Want to go Pro?

[Fujito]

This was a good read. It's 4 years old, but it lays down the reality of photography as a career.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/go-pro.htm

[Legacyofdan]

i have not read it all...but def an interesting read thus far.

[Chris_PA]

Ken Rockwell is still alive?

[jspek]

**** ken rockewell. He's gone off his rocker as of late so I don't listen to him anymore lol.

1. Get a degree in business
2. Be a good photographer.

Be a better business person that a photgrapher and you'll be sucessful for the most part.

[Fujito]

A business degree doesn't really ensure anything, although it's a good start.

A lot of business is common sense. And owning your own business or being your own employer means working 70+ hours a week usually. I know very few small business owners who can actually relax, and I know a lot of business owners in general since many frequent my sushi bar.

Overall it's a pretty good summary of the life for a photographer. The thought of doing it for a living has crossed my mine a few times, but I have other aspirations and photography is just a hobby for me.

I've had photography teachers, met some food photographers from the local magazines whenever they do a feature on our restaurant, and my friend's family has a photographer that basically follows their family around the world.

It's pretty much the same story except for the last guy I mentioned--you end up shooting things you don't want to for not much money and you're pretty much broke. You then have to get another job to supplement your photography career, such as teaching or working at the camera stores. And the advancements in technology are making photography much more accessible to just about anyone. I've met so many young people who've gotten a low entry dSLR (Rebel or its Nikon counterpart), taken some pictures, and decided to become a photographer. And I'm not really referecing anyone from TST, so don't get all butt hurt if you think I'm talking about you. Digital is so easy. I did film photography for 3 years, and it's obvious why that turned people away from photography.

But this relatively new influx of amateur photographers is also undercutting the professional industry. Companies and private parties can get very good pictures for much less money, or even free now from friends or someone with a dSLR. You either have to be ridiculously talented or be very charismatic and creative to market yourself today. I'm not saying it's impossible to make a living as a photographer, but to be successful? Realistically, not by my standards.

[jspek]

Just check out chase jarvis or zack arias.

[SoStock92]

Every time I read something by Ken Rockwell my IQ drops, fast.

[sisforsurfing]

**** ken rockewell. He's gone off his rocker as of late so I don't listen to him anymore lol.


haha he's never been on his rocker. But he knows how to work the web and come off as an authority.

This is the same thing you hear for any career that involves turning a passion into a living -- writing, design, music, etc. If you want to have a mind-numbing 9-5 where you leave your work at the office go get a finance degree or something.

[Khellen]

Definitely an interesting article. Thanks for posting it up!

[sean3]

haha he's never been on his rocker. But he knows how to work the web and come off as an authority.

This is the same thing you hear for any career that involves turning a passion into a living -- writing, design, music, etc. If you want to have a mind-numbing 9-5 where you leave your work at the office go get a finance degree or something.

At least if you're REALLY good at writing or music and you manage to hit it big, you'll be raking in the money. I may be wrong but I'm not aware of anyone that's made millions solely from taking pictures.

[sisforsurfing]

Yes, people have and do. At that stage, just like with other art forms, it's more about being a celebrity.
But I don't know many young artists who do what they do because they want to get rich.

[Fujito]

Yes, people have and do. At that stage, just like with other art forms, it's more about being a celebrity.
But I don't know many young artists who do what they do because they want to get rich.

And here is the divide between fine art photography and commercial photography. I would classify nearly everyone on this site who is interested in photography or makes a living off of it as the latter--commercial photographers. Between the generally crisp, vivid, contrasted edits and subject matter, everyone here is commercial.

Still, to be a good commercial photographer you have to be artistic, but like I said in my above post, people are buying dSLR's and are deciding to be professional photographers. And Facebook just adds to this with all the "enter your name here Photography" pages. The article is just a slight wake up call to what is in store. I posted this on Facebook when I posted it here and I hope some of those people read this on there since they aren't on TST. With that said (that they aren't on here), I can freely say that their work is very amateur and "P&S'ish". I can even tell that some leave the camera on PICTURE (fully auto) mode, and rely on AUTO focus since some PAID WORK is oof, or at least the subject that should be in focus is not while some blade of grass is.

[Stanic]

I didnt mind Ken Rockwell until he said there was no difference between JPEG and RAW