Photographers....

[Envy]

I've always wanted to be a photographer, but I have no idea how to go about it.

If you know anyone or anything that can help. Please post up

ps. No arguing, no patronising, just answers.



thanks all.

[remand]

It's always been an interest of mine as well. Lets see what comes from this thread. There is a lot of keen flashers here!

[Brougham]

get camera.
take photos.
congrats, you're now a photographer.

[remand]

Brougham's Avatar.. Spot on.

[Sventek]

I know a guy who's already a pro, but employed. He's making the transition to setting up his own business, and reckons he'll need to spend about $70,000-$80,000 on new equipment (cameras, glass, lighting etc.). So, you'll be up for a fair bit of expense. From memory, he did a uni course in the eastern states, and then spent a couple of years in the USA (to get some cred) before coming back here. All in all, he said it was a fairly easy and interesting process, but he's very talented.

[dugy]

Would be easier to answer if you said where you are currently at with your photography.

Same as any job: Get good enough that people are willing to pay you for what you can do.

Either through: Practice/Courses/Practice/Books/Practice.

Find the type of photography that inspires you / that you enjoy most.

When you see photo's that someone has taken that are better than yours, try and figure out what you need to do to be as good and better.

Then you'll have to approch people/business with you product and hope they like enough to employ you or buy your work.

All the while you're competing with a massive pool of other photographers, and people who'll want to do your job for free, or want your work free.

[BlackFZR]

I started doing courses at Highschool, then went and did a few in Uni as well....

As an alternative, there are tafe courses covering the basics. There are also courses run through one of the Camera stores in Perth.... (can't think of the name....) or generally ask questions.....

Nowday's most of it comes down to the composition...... if you can get a good composition, modern cameras will make sure the picture is in focus, correctly coloured etc.....

Do a search on the net for the basics of photography, and then go out and try it.....

If you like it, spend a bit more, and then try things with the new camera......

[dugy]

Speaking of which.

I think a take an alright photo at the racetrack.

But landsapes.....I've just come back from a weekend down south.
Not happy the results so far of my wide angle landscape photo's.
I have a LOT to learn there, so I'll be hittin' the books looking at other people photo's to figure out what I need to do better next time.

[Captain Starfish]

What do you mean by "a photographer"??

Someone who can take decent photos? Someone who takes photos, exhibits, occasionally makes a buck to pour back into new toys? Or someone who earns a living with photography?

It's a lot harder to do the last now with the advent of cheap DSLRs and good printers which are cheap. You need skills and artistic ability in taking photos, sure, but to earn a living you also need a market willing to pay. So you need to have some business acumen about you: find a niche where people are willing to pay, do the networking, work up a name for yourself. Hint: in Perth, you're screwed - condemned to fighting like a seagull with every other wedding photographer around for your bread and butter, hanging out for the two or three shoots where you get paid decent money to shoot fashion, products etc, struggling to get your freelance stuff a buyer, watching $0.11 per week dribble in for your submitted stock photos, etc etc etc.

^^ Don't let that put you off, though. Even if you can get your photography to a point where it's financially self sustaining or at least affordable for you, if it's something you love then it's something you have to do!

[Barfridge]

It's strange. I've pretty much never heard of anybody on PSB asking how to become a professional rider. What's thedifference between riding and photography? Both are hobbies to me.

[Captain Starfish]

@ barfridge That's a question with some truly weird answers. When does someone with a camera become a photographer?

For some, it's not until you have at least a degree in art majoring in photomedia or photojournalism, a portfolio of over 1000 images, membership in the AIPP and ACMP and for whom photography is the sole source of income.

I don't understand that approach. For me, as soon as someone squeezes the trigger, they are a photographer. They may be a really shit photographer, but when you see some stuff coming out of AIPP/ACMP members you have to wonder at the difference sometimes.

[Professor Redfern]

Become a porno photographer, As CS said its too hard in the Wedding game. ( its hard in the porn game as well)

And as far as Im aware there isnt a big talent pool.

It has to be worth a shot.

[dugy]

I got the impression Envy was asking relative to earning a living....?

[vbroom]

get camera.
take photos.
congrats, you're now a photographer.

i think this is the best starting point.

whether you are looking to be an happy snapper, amateur, or pro photographer, best thing to do is actually buy a bit of kit and try it.

read some stuff on the internet, maybe take a course somewhere and just take lots of photos. LOTS of photos.

there are a heap of knowledgable people on here that will chime up as well if you have queries/ questions.

alternatively, there are a heap of photo forums as well you can join for free which provide an endless supply of knowledge.

[Maxo]

ps. No arguing, no patronising, just answers.

Damnit.

I was going to....

NOW I CANT BECAUSE ITS.......