Where Do I Fit In?

[cjsandbrook]

Hi,

I don't post on forums much but would love to open a discussion on a popular topic - "Every One with a DSLR thinks they are a Photographer", I know this has been done to death over the past few years, and there are a lot of conflicting opinions each with their own agendas.

I am not asking the question in the title because I do not know where I think I fit in, I am asking to see where you guys think I fit in. By 'Fit in' I mean with regards the Photography industry. I would like your honest opinion on my venture and compare my story with other ‘hobby’ photographers who are setting up their own business.

I have worked freelance for years in television as a Camera Technician and Vision Engineer. I upgraded from a P&S to a DSLR a little over a year ago and developed a passion for portrait photography. Since then I have studied, captured images, bought kit, captured images, practiced lighting, captured images............ After a few short months I decided I would like to do this for a living so began planning and researching the business side of things. Two months ago I launched my business by doing a dozen or so ‘Free’ shoots, I got great feedback and made some great contacts, enough to make up my mind to start charging for my services. That is where I am today.

I price competitively compared to other local photographers and market myself as a Portrait Photographer as 90% of my study and time has been dedicated to this area.

I have no clear cut opinion over who is right and wrong regarding so called ‘unqualified’ photographers setting up their own business but see some narrow minded opinions and sweeping statements from both sides whenever it is bought up on the forums, what are the factors that make someone in business a legitimate photographer. It is such a complicated issue, here are some of my thoughts/questions just to play devil’s advocate;

- As I light with wireless, off camera flash, I almost exclusively use Manual Mode and almost never use Auto at any time, does this mean I am a good Photographer?

- I have only owned a DSLR for about a year, surely I shouldn’t be even thinking about setting up a business!

- As a scientist by education and technical engineer by trade I have a sound fundamental knowledge of how my equipment works. As such I know my Nikon D90 is suitable for my second job as a Professional Portrait Photographer, opinions?

- I price my prints 50% less than my local long established studio in order to take some of his trade.....

As you appreciate this is a complicated issue. I have no problems with what I am doing, ethically speaking or otherwise. I was just wondering if others would.

Hope this post isn’t too long and rambling, any and all opinions welcome......

[zona5101]

You are offering a service at a price. The market, not any of us, will tell you if you fit in.

[cjsandbrook]

Originally Posted by zona5101

You are offering a service at a price. The market, not any of us, will tell you if you fit in.

I agree, and the market is speaking!! I am happy with where I am with this. It is the ongoing issue of the saturation of the Photography Industry by everyone with a DSLR that I was attempting to solicit opinions. As one of those 'New' Photographers who hasn't any academic photography qualifications or apprenticeships, do I actually ‘fit’ into this group?

[candidrachel]

I don't think it really matters what others think or say. If you listen to too many people you tend to question your capabilities. Its what YOU think that really matters at the end of the day.

I mean the "experts" don't always know everything since they once told us that the world was flat - and we believed them! We were told that it was impossible to run a mile in under 4 minutes - and we believed them and Roger Bannister proved them wrong. We have also been told the the Titanic was unsinkable!

Go with your insticts - You are the true judge and jury. I'd say go for it!!

[OsmosisStudios]

There's a huge difference between what YOU have done and what MOST are doing. You're doing it right: taking the time to learn and experiment, refine and practice and are ready to take the plunge, thats good. The vast majority, however...

I'll explain this with a small anecdote. I work retail in a rather large camera chain (I won't discuss which). We have, within our region, termed the entry-level dSLRs one of two things: Hipster Bling or the Mamarazzi cam. In the first case, these cameras are being bought by high-school and university students with no real affinity for photography: they just want the camera to look cool for their friends. The iPod of cameras, if you will. In the second case, it's the new yuppy mothers looking to document their angel's first everything in nothing more than automatic.

In either case, though, it sells cameras.

I had a girl come in to see me a few weeks ago. Young: probably no older than 22. Clearly with a bit too much money (Daddy was buying, after all) and totally ignorant. Her first words to me, and i quote, were "I need a real professional camera". That, right there, set her up for failure. We went over the dSLRs, from the entry level up to the D90/50D range. She tried a few out, saying she wanted "really professional looking pictures" and wanting to set up her own photography business/studio. I gave her some suggestions. She ended up buying a D90+18-105, a 50mm f/1.8 and an SB-600.

