In this economy, it seems, for a career in photography, you have to be famous to earn just enough money to make a living off of, a lot of these amateurs would rather be famous than have to work two jobs to earn enough, but that is most people though, maybe not to be famous, but to not have to work two jobs though.

Can’t blame anyone for wanting fame and adulation. Most people do to some varying degree or another. That’s why there are lots of homeless hopefuls in Hollywood and Nashville and Atlanta. They made a bid to be recognized and came up short in some way.

There are two groups of hopefuls in almost everything. Those willing to work and those that aren’t. Not everyone in either group succeeds or fails, but working for what you want has a much higher rate of return.

What I can and do blame the first group of "hopefuls" for is using the technology of digital photography as a crutch to be mediocre. They’ll "fix that in Photoshop" or take 300 images to get one good one. Members of that group want it all and they want it now…only they aren’t willing to take the path to get there. They peddle their mediocrity and because a lot of people (more now than ever) are shopping price with quality a far lesser concern they make a few bucks and think they know what they are doing. They are content with that. Eventually they will fade out because you there is too much time involved in "fixing things in photoshop" and spraying and praying, but they are like gremlins (the movie). Once they get hosed ten more pop out.

The second group (which is where I am) have decided they want to do this right. We don’t want to spend three hours and take 300 exposures and hope a client is happy with a few of them. We want to walk in, set up, take a few frames and be done (and done means the client is happy and you made one hell of an impression with your work). We want that and we are not afraid to bury our face in reading, network with peers, take classes, research…whatever it takes to learn how to do this art properly. We love the art…not the admiration that comes with someone "ooooing and ahhhhing" over a photo. Sure that feels good but even when we get told we suck (and boy have I ever been told) it makes us try harder. Tell someone from the first group they suck and they will continue til they find the next schmuck that thinks a blurred background or selective coloring is astounding and regards them as a pro because of it.

For those not afraid to work, I wish them all the best. With what little I know I have been more than happy to help people who I feel have a genuine love for the art of photography. Everyone of use that love this art is standing on the shoulders of those that came before us. I’m not big enough for shoulder standing, but I’ll let someone piggy back if it will help them grow and learn.

The first group hopes for admiration that comes with being an artist…the second group hopes to learn and grow and become an artist. If admiration falls on us along the way then so be it.

I own business in my country ( in car field). However, I am photographer so i plan to start photography business ( Digital and video photography). I have been in Los Angeles for 2 months to study filmmaker but it takes long time. I can’t leave my business for long time.
also i found so many photography workshops but i don’t know what should i start
please advise me

Pick one or the other: understand that both are very hard to succeed in. You won’t have time for both.

Photography and motion pictures share a few expendables, and the resemblance ends there. Don’t think a film is just "24 still frames per second"- there is ever so much more involved – and actually getting one made is about as difficult as going to the moon.

I love photography.
I own a Nikon D40x digital camera.
I want to transform an empty room into a photo studio.
I’m not sure which equipment pieces are necessary -I’m a total newbie at this.
I know I need a couple of umbrellas, lights,and a backdrop but I know there’s more to it.
but I’m not sure which ones are necessary for beginners…
Also, I’m looking towards finding reasonably priced items.

help please!

I"m glad Andre mentioned strobist. Their site is here:

http://www.strobist.com

It gives some examples of equipment you can purchase to get you started.

Lighting is something you can grow into, especially when on a budget. Lots of photographers get good results with one light, for example. To me, it is better to buy one light that is a little better than two that are underpowered.

Light stand
Umbrella (shoot through or relector) or softbox
Strobe
Some way to trigger (either a sync cord, which means you will need to buy a hotshoe adapter for your D40X, or a wireless trigger/receiver)

If you use a strobe designed with a hot shoe, you may need to purchase an adapter to connect it to the light stand.

Besides browsing online camera stores (which can be intimidating because they read profession (read: Expensive) gear, try looking through eBay. With eBay, it is easy to go TOO cheap. But you can at least look at the offerings as see what the equipment looks like.

I’ve been asked to think about this and think of possible career options. I really have no idea. I enjoy/am interested in photography, technology and designing so I thought maybe something to do with that?

Graphic designer.

I’m starting a photography business. An old friend wants some photos of her band and for me to design the album cover. I thought about giving her the digital files so she can have them for whatever else. How much should I charge for everything or give me a price for the digital files of the photos (yes, will be high resolution).

Your photographs have worth if your friend wants to use them for her CD cover. The idea posed by others to do it for free is, in my opinion, bad business and bad for the friendship. Is your friend giving the CD away for free? I doubt it. So why should you give your work away for free? With that said, you should charge an hourly rate for designing her CD cover and a usage fee (based on how many CD’s she is going to produce) for the actual image. Personally I wouldn’t give her the high resolution shots for other uses unless she paid for that as well. What you charge, though, should be based on the uniqueness of the image and what the market is willing to pay. For bands that don’t earn a lot of money I don’t go overboard on my fees. I do, though, take into account how much they are going to sell the CD for and base my usage fee on a percentage of the first run using 1,000 CD’s as a starting point. If they do a first run of less then 1,000 CD’s I still use the 1,000 run point and will give them the license to cover that amount. If they do future runs (over 1,000) then the band will owe additional usage but it is still based on the initial percentage. Keep in mind that due to anti-trust laws I, nor should anyone else, give you actual rates in such a public forum. It gives the idea of price fixing which is against the law. Charge what you feel comfortable charging and by all means don’t give your work away. If you are serious about photography and want to be a professional then be one and charge for your work. If you charge pennies then you are telling others that your work is worth pennies.

