Hello to everyone here...I've been lurking for a bit and posting a few things in the photo gallery. I've been in love with photography since I was a kid. It seems from the posts that at least some of you are professionals. I've been totally disgusted with my job in the dental profession...and I'm thinking of a career change. I've always kicked myself for not going to school for the thing that I love most, photography, and I'm considering going back to school for it. I guess, I'm looking for opinions on photography as a profession. It seems that there are so many things that you can do as a photographer. I'm sort of clueless I guess.......so does anyone have any input for someone like me?

Welcome Michelle, glad to have you here. Your images in all the galleries are very nice. I'm an amateur also, so 'fraid I can't help. [I always figured if I liked it, it wasn't really work. My boss says I have a bad attitude. And proud of it.] I'll be interested in hearing the professionals answers to this.

Welcome to the forum Michelle :)

Welcome to the group M. .n

Hi Michelle. Welcome from little old me too! I've admired your work in the gallery, and wish you more power in following your dream! I hope you keep on posting and keep interacting with the forum. :-)>

Hi Michelle! Good to see you've joined in..... being there is much more fun than voyeurism, so to speak! About a year ago I asked the forum pretty much the same question. My job rules out college coz of the hours, and a correspondence course is also a bit too expensive (300+), so I'm learning the hard way, purely by messing about and getting experience. Just my opinion, but these are a few things that have helped me; 1. Use your library. Read, read, read. I didn't at first and even simple language here like f-stops got me confused, even though I was taking half-decent pictures. I think. 2. I have made 3 purchases for my computer which have helped enourmously. Memory (I now use 360mb coz the higher quality pics EAT resources) a bigger HD - coz they eat that too - and a graphics tablet....mine's just a small one (3" x 4") but it makes things SO much easier. 3. Beleive in yourself. I took some pictures to work that I had done that people said were good. I've recently had a lull and questioned myself and how good I am - then I found that my pictures had gone missing at work while I was off sick..... nasty, you may think? Not really....if someone liked them enough..... (actually, found out just last night that a friend took them home, but only because they overheard someone saying they were gonna take them....still a BIG compliment!!!) 4. As Alpha says, take pictures. Then some more. My camera, big as it is, goes most places with me, coz you always see that good shot when it's at home...... Hope you get there!!! Mike (",)

Ok my reply isn't showing up so I'm posting this again...I just wanted to thank all of you for the welcome and the advice.

I suppose the most important thing is having confidence in yourself which I sometimes tend to be lacking in. :~) I'm so tired of struggling out of bed in the morning to go to a job that I hate. I'm very serious about this and luckily my husband is supporting my decision so that helps alot.

I'll be looking into colleges in my local area of RI, I have children so local it will have to be. I'm also considering correspondence courses, although I think I would do better with one on one person to person classes.

To JordyArt: I know what you mean about missing that shot...my camera back-pack has to weigh at least 30 lbs. and it often sits at home. I've missed many opportunities for that perfect picture.

Personally, I don't have any interest in making photography a career for myself, though I will admit that photography will have a definite impact on my career of choice (if everything works out). Here in montreal, there are basically two choices for schooling. Non commercial photography, and commercial. Non comercial is great, because you do whatever the hell you want. Commercial can blow if you aint into that aspect, though it doesn't mean you can't twist it your way. It all depends on the photographer, their work, and what they want to do, so go for it. As for that perfect shot missed, a 30lb backpack seems a lot to carry. My thought: If you are planning on taking pictures, lug the bag around. Other than that, keep a 35mm slr(or digi) with just the minimum requirements: A small carry case (if one at all, all you really need is a strap oin the camera itself, and carry it diagonally across the shoulder and chest) along with a simple lens, doesn't even have to have a zoom on it. Still, what'd I'd give for a 500m telephoto... I'll kill for it if anyone needs someone whacked. ry

