Becoming a photographer...
Discussion
Hello and good evening...
I know this probably is a stupid question but what does it take to become a professional photographer?
I have always enjoyed art and i enjoy photography as art and enjoy taking pictures of various things. But i wouldnt have the first clue how to turn my artistic side into making a little money.
Do you need professional qualifications to become a photographer?
Where do go to get business? e.g. Say for instance a local magazine needs a picture of a local landmark or something. I mean how do you get contracts and things.
What and how much do you have to spend on average to get very high quality camera equipment or enough for professional standards?
Where/How can i get my name out there?
Sorry to ask dumb questions
but please be nice!! 
Thanks
L:P
I know this probably is a stupid question but what does it take to become a professional photographer?
I have always enjoyed art and i enjoy photography as art and enjoy taking pictures of various things. But i wouldnt have the first clue how to turn my artistic side into making a little money.
Do you need professional qualifications to become a photographer?
Where do go to get business? e.g. Say for instance a local magazine needs a picture of a local landmark or something. I mean how do you get contracts and things.
What and how much do you have to spend on average to get very high quality camera equipment or enough for professional standards?
Where/How can i get my name out there?
Sorry to ask dumb questions
but please be nice!! Thanks
L:P
I'm not a pro 'tog, but I think the best place to start would be to take an evening class or possibly join a club. Photography is a technical pursuit - you need to get to the point where you know how to get the look you want from the kit you have.
After that, I'd consider submitting some images to the microstock sites. Firstly see if they are accepted - this will be an indication you have what it takes, then see how they sell. WHilst you'll probably only clear a bit of beer money it's a simple way to get used to the business.
After that, I'd consider submitting some images to the microstock sites. Firstly see if they are accepted - this will be an indication you have what it takes, then see how they sell. WHilst you'll probably only clear a bit of beer money it's a simple way to get used to the business.
Well I post very infrequently but I have a part of the answer to this question so here goes...
What do you want to photograph? Bit of a big question but if you are expecting this to become your job then you'll need to pick an area you like! Hate photographing children? Don't get roped into that then. Like snapping landscapes but not people? Now you have a narrower avenue of photography to pursue. Work out what area you want to get into and then you'll be better able to ask questions on mentors, equipment, employment opportunities etc... Also, where do you want to operate? National? International? Local only? Wherever the rare wildlife is? Your own/ your mate's studio?
A course of some sort will certainly save you time on getting up to speed techinically - as has been said this is a technical pursuit with a lot of common ground between the multitude of camera makes and models. After that initial course and the inevitable practice you'll need to know more about what you want to photograph. That way you can begin looking at practical training or courses that are tailored to your preferred field. You'll also be able to ask people how hard it is to make a living in their particular field
If you haven't already then maybe hop on the forums at www.dpreview.com because for every recommendation of a piece of kit you can usually find a decent review too. Others will be better able to recommend websites as they actually get out and use their cameras once in a while (stupid job!). Again you'll need to know what you're trying to do with the kit before you ask questions. Equipment varies to differing degrees between indoor and outdoor shoots, studio stuff, candid photography, library stills, nature, fashion, war correspondence etc
So there you go, a general answer to what is (so far) a general question
What do you want to photograph? Bit of a big question but if you are expecting this to become your job then you'll need to pick an area you like! Hate photographing children? Don't get roped into that then. Like snapping landscapes but not people? Now you have a narrower avenue of photography to pursue. Work out what area you want to get into and then you'll be better able to ask questions on mentors, equipment, employment opportunities etc... Also, where do you want to operate? National? International? Local only? Wherever the rare wildlife is? Your own/ your mate's studio?
A course of some sort will certainly save you time on getting up to speed techinically - as has been said this is a technical pursuit with a lot of common ground between the multitude of camera makes and models. After that initial course and the inevitable practice you'll need to know more about what you want to photograph. That way you can begin looking at practical training or courses that are tailored to your preferred field. You'll also be able to ask people how hard it is to make a living in their particular field
If you haven't already then maybe hop on the forums at www.dpreview.com because for every recommendation of a piece of kit you can usually find a decent review too. Others will be better able to recommend websites as they actually get out and use their cameras once in a while (stupid job!). Again you'll need to know what you're trying to do with the kit before you ask questions. Equipment varies to differing degrees between indoor and outdoor shoots, studio stuff, candid photography, library stills, nature, fashion, war correspondence etc
So there you go, a general answer to what is (so far) a general question
TheStoat said:
Well I post very infrequently but I have a part of the answer to this question so here goes...
