2 answers
Nathan
Student
Elyria, Ohio
4
Questions
2 answers
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
232
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Nathan,
You can be a photographer with any tool or device that lets you take photos.
If you're asking about a career as a photographer however, it requires the following:
* Dedication - To be a great photographer, you have to take thousands of photos. You have to then evaluate each one and see how it can be improved. You have to view millions of photos and evaluate what you like and dislike about them so that you can incorporate those learnings in your own photos. Being a successful photographer means getting up early to get to the vista point before the sun rises and staying out late to catch the sunset as all your friends settle down to eat dinner.
* Skills - The internet, I believe, contains all the teachings that will make you a perfect photographer. The hard part is finding out exactly which lessons/teachings are the right fit for you, for the type of photographer you want to become. With each skill you want to pick up, it requires you to take hundreds of photos for you to feel good about it, then probably another ten thousand more for you to realize how at a hundred photos, you really didn't know what you were doing. But unlike fifty years ago, all you need is a basic camera or cell phone to start, and there are tons of good, free resources on the internet that will help you become a successful photographer.
* Self-promotion - To be a full time photographer, you really need to be able to sell yourself. Even if you have all the skills and are the best at what you can do, if no one knows about you, no one will hire you. You have to relentlessly hone your craft, while showing off what you can do in ways that future clients will be able to see them.
* Gear - To start, a basic camera and a cell phone is enough, but at a certain point, you'll hit a wall where to learn more and to do more, you'll need expensive equipment. So by this point, you really have to be comfortable with money, or really know that you want to do this for a living. If you're at this point, another important decision will be to know which manufacturer you're going to tie yourself to (once you get in a camera system, it's really expensive to jump out). A good resources is photography clubs, where you can ask other members if you can try out their cameras (and many photogs may even give you, or sell you at a discount, their older equipment, which will be more than enough for you to learn from).
I wish you the best and if you have any other questions, just let me know!
--
Dexter
You can be a photographer with any tool or device that lets you take photos.
If you're asking about a career as a photographer however, it requires the following:
* Dedication - To be a great photographer, you have to take thousands of photos. You have to then evaluate each one and see how it can be improved. You have to view millions of photos and evaluate what you like and dislike about them so that you can incorporate those learnings in your own photos. Being a successful photographer means getting up early to get to the vista point before the sun rises and staying out late to catch the sunset as all your friends settle down to eat dinner.
* Skills - The internet, I believe, contains all the teachings that will make you a perfect photographer. The hard part is finding out exactly which lessons/teachings are the right fit for you, for the type of photographer you want to become. With each skill you want to pick up, it requires you to take hundreds of photos for you to feel good about it, then probably another ten thousand more for you to realize how at a hundred photos, you really didn't know what you were doing. But unlike fifty years ago, all you need is a basic camera or cell phone to start, and there are tons of good, free resources on the internet that will help you become a successful photographer.
* Self-promotion - To be a full time photographer, you really need to be able to sell yourself. Even if you have all the skills and are the best at what you can do, if no one knows about you, no one will hire you. You have to relentlessly hone your craft, while showing off what you can do in ways that future clients will be able to see them.
* Gear - To start, a basic camera and a cell phone is enough, but at a certain point, you'll hit a wall where to learn more and to do more, you'll need expensive equipment. So by this point, you really have to be comfortable with money, or really know that you want to do this for a living. If you're at this point, another important decision will be to know which manufacturer you're going to tie yourself to (once you get in a camera system, it's really expensive to jump out). A good resources is photography clubs, where you can ask other members if you can try out their cameras (and many photogs may even give you, or sell you at a discount, their older equipment, which will be more than enough for you to learn from).
I wish you the best and if you have any other questions, just let me know!
--
Dexter
Rathin Mojumdar
IT Professional
9
Answers
Stony Brook, New York
Updated
Rathin’s Answer
Hi Nathan,
A career as a professional photographer can be very exciting avenue and have the opportunity to work in many settings and meet diverse people and diverse areas. It is also a technically demanding profession, so if you are interested in becoming a professional photographer, I would recommend you must consider the proper training that will need before committing to this career path. Also, if you are at a stage comparing similar careers, I would recommend to go through the comparison in terms of education, job & career growth and compensation before taking any decision. There are many available sites which can help you to on this like - https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/photographer/
Wish you all the best,
- Rathin Mojumdar
A career as a professional photographer can be very exciting avenue and have the opportunity to work in many settings and meet diverse people and diverse areas. It is also a technically demanding profession, so if you are interested in becoming a professional photographer, I would recommend you must consider the proper training that will need before committing to this career path. Also, if you are at a stage comparing similar careers, I would recommend to go through the comparison in terms of education, job & career growth and compensation before taking any decision. There are many available sites which can help you to on this like - https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/photographer/
Wish you all the best,
- Rathin Mojumdar