New freelancing, suggestions please

[smurf4t]

No.

Forums are designed as vehicles for selling advertising space.

Oh I see ;-). Silly me.

 

[Trever1t]

First let me say thank you for listening and responding in a mature manner. That alone will go far here.

I would never say you have no chance of living your dream, how could I? All I am saying is that there are 5 or 7 posts each day by people such as yourself on this forum who state they are going to get or have just bought their first DSLR and now they want to learn how to go "Pro"

It's slightly annoying

Why not just come in and relax? Sit down, read, say hi!. There's a lot to learn here, get your gear together and hone your skills. Man, I've studied art and been looking through a viewfinder for over 40 years and I know ch1t about photography compared to many members here.

Again, your attitude is commendable, enjoy the site

 

[Steve5D]

I don't see a proclamation that the guy thinks he's a pro. He said he takes a pretty good picture. I don't see anything wrong with that. Clearly, though, there are those hyper-sensitive types who need to see a full portfolio before they'll accept that someone can take a "pretty good picture".

I just think that's silly.

I hope the OP is able to weed through the tripe and find some meaningful help which actually addresses his question...

 

[tirediron]

Hi. I'm new to all of this. I take a pretty good photo and am relatively good at photoshop...

By whose definition? If it's a friend, relative, or family member, ignore it. Have you actually received accolades for your work from someone who doesn't know you, but does have photographic knowledge?

Geez, it's not like he's claiming to be the second coming of Christ.

I don't think it's any great stretch of the imagination to believe that a guy can accurately hold that opinion of himself...

No it isn't, BUT based on the OP's questions regarding equipment, I suspect that his knowlege is rather limited, therefore, is it likely he can accurately assess his own abilities? That said, if you care to actually read my post, you will notice that I made no reference to his own opinion of his abilities, but rather to those of family and friends which I recommended he ignore. I'm sure you're familiar with the concept of Mommy telling everyone that her little Johnny is such a good <whatever>. This is especially true in photography where the average neophyte thinks that anyone who can focus and expose in a half-decent manner is an expert!

 

[imagemaker46]

I don't see a proclamation that the guy thinks he's a pro. He said he takes a pretty good picture. I don't see anything wrong with that. Clearly, though, there are those hyper-sensitive types who need to see a full portfolio before they'll accept that someone can take a "pretty good picture".

I just think that's silly.

I hope the OP is able to weed through the tripe and find some meaningful help which actually addresses his question...

I based my opinion on the 4 photos posted. If they were posted, then one can only assume that they are what the OP sees as being the best images, therefore it has nothing to do with wanting to see a full portfolio, when the 4 "best" show a simple lack of quality.

 

[tirediron]

I don't see a proclamation that the guy thinks he's a pro.

Per the OP's title, "Freelancing" is not normally an amateur pursuit. The desire to seek payment for services is, IMO, implicit within that.

He said he takes a pretty good picture. I don't see anything wrong with that. Clearly, though, there are those hyper-sensitive types who need to see a full portfolio before they'll accept that someone can take a "pretty good picture".

There is NOTHING wrong with taking a pretty good picture, but "pretty good" doesn't normally cut it in the professional (read: "Paid") world. If you read through the thread carefully, you'll find that most of the advice posted here is aimed at cautioning the OP; essentially "Don't try and run before you learn how walk!".

I just think that's silly.

Fair enough; everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

[Steve5D]

I don't see a proclamation that the guy thinks he's a pro. He said he takes a pretty good picture. I don't see anything wrong with that. Clearly, though, there are those hyper-sensitive types who need to see a full portfolio before they'll accept that someone can take a "pretty good picture".

I just think that's silly.

I hope the OP is able to weed through the tripe and find some meaningful help which actually addresses his question...

I based my opinion on the 4 photos posted. If they were posted, then one can only assume that they are what the OP sees as being the best images, therefore it has nothing to do with wanting to see a full portfolio, when the 4 "best" show a simple lack of quality.

