The current state of photography and its future

[Jim Bryant]

So many photographers. including me, have posted here and on other forums to complain about the current market for photographers, about amateurs glutting the market, about buyers not knowing/caring about the difference.
These trends are likely here to stay.
I strongly recommend reading a new book by Fred Ritchin, "After Photography," which explains some of these trends rather well.... and much as you/I might not like it, they are likely here to stay. He writes:
"...by the year 2010 it is expected we (society) will be producing half a trillion photos annually."
And let me summarize further. More or less he says that the photographer no longer matters, as most of the work is done post-production... anyone can take the photo... the photo itself no longer documents/represents a real thing... person, place, or event... all is constructed and is now a symbol being used for various purposes (selling, primarily, a product or idea...) and much as you can immediately think of exceptions to what he writes, you recognize at the same time the trends whereof he speaks... for those who might not know, Ritchin is at NYU, began the photojournalism program at ICP, was picture editor at NY Times Sunday Mag, and so forth...

[PhilD41]

Hasn't this always been true though. Computers and the vast selection of DSLR cameras might have made it easier to get into the biz, but there is still something to be said about talent. I for one, do it because I enjoy it. I am not a pro and would never claim to be. I am still pretty sure that my shots are not worth much more then the paper they get printed on (if they get printed). Those with passion and talent will always rise to a level above those looking for a quick income.

From my understanding PP has always been a factor in photography. Not always done on the computer, but there have always been tricks to the trade. Some of my favorite photographers use PP heavily (take Matt Nicolosi for example). His work simply amazes me. He uses the same tools and programs as everyone else yet everything he touches becomes art! There is a difference between having Photomatix and knowing how to use it!

I understanding the fear of a hobby and passion being over run by children, but there will always be those with talent and passion. They will always be recognized. As for the buyers, it they are happy great! Otherwise they will also be pulled to those that offer more in the way of art and not simply photoshop. Just my thoughts. This battle has been around for centuries in one form or another.

[CheaperKings]

Welcome to my world 15 years ago and going. I am, and have been for many years, a "ACE" which is to say "Adobe Certified Expert". Now, that all sounds real important, right? Not really. It was at one time but, not so much anymore. Any teenage kid in his mothers' basement can now download Adobe Photoshop (illegally, of course) and call themselves a "professional". The problem is; when they tell the 'general public' that they're "professionals" the GP tends to just believe them.
It does, however, present a nice advertising angle for me; "You went with the teenage kid and look what you got!". That, my friends, is priceless. So, I guess what I'm getting at is; the real "professional" will always be better and most folks want "better". As a professional photographer I always use that very same angle.

Just some food for thought from someone that's been dealing with this sort of thing for a very long time...

[tasmo2]

Well I am one of those amateur photographers that are over taking the market. LOL I just did my first photo shoot Sat and it was a blast! I am just learning PP and understand that its best to get it right SOOC, and just tweak in pp. BUT I have to say, before "amateurs flooded the market" the people who are using amateurs just went to sears and got expensive crappy pictures. So I look at it like restaurants.. someone who eats at places that are 150$ a person is probably not going to go to a sit down chain, but for some that sit down chain is nice because its better than fast food! .... Right now I consider myself a sit down chain, like olive garden, but one day I hope to be a gourmet restaurant! If that makes any sense. LOL

[Jim Bryant]

Kept, growing and learning as you'll get there.

[gturner]

A bit like being a taxi driver before anyone owned a car...

true pro's with dedicated clients and ability to adapt will always do well.

[Bluenoser]

Anyne who has a complaint with Amateurs "flooding" the market - go look in the mirror.

You seem to forget one thing - you were an Amateur at one time too.

What are we going to have next - Selection Camps where people get put through vigorous testing and then are told "You're ok, you can be an Amateur and eventually a Professional photographer. Nope, you're not good enough, go find something else to do.

This isn't isolated to photography either. It happens to plenty of markets. Look how many people build and sell computers compared to earlier days. Car dealers, supermarkets, Sears, and on and on.

It's a free world and people should be able to venture into any field that appeals to them. Yes, that's correct, you're always going to get people who just don't have the talent/knowledge/skills to become good but will continue on anyway. It's their right.

People get what they pay for in this world, and if they want to buy from an Amateur and are happy with the product they receive, that's their prerogative. There are many people in this world today who can't afford a Professional Photographer, so they are quite happy to have a lesser quality but reasonably priced product.

The Pro's that complain would be better served putting that energy into creating a business that's above and beyond. It's the way business works - get better than the competition or don't survive. The market isn't going to get any easier, the competition will continue to grow.

Grow with it instead of complaining about it.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

Anyne who has a complaint with Amateurs "flooding" the market - go look in the mirror.

You seem to forget one thing - you were an Amateur at one time too.

What are we going to have next - Selection Camps where people get put through vigorous testing and then are told "You're ok, you can be an Amateur and eventually a Professional photographer. Nope, you're not good enough, go find something else to do.

This isn't isolated to photography either. It happens to plenty of markets. Look how many people build and sell computers compared to earlier days. Car dealers, supermarkets, Sears, and on and on.

It's a free world and people should be able to venture into any field that appeals to them. Yes, that's correct, you're always going to get people who just don't have the talent/knowledge/skills to become good but will continue on anyway. It's their right.

People get what they pay for in this world, and if they want to buy from an Amateur and are happy with the product they receive, that's their prerogative. There are many people in this world today who can't afford a Professional Photographer, so they are quite happy to have a lesser quality but reasonably priced product.

The Pro's that complain would be better served putting that energy into creating a business that's above and beyond. It's the way business works - get better than the competition or don't survive. The market isn't going to get any easier, the competition will continue to grow.

Grow with it instead of complaining about it.

Not complaining......just passing on a good read to all, Excellent book, by the way!

[LoveDSLR]

I'm thinking about what would a professional oil painter thought about photography or those old photo studio owners shooting with view camera and painted background about SLR. Fortunately for those people, the pace of change was much slower then.

The current and future generations will replace the past ones no matter how good they were in their times. It is better to reinvent ourselves to fit into the existing marketplace than stay put in our comfort zones.

It is about survival of the fitness. The old barrier of entry is too longer applicable now.

[gturner]

I am busy considering a migration from MS Exchange to google apps and gmail, and then a migration to open office or google docs. All basically free vs extortionate products from the world famous pro...

same difference it seems