You know you are a professional photographer when . . .

[Paul Purpura]

Thought I would start this thread. I stole the idea from the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). It got some interesting posts on Facebook so I thought I would try it here.

Anyway, yesterday I went shopping with my daughter and had a fabulous time. See my Facebook post.

When we were in Sephora and Danielle was looking at all that make up stuff (and yes they have guy stuff in there too), I started looking at all the model images that were displayed throughout the store one at a time. Then I tired to figure out the lighting patterns and I noticed . . .

1.) Frontal lighting pattern with shadow of nose just above upper lip.
2.) Wrap around lighting with shadow of nose on cheek.
3.) Clam shell lighting (?) because there were no shadows on the face at all and forehead was almost over exposed.
4.) Profile lighting, one side of face in deep shadow.

So, you know you are a professional photographer when you start looking at images displayed in a store not for how pretty or handsome the models are (unless they are girls over 21 in bikinis), but how they are lit, or whether the models were borderline over exposed to create a more "edgy" look. In short, it's when you start analyzing the images rather than just look at them.

Best regards,
Paul

[Karen Walker]

So true, Paul. I often look at the magazine covers while standing in the grocery store check out line and look at the reflections in the eyes to determine what kind of light was used.

[Steve Bedell]

Francesco Scavullo made a fortune with all his Cosmo covers and I used to look at the eyes in the check out line. I swear he never moved a light!

[Cassandra Sullivan]

....When you're dissapointed after opening a present because it's jewelry, not photo equipment.

[Richard Flaskegaard]

...when you read Cosmo for the pictures --and (almost) forget to check the hot 8 secret tips to drive your partner wild

[Paul Purpura]

That's funny Rich!

Best regards,
Paul

[Karen Walker]

...when your camera is worth more than your car.

[Paul Purpura]

We got some good responses here!

Best regards,
Paul

[Jane Lydick Staid]

When you see someone with a stain on their shirt and think I can photoshop that out for you.

[genepaltrineri]

1. When you trip and fall and reactively protect your camera first, then your body.
2. Similar to Jane's:
When you see a teenager with a zit and you think "J"
When you see yellow teeth and think "Control U/yellow/desat"
When you see someone overweight and you think "Control/Shift/X"
3. When you see a beautiful girl and think... where is the light coming from.