I'm 17 and

J

jordski11

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really interested in doing something to do with photography for a living, as a job. I have a genuine interest in it at the moment, and can't see it dying like other perhaps, childish interests. I'm a very .... how shall I say..... philosophical sort of person and have what I'd like to think is a very different outlook on life to most of the brain dead (i hate to generalize) but 'clever' people that i go to school with, whose parents have told them that a lawyer is a well payed job, so that is what they want to be. The way I see it is photography is something i find really fun, and would like to work towards getting into it as something to do as a job. As i would rather do something i enjoy for a living that doesn't reward me with a Jaguar than something I'm not particularly interested in that may earn me a lot of money.

I would be hugely grateful if anyone on here can give me some tips of where to start, about getting into anything really to do with photography?

My guess would be probably sort out work experience placements with photographers? Go on to college and do photography there? However I'm not completely clued up, and i can imagine I am being quite vague, but like i say i just need a little help on where to sort of.... start really?

Thankyou for taking the time to read this if you could be bothered to get this far.

This is a link to some photos I have taken, I would certainly appreciate criticism, and compliments on any photos you like/can find flaws with, if there are any! haha

http://www.fluidr.com/photos/jordski
 
My first tip. No selective colouring.

You have a really nice selection of images on your link. I like your processing in some as well. There are too many photos to give criticism, if you really want some, I suggest posting some individual images in some of the forum sections.

As to advice. I would suggest get an A level then go to uni (Studying photography obviously). You may make some contacts there as well. I know of some people that excelled at Uni that done well from contacts they made there. I also know working pros that have had no professional training. Many, made their name in the film days, a few have managed it in the digital age.

If you don't want to go to uni/A level, I would suggest a normal job while you try to find your way into the photography world. One thing you don't mention is any style or area of photography you'd like to work in. If you know that could help people in those areas advise you better.

Hope that helps so far.
 
natjag said:
My first tip. No selective colouring.

You have a really nice selection of images on your link. I like your processing in some as well. There are too many photos to give criticism, if you really want some, I suggest posting some individual images in some of the forum sections.

As to advice. I would suggest get an A level then go to uni (Studying photography obviously). You may make some contacts there as well. I know of some people that excelled at Uni that done well from contacts they made there. I also know working pros that have had no professional training. Many, made their name in the film days, a few have managed it in the digital age.

If you don't want to go to uni/A level, I would suggest a normal job while you try to find your way into the photography world. One thing you don't mention is any style or area of photography you'd like to work in. If you know that could help people in those areas advise you better.

Hope that helps so far.
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Thankyou, yes this was a great help I appreciate it :), excuse my ignorance but I'm not sure what you mean by 'selective colouring'?

As for an area or style, In all honesty I don't know precisely, but it will definitely not be portrait or .... I don't know the correct term... like photography of events? You know weddings etc?

I'm much more into the creative side of it, but again I'm sure that is vague so sorry if it is. I'm guessing this would limit the sort of things I could do?

Thankyou.
 
All I'd say is a job in photography can greatly vary from a hobby in photography.

At 17 I was in the exact same position as you and did work experience with a Local news paper photographer, I love shooting sports and for me to get a job with a local paper like that (two of which I were offered) I'd have to shoot, parties, weddings, events, openings, funerals, courts etc.. And that for me was a bit of a let down, As well as that I would of have to of been a good writer as all the photographers write stories as well..

When it came to the point where I had to chose I turned down the two jobs and instead chose a course in IT, I felt the jobs would of possibly destroyed my interest for my hobby and I would of found less and less time to shoot the things that interest me..

Now I'm in this college course for four years, During which I cam begin to shoot more college sports, Email them to the college papers and then I'll be able to follow the teams as they progress and soon be covering events that are quite important.. I can supply photos to the college paper and also email them to local papers that would also be interested.. From there( I have a few contacts in the area I'd like to work) I can attempt to get accreditation for bigger games and depending on the shots I get email them to more papers and I could start earning a nice income on the side, And then after college I've got a degree and 3-4 years work experience in the area of photography I like!

I know people may say I'm wrong etc etc, But I don't care, I'm going to try it and If I fail I'll continue to try till I feel there's no more I can do..

Thats just a suggestion :) Sorry for blabbering :)
 
My advice? Do something you love before doing something that will make you bags of cash. I have the luxury of being in both situations at the moment, and I know which I prefer :) Money can't buy you happiness, or love, or health etc. It can take the struggle out of many aspects of your life, but the difference in terms of happiness is negligible - other people make you happy, not "stuff". If I have to drop one in the future, the money will go first.

My next bit of advice is just to immerse yourself in what you love and spend every minute you can obsessing :) Tell yourself that you ARE going to be a great pro, and that you WILL make it a success. Make it your only goal, and you will do it. I sometimes think of the effort I used to put into games such as Sim City, or Age of Empires. Days and days of extreme gaming, and strategy - we dedicate so much effort to daft things like that. If you can make starting your business as much fun as a game of Sim City for instance, it puts a nice spin on it.

Last bit of advice, I talk a lot of ***** :D I like to rabbit on, and often make no sense. Seems right at the time!

Either way, good luck :D

G.
 
Richard.T said:
All I'd say is a job in photography can greatly vary from a hobby in photography.

At 17 I was in the exact same position as you and did work experience with a Local news paper photographer, I love shooting sports and for me to get a job with a local paper like that (two of which I were offered) I'd have to shoot, parties, weddings, events, openings, funerals, courts etc.. And that for me was a bit of a let down, As well as that I would of have to of been a good writer as all the photographers write stories as well..