Welcome, Michele ! I hope you'll have a nice time on this forum....I'm sure you will :) Anyway, I think I can give you a bit of advice. They're just some humble tips and hints, cause eventhough I'm (next to design) a photographer, there are so much better photographers than me on this earth :) - First off all, don't ever ever ever work with a digital camera. I don't mean this as a rant againt digital photography, but especially when you are still learning it is ESSENTIAL to learn all aspects of photography in the old fashioned analog way. Normal film and cameras can punish you very hard for your mistakes, but they also give you some amazing rewards as soon as you start learning from your own mistakes. - Second thing is just to take as much photos as you can, depending on your budget and time. - Try to shoot as many things as you can. Sunsets, people, whatever you can. At some point you'll see in what area you are just excellent and that's the way to go....maybe it's nature shooting or studio work, or maybe a lot of stuff together. Whatever you like to do, give the things you don't really like at first sight a good/fair chance. - Invest more money in film than in material. I made more improvement when moving from $2 negative film to $15 slide film that I did when I got a new lens, filters or whatever. - Unless you want to do fashion photography, don't waste your time on being the assisent of a professional photographer. Most are just arrogant and use you to get their drinks, but hardly anyone is down-to-earth enough to share their knowledge with you. - Take your camera everywhere you go...period. If you don't wanna carry your stuff around (I just can't cause of the weight....camera and one telephot are too heavy) get some small camera, and take photos of everything you notice! From that point on you will learn to see every single thing in life as an opportunity for a good photo! If you'll learn that you'll never get rid of that feeling.....you WILL be able to shoot anything that you see....the stuff that usually passes by even before you can turn on your camera. - Save time and go to a lot of exhibits, and like me, waste piles of money on books and (good!) magazines and learn from other people's mistakes. - It's almost the same as everything above, but let me say it like this: Photography is not a profession, it's a way of life. I don't know about other people, but my profession is (graphic) designer, but I aaaaam a photographer. (It's not up to me to decide if I'm good or not, but at least I'm am one :) You see, my girlfriend has been a model, but that was just to earn enough money to make music for the rest of her live....if you can accomplish a state of mind like that (I hope I can someday ;) you'll never have to doubt about what you want to do when you grow up...hehe :) It's so nice to read someone's so passionate for something! Go for it! If you don't do it, you'll regret it for every single day of the rest of you live....there's nothing worse than a missed chance. (believe me on that one) Take care....hope to hear a lot of you =)

hmmm..... Rork, I think you're being a bit severe there by saying NEVER get a digital camera to start with; I haven't touched a film camera properly in my life, but have saved a massive fortune in film and developing costs by learning how to take photographs, composition, lighting etc from my digital. Now that I'm going on to film I'm gonna be able to asses what I'm taking, know the shot itself is ok and be able to spot what is wrong with my pictures quicker than than wondering if it was me or the settings...and saved myself money into the bargain. I'm now learning about combining aperture, exposure etc. without wasting a minimum of 7 per film...(cheap film + developing - developing yourself while learning would REALLY screw me up, coz you can't get it all right first time so you'd never know where your mistakes are....in the camera side or developing side.) Even paying the over 500 for my digital, it has already saved me over 300 in developing costs in 4 months - and that's just the pictures I've kept!!! imo, digital is a brilliant learning tool......not to say film isn't... (",)

What I mean is that if you really want to learn everything about photography in a real professional way (I mean at the level of making magazine covers, photos for books, magazines....anything that doesn't involve a more than small ammount of post work) normal photography is still the way to go. Aside from the costs I do think that you cannot be a really professional photographer if you are not a master of a normal camera. It's not my own personal view, but I'm just saying how real pro's usually do things. Okay, ofcourse there are always exceptions, but if you have never managed to be in full control of your aperture, exposure and film you'll (not you, but in general :) never be able to comprehend why so many pro's spend so much on material and film. It's just not possible to compare it....I mean if people could become a real master in photography by only using digital equipment, why aren't Hasselblad or Bronica out of business yet ? :) Seriously, it's like when you want to become a racing driver in a class that has only automatic shifting. By learning to shift, you also learn how the engine works, how to push the limits of a car by more than just the brakes or gaspedal, if you get my point. Again, I don't mean to say that digital is unable to keep the pace at a pro level, but you are going to miss out on some very good 'inside information'. One last thing ;) I don't think that costs are a good arguement if you are going pro. If I shoot (for instance) interiors of my client's office, I don't care about paying $15 for a roll of Velvia and another $10 for a handmade print by a pro lab, cause it's just all in the price that I charge. I guess one's budget just moved upward along with the quality of your work....you'll ask more, but to produce higher standards you'll have to pay more as well, and so your rates go up as well. Take care & have a nice weekend =)

