Damien Demolder
Tharg the Mighty
Reged: 22/08/2001
Posts: 1022
Loc: Essex born and badly-bred
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When we used to run the 'portfolio' series in the magazine 8/10 answers to the question 'Photographic Ambition?' was 'To turn professional'. I wonder though if turning professional is what many amateurs actually want to do or if it is one of those fantasies that is best left as a dream. Do you really want to turn professional, and how do you think it would effect your relationship with photography if you did? If you are professional already has photography changed for you from the times you were an amateur?
What prompted this discussion was seeing a mixed professional and amateur exhibition recently. All the professional work was very good - but not much of it was very interesting. The amateur work wasn't all very good, but it was all interesting and seemed to contain much more passion.
It doesn't have to be that way, and it isn't always, but I wonder what you think the relationship is between passion and profession.
Head to the Home Page to vote.
Thanks again for taking part.
Damien
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See my photographs at www.wordsonpictures.com
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NorthernNikon
Bulls Hitter
Reged: 16/12/2005
Posts: 6180
Loc: Harrogate, North Yorks
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That's a tricky one. I certainly want to become more "professional" in my approach and I do want to start to have a good second income through photography to fund kit. My problem is that I'm at the worng time of life to think about working towards being a full time pro. With a 2year old daughter, hefty mortgage and being the main bread winner, we can't afford the risk setting up on your own entails.
I am working towards becoming semi-pro which would keep things open for me.
As for the difference between pro and amateur's materials, would you say that that might come down to amateurs shooting for themselves while (good) pro's are used to shooting for others. Maybe it's a lesson for pro's to always have a personal project to keep them interested.
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www.BarneyAllen.com the new home of ComicShots.
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gollum
enthusiast
Reged: 18/12/2007
Posts: 292
Loc: Kent
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I think the main problem here is what we usually do for a living is usually a means to an end, and photography is a way of escaping that. Would you really want to come home from work and carry on doing what you had been doing all day?
On the other hand it must be nice to do something you enjoy and have passion for.
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People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22119200@N08/page1/
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Dave_Cox
old'n'grumpy
Reged: 12/07/2006
Posts: 3107
Loc: somewhere in Sussex
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I would like to sell some of my work, mainly to fund the hobby; but I don't see me taking the plunge full time. I tried it many years ago as a model maker, and suddenly all the fun had gone from my hobby.
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Growing old disgracefully!
http://snapper56.deviantart.com/gallery/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave2006/
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OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 2540
Loc: Devon
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When I first started out I would shoot anything to try and make money with my camera. Local sporting events, amateur dramatics, charity events and sold to the participants and their families. Shooting the dress rehearsal for am-dram was probably the most lucrative. For little outlay I would generate sales from each of the cast. I'd offered to do their publicity shots for free as a foot in the door. 
I ran a successful wedding and portrait business for a couple of years but I lost interest, I was more of a salesman than a photographer. What really killed it off for me was trying to sell travel images, the ones that sold were just the same as everyone elses and the photos that I liked and enjoyed taking didn't sell. I ended up only shooting what I thought would sell and this change in direction was too much. Now it's strictly for fun only.
I don't think you have to be that good a photographer to make money with a camera, it's more down to hard work, persistance, a bit of luck and a bit of gab.
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Richard .......... My Website - My Blog - My Flickr
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jchrisc
Reged: 20/01/2003
Posts: 5586
Loc: Ampthill, Bedfordshire
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It is difficult to imagine anything that I want less . . . . . 
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Chris
My memory is getting worse . . . and my conscience clearer
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Ephemeral
addict
Reged: 21/07/2007
Posts: 665
Loc: North East England
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wouldn't mind making some money out of it to fund kit expansion - but that is about it
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The Ephemeral Moment - www.ephemeral.co.uk
Random Goldfish - www.randomgoldfish.com
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Nod
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 08/04/2006
Posts: 4334
Loc: Devon, UK.
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Having moved into jobs related to hobbies or making money from hobbies a couple of times, I can honestly say that I have no intention of turning pro. I may sell the occasional print and might be persuaded to take one or two pics in exchange for a favour - but to make proper money? No way!
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MATWSIJ.....
To avoid being offended, please insert apropriate smiley.
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NorthernNikon
Bulls Hitter
Reged: 16/12/2005
Posts: 6180
Loc: Harrogate, North Yorks
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One of the draws to becoming a semi-pro is to be able to gain access to events/places that otherwise would be out of bounds. I have sympathy with the ethos that work spoils an enjoyable hobby, I found it myself with sport, but there are those who are able to make money from photography and still have a passion for it, and because of it they tend to also be successful at it enabling them to pick and choose what they shoot. It can be a self fulfilling prophesy in that way.
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www.BarneyAllen.com the new home of ComicShots.
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4982
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Nothing like doing it for a living to kill your enthusiasm.
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Bettina
Kein Titel
Reged: 12/02/2004
Posts: 4104
Loc: London
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Quote:
I don't think you have to be that good a photographer to make money with a camera, it's more down to hard work, persistance, a bit of luck and a bit of gab.
You have to be a good business man or woman in the first place - which I'm not. In fact, I'm thinking of turning amateur again ... 
