A Professional Photographer?

Question

Hi,

I'm a engineering student currently studying for a diploma. But I hope to become a professional photographer.

How show I start my 1st step?

Answer 1

Since you are already pursuing a career presently, I would suggest that you start experimenting with and learning about photography as a hobby—something you will have fun with and continue learning about as you work toward your degree.

I have taken photography classes online from some of the best photographers in the world at BetterPhoto.com

There are all types of classes, you are able to work at your own speed, and it is all done over the Internet.

Even if you are not ready to take classes, you can become a member for free, receive the "photo of the day" in an email each morning, participate in photography blogs and forums where you will learn a lot. Additionally you can have a gallery free of charge to host up to 30 photos, so that you may enter the monthly contests, get critiques, camera reviews, etc. They even have a beginning class to get you started which is a free class with Jim Moitke, the head of the site and a well-known photographer and author of several books.

Personally, I love Jim Zuckerman's classes, and highly recommend his Fundamentals of Photography for starters.

The BetterPhoto community I find to be very professional and refreshing. It is a group of people who help each other learn and move forward to our goals. Now is such a wonderful time in photography because it has truly become a fine art.

Check it out:
http://betterphoto.com

Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

The first step is the right equipment. You need to decide if you are doing photography for you are for other people. Some people have a love for photography and they take what they want to. If you have this attitude you make not be successful as a photographer. I used to do wedding photography, and learned to hate it. Back to the equipment. Its all about digital in this day and age. A good digital camera will run you close to $1,000 or more I am currently using Canon EOS XTi its a good camera with a nice assortment of lenses. I would suggest the standard lens, a nice telephoto and a wide angle. All the extras can come later. A sky blue filter is nice to have on your lenses, in case the lens falls the filter takes the damage instead of cracking your lens. But, your first start in photography is to look at the world as one big photograph. That is see photography in everything around you. The most famous photographers with the best pictures were in the right place at the right time but, they had the eye to see the situation. The majority of the world snaps photos, jump out of the car snap 20 pictures of the Grand Canyon all from the same vantage point and call themselves photographers. A true artisan plans each shot, checks light source, looks at different angles and tries to make each photograph an expression of themselves. Hope this helps, the main thing is have fun. John

Answer 3

Start taking photography courses as soon as possible. If its a good course you'll use an all manual 35mm film camera and learn to process and print black and white. While this may seem like a step backwards in this digital, instant gratification age, the discipline you learn using film will help you later on.

By using a manual film camera you'll really learn about exposure, shutter speeds, ISO, f-stops, light, composition. You'll learn to slow down and actually think about the scene before releasing the shutter.

Good luck and welcome to the fascinating, frustrating world of photography.

Answer 4

Well, I guess it depends on how much experience you have. A good place to start would be a portfolio - then if you decide to go for schooling you can show some experience and if not then you have something to show people when you start trying to get work. Networking is the best. Start with people you know and then work out with references.