Surprisingly there are a lot of people out there like that, haha.

It's a simple survival of the fittest game. If you don't have what it takes to make money off photography, then so be it, but at least you gave it a shot! Not only that, but you contributed to the market with your inability to succeed by giving it more value. Yourself, your close friends and relatives, and possibly children will appreciate photographers more because of your failure, which gets us to the point: not everyoen can do it.

This post was edited by onepagememory on May 3 2011 10:39am

You make photography sound like just another way to make a living and nothing else but I am sure there are quite a lot of people out there who don't mind spending a lot of money on a hobby which they would never get a dime in return. To me photography is a form of art and I am pretty sure that not every artist out there do what they do just for the money. Sure I wouldn't mind making some money but it's far from the main reason why I am into photography. I may be eccentric since everyone else seem to be all crazy about wealth and power. It's not a totally bad thing simply because it is our basic instinct to be selfish and greedy but I do believe there are more important things in life than money and career. I think the hardest part is finding a balance between being responsible and at the same time not becoming a selfish, narcissistic and heartless filthy human.

I guess I don't see photography as a job, but an art... I don't need to make money off of it.

Its almost as if you were calling me a "selfish, narcissistic, and heartless filthy human."
I just don't understand how an average JSP'er (average 16-26 yrs of age) can afford a D3X or support a hobby as expensive as photography with a part time job. While we can cry about prissy artistry and the meaning of life all day, in the end, you can only get that lens you want if you spend money for it. If your hobby supports itself, takes you into vacations, heck, can even pay your rent once in a while, then we ought to at least strive for it. By knitting for a living, you improve your knitting. By shooting for a living, you improve your photography.

I believe that the advice I give about Canon / Nikon is effective because I went through the process of starting to make money from photographer only 2 years ago. I start by saying 'if you want to make money, get the Canon equivalent.' I started with an A200 and kit lens, no better than anyone else here. When I say Canon > Nikon, it is because I've done the math, I've shot with both brands, and I've chosen Canon logically. Now I got all the equipment I want and make enough money from photography to help me pay through law school. It's the American Dream baby, right there within your grasp.

I dunno about you, but I'll take opportunity over complaining or watching from the side. By earning money off photography (which isn't THAT time consuming), it gives me time to pursue hobbies, photography included. Being smart =/= being 'selfish, narcissistic, and heartless filth.'

Would you rather work in McDonalds or have someone pay you for prints of your photography art? That's the point I'm making.

The point I'm making is that you can work a good job with having photography on the side. I would rather die than work at any fast food restaurant, let alone do photography instead

I see your point, but not everyone here has a job like McDonalds

In law school, they call the unambitious 'stepping stones'

in law school they bread lawyers, one of the most hated professions
we all know thy lie for a living so why listen to what they have to say?

Being taught how to lie. Awesome imo. I'd consider it more like we're taught to how argue effectively, twist the truth so that it remains a half-truth, and in some cases, blend in enough truths within a huge lie to make the lie appear more truthful.
Why would you listen to what lawyers have to say? Because lawyers know the law better than you do, better than cops do, and (surprise surprise), most judges are lawyers! Imagine: your fate depends on a liar