Do you remember elementary school?
Do you remember how you got a report card about all the subjects you were taking?
Math. Science. English. Social Studies. Music. Even gym.
Now it's time to grade yourself as a photographer. First, you're going to do this on your own. And you're gonna like it whether you hate it or not. Sit your ass down and let's start with just the basics. Leave a comment. If you're man/woman enough, put your name next to it. Otherwise, be anonymous, but just be honest.
In the information age we live in, its so easy to pick up a camera, read a few blogs of inspiration, pay for some silly forum membership, and bang, you're now a professional photographer.
Camera Knowledge - ? - How well do you know your camera body inside and out? How quickly can you change any setting within split seconds? How do megapixels truly affect the quality of an image? What's metering? What's the difference between a CCD and CMOS?
Flash Knowledge - ? - You get my drift so far. Think about ratios. Think about channels. Think about master. Think about slaves. Think about setups. Think bounce. Think power. Think it all.
Lighting - ? - What do you know about measuring light? What do you know about harsh and soft shadows? Think about softboxes. Think about light stands. Think about power sources. Think about triggers. How well do you know these and more? If you say 'but I'm a natural light shooter so this really doesn't apply to me' give yourself a 'D' automatically for effort.
Lenses - ? - Sounds easy, but how well do you know what your lenses do. If someone told you to just shoot wide open cause they do it, give yourself an automatic 'D.' When do you think you should use or not use AF? Do you even know what AF stands for? What's barrel distortion? What apertures do you use at any given time? What are advantages of a prime lenses? Disadvantages? How about zoom lenses? When should you use a lens hood and shouldn't? If you leave the lens cap on ever, give yourself a 'D' for effort.
History - ? - Surprised? Shouldn't be. How much history do you know about photography? Who are were the pioneers and artists that defined the craft through the past 170 years? What methods and technology gave way to where we are today?
These are just the basics. Things all pros should know. We haven't even scratched the surface of taking photos, composition, rules, rendering, metering, AF points, industry laws, and the ever popular summation of all of the above to arrive to a great photo IN CAMERA.
This was just a quick thought provoking memo for my readers during my 15 minute lunch break. Something to think about and help you reflect on what's important when you call yourself a pro. Many 'pros' in today's industry don't even know the above the basics.
For now, I have to get back to work. I've got bathroom cleaning duties. The new high school cheerleader is really cute, so the manager gave her my drive-thru duties today. What a punk.
By the way, if you can get any of your rockstar friends to take this 'grade yourself' exercise and publicly display it, I'll be impressed. If they don't, demand it before you pay them a dime to buy their 50% off Workshop on a DVD specials on Twitter or the how to schedule a client meeting book for slow people, or attend one of their workshops in Paris.
It's your money. It's your industry.
By the way, if you can get any of your rockstar friends to take this 'grade yourself' exercise and publicly display it, I'll be impressed. If they don't, demand it before you pay them a dime to buy their 50% off Workshop on a DVD specials on Twitter or the how to schedule a client meeting book for slow people, or attend one of their workshops in Paris.
It's your money. It's your industry.
Keep stalking Photogzilla Rockstar!
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ReplyDeleteI think you should add business knowledge. Do you realize how many MWACs get into this and have not a clue about business management? That's one of the major reasons this industry is going to hell. Moms out there charging $20 for an 8x10 or $300 for a CD and thinking well, if they get one $200 or $300 order per week, that's awesome. *huge eye roll*
ReplyDeleteThey have no idea why they need to charge more, nor how to actually just run a business in general. Great, you take pretty pictures and all your friends keep telling you to become a photographer, but being a photographer is being a business owner, and being a business owner requires knowledge of how to run a business.
So they get into this industry, thinking they are making money when they really aren't (they are just not being honest with themselves) and eventually they fizzle... leaving us, the ones that have steady businesses and actual turn profits to pick up the pieces, and constantly get the calls of "but why doesn't a CD come with my $250 session fee?"
*sigh*
Draining. Draining is what it is.
I don't know any other industry where making negative $3,000 per year is acceptable or heck, making $20,000 as a full time business owner is acceptable. I'd rather go serve coffee at Starbucks than be a business owner who makes minimum wage or less...
Sorry... didn't mean to ramble, but I'm not so sure it is the lack of knowledge of the history of photography that's bringing this industry down... I'm more inclined to believe it is the lack of business sense or professionalism in general.
she refers to "a lack of professionalism" in the industry, even though she herself rode in on the train from Crazytown. It's amazing to me that someone who is Sooooo busy and sooooo impressed with herself and her business has time to bash others. Get a life Jodie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the acknowledgment, Anonymous, at least I use my real name!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the information and honesty of this post. Thanks!
ReplyDelete