"Famous" Photographers - How?

[Biomech]

I'm a budding amateur photographer looking to take it to the next level after christmas, I have no formal qualifications but have a world commendation under my belt as well as numerous successes in competitions including local, national and global and 2 current (tiny) exhibitions. I don't currently consider myself to be a "very good" photographer.

I recently went to the Hereford Photography Festival (Hereford Photography Festival 2010) where there were plenty of great shots and a massive dose of over analytical bullshit. Whilst there I saw some amazing photos - and some utter shit! I realise photography is very subjective, but I mean these pictures just had nothing about them yet were asking £3,500 per print!

My question is, how does a photographer go from my/our level to global fame being able to charge thousands for what we would throw away as bad holiday snaps? I hate the whole analysis of art, can't stand it, however, if a picture tells a story I can appreciate that (most pulitzer's). Surely if the story has to be explained then the photo can't be good?

I'll offer up 2 examples:

Martin Parr: http://www.photofest.org/2010/images...artin-Parr.jpg
Well exposed and good quality, but selling for £3,500?

Pieter Hugo - http://www.pieterhugo.com/files/albu...genocide/1.jpg
Now this man has some absolutely stunning work- but WTH is this?

I'm actually from Hereford and know world reknowed photographer Al Vandenberg - who once said to me "you never show your dirty underwear" - which I've taken to mean that you don't put out anything but your very best work (I could be wrong)

Is there a way to get your work out there and noticed without having to be a pompous, artsy prick?

I make no illusions as to my ability but if interested some of my work is here: Jamie O'Rourke Photography

Sorry for the long post, thanks for taking the time to read

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by Biomech

Martin Parr: http://www.photofest.org/2010/images...artin-Parr.jpg
Well exposed and good quality, but selling for £3,500?

WTF? That is being sold for £3,500? You sure you didn't get your aunty Jeans P&S camera and post one of her photos?

WTF are they? WTF cares? If that was posted in the Critque section it wouldn't even get a response!! £3,500 indeed, what crap.

[candidrachel]

"Is there a way to get your work out there and noticed without having to be a pompous, artsy prick?" If I had the answer to that question I'd be a rich woman LOL! I totally agree with your post though. There are many people that SHOULD be world rerenound but just see photography as a hobby and nothing else and yet someone else like the person whose photos you showed us you just laugh and say WHAT??

I clicked on the link to your photos and they are fabulous! I'm jealous!!

[Biomech]

Originally Posted by tuxcomputers

If that was posted in the Critque section it wouldn't even get a response!! £3,500 indeed, what crap.

Exactly! How do people go from hobbyist/amateur photographer to suddenly being able to sell stuff like that for such a high price?!?!?! I might do a test, make a picture and just slap on a ridiculous price tag and see what happens lol

candidrachel: Thank you very much

[Dodge]

Originally Posted by tuxcomputers

WTF? That is being sold for £3,500? You sure you didn't get your aunty Jeans P&S camera and post one of her photos?

WTF are they? WTF cares? If that was posted in the Critque section it wouldn't even get a response!! £3,500 indeed, what crap.

Tsk, Tsk, This picture clearly represents the black mans' struggle against oppression to this very day........see how the two boys in the background appear to have accepted their servitude, unnoticed, practically nonexistant to the carefree upper echelons of the white race, who laugh nonchelantly, devoid of any concern for the 'minimum wage slavery' that goes on in their very midst.
Meanwhile, we see the older black lady, her face worn by her lifelong fight to break the chains of prejudice and eventually reach the status of middle class society, albeit ignored by her peers.

If you disagree, or fail to see the photographers deep insight, portraying his own personal turmoil, then you are of course a Philistine.

Of course none of the above can be truly appreciated unless you stand supporting your right elbow with your left hand, your right hand thoughtfully stroking your chin.

[BEGM83]

You sure it wasn't marked up £3.50 or even 3500 lira (which equates to about 3.5p)

[Dodge]

Oh, and if you check out Pieter Hugo's site, it's less about good photography than it is about having access to a mortuary or genocide excavation.

Doubtless he'll justify the gratuitous corpse shots as 'telling the world of the Rwandan atrocities'.

[Biomech]

hehe, I'm actually a salesman by day and have become very good at making things sound alot better than they actually are (when required of course, that isn't my sales method). I remember I dropped Art at college because of the bullshit - it's all theory (like psychology) and if you don't agree with someone elses interpretation - well, then you're wrong.

During a tour at the festival a viewer asked a question about a nice shot haning on the wall in 2 peices - printed in/under glass. He said "I know artists used to split images in the past for artistic reasons, why is this piece in 2 halves?", what came after was a tirade of over analysis and theories. If you ask me, it was probably in 2 pieces because it was too big to fit into his car..... :P

I find the same true of food critiques - on master chef they frequently pile as much into their mouths as possible and then complain that they can't taste the individual flavours. Give me a burger that's not burnt to a crisp and I'm happy.

Dodge: he actually has some really good portrait shots

[jml79]

LOL.. That first shot is hilarious. My tween sister has made better 'art photos' with her cell phone.

I love your website. It's nice to see another Sony user around.

[Biomech]

Originally Posted by jml79

I love your website. It's nice to see another Sony user around.

Thank you
As you can see I use the a200 the newer 230/290's are horrendously plastic and horrible. I went for the Sony given the price point just incase I didn't keep going at it. That and I've come to realise that Canon is the Apple of the camera world. Proper photographers aside, if you're 17 and don't have a Canon - you're just not cool, who cares about knowing how to use it :P