What do you want to photograph? Bit of a big question but if you are expecting this to become your job then you'll need to pick an area you like! Hate photographing children? Don't get roped into that then. Like snapping landscapes but not people? Now you have a narrower avenue of photography to pursue. Work out what area you want to get into and then you'll be better able to ask questions on mentors, equipment, employment opportunities etc... Also, where do you want to operate? National? International? Local only? Wherever the rare wildlife is? Your own/ your mate's studio?
A course of some sort will certainly save you time on getting up to speed techinically - as has been said this is a technical pursuit with a lot of common ground between the multitude of camera makes and models. After that initial course and the inevitable practice you'll need to know more about what you want to photograph. That way you can begin looking at practical training or courses that are tailored to your preferred field. You'll also be able to ask people how hard it is to make a living in their particular field
If you haven't already then maybe hop on the forums at www.dpreview.com because for every recommendation of a piece of kit you can usually find a decent review too. Others will be better able to recommend websites as they actually get out and use their cameras once in a while (stupid job!). Again you'll need to know what you're trying to do with the kit before you ask questions. Equipment varies to differing degrees between indoor and outdoor shoots, studio stuff, candid photography, library stills, nature, fashion, war correspondence etc
So there you go, a general answer to what is (so far) a general question
Thanks very much that is alot of help sorry about the general question What do you want to photograph? Bit of a big question but if you are expecting this to become your job then you'll need to pick an area you like! Hate photographing children? Don't get roped into that then. Like snapping landscapes but not people? Now you have a narrower avenue of photography to pursue. Work out what area you want to get into and then you'll be better able to ask questions on mentors, equipment, employment opportunities etc... Also, where do you want to operate? National? International? Local only? Wherever the rare wildlife is? Your own/ your mate's studio?
A course of some sort will certainly save you time on getting up to speed techinically - as has been said this is a technical pursuit with a lot of common ground between the multitude of camera makes and models. After that initial course and the inevitable practice you'll need to know more about what you want to photograph. That way you can begin looking at practical training or courses that are tailored to your preferred field. You'll also be able to ask people how hard it is to make a living in their particular field
If you haven't already then maybe hop on the forums at www.dpreview.com because for every recommendation of a piece of kit you can usually find a decent review too. Others will be better able to recommend websites as they actually get out and use their cameras once in a while (stupid job!). Again you'll need to know what you're trying to do with the kit before you ask questions. Equipment varies to differing degrees between indoor and outdoor shoots, studio stuff, candid photography, library stills, nature, fashion, war correspondence etc
So there you go, a general answer to what is (so far) a general question
Sorry i didnt actually say what i like...I like to take photographs of sort of run down areas/city spots and landmarks (local to specific areas...e.g. humber bridge)
When i say run down areas i mean things like a derilict buildings with graphitie (however you spell it)
I would love to go to places like in brazil, mexico, china etc where there can be run down areas etc.
I hope the above makes sense :S
Thanks again
When i say run down areas i mean things like a derilict buildings with graphitie (however you spell it)
I would love to go to places like in brazil, mexico, china etc where there can be run down areas etc.
I hope the above makes sense :S
Thanks again
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/index.php
Theres some good things on there to give you some inspiration if nothing else
Theres some good things on there to give you some inspiration if nothing else
Chris,
Take a look at EPZ great online photographic community, lots of good reviews, very active forums (which are also searchable, to help find those answers to questions you just dont want to ask, believe me someone has probably already asked it). Also great members galleries that are also searchable for phototags, just searching urban has brought up this lot to look through and all the members are happy to share there knowledge and experiences.
Join up basic membership is free and enjoy.
Carl
Take a look at EPZ great online photographic community, lots of good reviews, very active forums (which are also searchable, to help find those answers to questions you just dont want to ask, believe me someone has probably already asked it). Also great members galleries that are also searchable for phototags, just searching urban has brought up this lot to look through and all the members are happy to share there knowledge and experiences.
Join up basic membership is free and enjoy.
Carl
Use this guy as a benchmark.
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
CivicMan said:
Use this guy as a benchmark.
