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Out of context: Reply #63871
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- HijoDMaite5
I started shooting seriously around 2010. It took me a long time to understand all the settings on my DSLR and to learn how to edit using Photoshop, then PS RAW, and finally Lightroom. Countless nights watching YouTube videos, Kelby Training vids and reading blogs. You guys here were of course a huge help. Providing me with examples, experiences and precious links. Some close friends and family that shoot were also a great resource for knowledge and inspiration. I decided against taking too many photography classes in a traditional school setting because I thought the resources are out there today to learn everything I need to know.
Truly self taught.
One problem I saw from the beginning was that having so much exposure to blogs and quality work (mostly by way of QBN) was that I felt my photos sucked. I ask for harsh criticism from photographers almost to a fault. I am so afraid to put out work that I think may good in fear that someone that I consider a better photographer will tell me it isn't good. Then, when a non-photographer tells me a photo is fantastic I roll my eyes and think they don't know wtf they're talking about. This hyper-critical attitude towards my photography has hindered me from growing and making money I think.
If I make a website/portfolio using a free template I'm afraid to share it because it's not a slick custom WordPress one like some I've seen. If I think about selling a landscape print I shy away from pricing it correctly because I know photogs who never sell a print under $1000. If I get offered a wedding shoot, I tell them I can't because I don't feel I'm good enough or I don't own the 50mm 1.2L lens.
I've always told myself that this is ok because I must have "very good taste." But who says I have to feel like I've achieved a certain level to feel confident? I'm way to old for this shit. Time is passing and I'm not doing what I love. Maybe the exposure will actually help me to grow. Maybe I don't have to have the best clients and gear, maybe I never will. Maybe shooting for a local restaurant or taking some portraits for a small business website are the only way to even get to the level I aspire to. So I said fuck it.
I set up a Facebook photography page, started paying for a squarespace site again and decided to start advertising photo shoots and prints for sale using social media. I'm getting too old to worry about the unknown. I may never end up going to the Olympics as a freelance photographer or be an embedded photographer in combat, and I certainly won't be shooting the next NatGeo cover story in Nepal. But fuck it, at least I will make some people happy with some quality photos and prints for their home or business.
I have a day job so this is just a passion for me, maybe one day I'll finally post on here that I quit my job to become a full time photographer. if not, then I promise myself the day I retire I'm ordering a Leica M so I can FINALLY be a good photographer.
TL;DR
I'm a self taught photographer who has been hyper critical of my work for way too long. I finally decided to put myself out there and advertise my services. I may never be the photographer I want to be, but I'm going to at least make an attempt.
- You don't shoot photography for photographers, you shoot for everyday people. :)Hayoth
- God damn it why are you so humble. Makes me think I'm way too proud of my self.pango
- I've always treat none photographers and easily satisfied people's words as just being polite. And welcome people to rip my photos apart.pango
- Easy praise or honest brutal educated opinions? :)When I get praised from people who's done photos for their entires life makes me feel like I'm made progress.pango
- And this demands an url to yours site :)
URL or it didn't happen!pango - if u get paid for photography u will soon hate it. at least that is my belief so i keep it for fun or low yield savings account on stockdeathboy
- love you Hijo!moldero
- No regrets.bezoar
- respectGnash
- Where are you advertising?since1979
- Nice post Hijo!cbass99
- esta bien. yeah. its's a slow boiling hustle. thanks for sharing. i'm experiencing a lot of the same things and feelingsjaylarson
- wish i had a dayjob now to back it up. $$$$jaylarson
- @Hayoth Yes! I must always keep this in mind.HijoDMaite
- @pango we are friends on FB you should have gotten an invite for my Page last night!HijoDMaite
- right now I am only going to use facebook and word of mouth. I've got a good network and live in the burbs, so I just have to be better than the competition.HijoDMaite
- A good camera does not make a good photographer (re: LeicaM comment).
Most wedding photographers have crap sites. Wedding shots are way too much pressure....microkorg - ... esp if you fuck it up - wrath of bridezilla!
JUst keep having fun, start a blog or squarespace. Post up your stuff and that you're for hire....microkorg - ... if someone likes your stuff and style then they'll get in touch.
REmember it only takes 1 great photo and you make it big too.microkorg - Thanks micro working on it. Btw the Leica comment was a joke.HijoDMaite
- hijo, your work is beautiful. as an artist, we are always our worse critics. just do your thing and enjoy it.
ps, add your fb link ;)sea_sea - Oh ok I gotta check back. I kinda accepts everything that pops up on my Facebook....pango
- here it is, a work in progress: https://www.facebook…HijoDMaite
- INSTAGRAM! Ps nice post!sureshot
- yeah i'm going to use Instagram to sell some prints see how that works out too.HijoDMaite