How to become a photographer?

Question

I've always had a thing for pictures and taking pictures. I got my first digital camera 4 years ago for my 18th bday...at the time it was top of the line, but not so much anymore :) I did really well taking pics of flowers/nature and editing on the free photo editors from microsoft, but I'm looking to start picking this up as a real -possibly money making- hobby. Where can I start w/ a good but not too expensive camera and how can I get pictures developed professional...and editing software? I'm going to start a xmas list for my husband! :) Any advice?

Thanks!

Answer 1

1) Buy a camera. whatever type of camera is completely up to you.

2) Get snapping!

3) Look out for different art competitions that you could enter and Gallery's which might accept your work.

Also, I think this site might be just for you;

http://www.flickr.com/  

Its part of Yahoo (on the same side of the yahoo homepage which has the link to this Q&A forum in its list of extras).

In this site, you're able to upload photographs to be viewed by other members.

Oh, and if you do decide to sign up to it, look me up. My user name is (wait for it)..."Skippy Squirrel", and I can be you're first contact if you like. I wouldn't mind seeing some of your stuff. Hey, it will be a start!

And good luck.

Oh, and as for a good but not too expensive camera. You can get a pretty decent digital camera in any electrical store for an average of about €150 or so.

As for editing software, there's what is called "Adobe Photoshop" which is very good, and can also be purchased in an electrical store.

Answer 2

go to competico.com, it's a site where you can send your pictures and win prize money, it's a start for practice and people give you feedback on your picture. Then try sending your picture if you think there really good to a photo contest a good one photographer's forum contest, they have one every year for the spring and fall. For equipment a good camera is a nikon d80, they have good deals for that on ebay. The best photgraphy software is photoshop, again try ebay to get it for cheap because in the stores it can get pretty expensive, along with that you'll need a good computer that can support all your pictures and the photoshop program. To print the pictures out, you can send them to a online photo develeping site and they'll mail them to you, like snapfish.com, or you can buy a photo printer. good luck below i listed links for all the websites i mentioned.  

Answer 3

theres a class at the collage thats only like $100

Answer 4

Just take pictures!  

Answer 5

As in editing software i don't exactly know what you mean.

you can edit pics on picnik.com and give them special effects and things.

but i think i know what you mean now, some good softwares i have for photos are MGI photo suites and Roxio. they work really well for me.

Answer 6

I love photography too.

You should try lookng in the yellow pages for photographers and ring them up and see if thy will let you join them in a photoshoot this way you can see what it is really like to be a photographer and see if it is the thing for you. you could also try photography class's  

Answer 7

id take a couple college courses... some in photography and some in graphic design (photoshop)  i have a degree in photography and spent way too much money for the education, and actually never used it..so i wouldnt go for a full degree... there are also photography clubs you can join and find out what kind of equipment they use and like.. have fun!

Answer 8

try sending your pictures to competitions, sending them as part of articles to magazines that sort of thing, or go into freelance photography.

Answer 9

You need quite a list actually but look here to learn about everything from your camera selection criteria to photography and lighting techniques, through to Photoshop post production:

http://www.image-nut.com

Basically you need a suitable SLR camera and lenses, lighting / reflectors and tripod, a computer, a monitor calibrator (to get the screen view A1 before you start image editing), and the latest version of Photoshop (full + Bridge).

That is an absolute minimum really.  

The main thing that will cut your work out from others is not your equipment but what you know, so get on to Image-Nut ASAP would be my advice.  Once you've got your buying criteria worked out look for some up-to-date equipment reviews to start making your camera buying decision.

Answer 10

I was a photographer for quite a while, i think it is myth that it is hard to get a job as a photographer.  You just need to change your concept of what a photographer is...   Every image you see on the web, or in print, had to be made by someone.  Start thinkng about that each time you see an image and think about the person that must have been paid to take it.

People that say you need to learn the basics are right to some degree, but that stuff isn't terribly hard.  Get yourself a totally manual camera and learn it inside out.  Familiarize yourself with the principles of light and color theory.  Learn Photoshop.    Just remember though that the principles of light remain just as true for a digital camera as it does for one using film.

There are great careers in Graphic Arts and Public Relations.  These fields employ many photographers.  I regret to say it, but traditional photography (weddings, portraits, etc.) is probably dead at this point.  The only people I know doing those live at the brink of bankruptcy.  It wasn't digital that did them in, but rather places like Wal-Mart.   Somehow they lost the public relations war, and average people decided that some guy making minimum wage was just as qualified to do their family portraits.    Those photographers left doing that sort of thing cater to only wealthy families now to make up the income.

I did freelance event photography for years, and it was pretty easy to get a job and get into some really interesting events.  It wasn't too hard to get a job doing that, as long as you are consistent and dependable.  I got to photograph things like political events and such, and meet politicians and movie stars.   The money wasn't fantastic or anything, but I could afford a nice apartment, and never wanted for much.  

You can make better money than I did if you are good at marketing yourself.   Being a freelancer is a bit like constantly interviewing for a new job.    You start with one or two contacts, and then gradually expand by selling yourself to new contacts based on your previous work.

Good luck!