zalmyb wrote:
I think it's way more about business skill and know how than about photography. There are many spectacular photogrhers who are struggling and many mediocre ones at are doing very well. As photographers we assume we need to be better at photography to make more money but more often than not its business changes that make the difference (this is coming from someone who has negligible business skills, but is working on it quite a bit).
It's also about attitude. And it seems that you are resigned to a certain level of success. Pessimists very often call themselves realists, but oftentimes it's just a self fulfilling prophecy....Show more →
A realist knows their limitations. Living in a fantasy world seldom achieves anything.
zalmyb wrote:
I think it's way more about business skill and know how than about photography. There are many spectacular photogrhers who are struggling and many mediocre ones at are doing very well. As photographers we assume we need to be better at photography to make more money but more often than not its business changes that make the difference (this is coming from someone who has negligible business skills, but is working on it quite a bit).
It's also about attitude. And it seems that you are resigned to a certain level of success. Pessimists very often call themselves realists, but oftentimes it's just a self fulfilling prophecy....Show more →
I agree with you on the business end. And THAT is also a talent and skill that some people are just better at than others. The proof is in your own words. Mediocre photographers who are excellent business people are usually more successful monetarily.
marti.g3 wrote:
The "it" means a style, a talent, a skill that some people inherently have. It's like when I was in high school and college. I had this inherent natural talent for being a really good basketball player. I had the instinct that others didn't have. I didn't practice, study it or develop it. I had the quickness, balance and natural ability that set me apart from others.
Same in photography. IF a person has that natural ability to "see" something that others don't, to vision something that other's don't, that is "it". And I challenge anyone to try and duplicate that natural ability. I see it here on this forum. There are some photographers who are head and shoulders above the others in that they have "it"........and I stand firm on my conviction.
We do art. Some artists are just better than others. Why weren't there two Andy Warhols ? Two Niemans, two Picassos. I know that's extreme but you get my point. As artists, our vision can't be copied no matter how much other's try. They may copy us, but they can't replicate what's in our head.
I don't have any talent or style. Any skill I have anyone else could have learned. I may not fit your definition of "high end" but I don't think it takes anything inborn - it is all about doing the right work.
I was in the video production/television industry for over 30 years. I grew to become a sought after creative director in my region. I was on top of my game for many years, winning many awards and earning a good living. I never had to look for work because people wanted me and the work just kept rolling in.
Then about six or seven years ago things started changing. I was burned out. I no longer kept up with the industry and the latest trends. I didn't want to put forth the effort to be "cutting edge". I wanted to do what I knew best but tht isn't what clients wanted. I was no longer getting the high end jobs, rather I was getting the second or third tier work. That only proceeded to piss me off.
I could see the handwriting on the wall. I knew that I had to get out. I wanted to do something I had never done before. I decided to go back to my roots and concentrate on still photography, specifically weddings.
I left the world of video 1.5 years ago and I have never looked back. I am totally loving what I do now. Shooting weddings has re-invigorated me. I may not be "cutting edge" in terms of my style but I love it when young people come up to me and tell me know much they admire my work.
I am not a good businessman at all, but I'm doing well with my bookings. I would like to pick up 4-5 more weddings a year so that is what I'm focusing on accomplishing.
The whole point is that maybe its time for you to find something that will lift you out of your slump. I'm not necessarily saying that you need to change careers like I did, but perhaps try something different with your work.
If an old guy like me (I'm 62 btw) can do it so can you.
TRReichman wrote:
I don't have any talent or style. Any skill I have anyone else could have learned. I may not fit your definition of "high end" but I don't think it takes anything inborn - it is all about doing the right work.
- trr
just because you say that, doesn't make it true. with that said, STFU
TRReichman wrote:
There is no such thing as "it" or "luck" - you can always logically break down why something works. Don't fool yourself into thinking that some people are just born with it and others are doomed - anyone can be successful if they apply the right tactics for themselves and align their business with client interests.
