The Aim Of Your Photography

specialman

specialman

Suspended / Banned
Messages
8,193
Name
Pat MacInnes
Edit My Images
Yes
With so many of us having access to good, cheap gear and the internet on which we can show and sell our work, what's everyone's aim with regard to furthering their photography?

I know there are a lot of 'hobbyist' photographers (I hate that term - it's a bit patronising) on TP who just shoot for the sheer hell of it, but there seems to be an equal amount of us who really do have a set plan on where we're going with our photography.

Making a living from it is easier said than done but are we looking to make some cash or keep it as our hobbies?

I'd be interested to know what eveyone thinks because we certainly are a passionate bunch and there's a lot of passion that could be put to good use.

Discuss.... :)
 
I want to do Wedding Photography plus Sports photography, Maybe even work for the media.

I have a wedding coming up that i have been asked to be photographer at, which will hopefully help me out and what not. I was thinking about putting myself in the paper but thought "Nah, i'll wait until i know for sure i can do it"

When i get a macro lens i will be doing more macro photography lol if that makes sense. So could maybe do flowers etc..

Erm, No i would guess i was mainly in to sports photography. Which i really like the look of and hopefully will get go at it soon.

Tony
 
When I first got into photography, at 8, it was just for the fun of it. That then grew into something that I liked, and worked well in impressing the girls - no offence meant. Then it became an obsession as I realised that it is a great way of preserving "thoughts".

Now that I've been into it for over 30 years I plan on this being one of my retirement joys, to set-up my own gallery and photography school, back home. That's where I see myself going with all this, and with every passing day I add a bit more knowledge to put into that retirement plan :).
 
Difficult one

I have to admit i shoot for the fun of it. I like to take pictures i enjoy looking at or show something intresting.
I do have a website were people can buy prints if they want to, but really this is just in case and if i get any money from it - i will be able to buy more gear.
 
I shoot for fun, but I am very hungry to learn how to take masterful shots. I have an idea or two which I think could make a mint £££ but chicken and egg :) No point in trying unless the photos are good enough to sell. How you sell them and market yourself is key to how successful you are in terms of ROI - I think I could nail it if I had the quality shots I wish I could take :D

G.
 
The area I live in has traditional photographers and that's pretty much it. I want to give people the option of 'outside the box' type shots. So far, the reaction is pretty good.

My overall goal is to open a studio and do photography full-time. Still a ways to go though. :D
 
At the moment, I'm aiming at improving my skills with the gear I have and enjoying myself in the process. Further down the road, who knows.
 
I just love the art of photography, with the emphasis on the word 'art' :)

The business side of it is going to be pushed forward more this year, I feel confident to do this now that we have some weddings and other photoshoots under our belts which have gone down extremely well with the clients ;)
 
I'd love it to become my job but I don't think im quite good enough yet.I'd love to do photo journalism for a news paper or magazine.
 
Good thread mate! :thumbs:


I run a large business which has it's pressures and photography forms part of the release away from such things. In reality I can make a lot more in my day job than photography however my commercial leanings make me aware that some of my images carry a value so selling pictures is kind of natural.

Getting images that others haven't continues to be my main aim regardless of the commercial outcome as well as having another reason to visit this lovely planet's wild places.:thumbs:
 
Photography for me is about having fun. It gets me out of the house, introduces me to like minded folk and provides a break from the 9-5. I couldn't care less if I sold any shots or not but like HUN I realise that some of my stuff does have a value and people want them so it helps pay for some of the kit :)
 
Very interesting thread! Well done. It's great reading about everyone's thoughts and stories. Great job specialman!

Here's my erm...... novel.

I have been making a living from being a photographer since last September.
After a summer of much thought I decided to take my hobby to the next level, despite so many warnings that photography is a difficult trade to enter.

Since then, My aim is to work extremely hard to provide the best service I possibly can, thus far I have regular customers, work with a magazine (just done my first cover woo hoo!) and have just finished producing a fine art black and white calendar for a publisher.

I'd say relentless family support, determination, hope, confidence, imagination, encouragement, sacrifice and pressure are a few of the elements that have got me here.

I'm happy with my progress but I'm not leaving it at that! I seek to push my boundaries, challenge myself and experiment as much as physically/mentally possible.

I'd love to enter the wedding circuit as people and portraiture has become my most passionate area.

I have a few ideas to push my business forward, I consistently remind myself that learning is always going to be my best companion and just like everything in life, you will always have things to learn.

