How to start up professionally?

[Bibudesh]

to Pro and Experts-
I am in a serious plan to come up as a professional shooter as a part time activity. Intially i want to start up as a portfolio fotographer and later may go about into other specialisations (as I learn thru).

All i need is the tips about how to go about it (apart from procuring equipments). How to kick it thru as I have zero idea being a freelancer or an entrepreneur.
Is it ok if I give free offers to my aquaintances initially?

[Sunny]

Topic Appoved

Three Golden Rules:


Publicize yourself well, but make sure you do that only with your god photos and not with every photo that you take under the sun
Get an online portfolio, use the internet
Make yourself a nice visiting card


Let your acquaintances know how good you are in photography first. Make them hunger for you.

[Aryan]

Let your acquaintances know how good you are in photography first. Make them hunger for you.

This is a very important part, according to me. Word of mouth can spread like wild fire, trust me, which will ultimately help one in getting assignments/ projects as a freelancer/ full-timer. ;)

[Bibudesh]

Yup point taken.
Can you guys suggest me good websites which can add value to learning and advertising? Let the scope be only India!

How about putting some 'good' fotos on my office notice board (I am so called 'official' fotographer of my company)

[cosgeo]

Can ny one explain me "portfolio fotographer".

[manav]

Can ny one explain me "portfolio fotographer".

People who want their pictures taken for various reasons like shaadi.com or for submitting to modeling/acting agencies. Get their portfolio shot and the guy who does it "the" not "a" portfolio photographer.

Usually anyone can do portfolio's but its much better in a studio environment with some good idea about lighting and to make the subject feel natural.

[powerslave]

SP: Even I'm interested in this and the best way that I can think of, is to use any available event to expand your portfolio. No need to charge for it initially. And I must say limiting yourself only to India is SERIOUSLY going to limit your resources.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

one way to enter professionally is to take part in exhibitions and competitions.there the external judges or people into photography visit and see your work and 95% appreciate it.that holds one of keys to professional photography.u get contacts.they contact u..may be u get assignments.


many professional photographers have equipment on rental basis.

[Bibudesh]

SP: Even I'm interested in this and the best way that I can think of, is to use any available event to expand your portfolio. No need to charge for it initially. And I must say limiting yourself only to India is SERIOUSLY going to limit your resources.
Looking for an event :) .. Lemme admit this to all of u, this is my first fotography forum which I took membership 'seriously' ...
I am waiting for sources and resources (national or international;))


one way to enter professionally is to take part in exhibitions and competitions.there the external judges or people into photography visit and see your work and 95% appreciate it.that holds one of keys to professional photography.u get contacts.they contact u..may be u get assignments.
many professional photographers have equipment on rental basis.

Equipment might not be a problem yaar.. I need a visibility ,a lil learning , a lil gut feel and a kick off.
I am holding myself from investements as I may end up buying something which I may repent later..
So I want to start with basics, with basic equipment, basic lighting and fundamental situations, if things go right then I am all set to shell out big bucks ;) ...
To be very honest with u guys I am fed of my current job and in a plan to move out 'completely' in few years.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Looking for an event :) .. Lemme admit this to all of u, this is my first fotography forum which I took membership 'seriously' ...
I am waiting for sources and resources (national or international;))




Equipment might not be a problem yaar.. I need a visibility ,a lil learning , a lil gut feel and a kick off.
I am holding myself from investements as I may end up buying something which I may repent later..
So I want to start with basics, with basic equipment, basic lighting and fundamental situations, if things go right then I am all set to shell out big bucks ;) ...
To be very honest with u guys I am fed of my current job and in a plan to move out 'completely' in few years.

..with your current set of andamans pics..you have immense and i mean immense scope of entering competitions.dont look for magazine specific but net ones..and actual photo ones.that will take u at a much higher level.

[Bibudesh]

Ya I think that shud help... hope we keep getting info about the exhibitions here.....

[amby]

i posted a post realted to that.it might help you!!

