How can i become a Photographer (by trade)

[Ocean Corals]

Sorry to the mods if this is in the wrong part of the site!!

I have always been into Photography and since the building trade is dying i need a change of career. I would love to become a Photographer but my pix are far from up to scratch!! Slowly they are getting better and better but i don't think they have the wow factor yet!!!

So my question to you is......

Is Photography a hard job to get into?
Do they do apprenticeships Or would i have to go back to collage??

Any info on the subject would be great!!

:thanks:

Paul

[MisterB]

Courses will help you get more into it an learn from, all depends what type of photography you want to do also. I do wedding photography mostly an how i got into was it i approaced photographers in that field an asked them would they mind if i tagged along to learn the trade thankfully one did an it blossomed from there for me anyway. I also do freelance as well for a few local newspapers

[Ocean Corals]

Hi MisterB

I love taking pix of anything and everything so any type really... but i would like to do portraits or wedding but i know wedding are hard to do and you really have to get them bang on as its not like you can ask for a rerun if they all turn out crap.

[MisterB]

Its not that weddings are hard to do its not really any harder to do than any other type of shot. Yes you dont get a second chance and it has to be right on the day. Thats why i went for the tag along with another photographer it helped me greatly in every way imagineable

[Ocean Corals]

I'll have to ask some of the local Photographer round here to see if they would let me tag along.

[Ocean Corals]

Would you say its better to ask in person or by letter??

[MisterB]

Theres also a great site that use quite a lot an have learnt a lot from it also, i wont post a link to it but once the private message problem is fixed pm me an i will send you the link

Stevie

[Ocean Corals]

Any1 else have any info on the subject??

[Aleela]

Hi Paul, as MisterB says the best way to gain knowledge is to watch and learn. If you want to learn more about photography (a lot of theory, and some things non still camera related) you could seek local college courses (obviously I do not know your employment status, and would not pry) there are some colleges that do full time as well as evening courses (I attended to my local college, I was not able to work in Bakery anymore) I did N.D. travelled across Surrey and did HND and then through the University of Sussex I did the B.A. This was a six year travel, you do NOT have to go that far, I was hooked (learning can become infectious), I am also an ARPS (An Associate of the Royal Photographic Society, hey it looks good). All of this helps, it give you the background knowledge, and the experience of setting up shots.


The next part of the move is Equipment, you need to have the proper equipment, that is reliable and is heavy duty, you never know when you may drop the camera, Digital is fine, but chooses a good quality one (I do not recommend, as everyone is particular about what they like) Digital SLR and good quality lenses, if you prefer to go film base, then certainly not 35mm, unless you are going for the reportage style, so you would go for a Hasselblad or a Mamiya, 6X6 and 6X7?mm (it has been a long time since I used Mamiya) "Medium Format" 120 roll film. I am sure though you would go Digital. You will find it helpful to have an easy going personality, and be able to joke with the customers.

To start with get to know some of the photographer around your area, sound them out, don't write pop in and ask for a convenient time to chat, but remember some may not like you treading on their toes, it is becoming a competitive sport now, and wedding go in and out of fashion like hair dos.

It is FUN though I think, I wish I could do more, but sight issues have put an end to it, YOU NEED TRANSPORT,

I hope this helps, I wish you luck. Alex