photography as a job?

Question

Hi guys i original wanted to get in to computing as a carear but i found that too stressfull and ever since my uncle brought me a camera about 4 years ago i have got in to photography and its what i enjoy the most.

My question is do you think my work is good enough to make a carear out of photography?

My work can be viewed at

Current work
http://www.tech-junkie-forum.com/gallery/index.html
Old work
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8656572@N04/

I find that i get lost in photography and it brings me happiness and enjoyment.

Answer 1

If you think the computer profession is stressful you might want to re-think photography. It is sure not a walk in the park. You need patience and strong nerves, never mind negotiation skills and a thick skin.

Answer 2

Unless you are wealthy photography may not be a good choice for you. I say this because after reviewing your images it looks as if you prefer to shoot images which would fall into "stock" image sales. Selling stock images can be a long process. The competition is tough as there are many photographers with a great deal of talent not only in creating images but also in marketing them.

Just because you enjoy doing something doesn't mean you will be able to make a good living doing it. There must be a high demand for the service you provide and you must be in the top half of the industry to do well. I suggest researching online by searching for "stock photography" or "stock images" and see what the competition will be like.

I suggest you consider a stronger career choice and keep photography as a side line. After you study and improve your skill market your work online or if you're able to through an agency.

In reality something you really enjoy may be more valuable to you in life if you don't also depend on it to put food on the table. When You work in photography everyday and you don't get to choose your subject matter you may not continue to love it. You may find yourself taking a low paying job down at the local "mart" store shooting pictures of screaming babies all day.

Personally, I'd rather do something that pays well and keep photography for fun.

Regardless of what you decide I would listen to advice you've already heard here and study composition more. But there is potential so if you love it don't give up.

Answer 3

i took a look at your gallery and what has previously been said is true (with the exception of a few peoples comments).
what this means is you need to start thinking every time you snap the shutter, what do I see. what about this drew me in, and how can I see it DIFFERENTLY than anyone else.

the first thing I would say about all of your photos is that because they are all at the same Vantage point IE you standing up like normal and just turning your head in the direction of what your shooting things start to get really bland. I would suggest this. in Drawing to help get better control of what your hand is doing an excursive that is done is called a blind contour. this is done by drawing an object without ever looking a the hand that is holding the drawing tool, some of the things that come out of this are strange to say the least but it really helps develop hand eye coordination. try with your camera shooting from the hip, this at first might be a little awkward but it will force you to think about were the lens is pointing and how different perspective effect a the resulting image. ( not to mention it is really freeing)

also post processing is an area that you need to focus on now, it will make the difference between a good photo and a great photo. but whatever you do, don't follow the example of draagon and destroy your images integrity with so much unsharpen mask that it make the viewer want to gag, that will bring your photos down to the level of the images on EyeFetch.com

and one more thing. start what I call a morgue file, this is a place were digitally and in reality you can store other peoples images that really strike you and then when you have free time take out the morgue and try figure out what their technique was and how you can incorporate that into the work you do.

all in all you have a great start, just don't get discouraged when some people don't "like" your work, it just means that you need to take a look and see what you can improve, because you can always improve.

Answer 4

I looked at your old work (at flickr.com) and this is what I thought.

Number DSC00419 and 400--the horizontal is not straight. I actually got a little dizzy looking at them.

Something about the composition of the rest of the photos. Most subject(s) (main subject that you selected), are dead center.

The one called "Goose?" feels a bit imbalance.

Out of the "old" series, I do like this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8656572@N04/537672358/

The rest I felt they were snapshots. For example, "bella" and "moly" are not worthy to be in a portfolio. They are sharp, in focus, but honestly I don't think they made me want to say, 'I want that in a frame on my wall at home!'

Let's look at your "new" work.

The rowers--I know they're going to the left. But I think this is one photo that you might want to have them in the middle. The space to the left of the boat looks wasted.

I do like the sky (left photo, third line down), with the sunlight coming down.

The animal photos. They look like snapshots.

The dog photo. It does not belong there at all.

The black car. This is how I would like to explain it to you. Would you want to use this photo in an ad to sell this car? How about if it's shot from the an angle?

The motorcycle photo--I think the camera misfocused. The background seemed to be in focus. This does not belong in your showcase.

I hope I am not being too harsh. Keep taking photos!!! Remember that "film" is cheap.

And basically it comes down to this--you just can't please everyone. I have people who dislike my photos, hating them would be a better word--and some like it (yes, the same photo).. okay.. I thought.

If I may, I would like to show you a really good website by Kodak (I so do enjoy looking at it from time to time).

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=317/10032&pq-locale=en_US

Yes, photography brings me happiness, too.

Answer 5

With a little polish you could get into the stock business.

It's not a career but people do make money at it.

Go get Photographer's Market 2008 (Amazon) for other freelance opportunities.

If you want a weekly paycheque, investigate photojournalism or commercial photography (shooting catalogues and such).

It may not be "art" but there's that paycheque...

Answer 6

photography jobs photography courses

Answer 7

I think you have a very good start here. Try to find someone to mentor you or a local camera club with competitions to join. This will help you with your composition as well as learning technical information,.

I have been a professional photographer for over 30 years ad I never wake up saying, "Darn, I have to go to work!"...I love it.

I do have to agree, it can have it's stressful moments, but in general, it's a great life!

Answer 8

I looked at all of them and while I admire 'pooky' for taking the time to analyse each one individually, I simply HAD to scan through them fast, as NONE of them excited me in the slightest.
To my eye, they were all lacking in the necessary WOW-factor. There were NONE that I wished were mine. The compositional values were practically non-existent and the subject choices were ... ordinary to the point of yawn-provoking.
The hard facts are that you have a LOT of development work to do to even consider becoming a professional. My guess is that you are ... 15 yrs old, so, if that is the case, you have time to work on it. DO look at the work of others who have been at it a while, maybe even the famous names, and compare your efforts with theirs.
Here - look at this and tell me that any of yours meet the standard:
http://www.eyefetch.com/image.aspx?ID=588861

In the field of portraiture, I am a beginner in my retirement after working as a pro photog for the Tourism Dept in the UAE. It is a very different field for me but I am trying to think outside the box.

Think outside the box and learn the basic elements of photographic composition. Both are VERY important.

Answer 9

Join as a Photojournalist in Newspaper, Photography Magazine, these were the best jobs, you could consider about it.

Answer 10

photography as a job sucks :)
I've been photographing events, I got drunk couple times its not fun. There is no more creative side when you use it for money. if you want to kill your artistic style then go ahead. But creating something original is more valued then **** that sells.

some friendly advice
sandro,

http://www.sandrophoto.com/