Casey & Amanda - Copyright 2010 Warth ArtsPortrait Sessions & Gear
I had the chance to search the Internet and it's many viral videos Saturday looking for an episode of the Judge Joe Brown program featuring a wedding photographer vs. client [see video below]. I had read about the episode over at the Digital Pro Talk [LINK] blog by David Ziser. Mr. Ziser is a great photographer, a prodigious blogger, and an overall great person. I have had the chance to meet him as well as spend some time walking all over Cincinnati shooing pics for fun.
Aside from the use of the word "professional" and not getting into the part-time versus full-time debate, the blog post over at Digital Pro Talk and the video stirred quite a few emotional responses from several people. After watching the video online of Judge Joe Brown I came to a few conclusions:
- Photographers (established as well as up and coming) must learn and know how to use their gear. With the technology available today the investment may not be as high but the fundamentals of photography remain - shutter speed, aperture, and ISO in relation to the subject and how light falls on the subject is important to understand. Furthermore, know the limits of your gear and what it can and cannot do. An inexpensive camera in the right hands can be a tool to make awesome photographs - AND an expensive camera in the hands of a novice might as well be a cameraphone. My point here is, established photogs know their gear and typically purchase gear based on what they shoot. Your gear does not make you qualified to be in business. One does not need a degree in photography but you better learn it if you plan to charge people to take pictures.
- Clients - Be Careful!! Do some research before you hire someone.
- "Professionals" - Never assume a part-timer or someone with a mid grade camera can't do what you do everyday. (for the record, I don't think a Canon Rebel qualifies as mid grade either - I have no idea why the defendant thought a Rebel and slow glass was good enough for a wedding) OK...back to my point...(pros) keep raising the bar...that is the evolution of the craft. The photographer in the video is just an idiot with a camera. Not all up and coming photographers with less equipment than you suck! Some do better with less - admit it - I know you've witnessed it. I have even seen highly regarded pros with real cheap gear praise the cheap gear for what it can do. For example, the Nikon D70s and the shutter drive advantage it has over cameras with flash sync limitations of 1/250th. It has a usefulness, it's cheap, and it works. Is it a pro camera? No, not really, but again in the right hands - it works.
My conclusions are based on comments left by readers of many blogs I have read over the years, as well as comments left by the viewers of the Judge Joe Brown episode. One's gear (although very important) does not make (or break) the photographer. Vision, education, passion, good business ethics/practices, and skill make the photographer. You would never tell Chef Gordon Ramsay his pots and pans make great food would you?
For me, photography is a blast, I wish I could make a living doing it. I wish I could quit my job and be an artist/photographer every single day. But my idea of a living and your idea is different. My needs far exceed what can be made in my neck of the woods as a photographer and/or fine artist. I believe being a "professional" (man I hate that word) means you work at being the best you can be, you get paid, and you have high standards; not what gear you have or how many hours a week you practice your craft.
For those of you reading this who want to make their living from their art - I say good luck! Go for it if you can afford it, go for it if the risks are low enough for you to feel like it is worth it. But for those of you like me who have very specific needs and obligations and/or have found a comfort zone juggling life, bills, family, career, and passion then by all means keep on trucking! To everyone taking money from clients...do your very best and know your gear...they are paying you! The golden rule applies here!
For me, photography is a blast, I wish I could make a living doing it. I wish I could quit my job and be an artist/photographer every single day. But my idea of a living and your idea is different. My needs far exceed what can be made in my neck of the woods as a photographer and/or fine artist. I believe being a "professional" (man I hate that word) means you work at being the best you can be, you get paid, and you have high standards; not what gear you have or how many hours a week you practice your craft.
For those of you reading this who want to make their living from their art - I say good luck! Go for it if you can afford it, go for it if the risks are low enough for you to feel like it is worth it. But for those of you like me who have very specific needs and obligations and/or have found a comfort zone juggling life, bills, family, career, and passion then by all means keep on trucking! To everyone taking money from clients...do your very best and know your gear...they are paying you! The golden rule applies here!
- Michael
The video that started it all...
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