Need help answering a few question for school...

[shutterguy]

I have to finish a technical writing course for my photography degree and it has me asking professionals in my field a few question. This is a 6 page report so be as long winded as you want. I want to thank you in advance for anyone who answer these few basic questions.
ok heres the questions they gave me:

1. The amount of writing they do as a photographer?

2. The types and purposes of the writing they do?

3. The importance of that writing?

4. Any recommendations they may have that will help you prepare for the writing aspects of your own career?



Again thank you for any help.

mike

 

[CCericola]

You are going to have to be more specific. What do you mean by your "field"? Retail? Commercial? Fine Art?, Photojournalists? We're like doctors, we specialize

 

[MitchStrp]

I write captions... so MURRRCH that I'm Gettin Carpel tunnel in my right hand

 

[shutterguy]

field... well i was trying to be general that's why i didn't specify.. i mean most photography lets the pic do the talking. so im reaching out to any and all fields of photography about how and if any writing is involved.
MitchStrp would you mind helping out and answering those few q's?

 

[shutterguy]

anybody?

 

[Steve5D]

I write a blog but, to be completely honest, it's little more than a self-indulgent ego stroke. If I shoot something that I find interesting, I'll post photos on my blog and write about the trip. I'm going to be doing that to the nth degree here in a few weeks when I leave on a three week, 4,000+ mile trip cross country.

And about nine people will read about it.

So, I write a lot. I just don't know, really, how many people spend time reading it. it may seem odd, but having people read the blog isn't as important to me as me writing it...

 

[Light Guru]

I have to finish a technical writing course for my photography degree and it has me asking professionals in my field a few question.

anybody?

You do realize that most of the people on here are not working full time in the field of photography right.

 

[pixmedic]

I have to finish a technical writing course for my photography degree and it has me asking professionals in my field a few question.

anybody?

You do realize that most of the people on here are not working full time in the field of photography right.

im not sure "full time" and "professional" are mutually inclusive.
If I work part time at a hospital, does that make me not a professional paramedic when i am working in the ER?
Does it make my input and experience less relevant in the ER than it does in the field?
people can have part time jobs for any number of reasons. It doesn't exclude them from being a professional.

the OP didn't specifically list "full time" as a criteria for his paper so...It is my understanding that anyone the OP would consider a professional would be adequate, depending of course, on the OP's definition of "professional".

shutterguy, what kind of writing are you talking about? blogging like Steve5D mentioned, or writing contracts, proposals, and other business/customer related things?

 

[Steve5D]

You do realize that most of the people on here are not working full time in the field of photography right.

I don't know if that would really matter...

 

[Ilovemycam]

I write a lot to museums (and used to write to rare book libraries) to place my work.

I did a photo book and hated writing it.

I write to publishers / printers to try and get my work out there or do it myself.

I write to photo / art publications...same thing.

I keep a printing notebook. (Just a few notes on the work prints.)

I write to the forums.

That is about it for me.

Less writing...more shooting. That is where it is at.

 

[texkam]

1. The amount of writing they do as a photographer? - Very little.

2. The types and purposes of the writing they do? - Correspondence through email. (explanation of pricing, scope of work, etc.). Contract creation* (legal protection) *This info has been gleaned from various sources. Social and professional interactions on forums (cause trouble, gain knowledge and buy and sell).

3. The importance of that writing? - High

4. Any recommendations they may have that will help you prepare for the writing aspects of your own career? - Good grammar and spelling. Install and use "Tiny Spell" app.

 

[Light Guru]

I have to finish a technical writing course for my photography degree and it has me asking professionals in my field a few question.

anybody?

You do realize that most of the people on here are not working full time in the field of photography right.

im not sure "full time" and "professional" are mutually inclusive.
If I work part time at a hospital, does that make me not a professional paramedic when i am working in the ER?
Does it make my input and experience less relevant in the ER than it does in the field?
people can have part time jobs for any number of reasons. It doesn't exclude them from being a professional.

the OP didn't specifically list "full time" as a criteria for his paper so...It is my understanding that anyone the OP would consider a professional would be adequate, depending of course, on the OP's definition of "professional".

shutterguy, what kind of writing are you talking about? blogging like Steve5D mentioned, or writing contracts, proposals, and other business/customer related things?

Perhaps I should clarify myself a large population of people on here dont make any money at photography they consider it a hobby not a profession.

The OP really should clarify what he means by "professionals in my field". I personal would not even consider a photojournalist and a fine art photographer as working in the same field.

 

[imagemaker46]

Captions, keywords.

 

[pixmedic]

You do realize that most of the people on here are not working full time in the field of photography right.

im not sure "full time" and "professional" are mutually inclusive.
If I work part time at a hospital, does that make me not a professional paramedic when i am working in the ER?
Does it make my input and experience less relevant in the ER than it does in the field?
people can have part time jobs for any number of reasons. It doesn't exclude them from being a professional.

the OP didn't specifically list "full time" as a criteria for his paper so...It is my understanding that anyone the OP would consider a professional would be adequate, depending of course, on the OP's definition of "professional".

shutterguy, what kind of writing are you talking about? blogging like Steve5D mentioned, or writing contracts, proposals, and other business/customer related things?

Perhaps I should clarify myself a large population of people on here dont make any money at photography they consider it a hobby not a profession.

The OP really should clarify what he means by "professionals in my field". I personal would not even consider a photojournalist and a fine art photographer as working in the same field.

oh...my bad.
then yes, shutterguy may need to get the criteria narrowed just a bit if we are to be of much help here.

 

[Subitman]

I'm going to be doing that to the nth degree here in a few weeks when I leave on a three week, 4,000+ mile trip cross country.

Sorry, unrelated to the discussion, but I have to say, I'm quite jealous. As a photographer, that has to be the dream assignment or vacation. Have fun.