making it as a photographer!

[Aza]

not sure if this is the right place to post this, but anyway im after some opinions.

just now im teaching myself to become a photographer, with the help of a few magazines etc.

but... whats the best way to become a good photographer, eventually i would like to go pro and earn a living from my photography.

so whats best, self teaching? Go to university? or perhaps one of these online courses that are advertised everywhere?

i looked into a course through the bfp and one with the photography insititute that looked good but wasnt sure if they are worthwhile.

 

[Tobers]

Practice, take lots of pictures, practice, take more pictures, look at other peoples' pictures, work out what you like, practice more, take more pictures, enter competitions, read more, try different techniques, practice etc. Repeat.

 

[Hacker]

Hi Aaron. This is such a huge topic I don't think it could be covered in one reply. First of, you obviously have to have an interest in photography and be reasonably proficient with regards to knowing how to compose an image, expose for the given situation and probably the most important aspect - have an eye for a good picture. Personally I don't think this is something that can be taught, you either have it or you don't.

Magazines and books will help but the best thing you can do is use your camera at every opportunity as the only way to improve is to learn by your mistakes and be open to critique (no matter how harsh) whether it be self-imposed or from others.

Once you have mastered the basics then maybe look at doing some courses but if you want to earn a living from it you will have to narrow down your genres. Do you want to be a sports photographer? Or maybe you would like to do portraits, architecture, weddings, events, schools, landscapes.........so many to choose from.

I would also be prepared for some possible harsh responses in this thread as this is a subject that can caused angst among a few. To that end I will say, Aaron has asked a perfectly reasonable question so let's keep the replies civil and constructive. No more warnings will be given.

 

[KIPAX]

It may seem cheesy but practice, practice and more practice is the way to do it... As for courses and the like? well that really depends what area of photogrpahy you want to get into.. what type of photography are you heading for? ie, nature, landscapes, wedding, portrait sport or other?... a mixture can be achieved but not really viable to say all

No more warnings will be given.

Aza I would ignore Hacker on this occasion.. things arn't quite as bad as he makes out around here ... Bit of an insult to TP members really ...

 

[Arkady]

Hi Aaron. This is such a huge topic I don't think it could be covered in one reply. First of, you obviously have to have an interest in photography and be reasonably proficient with regards to knowing how to compose an image, expose for the given situation and probably the most important aspect - have an eye for a good picture. Personally I don't think this is something that can be taught, you either have it or you don't.

Magazines and books will help but the best thing you can do is use your camera at every opportunity as the only way to improve is to learn by your mistakes and be open to critique (no matter how harsh) whether it be self-imposed or from others.

Once you have mastered the basics then maybe look at doing some courses but if you want to earn a living from it you will have to narrow down your genres. Do you want to be a sports photographer? Or maybe you would like to do portraits, architecture, weddings, events, schools, landscapes.........so many to choose from.

I would also be prepared for some possible harsh responses in this thread as this is a subject that can caused angst among a few. To that end I will say, Aaron has asked a perfectly reasonable question so let's keep the replies civil and constructive. No more warnings will be given.

So we can't say (for example) "get back to your damp, rented bedsit and eat cockroach droppings, you scabby student"...? Ah well, perhaps it's for the best...


The thing I find about many would-be photographers is that they want to be photographers without any clear idea of what it is they want to photograph.

Most successful sports photographers (for example) are primarily interested in the sport they cover. Photography is usually incidental to that and may have only come about as a secondary interest.

Initially in my early teens I discovered that I had a keen interest in looking at naked girls (it was much later on that I discovered one could actually talk to and even touch them if you played your cards right).
Someone must take the photographs in these exciting and informative magazines I keep finding in my dad's wardrobe, I thought - there's the job for me!
Somewhere along the line I got sidetracked into taking photos of people shooting one another, but I keep coming back to naked girls...

Find a subject that you're passionate about then set about recording it to the best of your abilities... it's a start.

 

[paulcamcas]

Great advice!

 

[johnb]

I clicked on this thread expecting the worst but it is all brilliant advice especially the bit about naked girls!

 

[Metal God]

Practice, take lots of pictures, practice, take more pictures, look at other peoples' pictures, work out what you like, practice more, take more pictures, enter competitions, read more, try different techniques, practice etc. Repeat.

V true.

I would add to the above...

• Learn from your mistakes.
• Practice
• Always aim to improve, never be happy with your current standard of work.
• Accept criticism as a positive thing.
• Practice some more.
• Never think a top-of-the-range camera will make you a better photographer, it won't. The most important thing about your camera is the person using it and their understanding and skill of lighting, composition and when to take the photograph.
• Photoshop is not a tool to cover up your inabilities to take a good photograph. You should be able to take a decent photograph in the first place.
• Don't blatantly copy other peoples style, come up with your own style.
• Ask yourself what is it new you can bring to the table, because you are entering a profession that is way, way, way, way over subscribed to bursting point.

Oh... and remember to practice.

 

[Arkady]

V true.
Ask yourself what is it new you can bring to the table, because you are entering a profession that is way, way, way, way over subscribed to bursting point...

Though mostly by talentless hacks, it must be said...

If you're good (I mean really good, not just 'P-for-Professional' good...), then work will find you, not the other way round...

 

[Metal God]

Agreed

One other thing I forgot to add.

Don't undercharge thinking it will get you loads of work. You'll only attract freeloaders with no money and put off quality clients.

 

[Jaycam]

On this forum via the tutorials and by asking questions you will find a good basis, look at the images on here and the critique given to them and you will learn a lot. Practise and upload your images for critique and learn from that critique. You will find that you wont need to take a online course, because this forum is an online course that can compare with most online courses.