I'm not seeing any examples...

 

[o hey tyler]

How many images do you have in your portfolio to show potential clients?

Quoting myself to perhaps get a response from the OP.

 

[imagemaker46]

I don't see a proclamation that the guy thinks he's a pro. He said he takes a pretty good picture. I don't see anything wrong with that. Clearly, though, there are those hyper-sensitive types who need to see a full portfolio before they'll accept that someone can take a "pretty good picture".

I just think that's silly.

I hope the OP is able to weed through the tripe and find some meaningful help which actually addresses his question...

I based my opinion on the 4 photos posted. If they were posted, then one can only assume that they are what the OP sees as being the best images, therefore it has nothing to do with wanting to see a full portfolio, when the 4 "best" show a simple lack of quality.

I'm not seeing any examples...

Ya that was my goof, got this one mixed up with another one on the forum.

 

[Steve5D]

If you read through the thread carefully, you'll find that most of the advice posted here is aimed at cautioning the OP; essentially "Don't try and run before you learn how walk!"

No, when I read through the thread carefully, what I see are ridiculously unhelpful nuggets like these:

Have you actually received accolades for your work from someone who doesn't know you, but does have photographic knowledge?

By whose definition? If it's a friend, relative, or family member, ignore it. Have you actually received accolades for your work from someone who doesn't know you, but does have phtoographic knowledge?

"Pretty good photo" coming from a family member or friend probably means it belongs in the trashcan if anyone is paying for that image.

How many images do you have in your portfolio to show potential clients?

... you come across like every other "just got a camera at best buy, and now I'm a professional photographer!" person that posts here. I mean, you haven't even read or taught yourself enough to ask a question beyond "What lighting would you use" and "what other kit should I get"?

I mean, it's kind of laughable. You should be able to see that.

Not a single one of those posts, nor most others, addressed the question that the OP asked, nor were they necessarily helpful in their criticism. Hell, one guy even characterized it as "laughable".

On what planet would that be considered "helpful"?

 

[smurf4t]

Quoting myself to perhaps get a response from the OP.

I didn't miss your question, just didn't want to be ripped apart. Allot of people here seem hypercritical. I have about 200 that I'm happy to show clients and I have a good 100 000 (probably more) in my files that I would love to edit and photoshop around with but until now have not had the time. I'm about to free up some time to concentrate on editing some of my thousands of images.

 

[HughGuessWho]

Quoting myself to perhaps get a response from the OP.

I didn't miss your question, just didn't want to be ripped apart. Allot of people here seem hypercritical. I have about 200 that I'm happy to show clients and I have a good 100 000 (probably more) in my files that I would love to edit and photoshop around with but until now have not had the time. I'm about to free up some time to concentrate on editing some of my thousands of images.

Some on here will "rip you apart" regardless of how good your work is. But o hey tyler and some others will give you good, honest and helpful advice and critique. You just have to be prepared for the "honest" part because it can be painful. However, taken with the right attitude can be extremely helpful.

 

[smurf4t]

Some on here will "rip you apart" regardless of how good your work is. But o hey tyler and some others will give you good, honest and helpful advice and critique. You just have to be prepared for the "honest" part because it can be painful. However, taken with the right attitude can be extremely helpful.

Good constructive criticism is always welcome. I LOVE honest heartfelt observations on improvement . But not just being rude because they think they are allowed to be rude - that is just unprofessional and uncalled for.

 

[smurf4t]

No, when I read through the thread carefully, what I see are ridiculously unhelpful nuggets like these:

Not a single one of those posts, nor most others, addressed the question that the OP asked, nor were they necessarily helpful in their criticism. Hell, one guy even characterized it as "laughable".

On what planet would that be considered "helpful"?

As always thanks.

 

[Steve5D]

How many images do you have in your portfolio to show potential clients?

Quoting myself to perhaps get a response from the OP.

Wow. That's sad.

What does your question have to do with the question the OP asked in his initial post?