You should go to the ASMP website for help on writing your terms and conditions. http://asmp.org/commerce/legal/terms_conditions/back.php
They also have info on model releases here:

http://asmp.org/commerce/legal/releases/

and a copyright tutorial here:

http://asmp.org/commerce/legal/copyright/

You might want to also consider joining ASMP’s Pro Advice forum on yahoo. It is open to members and non members and dedicated to helping emerging professional photographers. You can join by going here http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ASMPproAdvice/.
Keep in mind that they, too, won’t give you actual pricing info but you can respond or call someone directly if you have a specific question.

Hope that helps. And by all means, Do NOT give your work away.

After serveral disapointing Portrait studio experiences, I’ve been thinking about upgrading to a Digital SLR type camera and trying to get my own shots (and after what I’ve seen and paid good money for, I’m pretty confident that I could do just as good). With some photography knowledge and the willingness to upgrade my camera equipment is this a realistic plan? Also, any recomendations on the equipment would be appreciated.

if you know lighting and the other things required, cheap lights with gels will do or some off camera flash

if your a handy type – can buy a hammer and build a house – then buy some lights and make portraits?

realistic if your prepared to study lighting and portraiture sure

a

okay, so I am only 14, but I’ve become really interested in photography, and I think that’s what I want to pursue a career in, I’m more into like artistic photography of people or nature rather then weddings or celebrity’s or things like that. so my question is how do I earn the career, like I just live in a small town in new york, so what can I do to make sure that I will persue a photography career and mak a descent amount of money.

Take as many classes in art, photography and writing as you can until you finish high school. Look for a local photographer and see if you and your school can set up an internship.

By the time you finish high school, you should know if you want to pursue Photography as a full time profession or something to augment the career you do choose.

If at that time, you want to go pro, look at the following schools for the most satisfying education in photography.

Art Center
Brooks
RIT

http://www.artcenter.edu

http://www.brooks.edu

http://www.rit.edu

With the advancement of digital photography over film photography, I was wondering if the businesses and what not out there looking for pictures focus more on the digital work than the film? I know how to successfully operate both digital and film, but i honestly think digital cameras are a way of cheating, you can enhance the image and make it look professional, anyone can, but film takes more skill. Plus when you’re developing your own film, and awaiting the outcome and then looking how you want it printed; i find more exciting and gratifying than digital.

If I present a portfolio with a lot of film work over digital, will that effect it at all? I was thinking of either having one part of my portfolio digital and the other film, or have two seperate ones for both?

While digital is fast becoming the standard, many photographers still use large format film, i.e., 4×5", etc., and medium format film, i.e., 645, 6×6cm, etc. to shoot landscapes, and many photography based publications like Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, and National Geographic still buy shots for their covers from those photographers, even though current industries drive their publications. And those current industries are digital based. Sort of the tail wagging the dog, so to speak. One industry depends on the other in some way. I think the purpose of presenting a portfolio is to showcase your ability to capture an image, regardless of the medium. But there are standards. I say a good idea would be a healthy mix of the two.

im in a studio photography class right now its film based but soon we will be allowed to use our digitals. my D80 doesnt have a sync cord hole. is there any way that i can sync my nickon d80 to mono lights or a speedatron … is there a peice i can buy?? please and thanx big points to who ever helps

Yes, there are plenty of pieces you can choose from. They are called Hot Shoe to PC adapters. Here’s the original Nikon made one, with nice logo, that will fit your camera design nicely:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37086-REG/Nikon_3066_AS_15_Sync_Terminal_Adapter.html

Or you can get a no-brand-name, and not so stylish one for half the price (it even has cold shoe on top, just in case you need it):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/135782-REG/General_Brand_SF943_Hot_Shoe_to_PC.html

Or there are plenty more in between.

LEM.

I am having a hard time chosing what camera to buy. I initially bought Canon Rebel XT but i find it not very user-friendly. I could not figure it out, and found that the pentax k100d was more user friendly. However, my husband has that camera already. Aside from the pentax k100d, which do you recommend for me to buy?

I believe that most are intimidated by a DSLR, but if you know your way around a 35mm well your off to a start. Many of the modes you have on a 35 are the same as the Digital for one. Think of it like this, one you load a roll of film and the other you insert a media card. Once you just start taking pictures you’ll become more confident in your abilities, you don’t like delete it, it’s that simple. You can view the pic on your LCD screen or just plug the XT into your TV and just like a slide show, you can see the recent pic on the tube..(even for editing, etc.)

2 months ago I got a new Canon XTi with a Tamron 18-250 zoom lens and love it. Next month I’l be getting a New Canon 580 EX II flash for the XTi.

Check out demos & reviews at www.bhphotovideo.com I have been doing business with them for more then 25 years, great prices and a complete Professional staff on hand for your questions.