[Loke]

well I looked at his page again…..he was behind the yellow tape and using his tele zoom  so looks like just poor taste in judgment, so yes I was mistaken as I thought he was within the yellow tape… he is  just like any other bystander that holds their mobile phones up to take pics of carnage and that’s it….smh.

[Loke]

and of course, you can still be denied access at the dept’s discretion.

[Loke]

Stef I am a freelance photojournalist and member of the NPPA….yes, I know there is no “press badge” and that one can go anywhere as a civilian where you are on public land but if you want a chance  to cross the yellow tape with other media you have to apply with the police department to get better access than the average Joe. How this policy applies is dependent on the police department and will vary nationally. Of course, you can always fight it but typically it isn’t that easy to just walk up and ask. Maybe this guy had connections, or whoever looked at him thought he was valid as a photojournalist, perhaps he was published somewhere else.

[Loke]

I am  going to be the dissenting voice..and I agree with the above with alot of points..however, I also get what Civo is getting at…too many cookie cutter pictures all following the same “rules” and alot of photogs who try to be pretentious about it…I notice that here, but I’m on this site for a reason and it’s because these pictures are funny because yes they are bad and I do enjoy participating in these discussions…. but at the same time, more power to them, obviously they are people pleasers otherwise they wouldn’t have return customers (ok I’m joking but seriously….who can blame them for wanting to make money?…(obviously, fauxtogs lack the basic ingredients which I do believe you should have..at least) …….all business is a risk and sorry to say but if you plan on making photography your full time business you’ve missed the boat…too much competition since the first consumer dSLRs arrived on scene….I live in SoCal where photographers good/bad are a dime a dozen especially in the family portrait/wedding arena….even in news photography,  the local news photogs have found themselves out of work and having to make it on their own doing other things….

 

when it comes to business you are ready or you’re not…you could be shooting for 25 years and still not be where you think you are ” technically” or you could be shooting for 25 years and you never grow as an artist……alot of photographers get bitter because they see all these newbies who they think are “stealing business”…but I’m a realist…. that’s the reality of it and it’s not changing….it’s called supply and demand….consumers want the best bang for their buck..that’s Economy 101 — fauxtog or not….people who appreciate art will pay for it…I could never put down money for an Andy Warhol piece, but I know people that would….I’m perfectly fine buying a painting from a swapmeet..does that make me bad because I’m not an art connoisseur? No it’s my money and I’ll do with it the way I please…. since photography is both a craft and art…everyday new technology comes out, that “craft” part will change….and considering that many things are going mobile now….and as someone who is heavily involved in the tech industry….hate to break it to you again, the cameras will be more and more automated…smaller cameras will soon be on par to the top of the line dSLRs…..which with mirrorless technology  it’s already happening…unless you are pixel peeper the quality is almost the same……and with Sony coming out with the first “affordable” full-frame compact camera…yeah things are changing……a photographer either gets that “eye’ or they don’t….they either challenge themselves to get better or they don’t..but above all…if you’re a pretentious prick that thinks your shit doesn’t stink and your customer service skills suck? Hell no..if I’m a customer I’ll go to the cheaper guy…..and also, no amount of top of the line equipment will you  better as a photographer..only you can…  ..but again it’s purely subjective…someone will always think you are awesome and the best photographer in the world, while someone else will think you suck.

[Loke]

I think you should focus on this niche…too many general portrait photogs out there..sure when you are ready to start charging you’ll have to be a little more creative in your marketing  but I like your weird stuff I think that’s where you shine. I could see you working with alternative mags..tattoo shops..stuff like that…

[Loke]

Oh nothing….I just think he’s being facetious..he knows he’s got talent.

[Loke]

I think you are pulling our legs. 😉

[Loke]

1. they will probably get a lot of hate mail…..2. someone will bite……

[Loke]

Let me clarify when I said raise it up I mean by maybe 1 cm, not cutting off the fingers…but then again you are using an 85 mm, maybe if you stood back just a little…..again..it’s aesthetics and nothing too distracting……

[Loke]

I have a daughter too around the same age so I understand 🙂 Should be easy to edit those  hairs out in PS. Reflector stand is a good idea.