The hardest part for me has probably been web creation, that's the only element that has really stressed me to the point of gnashing teeth and ripping out hair. I went over creating sites with flash and do not regret it but that was definitely very hard for me and still is!

If there is any advice that anyone can offer I would be grateful to listen.

My advice to anyone who is serious about taking their hobbies to the next level is:
Anything is possible. Think about it logically and slowly. It's not easy, but if it were, where is the fun?
 
Like HimUpNorth i do this purely fun and relaxation, i would be nice to make money out of it but i get the most pleasure from showing things to friends and family. I reckon i'm also pretty geeky and like the technology side of it too, but have to be careful not to get carried away with purchasing stuff all the time.
 
I'll join lefteye and himupnorth, in that I do it for fun and a reason to get out of the house. Yes I'd like to sell more of what I shoot, but I do not want to make photography my job. I want to be able to shoot what and when I like and as with any job you do not always have that choice.

It does not happen often :( but I get a lot of satisfaction when other like the TP community say that I have produced a great image.
 
I love photography it brings out my creative skills, I find it a gerat way of forgetting about all my the stress and troubles at work. I also enjoy developing new skills and getting out to photograph interestingplaces and people. The TP community is a source of great ideas and inspiration. :)
 
I'm a student of photography, i just love it. I definitely plan to try and make a career from it, but in what specific area i haven't decided yet. That is something i will think about nearer the end of my degree, but for now i'm 100% enjoying the course and spending all my time with photography. :)

p.s. good thread, i love this sort of thing. its very interesting to see everyones opinions on different matters.
 
Photography is my life and my job. However photography is not business, so I won't discuss the aims of my business because they are fairly standard. I think I have 1 single aim. Take a better photo than the last. As long as I keep doing that everything else will fall into place.
 
petemc said:
Take a better photo than the last. As long as I keep doing that everything else will fall into place.
Click to expand...

totally agree with this..

if i could sell a shot along the way :thumbs:

if not hey im happy just to take a picture or two..


md:thumbs:
 
To be honest at the moment it`s more for the fun of it, wanting to learn as I go along........later, well I would like the photographs to pay for any new gear, but at the moment i`m a long way from being there.


Mark
 
At the moment I'm still learning the very basics of photography and upgrading my gear according to what I find interest in. I've set up a website, which is always a good start to get your photos out there, and have already started regular work once a week taking photos of cycle races at my local cycling circuit. This has brought in a small amount of income, but it makes me happy to know that I've started something which could grow into something much larger and rewarding.

My aims are to take this new found passion to the next level and for it to one day be my only source of income - either by working for someone else on a professional basis or to freelance. Although I do like the cycling photography, my passion really lies in capturing people and cultural settings... My dream employer would be National Geographic... this is my ultimate aim... I can only dream, can't I? :)
 
For me only a hobby, BUT I want to improve all the time.
 
I make a living (of sorts) from photography. I used to sell to agencies such as istock and photographers direct, but when your work is in a catalog with 50,000 other photographers it becomes too unproductive. For me photography is Art before business, which is what is fun about it. I try and capture a fragment of time in a way that other people may not of seen a place or situation, these are then put up for display and sold through a gallery. Whilst they dont fly off the shelves there is a steady turnover which keeps me going.

Its interesting seeing people say they dont have the skills or the images arent good enough. What i would say is let others decide, you might be suprised what others will think of something.
 
I am stuck in a dead-end job that I dont like and have no interest in. Unfortunately it pays rather well which dissuades me from looking for another job working for some other numpty.

For the last six months I've been getting into this new hobby called 'photography' and love it. I love reading about it, doing it, thinking about it and dreaming about it ... I just wish I was good at it!!!
I love being creative and being able to look at something and thinking "I put me into that"

I see myself being sort of semi-pro soon whereby if people like what I like taking pictures of, then they be welcome to buy prints, if not then they can hire me to take pictures of what they like. Either way, if it is succsessful and I can pay the mortgage and bills with it, I wouldnt hesitate to turn pro.



It's a shame cos I work on the railway and have the access to make a fortune from rail related pictures but ... I HATE TRAINS

Gary :)
 
I started doing photography simple because I could not draw or paint. I get enjoyment out of it and I like it when other people like the images I produce.

I have done a couple of wedding for good friends (only charged them the cost of film and printing) which was an enjoyable experience, but I would not like to make a living out of it.

At the moment I seem to going through a stage of doing courses like The Advanced / Fine Art photo one at the college near me. At a push I would like to get a degree in photography (or history), but I am purely a 'hobbyist' :D
 
Great thread this one. I'm into photography because its a great way to see and capture the beautiful things in the British countryside. Oh and get a bit of peace and quite. I'm a teacher so its a great way to clear my head from the hassles the job involves.