[Sarao]

First of all, buy a Good DSLR, some good lenses. I know you have written EQUIPMENT LATER, but bro, how you gonna learn BEFORE getting the things in to your hand? As far as I know, if you go for a professional assignments and projects, they do check how good is your equipment and how good you are at clicking photographs with YOUR equipment.

Because you would be able to learn ONLY when you HAVE got all your stuff. Because reading something over internet and books is one thing and doing the same is other.

So according to me, buying an equipment is the FIRST basic step as you study to get job VERY PRIOR to the day!

[amby]

First of all, buy a Good DSLR, some good lenses. I know you have written EQUIPMENT LATER, but bro, how you gonna learn BEFORE getting the things in to your hand? As far as I know, if you go for a professional assignments and projects, they do check how good is your equipment and how good you are at clicking photographs with YOUR equipment.

Because you would be able to learn ONLY when you HAVE got all your stuff. Because reading something over internet and books is one thing and doing the same is other.

So according to me, buying an equipment is the FIRST basic step as you study to get job VERY PRIOR to the day!
but friend the things is that if you are serious about photography then you should learn the basic and buying a cam includes this topic also :D

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

First of all, buy a Good DSLR, some good lenses. I know you have written EQUIPMENT LATER, but bro, how you gonna learn BEFORE getting the things in to your hand? As far as I know, if you go for a professional assignments and projects, they do check how good is your equipment and how good you are at clicking photographs with YOUR equipment.

Because you would be able to learn ONLY when you HAVE got all your stuff. Because reading something over internet and books is one thing and doing the same is other.

So according to me, buying an equipment is the FIRST basic step as you study to get job VERY PRIOR to the day!

well..its not necessary to buy a DSLR ONLY and then u become a pro.people have done assignments just using a sony H1 and other compacts.before assigning the job they see your creativity..not your equipment.what equipment to use is upon us.

and they know that equipment is available on rental basis.so for guidance they can tell what equipment to use.cause many a times..different assignments require different equipments.

[Bibudesh]

First of all, buy a Good DSLR, some good lenses. I know you have written EQUIPMENT LATER, but bro, how you gonna learn BEFORE getting the things in to your hand? As far as I know, if you go for a professional assignments and projects, they do check how good is your equipment and how good you are at clicking photographs with YOUR equipment.

Because you would be able to learn ONLY when you HAVE got all your stuff. Because reading something over internet and books is one thing and doing the same is other.

So according to me, buying an equipment is the FIRST basic step as you study to get job VERY PRIOR to the day!

I have a DSLR with enuf equipments :)

well..its not necessary to buy a DSLR ONLY and then u become a pro.people have done assignments just using a sony H1 and other compacts.before assigning the job they see your creativity..not your equipment.what equipment to use is upon us.

and they know that equipment is available on rental basis.so for guidance they can tell what equipment to use.cause many a times..different assignments require different equipments.

Indeed!.. I have seen people doing wonders in Macros with their Fuji S8000combo with Raynox and winning lotza hearts :) ..

Lets go beyond basics viz buying equipments etc.
@Anvancy- dude u have idea about exhibitions.. Throw some light..

One more thing, are there any chain of photo studios where I can find caliberated printers for good quality prints?

[Sarao]

Agreed yar, I was just saying that buy an equipment, so I wrote DSLR, it could be P&S. ;)

[Sarao]

well..its not necessary to buy a DSLR ONLY and then u become a pro.people have done assignments just using a sony H1 and other compacts.before assigning the job they see your creativity..not your equipment.what equipment to use is upon us.

and they know that equipment is available on rental basis.so for guidance they can tell what equipment to use.cause many a times..different assignments require different equipments.
Thats true, but when you work with some big boys, you must have a Big toys. Any other cam really can't beat a DSLR and you all know that. :)

Different opinion of different folks.

[amby]

i read somewhere that a paparazzi photographer uses P&S to shoot the pics and surprisingly he makes a decent living out of it!!

