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| Emilyk370 Sun 16th Aug 2009 03:04
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I am a senior in high school and I have had no training in photography, but I love taking photos of so many different subjects; I love seeing the things other people would pass over and making them interesting with a photo. I love it so much in fact that I am considering a double major in English and Photography/Photojournalism. I have been told by friend of a friend that I have an "eye for photography". I need some advice from those who know more about the subject than I do. Do I have what it takes to be a successful photographer and how do I know? What should I look for in myself and other photos I have taken to know that I am good enough? Is photography more technical or talent? Do you have any suggestions of ways to improve myself? What sort of options do I have when considering this as a career? Is it safer to make it a hobby? What should I look to achieve? Any personal tips or things you wish some one would tell you? Is there another area I could major in along with photography/photojournalism that would make it more lucrative (communications, public relations, etc.)? Anything else you would like to include i.e. questions for me, income, equipment, etc.
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| Emilyk370 Sun 16th Aug 2009 18:11
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I've decided that as I look for answers, I will post my findings on here for anyone who may have the same questions.
http://www.photography-colleges.org/skills-necessary-for-a-career-in-photography/
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| Emilyk370 Sun 16th Aug 2009 18:40
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http://markhancock.blogspot.com/1996/01/what-is-photojournalist.html
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| DragonSpeed PRO Mon 17th Aug 2009 16:58
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If you're thinking of professional photography, you're going to have to be a good businessman, not just a good photographer. Many good photographers/artists/farmers/potters have gone down in flames because they didn't manage/market their business well :(
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| PhotoPro PRO Mon 17th Aug 2009 18:37
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Originally posted by DragonSpeed:
you're going to have to be a good businessman,
+ you have to be able and willing to "sell" yourself and your work - a lot.
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| junsjazz Tue 18th Aug 2009 14:09
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prepare yourself - arm yourself with knowledge, tips & techniques, read & research, theoretical & the practical, shoot and shoot, showcase your work in an online gallery, encourage others to comment and critique your work, study the works of professionals and get inspiration from them...oh there are so many other things to consider...but as the saying goes - success is 99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration...in other words, work hard on it...and if majoring in photography/photojournalism is part of that career plan, then go for it...you are better off with a formal education on photography than most of us...attitude, focus, discipline, hard work and determination are important factors that will shape your work and decisions in photography, and in a greater sense, how you manage your life...Good Luck and God Bless!
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| Captivelight PRO Tue 18th Aug 2009 16:09
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Watching this thread with interest. As a freelance professional photographer I reckon I spend probably around 85% of my time servicing the needs of my business, and maybe only 15% of my time actually holding a camera.
What advice would I give to anyone starting up ... umm... if it's what you want to do, go for it with 110% of your heart and soul, set your self real aims and goals and really go for it. If you don't feel THAT strongly about it, get another job and keep this as a hobby...
:o)
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| GeoffReeves Tue 18th Aug 2009 16:36
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Just my 2 pence worth here,hope it doesnt sound negative as it isnt meant to be.
It will take so much more than being able to take great photographs.Even taking fantastic photographs isn`t necessarily a sure way to running a successful business.
The way to earn a living from taking photgraphs is being able to market yourself along with the photos and more importantly being able to run a business.
So it`s more important to start off (imho) by answering the questions "am I able to communicate well with other people on their level,will I take all the responsibilty if things do not go the way I would like,am I good at taking rejection,am I disciplined....so many things that it can take to run a business,apart from being great at photography..... :)
To be honest sometimes the skills needed from the outset are intangible...but you may learn all these things along the way...!
If you supply a big dose of perseverance...
ps oops...Im no photo professional....but I do run a business
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| PhotoPro PRO Wed 19th Aug 2009 22:55
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Originally posted by GeoffReeves:
So it`s more important to start off (imho) by answering the questions "am I able to communicate well with other people on their level,will I take all the responsibilty if things do not go the way I would like,am I good at taking rejection,am I disciplined....so many things that it can take to run a business,apart from being great at photography..... :)
To be honest sometimes the skills needed from the outset are intangible...but you may learn all these things along the way...!
