The Job of Todays Photographer

[benjikan]

What I have come to realize is that the photographer must be adept in a much wider range of disciplines than was acceptable only a few years ago. He/She must be a photographer an intermediate art director, retouch artist and visionary. The importance of being a good communicator is also a vital part of the profession. Even if one has an agent the importance of this diversification can't be understated.

What are your impressions about where the photographer is today?

Ben

[sean_mcr]

Hi Ben,

I'd have to start by saying that it depends on who the photographer is and what their goal is. If you work for reuters you'll have a different set rules to that of a fashion photographer (that would be you) If you look at the magnum group they tend to work alone when in the field, they have a great deal of control over their own work. Of course most people don't get to be members of Magnum.

There are those that sell their own work in exhibitions ect. Again they face different obstacles to some other photographers. The freedom of creating what you want is obviously appealing but Van Gogh died poor in that pursuit and it's one of reasons many people keep art and finance separate.

There are the bottom feeders who'll shoot anything for money. Normally Jack of all trades and masters of nothing often scraping a living rather then making one.

It's a very tough game as you know, the tale of Kevin Carter is a good example of just how tough it can be.

Kevin would take his life just 18 months after winning the Pulitzer prize,

His Note read

"I am depressed ... without phone ... money for rent ... money for child support ... money for debts ... money!!! ... I am haunted by the vivid memories of killings & corpses & anger & pain ... of starving or wounded children, of trigger-happy madmen, often police, of killer executioners...I have gone to join Ken if I am that lucky."

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/kevincarter/index.html

You'd never find a photographer like Carter in a studio. His way of working was a world away from that environment. So there is no straight answer to where the photographer is today it really does depend on who they are and what they are trying to do. A good question Ben, but not an easy answer

A couple of good articleS about wanting to turn pro and if it's a good idea can be found below

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/colum ... 3-23.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/colum ... 8-04.shtml

Thank's for the question, Ben

Sean