Photography career~ can Fattie cut the mustard?

[Carols Clucks]

You should look for a good used dslr and a lens. You probably remember the 50mm those older Canons came with (I still have a couple of them)

Even ask here and see if some one on this forum is upgrading and selling the old camera. The best part about digital is that you can shoot and shoot and not pay to develop the off ones.



Don't pay for a photo school! You will see a lot of ads for them on line. Start subscribing to the email updates from every photo mag you can find on line (free) Your inbox will fill with tips in no time. Find a local camera club, meet-up.com might have something in your area.

And hit the local libraries for books on the subject and read them. Amazon has some great used books for a deal as well. Check out flickr for photos that are favorite subjects and see what you like and don't like in other peoples images.


Remember to see outside the box, but note that not everything or everyone will like those images. I know that right now a lot of wedding photogs are purposely putting horizons/lakes/oceans not level, but most do put them so they would have been.

 

[annie3001]

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[Funky Feathers]

?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I think if it is something you want to do, you should do it regardless of poll results.

I don't know the first thing about photography, but you certainly can learn from the blessed ones who posted with advice, I imagine. Check out what they said and go with it!

One of the most important things to consider is, does your DH approve? That will be the deal maker or breaker, IMO to keep the peace. (Just what I've learned from my own life, lol.)

 

[Funky Feathers]

Quote:
Then who what or where will you sell your items to?

I think if you are serious about doing this you need to upgrade your camera big time.

Also why would you post photos that are chopped off, burry, overexposed or out of focus?

While they are pretty good for the average person and may be of fun things or things you love and are important to you, they are in no way professional pictures. I think I saw maybe 2 out of all that would make the cut.

Just my 2 cents.

Which 2?

 

[Funky Feathers]

How about now?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Then who what or where will you sell your items to?

I think if you are serious about doing this you need to upgrade your camera big time.

Also why would you post photos that are chopped off, burry, overexposed or out of focus?

While they are pretty good for the average person and may be of fun things or things you love and are important to you, they are in no way professional pictures. I think I saw maybe 2 out of all that would make the cut.

Just my 2 cents.

Which 2?

I wanna vote!!!

I vote pictures (numbered from top):
#17
36
55
62 (my fav)
And I also love so many of the waterfowl and chicken pics, but didn't narrow those down.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I like #9 and #12... Very nice.

#1 would be good too, but the color and light are off.

Sorry I forgot about this thread.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Photography is a difficult field to get into, and it's an expensive hobby for sure! I think you have potential, but I do not think you are at the point of making photography a career yet. However, I also believe everyone has potential. What you also need is the desire to learn everything you possibly can about the subject.

First, I would recommend getting a better camera. It doesn't have to be a $2000 one, but expect to pay between $500 - $1000 for a decent beginner SLR. That will help with the quality of your photos.

You also need to work on focusing and exposure. It's difficult to focus on a subject with a point and shoot, but with an SLR you will be able to have better control over that. Better exposure will help with the lighting in your photos. Photos that are too dark or too light lose detail.

Also, as someone else mentioned, choose the photos you share carefully. I have a LOT of really crappy pictures I've taken. I usually delete a good portion of the ones I take right after uploading them to the computer. I take a TON of photos, simply because I know very few will come out well. Out of those, very few come out nice enough for me to share. Practicing this will make people think you are a pretty good photographer right off the bat, because they aren't seeing all the other stuff you've deleted. I don't want to call it an illusion, but it will certainly improve your image as a photographer when people don't see the stuff that is out of focus or cut off.

Another thing is practice, practice, practice. There are sites out there where you can post photos to be critiqued. We had to join one in our photography class. Go to these websites and look at other's work. It should inspire you and help you to see what composes a good photo. Subject placement is a biggie and is something you can easily work on right at home. If you feel brave, you can post a photo of your own to be critiqued. Don't be afraid if they are a bit harsh though. That is how you learn!

If you would like, choose your absolute favorite photo you have and post it here or in another thread. Tell us what makes you feel it is a good photo. This will help me get into your head a bit. Then I'm sure myself and others (especially professionals like Two Creeks, who I have learned INVALUABLE information from) will be willing to critique the photo for you a bit. Also, look at some of the photography class threads that were posted over the summer. Try some of the lessons there. That will help with some very basic, yet sometimes hard to master, concepts.

 

[Little One]

I see great potential! My recommendations- learn more about composition, exposure and focusing. I saw a lot of average shots (not professional quality) that would have been great shots with just a few simple changes. I photograph as a hobby, and have spent several thousand $$ in the camera body, lenses, tripod, etc... Will I ever make the jump to "professional"? Maybe one day, but I know that I have a lot more to learn before I do. I've seen a lot of mediocre so called "professional" photographers, and I don't want to be one of them. So for now its just a fun hobby for myself to practice-practice-practice!