The nonsense is in the definition of "professional," as would be seen if read (or, in this case, quoted) in context. Please excuse the emboldening, which highlights another part of my response.

My comments were general and well-reasoned, I believe. If they struck a nerve, that's hardly my fault. I've no objection to an argument, when you can find some of your valuable time, but if you are going to have a pop by calling me a sad cynical person, at least have the decency to get the rest of the spelling, punctuation and layout to look like it's English, please.

RG

What utter nonsense - you're either professional, or you're not. As Photomonk said: "Anyone that thinks because they make some money off some photos makes them a pro needs a reality check."

"Professional" means - to me at least - "following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain." Your definition is that if you make money from it, you're a professional (*see post) so that if you make some but not all of your money from it, then you're semi-pro. That's exactly what misleads prospective clients and that is - at best - UNprofessional and - at worst - fraudulent.

Since I've been a member here I've seen a couple of classic examples of people who:

1) buy a decent camera and
2) whang up a website and advertise themselves

- all the while asking all sorts of basic questions on here that simply prove their lack of knowledge and experience. They benefit from the generousity of the membership here in answering those questions, then might also pay to join an on-line "association" - membership of which, they think, will add to their credibility. Of course, their poor clients don't get to see the total lack of professionalism this attitude reveals.

*The very act of advertising - by whatever method - for paid work, implies professional aptitude, yet I've seen so-called "pros" and "semi-pros" who have no qualifications or genuine commissions to prove either experience or competence. I'd want proof of both.

The fact that some don't "need to pay the rent" and "do it because they love it" also probably means that:

:arrow:They have no actual professional experience or qualifications of competence, however gained (Uni or apprenticeship).

:arrow:They don't carry public or professional liability insurance in the event of injury, loss or damage, equipment failure, litigation, etc.

:arrow:They think that just low-priced work, on recommendation, for example, indemnifies you if anything goes pear-shaped - "Well, I don't make a living from it, so I'm not really responsible."

If I had an important commission for a photographer, guess who I'd ask (not that I have any strong feelings, either way :roll?

Ray

Question too difficult?

Ray

I've been considering that for a while - was it expensive and did you download it, or get it on disk?

Ray

You're referring to this post from paulyrichard, I think.

Ray

In the "Open File" dialog box, you have four options for "File type (T)" - "All Images" "RAW Images" ""Jpeg" and "Tiff." Make sure that you have "All images" selected. That's the only thing I can think of.

Ray

Absolutely! In fact, what better way to start a life of paedophilia than by becoming a child warden? We naturally tend to trust all sorts of professional people, so are constantly surprised by the Dr. Shipmans of this world coming to light.

The endeavour must be to get the balance right, but the example in the link seems un-necessarily draconian to me.

Ray

Version 6.1 (Build 7600)

Ray

I've just completed a clean install of 7 Ultimate after using Vista Ultimate since it was released. It was the fastest and most efficient Windows install I've seen in many, many years of computing.

My old but reliable Epson Perfection 1200 wouldn't work with it, but that's not a big deal and I was aware of that beforehand as I used the Windows 7 upgrade checking utility before ordering. I've now got a new scanner (Epson Perfection V500 Photo) so it's time to start converting the 35mm negatives.

Ray