Photography Career Advice

[Duane Pipe]

If you are interested in trying to generate some income from photography, reach out and go for it.

Not so much for all the reasons given by everyone else, but simply because being on even a part disability pension and dealing with Centrelink is soul destroying. Even seeking the dream of being a full or part time photographer will probably have enormous mental benefits.

Wring every bit of support out of Centrelink you can - courses in particular.

Good luck, and many good wishes.

I couldn't agree more farmmax and steve

[Duane Pipe]

Along with what Raoul said above I can totally relate, I have a pillar fractured C6 in my neck and nerve damage in shoulders, and cannot hold a camera without a vertical grip on it my arm above cam for 5-10mins gives me hell, if I want to go take pics for a few hours I have to ensure Im suitably "pain killered up" before hand. I know Ill never be able to be reliable due to weekly migraines and the car accident (not my fault!!) a month ago stuffed me even further. Not trying to tread on toes here, but just keep that in mind with your injuries that I can TOTALLY sympathise with, so going for paid work, keep in mind the reliability factor, one fallen thru job can stuff your reputation. Id love to be able to do studio work one day but my plan is not for at least 24more mths, well thats if the insurance company stop screwing me around getting me treated for a w/cover related injury sighhhhh So ive given up on the idea of tog as a career path. Just a obsessive hobby that maybe one day I can if my levels improve properly I could make a few bucks on but only if I get that good So Im still partially at my day job, but I wont give up just yet, theres a mad scientist surgeon out there somewhere for me!!
Best of luck to you, I wish you well and just remember to enjoy your photography too!
Gremlin...

Gday gremlin im sorry to hear about your situation I know exactly how you feel, But where there's a will there's a way. I have an interest in photography so why not have a go. When you find that scientist let me know! you take care Gremlin

[Duane Pipe]

Here's the thing, doing photography professionally is quite physical...,lots of gear and very heavy pro grade cameras and lenses around your neck. Lots of crouching, kneeling etc

For event work I strap 4kg on one shoulder and 8kg on another shoulder

It may not be the physically soft job option unfortunately

You also will need to be damn good at business and artistically gifted also

Good luck

Hi Kiwi I could get some type of harness made up to carry the gear that way it would distribute the load more evenly, My lower back is ok so no prob there. Cheers Mate

[Fantasyphoto]

Hi Kiwi I could get some type of harness made up to carry the gear that way it would distribute the load more evenly, My lower back is ok so no prob there. Cheers Mate

A harness system is already available in the Lowpro range.

[Redgum]

Dave - in all honesty, there's little point in people talking about what can be achieved in relation to how much someone can potentially earn. This is a little bit like putting money on the horse and cart race, before anyone's seen the horse. What would be far more helpful for you - prior to discussing heading off into an industry with great ambitions on earning potentials and the like - is to show some examples of your photography first.

* Comment removed- innapropriate - Admin *. Duane's need is to establish his business credentials first and foremost. He needs to know if he can earn enough money to pay for all the gear he needs plus feed his family. Whether he takes good photos or not is important down the track but out of the realm of this forum to make judgement. You rarely see a commercial photo displayed here and I say that with all due reverence.
Personally, I know the photographic industry is highly competitive and even without a handicap survival is tenuous. Let's not fool anyone that may need to spend large amounts of money to pursue their dream.
Duane, spend a $100 and go and get professional advice on business before you do anything.

[Gremlin]

speaking of harnesses what about those harness shoulder things you can buy for using dslrs as a film camera(video) they might work for distributing load, I have a cheaper version of a steadycam unit, it has a full upper body harness with the springy doodat(back when i was into video work which Ive had to give up, another thing ) but I did find that unit allowed me to work longer as the harness and springy thing worked well. Theres another cheaper version that basically hangs from your shoulder.

[Duane Pipe]

I'm sorry William, that's so far from the truth. Duane's need is to establish his business credentials first and foremost. He needs to know if he can earn enough money to pay for all the gear he needs plus feed his family. Whether he takes good photos or not is important down the track but out of the realm of this forum to make judgement. You rarely see a commercial photo displayed here and I say that with all due reverence.
Personally, I know the photographic industry is highly competitive and even without a handicap survival is tenuous. Let's not fool anyone that may need to spend large amounts of money to pursue their dream.
Duane, spend a $100 and go and get professional advice on business before you do anything.

Yeah I might make arrangements to see my accountant, Thanks Redgum

[wattsgallery]

Dave
There is some fantastic and inspiring advice on this thread. I think it is great that instead of mopping about your injuries you are looking at alternatives. I guess I am a risk averse person and have convinced myself that I could never replicate my salary by turning my passion into a business (but it is a decision that I question everyday I put on a tie and head to the office).

I think the comments about the focus on business and the physically demanding nature of the work seem pretty accurate from seeing friends follow this path. One area you might consider is your interest in the post capture photography process. To have a photography business (at least to begin with) you will need to get a good grasp not only on the taking of the photo but also the processing, printing, internet selling, and marketing. In fact this side of the work can take more time than the shoots in my limited experience.