If you supply a big dose of perseverance...
I don't think it could be said much better Geoff.
I know this is repetitive, but marketing is a polite and usually incorrectly used word for sales. Pure and simple. If you have ANY difficulty with rejection, or asking someone outright for them to do business with you - I would stick to this as a hobby.
I'm not sure if anyone already covered this, but the business climate for still photographers is a very small slice of transacted business. The competition for getting work is probably stronger than it ever has been, and imho - it will get stronger as more and more people compete for a market that has a potential for shrinking every year.
It doesn't help that everyone with the $ to buy just about any current digital camera seems to think they are good enough to take on any retail business (weddings etc).
Best wishes, what ever you choose.
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| DragonSpeed PRO Thu 20th Aug 2009 18:08
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An interesting thread about shrinking available market:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=739576
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| TonyF2009 Wed 26th Aug 2009 18:44
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all you need is a good portfolio, that will open all the doors for you, and start low down the ladder by approaching the local rags, they is always looking for stuff, and if you are good they'll put work your way.
END OF
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| TonyF2009 Wed 26th Aug 2009 18:46
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jeezus wept, it's not rocket science pal, just put yourself about and ignore all the pretentious bollocks you hear in the forums lol
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| Paul54 Wed 9th Sep 2009 19:52
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Originally posted by TonyF2009:
all you need is a good portfolio, that will open all the doors for you, and start low down the ladder by approaching the local rags, they is always looking for stuff, and if you are good they'll put work your way.
While this was true when i started photography it is not that easy these days. Local rags often don't buy photos these days aside from the major national newspapers. On the national newspapers you are trying to compete with established pro's who will happily slit your throat these days rather than let you get a decent pic.
My local papers used to pay about £6 ($8.50ish) for a photo. That is hardly going to make you rich or famous overnight.
I would advise anyone trying to get started on a photography option to try and get a staff job of some sort and learn. Freelancing is a very risky business, competative, and 80% marketing your images and 20% taking them.
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| TonyF2009 Wed 9th Sep 2009 22:34
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I could prove you wrong pal lol
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| TonyF2009 Wed 9th Sep 2009 22:35
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I could still prove your wrongOriginally posted by Paul54:
While this was true when i started photography it is not that easy these days. Local rags often don't buy photos these days aside from the major national newspapers. On the national newspapers you are trying to compete with established pro's who will happily slit your throat these days rather than let you get a decent pic.
My local papers used to pay about £6 ($8.50ish) for a photo. That is hardly going to make you rich or famous overnight.
I would advise anyone trying to get started on a photography option to try and get a staff job of some sort and learn. Freelancing is a very risky business, competative, and 80% marketing your images and 20% taking them.
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| TonyF2009 Wed 9th Sep 2009 22:35
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gawd why do I bother *L*
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| Paul54 Thu 10th Sep 2009 05:37
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Heck who is this abusive TonyF2009?
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| Paul54 Thu 10th Sep 2009 05:49
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PS: I came on here to give some personal advice to a question that someone asked about trying to make it in photography, like several others. All we seem to get is abuse for our advice from TonyF2009.
I would like to see him try and make a good crust these days from press photography! I did it for over ten years and there is a good report on the BBC site just this month about press work and the decline of chances these days.
Yes a good folio helps, but it won't open doors alone. There are just too many others trying to get onto the market selling photos and it is very tough.
I would never put anyone off trying to make a living as a photographer, but as i said it's just not easy. For everyone who makes it there are a lot of other would-be photographers working away in camera shops, photo-labs and allied work who are not selling their own photography.
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| TonyF2009 Thu 10th Sep 2009 21:02
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heck Paul it's me pal, deal with it, if you cant stand a discussion then piss off dammmmmmm matey grow up
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| TonyF2009 Thu 10th Sep 2009 21:03
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what a big girls blouse you are Paul get a frickin life
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