You, this site & photography

[Lionheart]

I've just been wondering where photography fits into everyone~s life here, and what do you hope to get from this site. Just a simple poll.

#7) Other

.

7. Other. I've been doing this as a serious hobby for almost 20 years now. It's a huge part of my dental practice, which allows me buy a lot of very nice equipment that otherwise would be out of my reach as an after tax expense. I can use about 90% of my dental camera purchases on weekends for myself when I need to use high end equipment (and of course I'm responsible to the practice for it should I break the equipment) , and I use the office photostudio for family portraits and friends on weekends three or four times a year as well. There is also my personal camera gear that I can deduct a portion of for tax purposes because I use it 75% of the time at the office, but which I take home everyday for my own use and for which the office is not responsible if I break it. Unfortunately, most of my photography is dental at this time. I haven't had much time for any real creative vision based photography for myself even on weekends (last week's vacation pics notwithstanding), it's been all documentation driven photography (which unfortunately accounts for 95 out of every 100 shots I take). . That and the fact that my other hobby is competing for time with this old hobby. I do take a lot of photos of my kids, documenting their lives for posterity, but that's not quite the same as looking at the world through the viewfinder and creating the what our minds see through that viewfinder.

[adina]

well, 100% of my income is from photography, but I don't support us by any means. I did double my income from last year, so it's getting better....

so 1, I guess. People pay me. I, in turn, keep the local coffee shop and various shoe stores in business.

[mwfanelli]

I shoot as an amateur and enjoy it. Sure, I have allowed a few firms to use my photos in their ads but I do that for free. There is no desire to become a professional, I like my current job, teaching physics and math to aspiring "leaders of the future"... LOL! OK, teaching people struggling to get through a course that doesn't base its grade on "feelings."

[EOSThree]

I guess #3 fits me the best. I continually strive to get better at my hobby and maybe someday I will sell some of my prints. Right now I keep working toward perfection, my summer goal is to get out more before dawn and stay out 'till after sunset...hard to do in AK(22 hours of daylight here in Fairbanks)but a nice thing is the sunsets/sunrises last forever. I also plan on buying Lightroom soon and plan to improve my ability in PP this summer.

[Greg McCary]

7) I consider photography an art form that let's me express myself. If I sell a few pictures along the way then fine. If I did it full time and made a living at it I really couldn't every cosider myself a pro. I would think to be considered a pro you would have to own a studio, work for someone else or at least be commisioned. I know one thing, this is fun!!!!!!!
Greg

[Franglais]

[QUOTE=Copy_Kot

#5) I'm just having fun, sharing, and do not need/want any advice.

[/QUOTE]

This is closest to me. Of course I need advice occasionally, but my photography is just something that I do that uses other parts of the brain from my work and my other interests.

It's really nice to go off somewhere and feel that I don't have to be logical (my computer work) or coordinated (dancing) - I just have to use my eyes and get the subject right.

Charles

[livin4lax09]

most of the time you have to realize that even if you aren't exactly happy with the product, someone else may be. After all, they aren't pros. Just charge according to how good the product will be. Do not undercharge though, and do NOT do it for free. You're just screwing yourself over if you do either of those.

[yogestee]

#1 for the last 28 years..I have made a good living from it..Toying with the idea of giving it all up and becoming a serious amateur again..Moving to Indochina by the end of this year (hopefully) with my wife Amanda who works in Development Aid ..Planning to teach English, write and do some real photography. :thumbsup:

Jurgen
Australia

[freygr]

I've sold note cards with my micro photography, landscapes or panoramas on them, and few framed panoramas I've sold, but just enough for pocket change.

Then I though of selling stock photos. What a shock! they are not happy with any thing smaller than 6 mega pixels. The majority of my images where taken with a Olympus C-3030 a 3.2 mega pixel camera. So most of my digital library is unusable, and with the horse stuff and being down sized at work (less money) getting out to take more photos is not happening.

So I'm staying a amateur photographer for some time into the future.

