Where to start?

[Valkyri]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading DPS for years and love it. I only dream of having skills such as some of the work I see here. I bought my first digital camera when it became affordable enough to do it - and upgraded every few years. When I upgraded, I always passed my old one down to my daughter, who likes to come out with me to take pictures. For her grade 8 graduation I bought her a decent little Canon P&S brand new.

She's 17 now and has 1.5 years of high school left. She wants to take a go at photography and our local college is now offering a 2 year course that looks like it will suit her fine (as far as money and location goes). The problem is, as with any arts program, they require a portfolio for admission. We aren't rich people - my current camera is a Canon SX40 (I opted for a bridge because I just can't afford the lenses for a DSLR and didn't want to be too limited) she still has the Powershot that I bought her 2 years ago and use of my Powershot which has some more zoom, but not anything else that hers doesn't do.

Question #1: Is there any way she'll ever be able to build a portfolio without a decent DSLR? At minimum, what kind of equipment is she going to need to produce a portfolio worthy of gaining admission to the course? I've encouraged her to find a part-time job and start banking her earnings, but it will take a long time for her to save... leaving not much time for portfolio building.

Question #2: I/she/we have no clue how to MAKE a portfolio. She intends on taking a course offered by her high school next year in media arts, so I'm hoping she can learn there, but if anyone has any resources that you can point me to in the meantime, that would be great. (I'm a computer programmer, last art I took was when we were still using 110 film....)

Question #3: What would be an example of some shots/techniques that she might work on for the aforementioned portfolio? I'm happy to help her in any way I can - where should we go and what should she be shooting?

Before anyone mentions it, I do believe she has a good eye, but I'm hardly an expert or an art critic. Her pictures are generally much more pleasing than mine and I've been reading and taking the fine advice here at DPS for quite some time now - and she has not. So, if the question is, is she artistic enough and can she compose a decent photo? Despite my motherly bias, if I didn't think so I'd be steering her toward a different career path, I want her to succeed and be happy so I'm as realistic as a mother can get at this point. I will encourage her to read, look at others work, and learn what good composition IS - but I do think she has at least some natural sense.

Finally, any other advice for her? Anything she can do to insure that she does get chosen when she applies for the course a year from now?

Thank you!

[Doug Sundseth]

First, I'd talk to the school about what they are looking for in a portfolio. If possible, take a look at some of the portfolios of people they've accepted to the course.

Second, I'd look at the online portfolios of professional photographers. These days, nearly everyone has a viewable portfolio. Another option would be to take a look at the featured photography at 500px. The general quality level there is quite high and the featured stuff is often brilliant.

Third, shoot the subjects you like for an initial portfolio. If you enjoy shooting it, you'll put more effort into it and you're much more likely to be able to see the difference between good and bad photos.

Finally, a portfolio should be small. Not more than 24 photos and often less. Only the absolute best stuff you have should go in; there's no advantage to showing 5 brilliant images and 19 pretty good images to make the portfolio more "substantial".

As far as cameras: Start now. Make an initial portfolio with the camera you have, regardless of which camera that is. The most important part of the imaging system is about 8" behind the sensor, and a good photographer can make stunning images with nearly any camera.

A point-and-shoot camera certainly has limitations. Learn them and learn what you have to do to overcome or circumvent them. Restrictions are often a spur to art.

On techniques: I'd recommend that your daughter work at least some with artificial lighting. The Strobist and Niel van Niekerk are both excellent places to go for more information. Good lighting is often the difference between pedestrian and exceptional images.

[Valkyri]

Thanks very much for the links and the advice, it's very helpful. She's more than welcome to use my SX40 - which has many more options than her little one. The thing is, I find that the clarity I see in photos around here is something I really don't think my camera is capable of... let alone hers. That's what worries me more than anything. I also don't doubt that a good photographer can use any camera, but she's not a "good photographer" - though she does want to be one, one day. That's the catch 22 with trying to get into a course like this - if she is already producing great things, what does she need the course for?! (I know there's always more to learn, however... how can a young one get started when they have no mentor? How do they ever get good enough without a teacher - at the ripe old age of 17?)

They are only asking for 6 pieces in the portfolio along with a letter of intent. I just have no idea what kind of format such a thing comes in - what packages a portfolio? Is the actual physical thing (without photos) something I can buy at an art store? Sorry for what might sound like a completely dumb question, but I honestly have no clue - as I said - I'm a hobby photographer and a techno-geek who hasn't taken an art course (and even at that, it was elementary school) in nigh on 30 years.

I will give the school a call, I'm sure they'll help me to understand what is expected, at least to some degree - but I doubt very much they'll let me look at submissions.

[Doug Sundseth]

To a photographer, a "good photograph" is not primarily about the things that a more expensive camera affects. The first thing people look at is subject, then composition and lighting. Those aren't affected by the camera (mostly), so it's entirely possible to take a compelling photograph with a $50 point and shoot camera.

Will that photograph be better with a better camera? Usually, but not always. Will that photo be better with experience and effort? Nearly always. The best way to get better is to shoot regularly and examine the results of each shoot with a very critical eye. Its fairly common to hear, "Your first 10,000 photos are your worst", but only by thinking seriously about what worked and what didn't do you actually get better.

I would expect anyone judging portfolios to be able to tell the difference between problems caused by camera limitations and problems caused by a photographer without talent. (My expectations might be incorrect, of course.)

As far as the physical form of the portfolio, pretty much whatever the school wants. Some people only want loose prints, some want books, some want electronic files. It's pretty easy to produce those different formats on demand, so I wouldn't worry too much right now. (Though if the school wants a printed portfolio, I'd make at least enough prints well ahead of time that you can understand and correct for the difference in appearance between a print and a file on screen.)

For mentoring, you might want to check out any local camera clubs. Some are really good, some are really not, but it's probably worth the effort to drop by, at least. Failing that (or in addition to that), you might want to suggest that she submit photos to the critique forums here. There are some people here who are very good at identifying the strong and weak points of a photograph and suggesting ways to increase the former and correct the latter. For any critique it helps to remember that the comments are only about the piece and not about the photographer, and a thick skin helps.

[ravncat]

I agree with alot of what has been said above.

I'd like to reiterate that It's absolutely possible to do serious work with a point and shoot camera, the trick is working within the limitations they have. I myself have many excellent prints made from older point and shoot cameras.

I suspect she will need something more for her classes though - you may want to talk to the school, if it is close enough, visit with the professors or department head in advance, ask them for advice, and that will help you to know exactly what they are looking for or expect.

[doctorjames]

On a technical note about the portfolio, make sure you know if it is required to be printed or submitted electronically.

Bear in mind that your computer monitor is not calibrated, so that things may look different on your monitor to that of theirs, or when printed, the white balance/colour tone/exposure may be very different.

If you are going to get it printed/need to get it printed, make sure that you do a trial run with at least a couple of prints first, so that you know that you are pretty close to printing what you see on screen. Leave plenty of time to do this, and adjust as necessary.

[Valkyri]

Thanks very much for all the advice, my daughter also thanks you.