Career Guide For The Student Photographer

Career Guide for the Student Photographer There are millions of digital cameras in the world today. Digital cameras give you the advantage of instant feedback and quick learning, a good thing. But all too often these amateur GWC's - Guy with Camera (women are too smart to stoop to faking it) promote themselves as Photographers. GWC's shoot randomly until they accidentally stumble on something reasonably acceptable and usually with little idea of what a good shot even looks like, much less how to create it.

The poor quality of images they take only frustrate clients, inadvertently driving down the pay of many experienced photographers and making it ever more challenging for people to take seriously the profession as a whole. This is a challenge you can only overcome by expanding your own knowledge and experience.

Three in One - Observer, Observed and Process of Observation. Herein lies the secret that will set you on the path to understanding the difference between amateur, professional and master photographer. Unlike the lonely GWC, the Professional photographers have spent the time (and money) to study, practice and absorb their craft. They have generally gained the ability to center their awareness in the midst of challenging situations, to be both removed from the subject and at the same time understand and feel the subject and the light around it (observer and observed). At the same time, they are very comfortable with their equipment and technique (process of observation) so that it's hardly an effort at all.

The master photographer has so perfected their craft that they seem to hover in the space between observer and observed. They simply envision in their minds eye the character, quality and direction to be revealed and it seems to magically manifest in camera. Thoughts of equipment or techniques are so fully ingrained in their awareness that these tools are effortlessly and spontaneously incorporated into their vision. Most of the really good photographers I knew coming up in this profession have already become famous by specializing in one area of photography or another. I on the other hand seem to have inadvertently taken a more circuitous route, doing almost every type of photography.

Though I have had a wonderful career discovering, learning and being published in countless magazines and newspapers around the world, I offer the following piece of advise to students of photography. Specialize. Today's digitally captured and wirelessly linked world is intensely competitive and requires equal parts, artist, technician, independent business professional and promoter. The widespread use of digital photography has flooded the market with would-be photographers all competing for the same jobs. Of all types of professional photographers more than half are still self-employed, independent business people.

Passion, Knowledge, Dedication... These are essential qualities of the successful professional photographer. Narrow down your photo interests professionally. Discover your own area of photography, one that fits your unique personal talents, inclinations and style. This is best done by setting aside a fixed amount of time to research and explore the many different areas. Once you have narrowed it down, study the images of master photographers doing this type work. Read, attend classes, whatever works for you. But do not waste your precious time studying lesser quality work. Highest first, learn from the best!

Once you are knowledgeable of the equipment, techniques and styles of work, then its time for a mentor. No amount of study from books or classroom can compare with even a short time observing and working with a master photographer. Internships, second assistant jobs, whatever you can get to be on the inside of their creative process.

If its just not possible to get one of the coveted assistant positions on the inside, then set yourself self-assignments which copy the best features of their work (digital to the rescue). Learn the rules of composition, which rules can be bent, broken or left intact. Absorb yourself fully in your chosen area until you can comfortably emulate most of the techniques and styles of your master photographers.

In either case, armed with the basic knowledge of the craft gleaned from the master, you then let go of trying to copy and begin exploring your own inner creative direction, blending what you have learned with your own personal style.

Most types of photography require problem solving skills, determining the best way to quickly capture an image, combining multiple skills and technologies, aligning your or the clients artistic vision…all before the moment and the light is lost, and within budget. Being able to anticipate the yet unformed image in your awareness, position yourself and your equipment in just the right place at just the right moment to bring it all together. The feeling you get seeing the finished successful work, priceless, only you'll be getting paid! Most professional photographers understand that mastering photography is a lifelong continuous learning process. However, if one is passionate about the craft, it will rarely seem like work.