[MonkeyWrench]

I guess 4 and 6 for me. It would be nice if my hobby could help support itself. I didn’t get paid but I did get a small thrill from having some of my pictures from the Truck Show I attended show up in my works monthly newsletter. My focus right now is learning and not so much making money with photography. I have been asked by several people about doing weddings and portraits and am begging off for now. People see one or two of your really good pictures and automatically think they all come out that way. I am just not that comfortable with my skills yet. I echo Alison’s and Megan's feelings when it comes to shooting weddings for several reasons. 1. I think it is a big responsibility. 2. There hard enough to sit through let alone giving up your entire day and evening or more taking and processing the photos. If I ever do decide to do this for money I would lean toward Events (Minus Weddings). Having said that, Alison I think your stuff is fantastic and you would make a great portrait photographer or any other type for that matter.

[megan]

Yes, it definitely takes a special kind of photographer (with nerves of steel and the patience of an angel) to do weddings!

[photophorous]

I guess I'm mostly a 3, but "pro" to me would most likely mean selling some fine art prints, not doing weddings or anything like that. And that's only a long term possibility. I'm a little interested in doing portraits, but I doubt that would ever turn into a job...at least not until I either retire or win the lottery. Actually, that's my plan. Win the lottery, travel the world taking photographs, return and publish a few books, then build a fort out of them because they're not selling. Or, something like that.

Seriously, I'm mostly in it for fun, self-expression, and the other perks like documenting the good times. If I can figure out a way to make some money, I might go for it, but I won't be quitting my day job any time soon.

I like what Almo said. This site has been an invaluable resource and it is because of this site that I started to take my photography more seriously. With out all the helpful and knowledgeable people here, I would probably have a lot less cameras and more money in the bank, but I wouldn't be having nearly as much fun with photography.

Thanks to all of you!

Paul

[poker]

#3) I'm just having fun, appreciate any advice, and maybe someday I'll become a pro.

I want to say answer 2 but I'm not doing everything I can to become a pro. I have too much on my plate to take this hobby to the next level although I'm taking it more serious than I ever have before. I got my business papers out of the way with the city including business tax ID, resellers' permit, and DBA. So I'm hoping to get paid for photography again. I was doing weddings 3 years ago. Wait, I was paid twice this year for two different jobs. Hmmmm....I don't think it counts. I'm doing a formal birthday party this Saturday so I hope it leads to some word of mouth exposure. I better have my business cards and website ready by then.

What is exciting is discovering the different outlets to making money with photography. I just bought this book (don't have it with me right now) and it discusses things from newspapers to stock photography. It actually list the contacts to different companies. I can't wait to try it.

[Idicaii]

Arghh!! I was ordered under penalty of thirty lashes with a wet roll of 35mm film that I had to reply! Oh the suffering I must endure.... ;-)

Actually I'm torn between two choices:

#4) I'm just having fun, sharing, and appreciate any advice that will help me learn more.

#5) I'm just having fun, sharing, and do not need/want any advice.

Number five seems a little harsh, rude or anti-social. I don't intend to come across that way at all. I suppose I must recline on the psychiatrists couch for a little while and talk it through.....

I've been fascinated with photography for many years. My first real foray into photography was back in the 90's when I took several semesters of B/W 35 mm photography classes at the local community college. There I learned how to print my own pictures, develop my own film and play around with special effects and mounting as well as basics of my camera and how to frame up pleasing pictures. I really gained a LOT of appreciation for B/W pics during this time and shot a LOT of film. I knew I was no where near professional status and had no allusions to such.

Years later I added a cheep digital camera to my bag of goodies and starting really filling up with pics. It's one thing to shoot half a dozen rolls of film and get a few good shots, but now I could take hundreds of pics, avoid all the expense of film, developing and printing, and just get to the pics I enjoy! My camera was medium/low quality, but it was fun to use.

