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by ben_w 2156 days ago
So we agree it’s a high-skill job not a low-skill job?
2 comments

Depends on the definition of high-skill.

High-skill as in "you need to know lotsa stuff", yes.

High-skills as in "the skills are rare, and require a special degree or years or training", no.

They're not that rare (there's an overabundance of both skilled and non-skilled photographers), and they're not that hard to pick up (to the point that 18 year olds can know all there is to it with a little determination and practice).

Or let's just say that "high skill" is relative, and being a pro photographer is hardly like being a pro coder or a surgeon...

> there’s an overabundance of ... skilled photographers

I’m really not sure this is the case. I know more about cinematography than photography (I direct) but here in China a decent cinematographer can charge for a day what some workers might earn in a year. And you can tell the difference between their work and someone cheaper. That would suggest to me their skills are rare.

> and being a pro photographer is hardly like being a pro coder

This is where I strongly disagree. Becoming good at composition, setting up shots, etc is an art and can take a lifetime to perfect. No less high skill than programming.

High-skill usually implies that some sort of specialized training or schooling is required. Working an espresso bar is also a delicate skill, but no one calls baristas high-skilled workers.