The Eight Different Types of Photographers You’ll Find in the Wild
One of the joys of photography is the interesting cast of characters you meet along the way. I’m not talking about the subject’s you’re shooting here, I’m talking about the other photographers you’ll run in to.
No matter how many different personalities you come across though, you’ll eventually start to notice recurring themes. A cast of familiar characters if you will. Today, in order to lighten things up a little, we’ll explore a few of those different characters. Here are 8 different types of photographers you’ll run into in your life:
Social Media Hawk
This is the person that has their entire portfolio up on Facebook and uses every hashtags variation they can in their Instagram posts. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, random objects that happen to be in the background at the time.
This is the person that adds #rock, #boulder, #stone, #avalanche, when they happen to see a pebble on the sidewalk in the background of one of their photos. Every photo is another marketing opportunity for their “brand” and they’re probably one of the few people you know that’s excited about the WiFi capabilities in the newest slew of cameras coming out.
Film Only Guy
This guy (or girl) has probably lost all the color in their hair, wears glasses, and has more wrinkles than Social Media Hawk has hashtags. Oh, and they also still shoot film. Sure they’ll shoot digital, just to stay competitive of course, but watch out because while they do, they will complain about every. single. second of it.
They’ll talk about how much easier it was, how much harder it was, how much more of a craft it was, the aesthetic appeal of a dark room, the control over the photos, and so on and so forth.
And if they do happen to shoot film for a job (don’t worry, they’ll be sure to tell you about how awesome that is the whole time too) they’ll ultimately end up spending a ton of time developing the photos in a darkroom only to likely have to scan the photos in or create digital negatives for their client, adding a few more hours of editing time to the process, because it’s 2013 and that’s how people want their photos delivered.
Digital Only Guy
This person is the flip side to Film Only Guy, except they’re far less vocal. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t a positive character trait, it’s mostly just due to circumstance since everything is pretty much digital right now and thus they have less to complain about. Don’t worry, their time will come.
For now, you’ll still hear them grumble about Film Only Guy and his antiquated methods, completely blind to the fact that one day it will be them complaining about the new photography fad where photos are stored in your brain and can be taken with your eye at any time.
Don’t these people know that digital files, which are only playable on screens and susceptible to corruption and being accidentally deleted, are clearly the superior media!?
Gear Junkie
We all know this person. Heck, a lot of us might actually admit to being this person. This is the guy or girl who has more gear than photos. They collect lenses like they’re trading cards and they never get rid of anything. On the bright side, if you ever need a camera strap they have like thirty-seven of them… so at least there’s that.
This person is probably most into the type of photography that surrounds some sort of gimmick, like light painting or time lapses. I don’t mean to diminish these types of photography or portray them as lesser (I’m personally into both of these, so there’s definitely no judgement here) but this person is into them because they require the one thing that is most important in their life: MORE GEAR!
The Judge
This is that one person you know who never has a camera on them nor seems to ever actually take any photos, but boy, do they love to tell you how you should take your photos. You’re probably even a little suspicious that this person isn’t actually a photographer, but their bullish authority on photo editing makes you think they must have taken at least ONE photo in their life. Otherwise how would they know every detail about cropping ratios or the exact Lightroom shortcut you were trying to remember while they were standing over your shoulder.
The most notable quality of this character is that they always offer their expertise when you’re least looking for it. You know, like after your photo has already been printed in the local newspaper or is up on the front page of a national website. Or better yet, while your client or editor is reviewing the photo in front of you. Seriously, why are they even there?
The Recluse
This is that one photographer friend you have who is filled with talent and capable of amazing things. And yet, they’ve never done anything or used their talents in any substantial way. This is that friend you know that could land a staff job at a newspaper in a heartbeat if only they’d actually get up and apply for it.
When they actually do assert themselves they can pull off photos you’ve only dreamed of, but for one reason or another — be it insecurity, lack of motivation, or just a general lack of interest — they are forever ensconced in their house… wrapping it around them like a security blanket and never leaving its grasp. As a result, despite their potential, this person will forever remain at home dreaming about what could have been.
The Non-Photographer Friend
This person is commonly misidentified as The Recluse, but there’s one clear difference between The Non-Photographer Friend and The Recluse: The Non-Photographer Friend actually takes photos, and they are amazing.
This is that person in your life that has never defined themselves as a photographer, never had any interest in being a photographer, and certainly never edited a photo after they’d taken it. Heck, this person probably doesn’t even own a camera outside of their phone.
And yet, despite that, every time they do randomly decide to take a picture it’s a beautifully framed, perfectly lit masterpiece that you wish you had taken. This person clearly has a natural talent and you hate them for it. But it’s okay, we all do.
You
The one person who doesn’t fall into any of these categories and is perfectly balanced. You never give advice out of turn, equally appreciate film and digital photography, only use Instagram socially, and only have the gear you need and use. Congratulations you’re the only exception, just like the rest of us.
Image credit: Dolphin photographers Chanory point by Wilderness on my door step, what’s in my camera bag by diloz, Maison sinistre (creepy house) by Claude Robillard and iPhone Photographer by joshkehn
