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I don’t know it didn’t show up lol.

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great pics! and I love Dig Rev…Kai cracks me up…. lol yes just like this website, the titles and comments are what make it even more entertaining…. you should check out http://www.iphoneography.com …there’s some crazy stuff there…I went to MacWorld and saw some of the artwork submitted by people…..amazing….but yeah the camera is just a tool…I’m actually interested in the samsung galaxy cam that I saw at CES, it was pretty neat to play with and I could see myself using it for some of my “newsy” type of assignments (instant upload)…but yes,  it is nice to have a good cam and good glass whether you are using a mirrorless or some big camera hog! lol…this is what I took with my Samsung Note….

.not a landscape photog by a long shot….but was jogging one day and it just looked like a great moment….I used snapseed to play with the photo a little As phone cameras continue to  get  better I actually see a decline in the entry-level dSLRs at some point..they already have detachable lenses already for iPhones and such….and when I was walking around at the conventions, I saw many media types streaming live video from their mobile phones and not some video cam setup. So,  therefore I think we will see (hopefully) even better photography out there.

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and what I mean by dSLR (is your standard Crop or FF) …haha since Medium Format is still a dSLR

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I guess I violate some of the “rules” of professional lol. As I understand it, professional just means that you depend on photography as your sole source of income. I do not, so I guess that means I’m “semi-pro” as I only offer a part of it for my services. Now, whether or not the photographer has “professional quality” work, that’s up for debate. Unfortunately, whether we like to admit it or not, if these “fauxtographers” are supporting themselves with shoddy photography…well they are still “professional”  if people are willing to pay it.

I’m self taught….books (like Better Photo), Digital Photography school.com……other sites…….but I do have an art background and diploma from an art school, as well as work experience as a graphic and web designer. I was a late bloomer with photography and I am not done learning.   I also don’t think you need to know EVERYTHING to start charging money…as I think you can never be “ready”, since you are your own worst critic, but if people are willing to pay and you are confident in your abilities then IMO you are ready to start charging if you get the basics down and lots of practice…. …I admit, I do not have much experience with flash photography…well mostly because I don’t like carrying a bunch of crap. I hate bulk..the most I had was a TTL unit (I can’t remember the name) with my dSLR…. I’m not a studio photog, so  I don’t feel the need to have all the extra stuff…..I may carry a reflector though (if someone is with me) …..though I have taken workshops doing studio photography..I would like to learn more, but not necessarily for business…just for myself….. I just enjoy location photography and ambient light.

Unlike others, I have gotten rid of my dSLR and not planning to upgrade to any dSLR….if anything larger, I’ll go medium format Pentax 645D (and if someone handed me a Hasselblad or a Mamiya, hell I’d take them no complaints! 🙂 …but I will use a dSLR (rent) if I need to do an assignment with sports…which in that case, I use Canon gear….

My style is photojournalism (also have a degree in journalism so that’s why I was drawn to that) so I think compact is best for capturing “moments” and I prefer being the fly on the wall. I worry more about telling a story than if I have the proper equipment. However, have I done weddings and portraits with point and shoot cameras? YUP.  Only one client has asked me if my little camera was enough.

Of course, what I use isn’t exactly what you’ll find at Best Buy or Walmart…..I’ve shot portraits and events with my Leica X1, Panasonic FZ150 bridge camera, Sony’s NEX System, Leica dLux 5 , and other compacts..The next camera I’m drooling over  and planning on getting is the Sony RX1. Do  I think I could use a powershot whatever? Sure…..if  I learn how to work within its constraints….I just love small cameras……so I guess to each his/her own…..I guess my point is, if you enjoy what you do, and people like what you do, and you’re “pretty good” at it then heck an iPhone will work too!

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HAHAHAH that’s hilarious….I thought it was a serious video bio!!

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borrowlenses.com

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Fo Sho

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what they said….. 🙂 I say do it when  you think you can afford it.

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While I agree with you about better interaction, there are better educational sites such as: digital-photography-school.com… I like this site as an entertainment site.

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actually Instagram can be a good social media tool for photographers. I personally do not use it ( I prefer doing this type of photography on film cameras) but anyone who doesn’t take advantage of Instagram, Pintrest and other social marketing tools does not understand the business of marketing. Photographers who use Instagram include Eric Kim who is an internationally known street photographer

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I’ve been happy using Zenfolio/MPIX..I’ve never had quality issues..but I guess it depends for others…..I’m open to others, but so far I like the selection, quality of paper, options, etc. I think they charge too much though for their “cut”

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I’d get rid of the Wix site and the music, like the two above said.  You have to consider your audience. Everytime I go to a page and there is music I turn it off..if I can’t turn it off , I get frustrated and leave.  WordPress is wonderful. If you don’t have the tech savvy to get that up, try a paid site like PhotoBiz or Zenfolio. I also suggest heading over to digital-photography-school.com. While you can get great critiques from this site, it’s really about bashing fauxtogs (I feel bad for even being here, but the pics posted are like train wrecks, can’t help but stare).

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haha never mind I saw your previous posts on editing. I think your experience as a graphic designer definitely helps develop the eye. I also took up photography  7 yrs ago after being a graphic designer/web designer for 8 years myself. It is different to go from landscape to people. But I think you are well on your way!

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You’re doing very well for starting out. Your composition is good! Good eye. Everything’s subjective so that part of it’s fine.

 

http://www.photosbyanjanette.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/karim1.jpg  —- pants look overexposed/high contrast? I don’t know if that’s done on purpose.

and  the train tracks….—a little over exposed on the right.

On your last set, I like 1 and 4, maybe with a little bit of editing.

 

Out of curiosity, are you on full manual with your camera? Using the light meter? Also are you using Lightroom or Aperture? Shooting in RAW?

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I know what you’re saying and I can relate…but that’s the risk you take when you enter the photography business and that’s why you will not find full-time photographers anymore. I live in SoCal where there are thousands of photographers, in a highly competitive marketplace, you have to stand out. Unfortunately, with the advent of digital photography it became much easier for everyone and their mother  to join so that is why it’s no longer profitable to just do photography as a business….My background consists of  a multimedia design diploma from an art school with over 14 years of experience freelancing and working in-house as a graphic and web designer….. I took up photography about 7 years ago  well because I became a parent (why lots of mama togs) . I knew I had to diversify because I know that you can’t just depend on photography as your sole income. I started as a hobby….like many of these guys do…but I knew off the bat that this would be an added service rather than the only service……What I’m saying is, you shouldn’t relegate yourself to the same level as these faux togs which tend to be all over the place on craigslist. Brides especially, are fickle I know because I had a hard time choosing — but as they say you get what you pay for…that’s business not just photography….it’s frustrating when they undercut and charge low….that’s also the problem with stock photography (why you have microstock sites ruining many a career)…photography will never be the same…so my point is, if you offer something that nobody else can then you’re at an advantage. These guys, if they run their businesses poorly they will go out quickly. It’ll get worse too as mobile phones become more advanced, and instagram is the norm now. It is what it is unfortunately. Cameras are also a lot cheaper now, and if you go to Costco I see many a Nikon with bag, telezoom lens, all packaged in one!  I get what you’re saying but photography is a tough tough business.

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