[motorcycho]

Yeah Actually the camera doesn't matter! but at the end of the day,If you were to assign someone for taking your pics, if you were to choose someone between two photographers, whom would you go for?
someone with a P&S
or someone with a DSLR!
my point is, it gives a touch of professionalism to it.
So, as you already a own a DSLR not an issue for you to start up!

[Sarao]

Yeah Actually the camera doesn't matter! but at the end of the day,If you were to assign someone for taking your pics, if you were to choose someone between two photographers, whom would you go for?
someone with a P&S
or someone with a DSLR!
my point is, it gives a touch of professionalism to it.
So, as you already a own a DSLR not an issue for you to start up!
I missed this topic a long ago.

^^, why camera doesnt matter? If that is the case, why we all bought DSLR? You answered a portion of your question, but not a complete one.

You cant print out of P 'n' S
You cant shoot with flashes
You can get that Contrast and vivdness
and the list goes on..!!

[Sarao]

i read somewhere that a paparazzi photographer uses P&S to shoot the pics and surprisingly he makes a decent living out of it!!
Even I read somewhere, but is there any proof that they use PnS?

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

I missed this topic a long ago.


You cant print out of P 'n' S
You cant shoot with flashes
You can get that Contrast and vivdness
and the list goes on..!!

for 1 its wrong.you can print and blow up print.i have 7 prints of 12*18 from my cam.

for 2,well yes.but sometimes onboard also does wonders.

for 3.again not so true.there is PS and LR to help you out.

the list can also go on for those who have DSLRs but simply use it in Auto.

wedding photographers are top most list.

anvancy

[KrishnenduKes]

wedding photographers are top most list.

anvancy

By saying that I hope you are not belittling wedding photographers.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

By saying that I hope you are not belittling wedding photographers.


when you are shooting moments that happen only once,i cant rely on my kit lens.

many in the business,dont really know how to use cameras in weddings.

they do anything.

and related to wedding..the fuji s5pro stands way tall than the others.cause according to many pros of wedding,dynamic range counts more rather than speed in weddings and landscape.and skin tones of the fuji are top notch.

anvancy.

[Aryan]

the fuji s5pro stands way tall than the others.cause according to many pros of wedding,dynamic range counts more rather than speed in weddings and landscape.and skin tones of the fuji are top notch.

anvancy.
I would prefer something like the 16-35L II AND the 24-70L on a full-frame body, instead! ;) :D

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

I would prefer something like the 16-35L II AND the 24-70L on a full-frame body, instead! ;) :D

but still you will not get the skin tone and the dynamic range that fuji will offer you.

combined with the D200 body and nikkor lenses.

[Bibudesh]

when you are shooting moments that happen only once,i cant rely on my kit lens.

many in the business,dont really know how to use cameras in weddings.

they do anything.

and related to wedding..the fuji s5pro stands way tall than the others.cause according to many pros of wedding,dynamic range counts more rather than speed in weddings and landscape.and skin tones of the fuji are top notch.

anvancy.

agreed completely. Well and I am one of the victims, my wedding was shot using a blacklisted Nikkor 18-135mm lens combo with a D80. hell , I would have lend my 50mm to that lousy photographer.

As a wedding photographer, I believe in India the picture is completely different. The job is not respected and is treated as good/worse as a wedding videographer.

This is happening due to lousy photographers in there who think that purchasing advanced equipments makes them a pro. Also the pricing factor which keeps that profession into a non-niche category.

In the US for that matter, wedding photographer are one of the respected ones, and they come with a sky high fees.

So I take up the wedding assignments but only for friends and families, at zero cost, just for the matter of practice and make them happy.

And wedding photography is kinda similar to street photography, so a zoom lens viz 50-200mm or 70-300mm with a bigger aperture is something essential for candids.