While the shooting is physically demanding there is a lot of other areas of the work that you could try and excell in (if you have an interest for it) that could be a focus for your business. You may not be interested in these aspects at all (which is a bit of a worry to begin with) but if you are then it could be an answer to the concerns about the physical nature of photography.

Sorry my post is a bit convoluted but I hope you get what I mean.

Wish you all the best
Josh

[Duane Pipe]

Hi Josh I have recently got hold of Photoshop-CS5, Its a Big learning curve but I will master it!. If i do decide to head down this path (Photography) By the time i have a business plan and a marketing strategy worked out, I should also have my photography and editing skills up to scratch or thereabouts....
In the mean time why not try to sell on line, For example a Stock photography site, there would be a few members of AP that have tried ,surely. PS Should I start this in a new thread. Thanks Josh...

[ricktas]

Stock libraries... Do not expect to get rich of them, have a look at these threads:

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ad.php?t=34063
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ad.php?t=58640

[Longshots]

*comment removed - innpropriate - Admin* Duane's need is to establish his business credentials first and foremost. He needs to know if he can earn enough money to pay for all the gear he needs plus feed his family. Whether he takes good photos or not is important down the track but out of the realm of this forum to make judgement. You rarely see a commercial photo displayed here and I say that with all due reverence.
Personally, I know the photographic industry is highly competitive and even without a handicap survival is tenuous. Let's not fool anyone that may need to spend large amounts of money to pursue their dream.
Duane, spend a $100 and go and get professional advice on business before you do anything.

I cant understand why you think that view is so far from the truth ? To me its just so glaringly obvious. You clearly dont agree with it. Which is fine, good healthy discussion and views. But these are all views. Not something you differentiate between truth and lies.


Think of those American/Australian Idol entrants. Plenty of talent out there, sometimes exceptional, but sometimes there are a poor few who (the production loves and raises the ratings) who have never met with honest feedback, and thats the point. As a photographer of 35 years, speaker, and educator, I've seen some great talent, and I've seen plenty of people who have bought the "professional" camera, and the "professional" accompanying equipment and unfortunately they have had no grasp at all.

Now I'm not saying that Dave doesnt have any, but I'm suggesting hey if you want some good advice, some honest advice, then the 10 or 20% of effort in taking pics, which its already been suggested to be a "photographer" is still an important 10 or 20% - then its probably going to be more helpful to put up a few images to demonstrate what could be his full time career.

Considering that two other significant members thanked my comment, I dont think I'm alone in saying that could be a good starting point.

[kiwi]

I agree with William, big difference between running a photography business and being a photographer and I think the latter comes before the former, or at least I think it should

Duane, hate to be a party pooper all the time but stock is not going to help, you need high quality high volume to earn even a meager amount

[Duane Pipe]

Very informative, Thanks for them links Rick. I think Sheila has summed it up in one. You also said there is over 20 million images on Alamy" and that's just one site! It sounds like a very time consuming job, down loading ten thousand images just to make a buck or two, No thanks. Remember when we were kids" you could go to the local tip on your bike and fill up your bags with bottles and then take them to the milkbar around the corner' Those were the days, You could buy a pack of fags, fish & chips and even play the pinnies, sorry where am I That was a great way to earn pocket money Sorry its a bit off topic, but I often think about that due to having a son of 7.. I would like to thank everybody that has replied to this thread ......

[kiwi]

Duane, not sure why you'd spend so much on cs5?

Best to start off simple, ps elements a much better choice, see if you can get a refund and do a swap

[Duane Pipe]

Duane, not sure why you'd spend so much on cs5?

Best to start off simple, ps elements a much better choice, see if you can get a refund and do a swap

Thanks for the advice Kiwi but I will keep it as I have also been experimenting with Maya and 3ds max for a while now and they incorporates the features of Photoshop, Just another learning curve to add to my list hay!, I suppose its an inexpensive way to kill time in between looking for work, Although since getting involved in AP I have been concentrating on photography. I formatted my computer a few weeks ago and the only major programs that are on there are paint shop pro 7, Photoshop cs5 and Digital Photo Professional which came with the Canon.Cheers Bro

[kiwi]

Inexpensive ? CS5 is not inexpensive....$1000+ more than your camera and lenses are worth probably ...just seems an odd investment to make for a new photographer

Never heard of Maya and 3ds max

[Kym]

CS5 is cheap(ish) if your a student

[JM Tran]

CS5 is cheap(ish) if your a student

gotta scan your student ID and/or timetable proof and email Adobe and wait for them to approve and activate it

its for full time students only, I dont think Duane is one hehe

[kiwi]

im sure it is cheaper, still exe though

[Dan Cripps]

CS5 is cheap(ish) if your a student

It's also not licensed for commercial use.