I began to have friends (and friends' friends...) start asking me to shoot their weddings. At first I was VERY nervous about this, but I let them know up front I was very much an amature photographer and did this just for fun. Eventually I upgraded to a nicer digital camera and have shot several weddings a year in the past few years. I regularly shoot a combination of digital and 35mm and end up with many hundred shots per event.

I still enjoy shooting various family events, holidays, trips etc. I had a blast taking pics at a local zoo during Winterfest with all the Christmas lights sparkling and giving me freedom for some really fun effects. Last year I discovered I could shoot fireworks with amazing results! And this past January we went on a cruise which generated TONS of great pics!

Basically I enjoy shooting pictures, but it's only one small aspect of things I enjoy. I would not want to be a photographer for a living, nor do I think I could be. Lately I've been sidetracked both with a programming class I'm taking and my obsession with my new Nintendo Wii! (gotta love the Wii!!) That, and our weather here has been so crappy I hate to leave the house in search of something interesting to shoot.

Whenever I do get around to shooting and posting some pics, mostly I'll be looking for opinions on the pics. I would not reject photography advice, but I wouldn't seek it out either. Mostly I just enjoy shooting what I like and sharing it.

So if you check my profile here, I cannot even tell you what you'll find... I don't recall if I uploaded many/any pictures here or not. I've also been using my Flickr account (is that a dirty word here?) and know I have more pics over there. But someday... when the gray skys clear up and sun comes out, when my class is over and it's too pretty outside to even play the Wii, I'll see what I see through my lens and shoot something to share.

Hugz all,

Idicaii:cornut:

[MonkeyWrench]

I almost forgot ----- My photography has improved ten-fold due to this forum and its wonderful members. Thank You One And All.

And for the record Idicaii it was a slightly over exposed roll of 35mm film not wet.

[poker]

I almost forgot ----- My photography has improved ten-fold due to this forum and its wonderful members. Thank You One And All.

Ditto!

But I still have far more to improve upon!

Thanks!

[Yarrow]

Hey all I'm a newbie to the site..so first and foremost a hello to you.


To answer the question, I am:

#2) I am currently doing everything I can do to become a pro.

#3) I'm just having fun, appreciate any advice, and maybe someday I'll become a pro.

#4) I'm just having fun, sharing, and appreciate any advice that I can.


I am starting school very soon. I am supposed to start an online program through Academy of Art University, but Im having reservations about that, so I am looking into a few schools in my area.
I am mostly in it to have fun I guess I will say. I love to take pictures, weither they are not so good or not I still love it and I believe thats what is more important.
I love to hear other peoples opinions on photos I take, and way to improve the shot.

[ZL4life]

I'm a 1.5
I have worked as a pro for our news paper, but not anymore.
Right now I'm taking photos for people on the hill. I've had some buy them from me. So i am making SOME money from photography.

[masdog]

I would probably say I'm a 3. I've been paid for some images, but I don't shoot regularly anymore.

[Ronnoco]

#7. Just getting a feel for the levels of skill and talent out there among both pros and amateurs as well as some of the attitudes and emotions that are limiting their achievement. The range is much wider than I thought and I incorrectly assumed that more photographers would be at an advanced level with postprocessing. In identifying the weaknesses in the work of pros and amateurs, it helps me to avoid making the same mistakes or at least assist me in making fewer mistakes.

Ronnoco

[DaveLC2]

I think I would be #3. I guess I have ALWAYS loved photography but never really got serious about it. Now that I have a half way decent camera I am really pumped with all of the different equipment that is available for it. I basically bring my camera with me EVERYWHERE. My work has me take photos for their monthly newsletter from time to time but I am on the regular clock. I am about to start a big project that probably take me months for work. I basically have to take pictures of approx. 2,000 homes at multiple angles I really enjoy it as a hobby. I would love to make a photo book or calander some day.

Dave

[Janie]

#1) I'm a pro and get paid for my images.

I actually do quite well with architectural photography. I've been super busy the past few months! I do upload some of my favorites to my site at http://hauntinglybeautiful.com/coppermine/index.php

I also do well with portraits here and there, as well as virtual tours.