I go for months without doing a question-and-answer film, and now I’ve got two back-to-back. And I still have questions I did not get to. Stay tuned, stay patient. Not sure when I’ll be back with another. I’m trying to help. Trying to answer questions, but I am beginning to see a pattern. The short of it is that you MUST go forth, into the field, if you want to be a photographer. Even if you just want to improve your work, the ONLY way forward is concentrated practice.
I feel that some of you are moving the goalposts so that you can have a reason NOT to venture forth.
That will not work. You don’t need to know which 50mm 1.4 is the sharpest if you have no plans on using a 50mm. In the words of the old timers, please show me the take. That’s it. That’s all that matters. And the only way you will have a take is if you take control of your life and get out into the world. You will not become a photographer by reading a book, watching YouTube, or loitering on social media. You have to work.
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Your last point is absolute. Often one would arrive at a location with literally 30-60 seconds to decide where you’re going to shoot and how you’re going to light it, if at all. Do they have power points? Can I use them, do I have time to set up a light or two? Handheld or tripod, time? maybe not, just handheld, will the shutter speed be sufficient? He/she is gassing to the journalist, small talk, should I interrupt as MY time is running out. I cannot imagine how those aforementioned ‘new photographers’ would cope, and they are shooting forking digital !! I was on 500cm with Ektachrome 100 FFS. That’s not Ektachrome 100 FFS, it’s not a much derided stock used by angry snappers, just Ektachrome.
It really doesn’t surprise me that the editors are tearing their hairs out with what they have for shooters today. I wonder if it’s more to do with apathy caused by the youth’s lack of hope, or a social media malaise…..that’s another story.
Author
I think social media has wrecked a significant portion of the population. In fact, I know it has, but I’m not sure that is the main reason here. This speaks to SO many different things. It’s a mess.
Hi Dan,
well…well…well…
I had to stop the video half way through to write these lines as I was…flabergasted/gobsmacked/lost for words. It’s on the subject of photographers’ tardiness, laziness and unreliability.
How can people get away with such behaviour? How can they even be in the business with such traits? How can they think this is even acceptable? They are giving the rest of us a bad name!
I was schooled that photographers, especially in the documentary world and in particular journos are not only early, but have scouted the location or place of the shoot well in advance. We’ve checked the weather, surroundings, cultural and environmental issues and above all…have done our research! Even if it is to shoot in a studio.
Shoots will NEVER go as planned. We are problem solvers by design. There are always changes! We adapt and overcome. We test and adjust. Flexibility is our trademark.
Our first estimate will hardly ever survive contact and when we receive incoming fire we take cover, switch fire…stay low and move fast.
And then we deliver…turn to the right and crack on.
If we don’t come up with the goods, we might as well not bother coming back. That would then be one of those things too embarrassing to remember or mention.
However, that should apply to any job, not just photography. Reliability, honesty, punctuality and above all..integrity is all we have when we deliver services for money.
I’ve maintained this ethic my entire career. Those that lacked have dwindled into failure.
The proof is in the pudding.
Author
I’m not sure. That’s the short answer. I have, however, seen something happening that might explain some things. The average age of the person doing the assigning has dropped. Much of the time, they are under huge pressure based on budget. Do NOT go a penny over. Most real photographers come with baggage about this kind of thing, so many of these folks hire their friends who may or may not be ready for this kind of work. But the person doing the hiring might not be either, but because they are friends they cover for each other. Being late for a friend is different from being late for a stranger or client. Integrity is now a shifting playing field. I did something recently that didn’t work. I knew going in it wasn’t going to work, but it still bugs me. Months later.
Hey Dan, Thanks for answering my question! That slap was (deservedly) felt through the monitor.
Author
It was a light slap, some would even call it a caress.
You know, Dan , unless one is twelve years old, if one has to ask How do you become X, or What is a story, or Where do you get your ideas, one has already eliminated oneself from the field.
And while it is imperative to be as professional as possible, if one is tired of the corporate f/gate keepers – there is always the DIY punk aesthetic ….God knows there are more tools for that now than there were in 1977!