One day I'd love to make a living out of it, but its not my motivation. I simply love learning about the art of photography.

Although, the missus sometimes thinks I'm a bit boring when I'm constantly talking about photography or looking through forums.

Mark.
 
Great Thread!

I've been taking photos since I was around 8 with SLR's, and back then developing my own pics, in my fathers Darkroom. Had a brief spell away and then got back into taking shots of people / friends etc.. (Believe it or not I can't see Landscapes, I take my hat off to you Landscape photographers)

Made the decision that I want to further my knowledge with a view to going full time within 5 years. I've set a home studio up where I do portraits / lifestyle, and also looking at Weddings / Events. From a business side, I have looked at the supply chain, and got suppliers of albums / prints / canvas / acrylic etc.. so now working on getting my name known more in the area.

I already have weddings booked for this year, and I'm also working with a local studio as a photographer / 2nd photographer when the call arises. Its all great experience.

I'm starting my journey, and looking forward to seeing where the road takes me :)
 
At the moment, photography to me is just a hobby, a chance to do something different from other people my age, meet new people, try and take good shots. My main aim for this year is to get a different perspective on motorsport.

I would like to do a few rounds of the WRC as a accredited photographer, must wait a few years first though.

Cheers,
 
For me it's for the fun of it.
 
I have only been into it for afew months now, and the reason I wanted to get into it was to capture the wonderful spots I travel to with mates. But would love to get afew quid back from selling prints/canvas. The thought that other people want my captures on there wall must be a great feeling. Will be doing my 1st print when i come back off holiday in just over a weeks time. For now it just a great release from the stressful job lol
 
Its very difficult to make a living out of photography.
You have to be a business first, photographer second.
That doesn't necessarily mesh with an occupation you enjoy.
I see a lot of good togs spoilt by the pressures of earning a crust, I know a lot that do not shoot for the pleasure any more, because it isn't...pleasurable.
All they see is lost revenue, every time they pick up a camera and not get paid to do it.
Everything to do with photography is measured in £ notes:shake:
That's kinda sad, and not something I'm interested in.
I guess they do something else in their spare time, like clobber balls about with metal sticks.

My aim is to be completely aimless, in that....I'm a runaway success...:woot:
 
I have my website (see sig), and I shoot for that. The website helps keep my skills fresh in programming (for teaching), but taking the photos is done purely for fun and because I love Motorsport.

I did at one point try and make some money out of it, but I quickly decided it was crossing the line between doing something I do to relax, and trying to push myself into something that was stressful, highly competitive and open to masses of criticism.
 
I eventually want to do something with it, I bought my DSLR in December 06 and I still get the same buzz as I did the first day i pulled it out the box. I tend to get bored with things I don't like, or that frustrate me, thankfully photography isn't one of them.

Whenever I make a mistake, instead of feeling annoyed about it I become more driven to do better next time. I've never had that urge with anything, so I think it would be silly not to persue it further.

At the minute, I just love taking photos and not having to worry about it in a serious mannor.
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
...work with a magazine (just done my first cover woo hoo!)...
Click to expand...

Getting a first cover is a bit of a milestone for me too. Sadly mine was a generic image of a man holding a fish for a carp fishing mag, but nonetheless, it was a cover and I was well proud to get it (even though it was a toss-up between my shot and one my then-boss did!!)

Lost count of the number of cover shots I've done now, but I still say out loud "excellent, got me another cover shot" so it obviosuly still means something.
 
Personally, having tasted both sides of the fence. Now I just shoot for enjoyment and I will quite literally give my images to anyone as I have no interest in charging people anymore. Working for an agency, I still get the best seats in the house.

Through hook and crook I have ended up in the industry and whilst I love it, it can be frustrating when people buy a 400D and then decide to become a pro photographer overnight - you see it on here to be fair, but I understand then people need ambition in life, nothing wrong with that. Serious photographers who literally pay the bills with work tend to hate sites such as this and flickr, but I think that all industry has to evolve and for every 10 or 20 average snappers will come the odd great one, ready take over when the photographers schooled in film and exposure retire or die.
 
Diego Garcia said:
Personally, having tasted both sides of the fence. Now I just shoot for enjoyment and I will quite literally give my images to anyone as I have no interest in charging people anymore. Working for an agency, I still get the best seats in the house.