The lot of it came back a week later. She had taken the body and lens out of their boxes and couldnt get one onto the other, got frustrated, and gave up. So much for that dream.

The other thing we commonly get at work is people who have bought a D3000 or D5000 come in and get comprehend the A and S modes on their camera. They'd been shooting on auto for a while and wanted to check the other modes and simply get lost.

The problem with dSLRs is that they're too simple, and theyre being marketed at the groups that need them the least. People don't NEED an SLR to shoot good pictures. They need to know how to use the P&S cameras they have or need a new P&S. But marketing tells them they need a dSLR, and the entry level models that people are seeing in ads and find affordable are basically just point and shoot cameras with bigger sensors and more complications.

It used to be that a dSLR (or film SLR) meant someone was spending a lot of money on their business: a F4 or F5 was several thousand dollars, in much the same way the D700 and D3 are now. People were also happy with the film images they got from their P&S film cameras. Now that digital has brought adaptability down to a lower level, dSLRs can be made smaller, lighter, and cheaper.

In the most base levels, anyone with a camera is a photographer. But in reality, the term should be saved for those that treat the medium as an art, a craft, or a job.

[candidrachel]

Another bit of free advice is always keep your business ideas and plans close to your chest and only devulge them to people who you know can help or those already doing what you want to achieve successfully.

[cjsandbrook]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

She had taken the body and lens out of their boxes and couldnt get one onto the other, got frustrated, and gave up. So much for that dream.

This is so funny.

[vandergus]

I'll explain this with a small anecdote. I work retail in a rather large camera chain (I won't discuss which). We have, within our region, termed the entry-level dSLRs one of two things: Hipster Bling or the Mamarazzi cam. In the first case, these cameras are being bought by high-school and university students with no real affinity for photography: they just want the camera to look cool for their friends. The iPod of cameras, if you will. In the second case, it's the new yuppy mothers looking to document their angel's first everything in nothing more than automatic.

Ah, cynicism is so much fun. And often so true.

In the most base levels, anyone with a camera is a photographer. But in reality, the term should be saved for those that treat the medium as an art, a craft, or a job.

I have to respectfully disagree. The populist nature of photography has always been vital to its success. It has historically been a medium that moves away from exclusivity and uniformity and instead toward ubiquity and schism. The fact that everyone has a camera may annoy you as a photographer, making it harder for you to earn the respect that you deserve, but it also makes photographs a much more accessible art form than something like oil painting or sculpture. Everybody likes looking at photographs. And vernacular photography (photographs by non-photographers) can be every bit as valuable as fine art prints. My new favorite blog, for example.

What I'm trying to say is, the fact that there are so many ways to interpret the word "photography" is part of what makes it so great.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by cjsandbrook

I agree, and the market is speaking!! I am happy with where I am with this. It is the ongoing issue of the saturation of the Photography Industry by everyone with a DSLR that I was attempting to solicit opinions. As one of those 'New' Photographers who hasn't any academic photography qualifications or apprenticeships, do I actually ‘fit’ into this group?

humm, interesting...are you the dilution, contributing to the over saturation in the market because you don't have a lengthy resume or advanced degree or other qualifications? Who cares! Are you able to sell your product for a profit? Everything else is puffery and pontification. I guess I don't see the need for introspection or justification. Your venture will either live or die by your ability to market value in your offering.

[k8et]

i think it boils down to this - some people feel that rather than using a P&S, getting a pricey DSLR and shooting entirely on auto will overnight make them a "pro" who can charge large amounts. or cheap amounts but provide crap quality. and those are the people that are ridiculed.

if one has common sense (as you appear to have), realizes where they are, how far they have come since first picking up a camera, and how far they have yet to go, and prices their work to reflect their skill and get business.... and understands this IS a business and not a flight of fancy... i don't see how anyone can argue with that. though some will, because someone always will :P