When it came to the point where I had to chose I turned down the two jobs and instead chose a course in IT, I felt the jobs would of possibly destroyed my interest for my hobby and I would of found less and less time to shoot the things that interest me..

Now I'm in this college course for four years, During which I cam begin to shoot more college sports, Email them to the college papers and then I'll be able to follow the teams as they progress and soon be covering events that are quite important.. I can supply photos to the college paper and also email them to local papers that would also be interested.. From there( I have a few contacts in the area I'd like to work) I can attempt to get accreditation for bigger games and depending on the shots I get email them to more papers and I could start earning a nice income on the side, And then after college I've got a degree and 3-4 years work experience in the area of photography I like!

I know people may say I'm wrong etc etc, But I don't care, I'm going to try it and If I fail I'll continue to try till I feel there's no more I can do..

Thats just a suggestion :) Sorry for blabbering :)
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No I agree that this seems like a good way of going about it and it's good to hear that it's working out for you! Thanks for the advice!

ki_user said:
Looking at your stuff, you certainly got an eye for a picture. Would love to give you some advice but as I am just starting out, I don't really feel qualified to do so. Anyway, good luck.
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Thanks, I appreciate it! Also feel free to criticize.
 
EdinburghGary said:
My advice? Do something you love before doing something that will make you bags of cash. I have the luxury of being in both situations at the moment, and I know which I prefer :) Money can't buy you happiness, or love, or health etc. It can take the struggle out of many aspects of your life, but the difference in terms of happiness is negligible - other people make you happy, not "stuff". If I have to drop one in the future, the money will go first.

My next bit of advice is just to immerse yourself in what you love and spend every minute you can obsessing :) Tell yourself that you ARE going to be a great pro, and that you WILL make it a success. Make it your only goal, and you will do it. I sometimes think of the effort I used to put into games such as Sim City, or Age of Empires. Days and days of extreme gaming, and strategy - we dedicate so much effort to daft things like that. If you can make starting your business as much fun as a game of Sim City for instance, it puts a nice spin on it.

Last bit of advice, I talk a lot of ***** :D I like to rabbit on, and often make no sense. Seems right at the time!

Either way, good luck :D

G.
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Couldn't agree more on those things, I always think about how i could have been out taking pictures when I've just come off my xbox or finished watching some useless programme.....
 
natjag said:
My first tip. No selective colouring.
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Nothing is wrong with selective colouring, it can work really well.

My tip is just to not give up, find something you like within photography, or you can even do everything, then stick with it.
 
I don't know what kind of person you are, and if you are how you come across then this may not be for you. Although, it is a start, at least - but I'm not sure if you need to be 18.

http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/lis...df3-7af53cdb4d99&pid=2&sid=200521869&p=1&so=1

As you can see there are plenty of jobs there advertising for a nightclub photographer. I have no experience with this sort of thing but I do notice it from time to time, so I can't recommend it but what I'm saying is there is work there. It may not be ideal, but it's still using a camera and getting paid for it.

I'm a couple of years older than you and although I have no desire to take up photography as a profession (I don't think I'm good enough and I prefer to do it just for the love of it) you will have to work your socks off to do it for real and it's best to start while you're young. Decide whether or not you want to take a course in it (if you don't know what selective colouring is it doesn't mean you don't know anything since it just comes with learning, but it may help you to learn more through a course, though some find it limiting). If you don't want education in photography, start researching available areas of photography that pay for services. A lot of being a pro photographer is based on commission so you have to actively look for the work all the time to have any money. Sometimes being good at something just isn't enough, and you'll be bothered about making money if you plan on staying in England... and working a full-time job that you don't care for is a definite soul-killer. Start now while you still have the drive and the passion - don't hold back.
 
Anton17 said:
I don't know what kind of person you are, and if you are how you come across then this may not be for you. Although, it is a start, at least - but I'm not sure if you need to be 18.

http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/lis...df3-7af53cdb4d99&pid=2&sid=200521869&p=1&so=1

As you can see there are plenty of jobs there advertising for a nightclub photographer. I have no experience with this sort of thing but I do notice it from time to time, so I can't recommend it but what I'm saying is there is work there. It may not be ideal, but it's still using a camera and getting paid for it.

I'm a couple of years older than you and although I have no desire to take up photography as a profession (I don't think I'm good enough and I prefer to do it just for the love of it) you will have to work your socks off to do it for real and it's best to start while you're young. Decide whether or not you want to take a course in it (if you don't know what selective colouring is it doesn't mean you don't know anything since it just comes with learning, but it may help you to learn more through a course, though some find it limiting). If you don't want education in photography, start researching available areas of photography that pay for services. A lot of being a pro photographer is based on commission so you have to actively look for the work all the time to have any money. Sometimes being good at something just isn't enough, and you'll be bothered about making money if you plan on staying in England... and working a full-time job that you don't care for is a definite soul-killer. Start now while you still have the drive and the passion - don't hold back.
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Sound advice, thankyou. Again I appreciate your advice and that link which was useful :thumbs:.

I'm guessing selective colouring is where one colour in a photograph is present but the rest is black and white...?
 
You definatley seem to have an eye for a good photo so no worries on that count.

There are some less impressive shots though and the one piece of advice I have heard said many times by many Pros is only ever show you best work. With this in mind I would start weeding out the average photos so that you have fewer but only your best quality shots on your site.

I am not a professional and have no asperations to be. I would worry that doing something I love for a living would take some of the fun out of it. Oh! and the fact I have no talent is also a contributing factor. Luckily I do a job I quite enjoy that pays very well and can finance my love of photography.
 
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