How are Professional Photographers Different than Every Day Shooters?

The digital revolution has opened the field of photography to many people. Almost everyone has a camera and can capture wonderful emotive images with their cell phone.  It is up to the professionals to  to show how their work is different and why anyone would want to pay a premium to hang your art in their home.  Ideas?

Should you Pay for Photography? (2)

7 Obnoxious Things People Believe About Photographers

By Light Stalking on 10 Oct 2011 in Random

Working in the photography industry is a fantastic gig – there’s no denying it. Something about being around creative people and being able to be creative yourself is just unmatchable. But sometimes, it’s obviously difficult for others to realise that a photographer is a professional too and deserves professional respect. Here are a few common situations when that can be a little irritating for a photographer.

Friends Will Work for Free – The ridiculousness of asking your accountant friend to do your tax for you for free is readily apparent to most people. So is getting your dentist friend to do a bit of free root canal work. For some reason, that doesn’t extend to photographers. This one seems to be unique to photographers too.

Better Equipment Means Better Photographs – When a painter comes up with a fantastic painting, do you say, “Wow, you must have a great brush and paints!” This is a pet irritation of a lot of photographers. If you really think that it takes an expensive rig to take a great photograph, then you need to check out what can be done with the humble iPhone.

My Brother Can Shoot the Wedding – Well, your brother probably can take photographs at the wedding. Just like he can do your tax. Or fix your car. Of course if you want your car to keep going, or avoid getting slammed by the IRS, then you might like to get a professional to look at your tax return and car. Just like you might like to check out some professionals if you want good wedding photographs.

They Have No Right to Shoot X – The truth is that if a photographer is in a public space in most western countries then they can shoot just about anything. That includes you, security guards, police, children, your house – anything. If they are on private property, then it’s different, but in public there is usually no legal expectation of privacy. (Check the laws in your own country for specifics). That’s not to say they shouldn’t be polite, but rights are a whole different issue to manners.

If It’s a Striking Photograph, It Must be Photoshopped – A talented photographer knows that getting an image right “in camera” is the best way to end up with a great result. Many are actually very good at it and get stunning images before they get anywhere near a computer. That is what makes them good at their craft. That is why they study. That is why they practice.

They’ll Be Grateful for the Work and Work Cheap – This one again goes back to professional respect. You don’t ask your dentist for a discount. You don’t ask your child’s teacher to throw in Maths and Science, but don’t charge you for geography. You don’t ask your waiter to throw in dessert for free. So don’t do this to a photographer. If you cannot pay for the service, then don’t ask for it.

I Know a Guy Who Can Do It Much Cheaper – Yes, yes, everybody knows a friend of a friend who can do the photography job for a third of the cost. The kicker is that a photography business is an expensive one to run and you get what you pay for. If you’re happy enough to risk your cheap shooter, then go for it. Just don’t use it as a cheap bargaining ploy when you’re talking to a professional.

Should You Pay for Photography?

What People Say to Photographers

Yowza

I'm fascinated by the photography of Jamie Beck, not because she shoots high end fashion but because she captures ordinary things and makes me look twice.   I tried to make a Cinemagraph today - made two in fact- the second one is much better than the first - practice will indeed make perfect, or in my case almost perfect.

I titled this one "The Bunny Hop".

This one is much more natural looking - "Bunny Ears".

Inspiration

Eldorado Park Nature Center in Long Beach is a magical place in the spring. Hidden paths, waterfalls and flowers in bloom.  Surely these yellow and white flowers are the inspiration for the tutus every young ballerina dreams of wearing.

Travel Montage

Yesterday I spent long day in the digital lab working on a montage from 10:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon - plenty of time to get everything done. The assignment was already late and I wanted to turn it in to at least get some feed back - if not a great grade. AFTER I printed the file at 12x18 I saw the error. I'm sure you saw it too dear reader - bottom right hand corner. A completely empty space where I should have included another image - I had plenty to choose from - but just did not see that space. Another reason why you need someone else to look at your work BEFORE you print.

Super Moon

Although the calendar says May 6th, I'm going to still count it as May 5th since I am still awake and and the morning sun is not yet up and peeking through my shutters. As I said, dear reader - I'm making an effort to blog more frequently - everyday, if I can possible make it happen. Tonight all the "hoopla" was about the Super Moon. I tried to find somewhere high and dark to see if I could capture a good image.

It does not look very large in the photo, because there is nothing to compare it with, but I guarantee you is was a terrific sight.

More Blogging

This is not news to you dear reader. It is something I have said before - I must blog more frequently. Somehow I always get distracted - either by seeking new photography sessions or learning to edit my images so they are striking and beautiful. So again I come to the blogging board having left it alone much too long. This image is from the first assignment in the Digital Imaging Class. Restoration and coloring.

I would love comments...

Constructing a New Species

Yesterday was the opening of the Student Art Show on Campus. I knew one of my pieces was being considered, but you could have "knocked me over with a feather" (yes I know that term dates me considerably) when I saw it hanging in the exhibit.

A composite of five different files. All images I captured when I was in Africa. Water Buffalo, Zebra, Island with birds, the bridge and a sunset sky. In the version I turned in I included ears from an antelope and giraffe horns. It was tedious work but well worth my time. I learned a lot.

Summer Plans

I've been trying to finalize my summer travel plans, but every time I think the final staple is going in the envelope, something else is added to the mix.  It looks like I may not get back to Venice this year.  How sad -it is a magical city...

The last time I was there, I stayed at Hotel Alla Salute Da Cici.  It is by no means a luxury hotel, but it is located in a lovely neighborhood where I could look out of my window across the city, eat a delicious dinner at the restaurant next door, walk across the little bridge at the end of the street for wonderful shopping and stroll along the canal that bordered our sidewalk. The hotel was a block or so from the Grande Canal and every morning I found my way to a vaporetto and was off to capture images of  "The Queen of the Adriatic".

Breakfast was served in the tiny little patio on the first floor - yes, there were plastic chairs - but who cared.  This year, the travel agent i've been working with said - "The bathrooms are shared."  I don't remember sharing a bath - but perhaps I did. Obviously it was not that important to me.

The only amenity I really  missed was screens on the windows.   I was so tired when I arrived and since it was the middle of the summer and pretty hot,  I flung open the windows, pulled off every stitch of clothing and took a nap.  Needless to say, the mosquitos found  plenty to eat while I slept.  

Home

Owning your own home is still the American dream.  when you are lucky and find a house that fits - you  begin to make it your own by adding little details.

"I would rather be on my own farm than emperor of the world."  George Washington