Through hook and crook I have ended up in the industry and whilst I love it, it can be frustrating when people buy a 400D and then decide to become a pro photographer overnight - you see it on here to be fair, but I understand then people need ambition in life, nothing wrong with that. Serious photographers who literally pay the bills with work tend to hate sites such as this and flickr, but I think that all industry has to evolve and for every 10 or 20 average snappers will come the odd great one, ready take over when the photographers schooled in film and exposure retire or die.
Click to expand...

I kind of agree with this, to a certain extent. Having been a freelance web designer and now working for one of the best design agencies in the UK as a web developer I can perhaps see why one might want to look down on those who aspire to be professional, but I never will. However, if you dislike sites like TP and Flickr because of this then you're really not the type of person I'd like to associate with. Everyone deserves a chance and surely someone exploring your industry is a good thing? To fob people off because they are not 'professional' is just sheer ignorance. I see lots and lots of fantastic photographers on Flickr, professional and amateur and every one of them gets my respect. The attitude you describe in your post is all too familiar in many artistic professions and needs to be stamped out, personally.

My aim with my photography is to learn something new. Being surrounded all day by graphic designers, typographers, art workers and artists has rubbed off on me. Now I'm a programmer with a camera, and I love it. I hope to get into architectural photography some day, but just now I'm happy shooting derelict buildings.
 
Also, I'd just like to point out that the post previous wasn't directed at 'Diego Garcia'.
 
KayJay said:
Also, I'd just like to point out that the post previous wasn't directed at 'Diego Garcia'.
Click to expand...

Thank god for that! :)I have spent many an hour on here advising members how and what to shoot - mainly over private message too. As I said, when I walk into football or Rugby grounds all over the UK I met and meet snapper after snapper who close the door to 'casuals' and 'weekend warriors' as they are known, but forget that they were once these very people. Only two or three weeks ago I took a forum member to a boxing night I was booked to cover. I concur, ambition is great and people can achieve it, its just that it is harder than ever now as with the advent of the affordable slr is the advent of the average snapper, which is causing the old school to shut the door and protect their interests sadly.

You must see it in those home made websites and templates that the internet is awash with?
 
Absolutely. That's why I mentioned my profession. When I was breaking through I used to get undercut by so many people because the client wanted to go with a 'professional' it was infuriating, but I just got on with it. Every day I come across websites that people have that have a little 'site made by xxx' at the bottom and I think why would anyone pay for that. At the end of the day it's gotten to the point where I'll just consult people. on their sites. If people tell me what they think of their new website I'll tell them without holding back, but at the same time I won't necessarily slate the people that made the website unless it is unashamedly obvious that they ripped their client off.

When I tell people I'm a web developer they kind of fob me off too, but when I tell them who I work for and some of the projects I've worked on then it's a completely different story.

In saying all this though I do like the randomness you find on sites like Flickr that people capture in their photos. There is something to be said for those that don't follow rules and shoot as they see the image in that instant. The problem is you don't get that in web development although some websites look like they've been made in 30 seconds. Ha ha.
 
KayJay said:
Absolutely. That's why I mentioned my profession. When I was breaking through I used to get undercut by so many people because the client wanted to go with a 'professional' it was infuriating, but I just got on with it. Every day I come across websites that people have that have a little 'site made by xxx' at the bottom and I think why would anyone pay for that. At the end of the day it's gotten to the point where I'll just consult people. on their sites. If people tell me what they think of their new website I'll tell them without holding back, but at the same time I won't necessarily slate the people that made the website unless it is unashamedly obvious that they ripped their client off.

When I tell people I'm a web developer they kind of fob me off too, but when I tell them who I work for and some of the projects I've worked on then it's a completely different story.

In saying all this though I do like the randomness you find on sites like Flickr that people capture in their photos. There is something to be said for those that don't follow rules and shoot as they see the image in that instant. The problem is you don't get that in web development although some websites look like they've been made in 30 seconds. Ha ha.
Click to expand...

Sure.

heck, if I had a couple of bob for every person who asked me to shoot their wedding as they want it as cheap as possible I would be a bit better off. I have literally turned down three weddings this last week alone and advise people that I am not prepared to chance their big day as you cant really all go back the following week. I suspect that for you, the requests are similar in that you may be asked to 'sort me out a cheap website' etc.

Going back to my wedding offers, maybe it shows that I lack ambition. Personally I think I could nail it and get it done, but does not really interest me. Also, if I look at what I am good at then the wedding stuff cant come from my heart.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolpete/sets/72157603721390668/?page=3
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top