The Hardest Type of Photography?

[GeneralBenson]

No contest, has to be sports.

Nah...landscape and nautre/wildlife.

When's the last time a sports photographer was in danger of being eaten by a lion, dying of frostbite, or falling off a mountain?

None of those sound as scary as facing Bridezilla!

 

[thruthelens]

None of those sound as scary as facing Bridezilla!

Indeed, if er indoors wants a nice photo I always say the batteries are dead, flash not working, wide angle lens isn't super wide enough etc and then run.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Although, I think if I had to pick one, I would have to go with war photography.

I have to agree. Having done both war and adventure photo, I would put adventure photography as a very close second, the main difference being that in adventure one doesn't dodge bullets.

 

[Destin]

No contest, has to be sports.

I don't feel that sports photography is all that difficult once you get it. Then again I have extensive knowledge of how almost every sport works, so I can predict movement pretty well.

Sports definitely requires the most expensive equiptment though, and there is pretty much no way to argue against that haha

 

[chito beach]

Portraiture work for sure.

 

[Stormchase]

Astrophotography? Photojournalism? Wildlife has to be up there. I have watched most of the makeings of the dicovery channel shows. Watch the makeing of "life". They wait seasons to get a complete shot.

 

[AprilEye]

Macro for me too. Expecially since I am trying to do it *without* a macro lens! Also night shots... but I am getting the hang of that very slowly.

 

[skieur]

Let's see shooting crocodiles ranks up there pretty high. I have one with blood on him, caused by going after me. Hanging out of an open cockpit, trying to get a sharp image, not distorted by haze is high on the list too, especially when the pilot says he is lost and can't find the airport to land.
Shooting bears wild from a distance of 6 to 8 feet also comes pretty high on the list too.

And in the people area, it is shooting journalistic stuff where the emotions are sufficiently high to have violence at the drop of a hat, against the photographer. Been there too.

skieur

 

[LokiZ]

Here I thought the hardest photography category was any category of photography that entailed sharing ones work with other fellow photographers who specialize in that same category.

:scratch:

 

[Blake.Oney]

Let's see shooting crocodiles ranks up there pretty high.

Yea I agree. I shot Alligator's in Louisiana when I was 16. They're pretty mean. I would have to say the hardest type I would imagine would be war photojournalism. I watched that shooting documentary that was posted on here the other night and I couldn't believe the danger they put themselves in. I wouldn't say portraits at all. To me, portraits are easy, but I'm a people person and I love portraiture. The hardest thing about weddings to me is how hard I am on myself. I don't want to be the one to screw up the customers wedding.

 

[D-B-J]

making an emotionally compelling image. Sure, alot of shots are technically perfect, but to make it emotionally compelling, to draw the viewer in and such, to present the subject in such a beautiful way, thats truly difficult.

 

[JerrfyLube]

Portraiture work for sure.

Really?? How so out of curiosity?

I always found Portraiture to be the easiest, for me personally at least. In most cases you have time to carefully compose your shots, make adjustments to your model, time to move or adjust lights, etc. I keep my portrait sessions light, laid back and fun. I usually have their favorite music blasting in the studio while shooting and try to get them to let loose and have fun...when they're having a good time, im having a good time. Seniors, engagement sessions, family portraits...these are the fun, easy money in my experience.

The jobs that involve the most work, for me, have been social events(weddings, bar\bat mitzhavs, parties, etc). Running around like a chicken that has its head cut off for 8+ hours while hauling around a boat load of gear, while trying to make beautiful pictures out of a bunch of craziness is nothing short of frustrating and stressful sometimes. Add to that the hours or days spent in post processing, culling through and finalizing those thousands of images I took...wedding photography has been a butt kicker of mine! Its almost always a fun experience but the day after, im usually wiped out.

Sports...never done much outside of small shoots for local teams(little leagues, high school, etc) so ive always found that fun more often than not. Cant comment on high end, pro level sports though...my hats off to them though.

Landscape and Wildlife photography has always been therapeutic for me. I can spend days in the local mountains, streams, lakes and walk out with an amount of shutter actuations that I can count on my hands. I find it relaxing and a good way to blow off some steam after a tough week. Again, interesting to see that some claim this as the toughest field. I guess getting paid for it holds different meaning for those that shoot landscape and wildlife as a hobby. Speaking of, Bald Eagle season in our local mountains is rapidly approaching! Cant wait! :mrgreen:

 

[Overread]

Here I thought the hardest photography category was any category of photography that entailed sharing ones work with other fellow photographers who specialize in that same category.

:scratch:

Only if said photography is wedding photography

It gets even harder if you mention that you get paid for it as well ; :mrgreen:

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Here I thought the hardest photography category was any category of photography that entailed sharing ones work with other fellow photographers who specialize in that same category.

:scratch:

Only if said photography is wedding photography

It gets even harder if you mention that you get paid for it as well ; :mrgreen:

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

 

[Light Artisan]

Anything involving child photography beats them all without a doubt... if you haven't tried it you have no idea, if you have - you know what I'm talking about.

But... when it works, it's also the most rewarding.