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
Wow - lost for words really!http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
CivicMan said:
Use this guy as a benchmark.
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
They are amazing photos i just think these kind of pictures are truly breathtaking you dont need any captions etc. you can almost feel the emotion of the people in the pictures http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
You have to have natural talent, and be very very driven to succeed. And be prepared to spend an absolute fortune on equipment. Also be prepared to do some really mundane work too. It's not as glamorous as you might think. You could learn a great deal through working as an assistant. If I had my time again I wouldn't do a degree. I had the best time of my life but learnt very little. The BTEC ND is excellent at teaching the fundamentals of photographic practice. Much depends on the tutors though. If you have a real passion and drive you will succeed.
CivicMan said:
Use this guy as a benchmark.
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
you seen the film 'war photographer'? http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=975JEgWmhlA
i did a degree. they say there are more new photography graduuates every year than there are practicing proffesionals in europe 
in my experience i've never really struggled to get work although i'm one of the few jobbing photographers from my year at uni.
assisting may be the way forward BUT you need to learn the basics of photography. the structure of a degree worked for me and provided me with a reason learn the techinal stuff. i need something to work towards. cost me about 11k in all.
got a first tho
in my experience i've never really struggled to get work although i'm one of the few jobbing photographers from my year at uni.
assisting may be the way forward BUT you need to learn the basics of photography. the structure of a degree worked for me and provided me with a reason learn the techinal stuff. i need something to work towards. cost me about 11k in all.
got a first tho
I just make it up as I go along (which is probably why I don't earn much money from photography).
However, I did a degree in something else, and that proved completely useless (never having mentioned it to get work), so I'd guess the most important thing is:
...enthusiasm. If you have that and a modicum of natural talent, some confidence and turn up on time... you'll do just fine.
However, I did a degree in something else, and that proved completely useless (never having mentioned it to get work), so I'd guess the most important thing is:
...enthusiasm. If you have that and a modicum of natural talent, some confidence and turn up on time... you'll do just fine.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 14th April 13:54
GetCarter said:
I'd guess the most important thing is: ...enthusiasm. If you have that and a modicum of natural talent, some confidence and turn up on time... you'll do just fine.
If I was hiring a photographer I'd also like him/her to have some experience, or at least some kind of portfolio.You will also need some way to attract business (proper business you can live on, not 50p/month microstock) as simply buying loads of kit and waiting for the phone to ring isn't going to work.
CivicMan said:
Use this guy as a benchmark.
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
Holy shttp://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
My absolute iconic photographer - if you want grit, he's the man to inspire you.
t, I like gritty photos but some of those are enough to make you cry... especially the Romanian orphans.I hate people who say "it's different when you have kids" to everything, but I have a little boy, and the whole fatherhood experience (for me) really brings out the emotion in those images.
Thanks for the link though, great photos.
Chris/LP,
Like any business venture, you'll get out of it what you put in. I only got my D40 at Christmas, I have since bought some lenses and lighting so have spent around a grand so far, maybe a bit more.
But through hard work and a lot of reading and practice, I have also sold a few prints and images for about £175 so far. So if I can learn, shoot and earn in 3 months I'm sure you can too.
I am determined to get better at photography, and then get better equipment as I go. But don't rely on good equipment to take good photos, that's up to you.
One of the best things I did was to enter the DPChallenge competitions, the consrtuctive criticism and comparison against those better able is a very good (although sometimes harsh) learning curve.
http://www.dpchallenge.com
Obviously there are some types of images that the regulars never get on with, but all in all the DPC guys are a great bunch of teachers.
hope this helps.
Like any business venture, you'll get out of it what you put in. I only got my D40 at Christmas, I have since bought some lenses and lighting so have spent around a grand so far, maybe a bit more.
But through hard work and a lot of reading and practice, I have also sold a few prints and images for about £175 so far. So if I can learn, shoot and earn in 3 months I'm sure you can too.
I am determined to get better at photography, and then get better equipment as I go. But don't rely on good equipment to take good photos, that's up to you.
One of the best things I did was to enter the DPChallenge competitions, the consrtuctive criticism and comparison against those better able is a very good (although sometimes harsh) learning curve.
http://www.dpchallenge.com
Obviously there are some types of images that the regulars never get on with, but all in all the DPC guys are a great bunch of teachers.
hope this helps.
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