Camera Setting Help.

[AaronLLockhart]

I'll just say this much, if you are considering a pro career, but are afraid to spend $400.00 on gear, you're never going to make it.

I do paid shoots, just as a supplement income source, but I do draw some income from photography. I have one lens I paid $400 for new, an that is my 50mm 1.8G. However, that lens is not an outstanding lens by any means, and it wa VERY cheap.

I also understand that in the near future, I'm going to have to drop $1k+ on good glass just to be able to survive against other photographers in the area. There are scenarios right now, that I blatantly have to avoid, because my lenses are not capable of capturing the environment and elements.

For me to pretend that I can "take it slow" and shoot nothing but kit glass, I might as well just lay my camera down and forget I ever wanted to learn photography in the first place.

 

[kylesfreelance]

I have so much expenses I have to pay each month its not like I can afford everyhting on the spot atm with advertising costs to bills but i can say in the near future I will be getting glass with in the next 6 months.

 

[Overread]

I have so much expenses I have to pay each month its not like I can afford everyhting on the spot atm with advertising costs to bills but i can say in the near future I will be getting glass with in the next 6 months.

Aye which is why I mentioned other possible sources of income boosting that could be an option. That said you are honestly (from how you word things) really ready for those options. You need more experience and grounding in photography so that you can make the best use of better tools when you can afford them.

Lets not get carried away, your camera as it is now can produce some very fine pictures; the range of situations over which it can do this is going to be more limited than a higher end camera and lens setup (and lighting setup for those situations where you can directly influence the lighting) but they are still present. Learn with the camera you have - build on those core skills and experiences; but don't take clients yet.

Consider the internship and apprenticing suggestions - although note you'll want some solid photos before you approach them so that you can best present yourself.

 

[tirediron]

I'm going to revise my earlier statement. Right now, you don't need to be learning about photography, you need to be learning about business. They are two VERY different animals. You can survive in a photographic business as a mediocre photographer, but not as a mediocre businessman. Put down the camera altogether and look around for local nightschool courses which teach entrenpreneurship and other small-businesss related topics. Understanding how to finance and grow your business is far more critical than being a good (or even mediocre) photographer.

 

[AaronLLockhart]

I have so much expenses I have to pay each month its not like I can afford everyhting on the spot atm with advertising costs to bills but i can say in the near future I will be getting glass with in the next 6 months.

Man, we all have financial responsibility and obligations. I have a mortgage, 2 car payments, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, two children, one child support payment, and the. Your typical living expenses, health insurance (lights, water, cable, etc.)

You're preaching to the choir about expenses. Photography is something you're going to spend A LOT of money in before you ever make any.

Just some food for thought, man.

 

[AaronLLockhart]

I agree with tired iron. If you plan on making over $3,800 per year from photography, you're going to have to get licensed and pay federal income taxes (and possibly state) on your earnings. You're going to need to know how much it costs you to use your equipment down the the hour of use, preferably down to how much it costs you every single time you press the shutter.

If you don't know any of this stuff, or haven't even thought about it, you need to learn about business before you ever think about using that camera to generate income.

 

[kylesfreelance]

I agree with tired iron. If you plan on making over $3,800 per year from photography, you're going to have to get licensed and pay federal income taxes (and possibly state) on your earnings. You're going to need to know how much it costs you to use your equipment down the the hour of use, preferably down to how much it costs you every single time you press the shutter.

If you don't know any of this stuff, or haven't even thought about it, you need to learn about business before you ever think about using that camera to generate income.

All that is set up and I know alot about buisness from my mom.

 

[AaronLLockhart]

I agree with tired iron. If you plan on making over $3,800 per year from photography, you're going to have to get licensed and pay federal income taxes (and possibly state) on your earnings. You're going to need to know how much it costs you to use your equipment down the the hour of use, preferably down to how much it costs you every single time you press the shutter.

If you don't know any of this stuff, or haven't even thought about it, you need to learn about business before you ever think about using that camera to generate income.

All that is set up and I know alot about buisness from my mom.

So, just out of curiosity, how much does it cost you per click to shoot your camera?

 

[kylesfreelance]

$15-20

 

[AaronLLockhart]

$15-20

you have no idea...

 

[kylesfreelance]

I do too it varies per event.

 

[AaronLLockhart]

$500.00 Camera
$500.00 Software
$500.00 Computer
------------------------
$1,500.00 in possible yearly expenses

If you shoot every weekend... thats 104 days to shoot... so that's $14.42 per day to shoot your camera... if you average 5 hours per shoot... that's $2.88 per hour to use your camera... Or, if you average 300 shots per shoot... that's $0.48 per click... Like I said... you have no idea.

I'm not trying to discourage you, man. I'm just trying to get you to realize what's going on before you discourage yourself... the hard way.

 

[o hey tyler]

This thread is hilarious.

 

[kylesfreelance]

I see.

 

[gregtallica]

This thread is hilarious.

I can't tell how old Kyle really is. I admire is drive though. Starting an entire business without even caring to learn how to use his camera on his own first.


I think he might be trollin' us, though. Cause if it were me, or anyone I know, I would be way to emberassed to call myself a professional (someone who makes their entire income) photographer if I didn't even know how to find general settings.