Wow... just wow!!!

[fmw]

It seems to be everywhere. Even JC Penney.

Glad I never got into consumer photography.

 

[astroNikon]

The Walmart here used to have a photostudio in the front of the store. It changed it's name at one point, then disappeared around tax time.

 

[table1349]

I hate to say this, and it is not an indictment of anyone here, but it also reflects the state of photographers these days. How many posts have we had over the last few years from excited newbie photographers who want to specialize in pets, horses, landscape, wedding, portraits, natural light, etc., etc., etc. There seems to be fewer and fewer all around photographers that have the skills to handle virtually any assignment.

That's fine if you are a hobbist or picking up a few side bucks. A full time photographer has to have the skills to handle any assignment. Yes they can have their preferences and yes they can even develop enough of a business to shot only those kinds of jobs they want. To get there, they have to have the skills to do it all. As the number of well rounded photographers dwindle the you will see more and more of these cheap walk-in types of businesses will flourish. With the loss of overall skill there is also a loss of quality and expectation on the part of the general public.

 

[407370]

.......There seems to be fewer and fewer all around photographers that have the skills to handle virtually any assignment........

Thats because we (the public) want a specialist. Even in my little bit of the UK specialists seem to proliferate:

Pet photographer:
Small Pet Photography Brighton, Photographing Small Animals on Location

Horse photographer:
Matthew Seed - The Horse Photographer -private commission horse photography - Limited edition equine photography | private commission horse photography - Limited edition equine photography

Architecture photographer:
Architectural Photographer UK

Landscape photographer:
Charlie Waite | Leading Landscape Photographer and Tutor | Charlie Waite Photography

Sports photographer:
Adrian Dennis | Sports Photographer

Car photographer:
GFWilliams - Automotive Photographer

If I want to spend on a photographer I want one who specialises.

I left out the 100 or so wedding photographers deliberately.

 

[JonA_CT]

I think there is also a trend away from studio sessions, at least from observations of my social network. My friends who are having kids or weddings and are hiring photographers are getting their engagement/kid shoots informally and outside -- even in the winter.

 

[table1349]

Here before you can specialize in thoracic surgery, neurology, etc. you must first graduate medical school as a general physician. Before you can practice corporate law, criminal defense, divorce law you must pass the general bar.

Speciality comes after basic competence has been achieved. These days all it takes to be a professional photographer is a camera and a speciality you like. A wedding, equestrian, car, sports photographer etc. shouldn't have to ask what the best lenses, lights or more importantly settings are best for their "speciality."

The growing lack of competance has fueled the lack of desire for and even understanding of what is quality in photography.

 

[astroNikon]

... or more importantly settings are best for their "speciality."

You just turn the dial in your Scene / Effects to get your "specialized" settings. Viola, done !!

 

[table1349]

... or more importantly settings are best for their "speciality."

You just turn the dial in your Scene / Effects to get your "specialized" settings. Viola, done !!

Yes I found it funny. Sadly I also found that it is becoming true more often.

 

[astroNikon]

... or more importantly settings are best for their "speciality."

You just turn the dial in your Scene / Effects to get your "specialized" settings. Viola, done !!

Yes I found it funny. Sadly I also found that it is becoming true more often.

I'm surprised there isn't a "wedding" setting yet.

buy a camera .. turn a dial ... Instant Pro wedding photog

 

[tirediron]

I'm surprised there isn't a "wedding" setting yet. Buy a camera .. turn a dial ... Instant Pro wedding photog

There is...

 

[astroNikon]

I'm surprised there isn't a "wedding" setting yet. Buy a camera .. turn a dial ... Instant Pro wedding photog

There is...

Oh man, I bought the wrong camera then.

 

[KmH]

The Walmart here used to have a photo studio in the front of the store. It closed about 4 years ago.
The camera and the lighting were pre-set and not adjustable by the employee. So the employee just pressed a button and then got to try and sell the customer add-on product. Pay was minimum wage + commission, and not commission at that.

That space is now some video and skill games and a couple of vibrating easy chairs you pay to have vibrate.

 

[sniper x]

Global domination and enslavement of the world's population -- it's in their business plan. Don't feed the beast, it'll eat you.


.

Joe

P.S. Donaldsonville LA was very long ago the state capitol but in the 20th century the seat of Ascension Parish. Today it's a ghost town. When I first visited there many years ago they had a main street that ran a couple blocks and had businesses -- shoe stores, hardware store, grocery store, auto parts store, clothing stores, etc., etc.. Following the older model of some decades ago a Walmart moved to the outskirts of town. The last time I visited the Walmart was abandoned and grass was growing up out of the cracks in the parking lot. Over the course of about a decade the people of the town shut down every single business on main street by shopping at the Walmart. That unfortunately put many of them out of work as they worked for or owned those businesses. Out of work they couldn't shop at the Walmart and so Walmart just shut the store and moved on. They committed Walmart assisted suicide.

Joe

Ah yes, and sadly, this is a story main streets all over the US tell. Walacide... Death by Walmart mart.

 

[sniper x]

Threads like this, and being a victim to the same scenario in the professional film and video world, I no longer have asparations to become a professional still photographer. I'll still shoot when asked by friends but will not hang my shingle out yet....