One of the discussions I was having with some friends recently, was how everyone in the digital age seems to be a "photographer". Now most of you who know me realize I have a day job and photography is not the way I make my living. I love to shoot and I do it on my own terms without having to worry about making deadlines and dealing with someone else's idea of creativity. I honestly would shoot for free and do so at times for friends and projects that seem worthwhile. I'll spend my own money to fly down to Mexico to participate in the Ujena Jam, all the while giving my images to a company that has the rights to use them without compensation. I also realize I would not have the opportunity to choose from 60 or more models to shoot with, without that opportunity. Ain't gonna happen unless it's in some Hawaiian Tropic contest in a bar, using a harsh flash, with crappy backgrounds.

Anyway, it seems that with the advent of digital, everyone is a photographer. Strap on that big 600mm lens, whir the shutter to 9 fps and you're bound to capture an image, right? Rosanne and I recently attended Jazz Fest in New Orleans and I was amazed at how many fanny packs and Lowepro and Tamrac backpacks their were. Everyone had seemed to have a D70 or D200 around their neck. The great thing about the jazz fest, there is was no 2 song limit if you were shooting, just fire away like a machine gun and you capture that special moment.

Well I ran across Ken Rockwell's "How to go Pro" Article and let me tell you, it's not to encouraging to those that are looking for the glitz and glamor of a pro shooter.

A couple of tasty nuggets: