I'm thinking about going as a professional photographer

[bribrius]

looked at a flkr site?
Really? i didn't even look. But seriously.
f#ck. flicker. Entire different thing unless you plan on selling photos online and want art.

edit: sorry. i am in a bit of a mood. Don't mind me....

 

[imagemaker46]

I also looked at the flicker site and there are some nice images, however the majority can be had in the thousands online, with more being uploaded every few minutes. Being able to set yourself apart from the rest of the "I want to be a professional photographer" types takes more than this kind of photography. You don't need to own the best gear, but you need the skills to bluff your way through every assignment that you may get. Owning the best gear doesn't guarantee work either, it just guarantees that you will be deeper in debt and trying to pay for the gear while wondering if you made a mistake. This is where the stress of the job comes in, and the professional fun goes out the window.

It's not easy now, and it won't get easier. Enjoy the hobby, practice and when you think you are ready, think again and practice more.

 

[tecboy]

I didn't say I want to be a professional photographer, and I don't have 30+ years experience like you guys do. Ever since I volunteer several nonprofit organizations, I have to do what they want, and they like my images. Some called me a professional photographer which I'm not. There was one careered photographer actually like my work. I see many photographers with high-end telephoto lenses, and the way they shoot are all tightened cropped images. What you see in flickr are all snapshots and more like photojournalism. I don't shoot like you guys do who have the resources and money to travel far away places to make outstanding photos. I hang around a community of photographers have far superior gear than I have, and they make good quality images even though they have 1-5 years experience. Beside, I have hundred of thousands of crappy photos. I didn't post these in flickr.

 

[Trever1t]

I'm thinking of giving up pro photography and just enjoy being an enthusiast

 

[Steve5D]

Exactly, McDonalds is not where it is because of the quality of it's food...

Wow.

I seriously never considered that perspective, but it's absolutely spot-on...

 

[bribrius]

I'm thinking of giving up pro photography and just enjoy being an enthusiast

Actually what you do i didn't think would be too bad. Doing a wedding would scare the bjeezus out of me. If you screw it up it isn't like you can just ask them to do another wedding for you so you can take photos again.
i think i might go back to just taking family photos...

 

[Scatterbrained]

I didn't say I want to be a professional photographer, ...................

Maybe I didn't read the thread title correctly?

I'm thinking about going as a professional photographer

...or the opening post?. . . . .

I'm thinking about getting a job as a photographer

I don't shoot like you guys do who have the resources and money to travel far away places to make outstanding photos.

No need to travel to take outstanding photos. You just need to have a good eye and a strong vision.

What you see in flickr are all snapshots and more like photojournalism

Snapshots and photojournalism are not the same thing. Not even close (although it could be argued that since news outlets are running cell phone snapshots. . . . . . . . )
Looking at your Flickr I'd say you've got a ways to go. Slow down and take it easy. Enjoy what you're doing. Two years from now you'll look back at what you're doing now and cringe (I look back on my work a week later and cringe:blushing:) There are some fundamental things that I don't see any evidence of on your stream, like working with flash, and I don't mean the pop up kind.

I hang around a community of photographers have far superior gear than I have, and they make good quality images even though they have 1-5 years experience.

It's not the gear that makes the images, it's the photographer. The gear helps, but only if you know what gear is most appropriate for what you are trying to achieve. Lot's of people start in this hobby and get hit hard with the dreaded G.A.S. (you should see my camera closet, yes, closet) They don't have a definitive vision, no style, and little in the way of technical know how. They are still just taking pictures of things, rather than making images. At that stage it's really easy to get caught up in gear acquisition, as you keep thinking your shots would be better if you could just get your hands on a faster lens, or a FF camera, or a grip, etc, etc. This is usually when people are still in that "taking pictures of everything" stage. Just check your local Craigslist and I'm sure you'll see tons of them advertising. They ones who do sports, portraits, weddings, seniors, babies, pets, and everything else they can think of to list in an ad. Don't fall into that trap. If you enjoy sharing your images with the NPOs and they enjoy receiving them, I'd say leave it at that for a while. Enjoy it, and take your time to build up your skill set, find your niche, and develop your style/vision.

 

[Steve5D]

I don't shoot like you guys do who have the resources and money to travel far away places to make outstanding photos.

Wait... who?

 

[bribrius]

I didn't say I want to be a professional photographer, and I don't have 30+ years experience like you guys do. Ever since I volunteer several nonprofit organizations, I have to do what they want, and they like my images. Some called me a professional photographer which I'm not. There was one careered photographer actually like my work. I see many photographers with high-end telephoto lenses, and the way they shoot are all tightened cropped images. What you see in flickr are all snapshots and more like photojournalism. I don't shoot like you guys do who have the resources and money to travel far away places to make outstanding photos. I hang around a community of photographers have far superior gear than I have, and they make good quality images even though they have 1-5 years experience. Beside, I have hundred of thousands of crappy photos. I didn't post these in flickr.

why not? :???:

 

[Steve5D]

Same with their 85mm f/1.8 EF; a fine, fine lens, smaller, lighter, and less conspicuous than their 85mm f/1.2-L series model.

