently published a list of 10 wedding “rules” to which it recommends brides-to-be say “I don’t”.

The reason for this was the magazine’s statement that couples shouldn’t hire professional wedding photographers, and should rather rely on the guests’ smartphones and disposable cameras.

These next photos, taken by wedding photographer John Warren and a guest, are the perfect answer to Vogue’s nonsense. As the saying goes, a picture’s worth a thousand words.

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Vogue Magazine Says You Shouldn’t Hire Professional Wedding Photographers

Jan 11, 2016 by Liron Samuels 81 Comments
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Announcing it is 2016 and that it’s time weddings change, Vogue released a list of 10 wedding “rules” to break.

Among the things that Vogue claims will “detract” from the “raw, essential celebration of true love” are rings, the first dance and professional wedding photographers.

Instead, the magazine recommends couples rely on their guests’ Facebook and Instagram photos, or give them disposable cameras.

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$150 Stills Lens Compared to a $15,000 Cine Prime; Can You Tell the Difference?

May 29, 2015 by Liron Samuels 3 Comments
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Got any projects on hold until you get that dream lens? Convinced your current gear isn’t good enough for the task?

As can be seen in the lens test created by Freddie and the gang over at RocketJump Film School, you may be wasting your time – and money.

Don’t expect to see focus charts (not as they were intended to be used, anyway), as this real-world lens test isn’t about lab results, but rather about perception.

Obviously a $15,000 Zeiss lens will score better than a $150 Canon Nifty Fifty in the lab, but will you be able to notice the difference where it actually counts?

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“Dear New Photographers” – Why Internet trolls don’t really matter

May 28, 2015 by Allen Mowery 12 Comments
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The Interwebs are rife with mocking and ridicule, from armchair pundits spouting their views on politics to religious nut-jobs attempting to bludgeon the public into belief conformity. Heaven knows I’ve done my fair share of it (which typically coincides with a depleted supply of Midol).

But, there’s one specific demographic that I frequently see getting beat on, and it’s really beginning to irritate me. Why only one in particular when there are so many options from which to choose? Because…I can’t really tune it out due to my own career choices. I can tend to be a pretty apathetic guy about most things, but it’s when I become annoyed that I start to speak out.

Those of you new to the photography world, whether you joined as a hobby or are a career-minded individual, are under attack. A lot. From Top 10 lists mocking your approach to “experts” shouting about how you’re ruining the pristine world of photography to individual trolls attacking you on a personal level, you take flack from all sides. Heck…you get shot at with friendly fire before you even step foot in the recruiting office!

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Touching Ad Brilliantly Explains Why Real Photographers Are Needed

May 25, 2015 by Liron Samuels 8 Comments
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It’s no secret that the photography market is no longer the exclusive realm of professionals. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’re the client, but with so many “professional” photographers out there these days it’s not hard finding a dud.

Be it your next door neighbor who just bought a DSLR, his grandchild who believes his 16 megapixel smartphone camera is just as good as the D4s or your sister-in-law’s cousin who has been photographing weddings as a side gig when he isn’t working at the corner deli, anyone of them has a reasonable chance of getting hired for a low-budget project where the client is mainly concerned about price.

Some moments, however, are too precious to risk with an amateur and that’s exactly the message the video below brings home.

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Why You Should Be Happy With Your Photos Even If You Think They Suck

Nov 1, 2014 by Tiffany Mueller 3 Comments
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We are our own worst critics. This much we know. The problem is, photography is one of those things where we have to be self critics to get better. Finding that delicate balance between beating ourselves up and being too easy on ourselves is a problem we have all struggled with in one way or another. But, as Mike Browne explains in the video below, we’re probably making it more difficult than it needs to be. Listen as the award winning photographer and educator dishes out his synopsis on why hating the photos you take is preventing you from getting better and what you can you do to fix it.

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Pros Vs. Joes – The Difference Between Amateur and Professional Photographers

Aug 22, 2013 by JP Danko 73 Comments
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There has been a lot of talk recently about what the difference is between amateur and professional photographers.

Comments by industry big shots, such as Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer who proclaim that there “is no such thing really as professional photographers” (well maybe not pro cat/flower/sunset photographers posting to Flickr anyway).

Or, when venerable institutions such as the Chicago Sun Times decide to lay off their entire photography staff – you do start to wonder – what exactly is the difference between amateur and professional photographers?

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Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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