Love the rants, love the stories…. cheers!
Author
That is a really good point. And the DIY you mention is now the best way to go. It has been for over a decade, but most don’t want to work that hard.
Funny you should make mention of “Napalm Girl”, have you watched The Stringer yet? Fascinating look at how that photo was created and by whom (or not), the work of a French NGO called Index really leave no doubt as to who did NOT make the image. Recommended.
Author
Not yet, but I’ve been friends with Nick since I moved to LA in 1997. The issue, without having seen the film, is there is no proof. There is no smoking gun, so to speak. And I read that Nick isn’t in the film, nor are any of those who were with him that day. That is just plain bizarre. I’ve also read the filmmakers were radio silent when questioned about the film.
I have no interest in becoming a professional photographer (my mom was one) as I feel that would take the joy out of my hobby. I do want to get better though and your advice to get out and practice – I get better in fits and spurts when I have days or weeks to dedicate to practice, but having a full time job interferes with that. I’ve done workshops with some top folks but there is never really enough individual instruction and feedback – I don’t need to go to exotic locations which drain my wallet (I do that anyway with my wife) – I could learn from the right person anywhere, but the pros that do instruction in my neck of the woods do work that doesn’t resonate with me. I think I need to go to some kind of photo school nights to learn about the arts and crafts bit, but I don’t know of any such school online or near me. The sadness.
Author
I think that’s a smart play. It does wreck the overall feel for a lot of folks, which is why I left in 2010. I’m much happier with photography now. Individual instruction can be key for a workshop, but a workshop is also a chance for you to experiment, tinker, try new things. Trying to walk out of a workshop with a complete story derails a lot of folks. The best workshop I ever took didn’t involve me shooting that much, or showing my work to the instructor. It was about what he and I spoke about that changed my life. But you also mention something else. Practice. It takes HUGE amounts of time to get good. If you have a job, as I do, then it means it takes even more time. But that’s okay. That’s life.
Being a professional photographer as opposed to an amateur has nothing to do with photography. The words professional and amateur are misleading in the context of photography. I have been a ‘professional” photographer for 45 years, which simply means it’s been my main source of income for that time and my profession. Using the word amatuer suggests someone with an inferior skill, a beginner if you like. Nothing could be further from the truth. To give the title of professional some kudos, it means that I should be consistent in my work. I had to delivery every time. As an amatuer, getting it wrong or not right a few times was OK, it didn’t matter. There are many non working photographers who are much better than so called professionals. If you are a photographer and you don’t earn your living from it, doesn’t mean you are amateurish. Learning the technical side of photography and learning what to shoot, is quite a different discipline. In my opinion, you should identify what resonates with you and seek photographers who have published work in that genre. Studying photographs in books, pondering over the image and finding what binds the images into a coherent group. There will be, and frankly there already is, a large group ‘professional’ photographers looking for alternative ways to make an income from their knowledge. without mentioning any names, I saw only last week a very well known Magnum photographer ‘selling’ communication packages. You write to him and he’ll write back with a small print…at a cost. Two of the biggest labs here in London are closing down at the end of this year. Professional photography is on its last legs. Major ad agencies don’t commision anymore, just ‘build pictures’ using AI. What I’m barking at here is that if you’re wanting to learn photography, divide technique from creative. Probably one of the most useful ways to learn is by making a book. They say; to be a good filmmaker you need to have been an editor first. This, i think, is also true of photography. You might think this is running before you can walk, but it gives you platform to work from, visually appreciating what works and what doesn’t. Take the advice from the Big Dog ( Uncle Danno:) and get into some sort of book making, it’s money better spent than listening to a jaded ‘professional.’
Author
That’s why I prefer “prosumer,” to “amateur.” And the same applies to books. I see “amateur” bookmakers making things that blow away some of the traditionally published books I see. And most of the time, these folks don’t even know how good they are. And yes, the industry is on fumes. And I mostly blame the photographers who clung to things like social media and traditional models long after knowing the destruction being caused. The smart folks, the ones who will survive, built their own network years ago.