What is the cheapest photography?

[darthdeus]

From what I've read, I understand that Sports and Wildlife photography is probably the most expensive, because you have to have super long fast lenses which cost a fortune.

But a question comes to my mind, what is the cheapest type of photography?

I don't mean cheap like buy a p&s and shoot yourself in the mirror being drunk on a party, but on a semi-pro or pro level, where you can actually make some money.

[OsmosisStudios]

Landscape. Camera, lens, tripod, some knowledge. Of course, it's a TON of work (getting to remote locations, lugging gear, etc) but it's probably cheapest, at least from an equipment point of view,

[BCampbell]

If you're looking for highest market value vs. equipment cost, probably porn.

[Murtasma]

I don't know I think an excellent portrait / wedding photographer can certainly have a huge investment in gear, lights, light modifiers, props, studio space ect. I would say an established portrait photographer has more money invested then a sports/wildlife photographer. A wild life photographer/sports photographer certainly have some expensive bodies and lens but so do portrait photographers, they also have much more over head, studio space, much more time spent post processing images, lots of lights, backdrops, stands, props ect all this adds up a lot.

I would think sports/wildlife photographers could manage to get by with sturdy tripod, a higher end body or two, wide angle lens, and a few expensive telephotos. A portrait photographer will likely have much of the same gear except perhaps some of the longer telephotos that cost several grand. However an assortment of studio strobes could easily cost that much depending on what the needs are.

As for the least expensive, I don't know I don't think anything is cheep about photography unless your into that lomo, hogla stuff.

[Murtasma]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

If you're looking for highest market value vs. equipment cost, probably porn.

Where can I apply

Microstock. Use a P&S and take lots of photos of crap and throw them up on Shutterstock.

[Aleix]

I believe it is landscape, and as they said, microstock. I know people who earn money selling microstock and have really cheap P&S and hardly any postprocessing skills. For sports & action photography you need more professional gear, and for portrait photography light related stuff (and other studio gear, if indoor).

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

If you're looking for highest market value vs. equipment cost, probably porn.

I had the same thought when I read the thread title.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by dakwegmo

I had the same thought when I read the thread title.

Really, if you're talking about making money... it's one of the more successful industries.

And it is what the Internet is for, after all.

[zephod]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

Really, if you're talking about making money... it's one of the more successful industries.

And it is what the Internet is for, after all.

Did I mention I was a videographer in the early 90's?

Like Forrest Gump says "That's all I have to say about that"