Probably the sharpest lens in my bag...

 

[runnah]

Same with their 85mm f/1.8 EF; a fine, fine lens, smaller, lighter, and less conspicuous than their 85mm f/1.2-L series model.

Probably the sharpest lens in my bag...

Same here. Best lens for the price on the market.

 

[Steve5D]

Beside, I have hundred of thousands of crappy photos. I didn't post these in flickr.

Well, you posted some of them.

Look, I don't wanna' be rude, but I will be blunt. Looking at your Flickr page, there's just nothing there which really blows my hair back.You've got some good racing photos, and then you've got some very bad racing photos. The fashion show photos on the first page are horribly lit. That's not your fault, but it is your fault that the world can see them.

Stop making excuses about how you don't have "the resources and money to travel to far away places" to shoot. That's utter nonsense. Some of the best photos I've ever taken were shot in my backyard.

If you want to "make outstanding photos", you need to learn that money doesn't make the photograph. Since you seem to think it does, I would say, no, you probably shouldn't hang your shingle out and "turn pro" just yet. Nothing I've seen or read gives even the slightest suggestion that you're prepared to do that...

 

[tecboy]

Beside, I have hundred of thousands of crappy photos. I didn't post these in flickr.

Well, you posted some of them.

Look, I don't wanna' be rude, but I will be blunt. Looking at your Flickr page, there's just nothing there which really blows my hair back.You've got some good racing photos, and then you've got some very bad racing photos. The fashion show photos on the first page are horribly lit. That's not your fault, but it is your fault that the world can see them.

Stop making excuses about how you don't have "the resources and money to travel to far away places" to shoot. That's utter nonsense. Some of the best photos I've ever taken were shot in my backyard.

If you want to "make outstanding photos", you need to learn that money doesn't make the photograph. Since you seem to think it does, I would say, no, you probably shouldn't hang your shingle out and "turn pro" just yet. Nothing I've seen or read gives even the slightest suggestion that you're prepared to do that...

The racing photos, they have a bad race track. Is that my fault? There is nothing wrong posting the fashion show in flickr even though they have bad lighting. It is not like I'll get a job as a fashion photographer.

 

[runnah]

There is nothing wrong posting the fashion show in flickr even though they have bad lighting. It is not like I'll get a job as a fashion photographer.

But you might not get a job because of them. Professional portfolios need to be rock solid.

 

[Steve5D]

Beside, I have hundred of thousands of crappy photos. I didn't post these in flickr.

Well, you posted some of them.

Look, I don't wanna' be rude, but I will be blunt. Looking at your Flickr page, there's just nothing there which really blows my hair back.You've got some good racing photos, and then you've got some very bad racing photos. The fashion show photos on the first page are horribly lit. That's not your fault, but it is your fault that the world can see them.

Stop making excuses about how you don't have "the resources and money to travel to far away places" to shoot. That's utter nonsense. Some of the best photos I've ever taken were shot in my backyard.

If you want to "make outstanding photos", you need to learn that money doesn't make the photograph. Since you seem to think it does, I would say, no, you probably shouldn't hang your shingle out and "turn pro" just yet. Nothing I've seen or read gives even the slightest suggestion that you're prepared to do that...

The racing photos, they have a bad race track. Is that my fault? There is nothing wrong posting the fashion show in flickr even though they have bad lighting. It is not like I'll get a job as a fashion photographer.

Stop being so defensive. Being defensive will keep you from being open to suggestions and criticisms which can actually help you.

With regards to the racing photos, as I said, some were very good. But you seem to want to place the blame for the bad ones on a "bad race track". Race tracks are only bad for drivers. For photographers, they're just pavement. But, since you want to insist that it was a "bad race track", can you explain how it was bad in only some of the photos?

You say there's nothing wrong with posting the fashion show photos, yet you're asking for input as to whether or not you're ready to make the move to be a "professional". Those are bad photos. They're not bad because of anything you may have done, but that doesn't mean you should put them out there for the world to look at to help the world opine whether or not you're ready to "go pro".

You're right on one count, though: Based on those photos, you will never get a job as a fashion photographer.

If you learn nothing else today, learn this: Being a professional photographer means far more than just getting paid. It means conducting yourself in a professional manner. It means being able to produce professional results. It means having professional images to show prospective clients. It means you don't make excuses. It means you man up and get to work to correct issues that have arisen.

I just don't see where you're prepared to do any of that...