Attached Link: link

Here are some thoughts on that.

Some interesting thoughts there and it reminds me of one of the reasons why I like Renderosity, people here are willing to share ideas. That is great!

Thanks whaleman! :)

You don't need any of that.
Just shoot great photos and there's a great photographer.
As simple as that... ;o)

That too! ;)

Of course, "who" says the photos are great and helps make you well known has something to do with it, that is if great includes public recognition...

Some great photography I have seen is not associated with a well known photog...but then maybe that means great photos but not a great recognized photographer...

I should go to bed and be quiet... Tom.

Attached Link: Famous Photography Quotes

I also love  those little snippets of wisdom that say everything about an aspect of photography in a few words - I've compiled a load of my faves at the attached link!

( P.S Just discovered Renderosity and it looks awesome!)

Thanks for the quotes.   One catching me right off was this:

"There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept." - Ansel Adams

Attached Link: Photography Art Cafe

Striving after all the technical stuff with no underlying motive always seems like banging your head against a wall! Why do that?!

Some photographers (artists) are better known for their quotes than for their images (works).
What does that tell about those artists? What does that tell about their works?
And what does that tell about us..?

Here's another quote (pardon my French):

Si tu fais des images, ne parle pas, n'écrit pas,
ne t'analyse pas, ne répond à aucune question.

(If you make images, don't talk, don't write,
don't analyze yourself, answer no question)

Robert Doisneau

Doisneau has a quite strict rule with those words.  So, if we are good enough we should be able to present images with no personal comment, no title...let the photo speak for itself.   I remember being soundly criticized on this site once a few years ago for saying a photo or other image or art object should speak its own message according to its design.  I have totally forgotten who made the criticism.

I feel compelled to use a title but perhaps should not feel so compelled "to explain" unless the text is a valuable part of it all...and simply see what comments are made by viewers.  

I have to agree with you Tom ;-)
Some of my work is sold in art galleries (not any of the stuff I post here is sold) and when I have to show up for a opening or a signing. Sometimes the clients ask what does the photo mean to me. and I never want to answer the question because it can distort their vision. So I always answer with my own question. Saying what does it say to you? then I really love hearing their vision on the piece. and in art galleries 99% of the time all they need is a title. ;-)

One of my favorite quotes:

"Owning a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer, it makes you a Nikon owner"

Once we did a disposable camera challenge..buy a disposable camera, take you shots, and submit them. A  photographer can take good shots with ANY camera. That's one reason I enjoy the whole "lomography" movement. It's less about the camera you own and more about making art with the tools you have.

Attached Link: Famous Photography Quotes

I suppose the problem is that if something fascinates you the instinct is to talk about it -  or blurt out something inane just because you need to show you like it!

I totally agree that self-commentary is usually a means of compensation for not saying all you wanted in the original picture. I think a lot of prominent modern art is guilty of this - i.e arch cretin Damien Hirst's pickled shark, the title alone being: The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living. Interesting idea, feeble execution.

Quotes like the ones attached are more general reflections than forms of compensation.

Here's another good one: Interpretation is the revenge of the intellect upon art - Susan Sontag

 There are many things to discuss as to what makes a great photographer.  I would ask to whom?  The link is referring to a seniors portrait photographer, which really speaks to commercial success rather than great photography. What that leads to is the definition.  I tend to believe a great photographer is one that follows his/her own path and affects / connects with people through their photography, it could be simply to show something new and different or generate a new idea, or to change the actions of people.

Most truly great artists were not recognized until many years later, the same may be true for great photographers. But if we are talking of a great photographer of commercial success, they create images that people buy! 

Yes, images that people buy...and while the photographer is alive!.   :  )     

(This is a comment , not a definition.)

Passion and enthusiasm yes!! I gotta agree with that one!

Attached Link: ***A Place For Great Photographers***