[Loke]

above suggestions are great and correct….you’ll want to study more on properly pricing yourself and work on editing your photos (especially with portraits)..Zenfolio/MPIX charges a crap load for their prints so you want to make somewhat of a profit right price above at least 2% 🙂 ? ….and as a designer I’d like to add a couple of more : 1. get rid of the music or give your viewers an option to turn it off, it’s one of those things that turn off viewers (besides flash based websites)………..2. Your design is “minimalist” nice and simple….so keep that up….3..like nightrose said,  categorize your photos. ..something like this:

Home

About > Your Bio

Portfolio> Landscapes, People, Flowers, Video, etc.

Contact

Client Access

 

I used to have Zenfolio and the watermark shouldn’t be there when the clients order so that’s fine….but instead of a watermark might I suggest on the lower right placing your website address instead? This way they can remember who you are…

Finally, don’t feel like you have to include every recent shoot you do…try to step outside yourself and don’t put a picture up because you feel emotionally attached to it or because it’s your most recent one…put what you feel is your best work…as the others have pointed out….there is some inconsistency in the photo quality…I like your landscapes better and some of your portraits in studio with the lighter backgrounds….however, some of the family shots kind of have that “snapshot” look…which is fine if you have a separate blog ad you’re doing “behind the scenes” work….

[Loke]

I’m surprised the cops haven’t scrutinized him more…..we have to fill out an application for a press badge with the cops where I live to be able to get close enough to stuff like that.

 

[Loke]

Cute kid! Just a couple of suggestions…On the first, if you could just raise the lens up just a tad bit….I like cropping close too, but  I feel it just needs to be raised a little higher IMO….might want to remove the stray hair in front of her face too, and maybe the ones outside as well. In the 2nd one…I’d love to see her eyes a little more just brushing her hair a little to the side would work…as for the photography itself…I think you are doing well!

[Loke]

Well…I for one think the pictures on this site are awesome! lol. Hey someone loves them somewhere…I see things a little differently from others here or maybe the same as some..I don’t know..don’t really care, I just find this site entertaining and the dialogue in the forum entertaining as well. To me, I’m not competing with these “fauxtographers”….people who like my work will pay for my work…that’s how I feel….more power to them.

I break all the rules but know the rules for the most part….I’m technically proficient for what my needs are…I am trained..not in photography but graphic design, self-taught (photography)….I’ve charged for photography mostly as a freelancer, and I photograph for fun….I don’t think you need a Canon or Nikon full-frame to take “pro quality” pictures..in fact, I’ve given up my dSLR system in exchange for all compact cams……..I follow the blog of photographer Ming Thein and he as well as many others have proven that it  is the photographer, not necessarily the tool…(though I admit I can be a gear lover myself and given the choice I’ll take that Leica thank you very much or that Mamiya, and I tend to stay away from mainstream brands and favor forgotten ones, or ones not necessarily on everyone’s radar)….I’m going backwards and favoring more film photography..and using my toy cameras alot and TLRs….and interesting photographers to me include Norman Reedus (yes…actor Norman Reedus) …his work is definitely NOT the norm of traditional photography in any way, shape or form..and weird abstract type stuff like this: http://10steps.sg/inspirations/photography/70-strange-photos-that-are-not-photoshopped/

Photography is not my full-time job, my design business is…so I guess that’s why I’m more forgiving…EH…

[Loke]

I’m a photojournalist and I’m looking at this guy’s photos and he’s nothing more than the equivalent of an “ambulance” chaser.   He’s just there for the gore…I don’t see anything of any journalistic importance other than there’s a dead body..fortunately (with mobile photography and instant news), and unfortunately just like in portrait photography, you have citizen photojournalists that have no idea how to tell a story or have the training involved to scope one out ..you don’t have to  have a degree in journalism of course, but you should know what it entails, follow the code of ethics as outlined in NPPA or similar (you don’t have to be a member, but anyone interested in becoming a photojournalist or working as a photojournalist would know about this organization and others like it )

 

[Author]

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