Btw, if you want to cut costs, go buy a Kiev 88 medium format camera, with two film backs, a polaroid back, one or two nice portrait lenses and a wastelevel viewfinder. The 120mm film isn't expensive, and the square 6x6 format is awesome to learn, without even considering having to turn your camera. (which is a really good thing). The backs aren't all 100% light proof, but for $299 you'll have equipment that is compatible with any Hassie. Not kidding :)

I'm not qualified to enter the debate of which is "better" or "more professional." When I was learning, and even now, it would have been great to twiddle the knobs, and immediately see the result. If I expected a different result, I'd have immediate feedback on the twiddling. And a chance to try more twiddling. I think my learning would have been much faster. I was always a better B&W darkroom technician than cameraman, mostly because it did not take that much time or pain to re-print something. I never became good with color, because all color darkroom was hopelessly trial-and-error, time consuming, and expensive. It's only Photoshop that lets me make anything halfway decent in color. "Better" depends a lot on the type of work one likes, or is paid, to do. "Better" is also changing pretty rapidly, but that does not set aside the old techniques. Look at the beautiful platinum prints still being made! We've gotten somewhat off track from Michelle's original questions, but it seems to be a useful track. Aiming at being a "professional photographer" is not exactly the same thing as aiming at being an "excellent photographer". [Hopefully they have some things in common...] Bottom line, being professional means you are doing something folks are willing to pay for. Michelle, if you could give us some idea of what types of photography you'd like to get paid for, I'll bet we can be a lot more specific on training needs, equipment, ways to break into the field, etc.

Misha: "Bottom line, being professional means you are doing something folks are willing to pay for. Michelle, if you could give us some idea of what types of photography you'd like to get paid for, I'll bet we can be a lot more specific on training needs, equipment, ways to break into the field, etc." Hmmmmm, that's a good question Misha...I'm not really sure. I do know that I enjoy nature photography/scenery type stuff very much, as well as portraiture. I don't think I want to go into fashion photography although those that do probably make alot of money, if they can break into the business. I sort of have visions of opening my own little place here in the small town I live in. There is no studio right here in town....but that's just a daydream I'm having. Who knows...that's why I think it's important for me to get some sort of formal training even though I'm familiar with most aspects of the camera, so that I can get of taste of everything. I'm sure I'll never be rich doing it, but the desire to do something I love and actually make a living from it is very strong right now. As far as digital as I told Bart in an e-mail, I just recently got a the Minolta Dimage 7. I'm having fun playing with it and the instant gratification is wonderful. I have no intentions getting rid of my slr's they have served me well and will continue to do so. But, I'm saving a ton of money on film and developing. With film I would spend at least $23 total (film cost, developing, and having it put on CD)....figure more than have half of those images are garbage. If I shoot 24 images on digital and that many are crappy....so what I haven't lost a thing, plus if I make a mistake I can try to correct it right then and there. With film I could never remember what settings I used and of course I'm too lazy to record those things. :~)

Thank you, Michelle. I think this will help the folks here make more focused suggestions (no pun intended). Of course it does not entirely exclude possibilities; but can downplay fashion, and advertising/corporate photography. Probably downplays photojournalism, and trips to Afghanistan. Probably can downplay scientific and medical photography. This leaves a lot of room for traditional and not traditional "family" portraits, portraits of pets, weddings, illustration and stock photography, maybe even architectural or historical photography, even "fine art," which can mean many things from museums to books to craft fairs. Then there is also the need for moving traditional photography into web and e-commerce. So your opportunities, even in a small town may be bigger than you think. I'm not a professional, so let the professionals here put in their own two cents. For nature photography, I've always been inspired by Ansel Adams and Elliot Porter. [They also are capable of extraordinary work in other areas, but nature is really where they shine.] In the portrait area there are fortunately pretty teachable techniques; the hard part is dealing with the people.

Welcome Michelle and sorry Im late in responding, I hope you enjoy it here, have enjoyed seeing your work. I saw the Minolta today and was thinking wishfully I need a new digital for myself.....I cant' help you with finding a job, but we can welcome you with open arms and support you the whole way. Syyd