[nelson_sanjoy]

I would prefer something like the 16-35L II AND the 24-70L on a full-frame body, instead! ;) :D

Exactly , here in U.S. weddings I have seen max photographers using 5D (now 5D mkII) and 40D/50D (as backup) with 24-70L ,70-200 f/2.8 L IS and/or 35 f/1.4 , 50 f/1.4 or f/1.2 ,85 f/1.2 with good lighting equipments.
And now many wedding photographers are turning towards Nikon becuase of their supremacy in high ISO performance but then they complain about missing the versatility of Canon fast lenses which is sometimes cheaper.

but still you will not get the skin tone and the dynamic range that fuji will offer you.

combined with the D200 body and nikkor lenses.

The only 2 complains that I have with s5 pro is slow FPS and bad ISO performance . ISO performance is something wedding photographers really need now becuase of uneven lighting conditions.


In the US for that matter, wedding photographer are one of the respected ones, and they come with a sky high fees.


Right - Professionals charge anything between 500$ - 5000$ for a day sometimes more ... Prints may or may not be included ...
You will be surprised that many professionals still use films specially Nikons...

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

the photographers of wedding are mainly "contracters" instead of pros.you give them a contract of covering everything right from u sitting on ghodi till garlands till each person who steps inside the reception area is photographed.

at these times i feel proud being an "amateur".dont know why.

nelson..i differ from the HIGH ISO point.FPS yes.it suffers.but not at a very high rate.but HIGH iso is what it can handle.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/fujis5/discuss/72157601682412293/

check the postings..the base of the discussion is 1600ISO.for such a unique sensor having one specific for dynamic..noise will be on a different level.many nikon and canon users(not in that discussion) who have the s5 have concluded that they get the best OOC from this cam..and the ones who speak use MKs and Dxs..

the thing is..everybody will keep bashing the opponent cam since its human tendency.lol.

the thing is abroad they can afford two cams with many lenses.so when u do fast stuff like sports,they use either canon or nikon.when u go specific you buy specific.some buy sony since they simply love zeiss lenses.

so its how u blend your equipment with your talent and create outstanding images.

anvancy.

[nelson_sanjoy]

nelson..i differ from the HIGH ISO point.FPS yes.it suffers.but not at a very high rate.but HIGH iso is what it can handle.


I have never used S5pro personally but got this from DXO website.It says about its high dynamic range capability as told by you but scores low in ISO...

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Image-Quality-Database/Fujifilm/FinePix-S5-Pro

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

I have never used S5pro personally but got this from DXO website.It says about its high dynamic range capability as told by you but scores low in ISO...

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Image-Quality-Database/Fujifilm/FinePix-S5-Pro

that site has been said good by people and bad by people.some say the tests they carry are not proper..

thats why mainly i go for user reviews.unbaised and down to earth.

[Sarao]

for 1 its wrong.you can print and blow up print.i have 7 prints of 12*18 from my cam.

for 2,well yes.but sometimes onboard also does wonders.

for 3.again not so true.there is PS and LR to help you out.

the list can also go on for those who have DSLRs but simply use it in Auto.

wedding photographers are top most list.

anvancy
If that is the case according to you, then would you explain, why people who are making living out of Photography buy a DSLR and not only a DSLR, a Top of the Line Model like 5D or 1D series cameras which cost as much as a new car.

They would have bought a P'n'S and would have saved for a good car.. ;)

[Devaiah PA]

In the past couple of workshops we organised, I found that most of the participants were form IT industry. This is the industry to which the most DSLR cameras are sold in india.

Two weeks back when I was buying a new lens, I met a guy who works in a big IT company. He picked up his first DSLR (550D), he turned to me and said "Do you know anyone who can make me a professional, I want to quit my job".
I have seen many people who think thats buying a DSLR is a first step to professional photography and it is true. But what next?

This video is very informative

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YI4rcM_9dw&NR=1

If you want to enjoy buying good lens and cameras, do not quit your job unless you have a Oil Well in your backyard. Your job pays for your passion.


Also never get exploited by people who wants to get work done for free by newbies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loH7FEsThbw&feature=related

[KrishnenduKes]

Those videos were brilliant!