There are zillions of mediocre professional photographers out there.
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Bettina
http://www.vibrantpictures.co.uk
Vibrant Pictures on Flickr
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Zou
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/02/2007
Posts: 2117
Loc: Edinburgh
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I said part time. I take pictures for me, and if someone else wants to buy prints that's fine. I wouldn't enjoy being told what to shoot, and I imagine it would be quite impractical to be a full time pro in that situation.
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Zou's Flickr Page
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Zou
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/02/2007
Posts: 2117
Loc: Edinburgh
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Quote:
There are zillions of mediocre professional photographers out there.
Very true. A flick through even a Vogue level of mag shows that basic technique seems to be lacking. I was honestly shocked by how poor a recent GQ magazine cover was - Colin Farrell's ear was the only bit in focus - his eyes, nose etc were all off. No doubts the tog will say that was the desired effect, but, yeah, right.
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Zou's Flickr Page
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dslrchat
newbie
Reged: 01/05/2008
Posts: 3
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Very well said!!!!
Quote:
When I first started out I would shoot anything to try and make money with my camera. Local sporting events, amateur dramatics, charity events and sold to the participants and their families. Shooting the dress rehearsal for am-dram was probably the most lucrative. For little outlay I would generate sales from each of the cast. I'd offered to do their publicity shots for free as a foot in the door.
I ran a successful wedding and portrait business for a couple of years but I lost interest, I was more of a salesman than a photographer. What really killed it off for me was trying to sell travel images, the ones that sold were just the same as everyone elses and the photos that I liked and enjoyed taking didn't sell. I ended up only shooting what I thought would sell and this change in direction was too much. Now it's strictly for fun only.
I don't think you have to be that good a photographer to make money with a camera, it's more down to hard work, persistance, a bit of luck and a bit of gab.
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Burgy
Grateful not to have one
Reged: 13/04/2001
Posts: 5200
Loc: This far, from beating 7 shade...
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Errr
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Cheers
Burgy BSRIPN, BSc, DSO and Bar (now open 24/7).
it's not what you've got, its who you do it to
http://togsblog.wordpress.com
Please read the forum guidelines RE links here. Thank you. Admin.
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Badgerman
Nocturnal Non-Scaredy Cat In A Deep Pit
Reged: 05/01/2006
Posts: 2353
Loc: Devon.
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I love taking pictures of Wildlife for myself mainly, I spend hours watching and studying my subjects and will sometimes just watch and not take any pictures at all.
I do sell my work so I could be classed as semi-pro but I don’t always take the shots with this in mind.
I drive to my job each day and long to be out there photographing the wildlife instead of being cooped up in a bloomin factory.
I think that if I took the plunge and attempted to become a pro photographer, all the fun and pleasure I get would disappear and I would loose that magic feeling I get when I go out when I want to and not when I have to.
I will probably look back in a few years time and wonder if I should have gone for it but I am happy doing what I do and enjoy selling the odd print and getting work published is a bonus too.
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Regards
Colin.
If I could, I probably would.
www.colinsargent.co.uk
Wildlife Photographer.
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Ken_Moffat
member
Reged: 01/11/2006
Posts: 154
Loc: Motherwell
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Tried it once - didn't like it. Too many pregnant brides!
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Carrie
journeywoman
Reged: 31/01/2006
Posts: 623
Loc: England
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I've always thought of a pro as being someone who takes photos that other people want, as opposed to an amateur who takes the photos that they want to.
On that basis I'm not quite sure what a semi-pro is, although badgerman's interpretation is a possibility.
Quote:
I do sell my work so I could be classed as semi-pro but I don’t always take the shots with this in mind.
I use photography as a bit of an escape from the day job, and would hate to lose that by trying to turn it into the day job.
On the other hand if I could earn a bit of money towards new kit by selling some of the photos that I take I'd be happy. I see that as still being amateur and not crossing that pro line.
The only thing I'd like about the pro tag is the access it gives to events etc that an amateur can't get.
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Carrie
Proud to be FRIPN
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. (George Bernard Shaw)
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Hotblack
Dead Horse Flogger
Reged: 07/03/2006
Posts: 7352
Loc: Upstairs in the spare room.
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I suppose I could currently be classed as a semi-pro photographer. I shoot what I like and exhibit my work in galleries. I sell prints and cards of my images. I have another part time job which pays the bills but gives me the freedom to be out photographing when the weather/conditions are right. The money from photography pays for itself with a little excess beginning to arrive. I enjoy pretty much all of it, from being out taking the photographs, to producing the prints and getting work ready to exhibit. The actual exhibitions are great fun especially if you're an attention seeking tart like me.
I'd like to become full time under my terms as I love the way it works now. Whether that's feasible without turning to commercial work and that killing the passion I don't know. I'm just running with it whilst it's fun. I'm in a fortunate position in that I can always draw back if it gets tedious.
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Cheers
David
David J White Photography
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Garry McNamara
Snr Tutor/Bongo Banjo
Reged: 16/08/2006
Posts: 2079
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Quote:
Tried it once - didn't like it. Too many pregnant brides!
Ahh I can see where you were going wrong there - the discussions with the bride to be generally stop after you've settled on the type of album.
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