 

[EMA747]

The "find what you like to photograph and are interested in" is all well and good but it's not as easy as that, especially with some subjects. For example I am into aviation and motorsport, but VERY hard areas to get into and ones that are waaaay oversaturate these days.
I mean for motorsport it costs many £1000s for the gear and then it's virtually impossible to get anyone to pay you for taking photos. It's a BIG risk to take money and time wise with little chance of a successful outcome in my experience.

Areas where you can deal with the end customer might be easier to get started in. I mean like portraits where you take the photos of the client then print them and sell them direct to the same client. With something like motorsport you have to go through an agency and getting in there is the first BIG problem.

 

[Arkady]

The "find what you like to photograph and are interested in" is all well and good but it's not as easy as that, especially with some subjects. For example I am into aviation and motorsport, but VERY hard areas to get into and ones that are waaaay oversaturate these days.
I mean for motorsport it costs many £1000s for the gear and then it's virtually impossible to get anyone to pay you for taking photos. It's a BIG risk to take money and time wise with little chance of a successful outcome in my experience.

Areas where you can deal with the end customer might be easier to get started in. I mean like portraits where you take the photos of the client then print them and sell them direct to the same client. With something like motorsport you have to go through an agency and getting in there is the first BIG problem.

Wait...did I say it was easy...?



Of course it's a risk: I currently have about £20,000 invested in equipment alone, not to mention training, with absolutely no guarantee that I'll earn another penny...

 

[EMA747]

Wait...did I say it was easy...?



Of course it's a risk: I currently have about £20,000 invested in equipment alone, not to mention training, with absolutely no guarantee that I'll earn another penny...

Rob I wasn't directing it at you it was more a word of caution to the OP. I have seen a few threads on here where the advice for aspiring pros has been basically to get decent gear then practice all the time. In an oversaturate market it really takes a lucky break to actually get paid to do it no matter how technically good you might be. Practice and gear can only really get you half way. At least that's my experience anyway.

 

[coldpenguin]

Aza I would ignore Hacker on this occasion.. things arn't quite as bad as he makes out around here ... Bit of an insult to TP members really ...

Was that tongue in cheek?



Welcome to the forums, and well done on the wording of the question.

Anyway, good advice so far I believe.
Especially the bit about needing a bit of talent.


I would hope that I am capable of technically learning anything about photography. My degree was in physics, photography is basically about capturing light reflections isn't it?

Well, I know I would never be able to become a professional photographer. I do not have the eye for what makes a great photograph. I can capture photographs which are technically accurate, but cannot capture an image that can stir emotion (possibly because I have little emotion, but that is another story). To this end, I often have to capture images which I know to be zoomed out from where it should be, just so I can ask advice on cropping and composition later.

If you have the talent to spot what is good compositionally, and know what you like will be what others like, then what you need to do now is practice practice practice. If you can find that your hobby is something that you enjoy, and can take good photographs at, then the risk of outlay is reduced. If you make a financial outlay, and later find that it doesn't pay, but at least you still enjoy it, then surely it is worth it. The risk is, that by trying to take it professional, the stress makes the hobby no longer enjoyable.

As far as learning goes, enter some competitions, and post images here for critique. You will soon learn what /doesn't/ fit in with other peoples views on what an image should be.
Determining what is truly good though from the several 'Good shot' comments you might get is more difficult.

(for me, back to the boring non-photography day-job)

 

[lexie]

I think a lot of people would like to take their photography to the next step, myself being one of them. I intended to begin an evening class at the local technical college to study photography but I heard bad reviews from a friend who had completed it and it put me off enrolling. She said the bulk of the course was centered around photoshop rather than composure and the technical elements of exposure etc which didn't appeal to me.

Instead I began reading magazines, books from the library and joined talkphotography to get help, inspiration and critique from like-mided people. Registering and posting on here has been a invaluable, in most threads you can pick out a little snippet of information and over time it all comes together and forms and 'education' of sorts.

I'm currently looking to upgrade to a 'semi-pro' body with the lenses that i'll need for portartraiture with a view to taking it up on a part-time basis. I know it's not a popular choice with some members on here and that's their opinion and they are entitled to that.
I have a mortgage and the other financial obligations that go along with life today, and I have no intention of giving up my day and jumping into the uncertainty of starting a full-time business. To those who have the guts and determination to give it a go I can only say go for it and good luck.

 

[Aza]

thanks for the replies guys, i've been working on the practise, practise, practise concept for about a year now, and the advice i had previously been given was, a course can teach you how to work a camera, but cant teach you how to spot a good photo!

i've been trying out different areas of photography, iv spent more time on motorsport than anything else, however i would love to venture into wildlife photography and stick to that.

there seems to be a lot of great tutorials on here and lots of people willing to share there wisdom!

thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Daryl]

Hacker and Arkady have nailed it really, Practice? Yes but if do not have the flare/eye then practice aint worth S h i t!.

And as for David saying get your own style? Thats codswallop. All photographers copy every other tog if they see some great work.... you just add a twist or something new to it.
Your style will come with time.....

Find a good course at college full or part time what ever suits. It's a faster way to learn. Teach your self by all means but you will take a bit longer to get to where you want to be.... and learn from others cock ups..... saves you time and money.

 

[Arkady]

The other good thing about doing a course - no matter how good or bad it is, will be that you're immersed in a creative environment with like-minded people and so are able to bounce ideas and scenarios off one another constantly - you also have willing 'victims' to try-out different ideas on.