It's like when I was in high school and college. I had this inherent natural talent for being a really good basketball player. I had the instinct that others didn't have. I didn't practice, study it or develop it. I had the quickness, balance and natural ability that set me apart from others.
How come you are not playing Professional Basketball then?
Just curious as to why you are not using that talent that you say you have.
marti.g3 wrote:
The "it" means a style, a talent, a skill that some people inherently have. It's like when I was in high school and college. I had this inherent natural talent for being a really good basketball player. I had the instinct that others didn't have. I didn't practice, study it or develop it. I had the quickness, balance and natural ability that set me apart from others.
Same in photography. IF a person has that natural ability to "see" something that others don't, to vision something that other's don't, that is "it". And I challenge anyone to try and duplicate that natural ability. I see it here on this forum. There are some photographers who are head and shoulders above the others in that they have "it"........and I stand firm on my conviction.
We do art. Some artists are just better than others. Why weren't there two Andy Warhols ? Two Niemans, two Picassos. I know that's extreme but you get my point. As artists, our vision can't be copied no matter how much other's try. They may copy us, but they can't replicate what's in our head.
THAT, is "it"....Show more →
Then again don't forget Kinkade...
Jon-Mark wrote:
Was waiting for that. Also disagree.
Of course they can be successful. But there will still always be those who's natural talents are just heads and shoulders above the rest. People try to emulate them, but can't duplicate them. If they could, then why are there so many struggling photographers here instead of everyone making a shit load of money like SOME members here ?
jcolman wrote:
Maybe it's time to reconstruct yourself.
I was in the video production/television industry for over 30 years. I grew to become a sought after creative director in my region. I was on top of my game for many years, winning many awards and earning a good living. I never had to look for work because people wanted me and the work just kept rolling in.
Then about six or seven years ago things started changing. I was burned out. I no longer kept up with the industry and the latest trends. I didn't want to put forth the effort to be "cutting edge". I wanted to do what I knew best but tht isn't what clients wanted. I was no longer getting the high end jobs, rather I was getting the second or third tier work. That only proceeded to piss me off.
I could see the handwriting on the wall. I knew that I had to get out. I wanted to do something I had never done before. I decided to go back to my roots and concentrate on still photography, specifically weddings.
I left the world of video 1.5 years ago and I have never looked back. I am totally loving what I do now. Shooting weddings has re-invigorated me. I may not be "cutting edge" in terms of my style but I love it when young people come up to me and tell me know much they admire my work.
I am not a good businessman at all, but I'm doing well with my bookings. I would like to pick up 4-5 more weddings a year so that is what I'm focusing on accomplishing.
The whole point is that maybe its time for you to find something that will lift you out of your slump. I'm not necessarily saying that you need to change careers like I did, but perhaps try something different with your work.
If an old guy like me (I'm 62 btw) can do it so can you....Show more →
That is awesome. I'm more worried about keeping my home and not being out on the street than starting over right now. CA sucks for the small business man. I took a recent hit from the BOE who F'd me big time. Money that I had as a reserve and kept me afloat was used to pay those MFer's off......and now it's coming back to haunt me........it's shit like that that happens in peoples lives that breaks the camel's back.
michaels photo wrote:
YOU said you had ALL this talent!
Nope, never said I had the talent to go pro. I had natural skills that were better than the other guys. Never said anything about having the skills to go to the NBA......come on, now you are just being silly...
The nebulous "it" cannot be taught. Take the position of quarterback in the NFL. I think its safe to say that every NFL QB represents an extremely rare, extremely talented segment of our population. If you lined them all up on the field and ran them through a battery of tests (throwing for distance, throwing for accuracy, timing, decision making, etc) they would all demonstrate high levels of competency with a fairly slim margin from "first" to "last". They have all learned those skills and worked REALLY hard to hone these skills.
But it's the "it" that QBs cannot learn despite access to the very best trainers/psychologists/teams. They either have "it" or they don't. I believe that the possession of "it" drives QBs to succeed in the 4th quarter more than others. Maybe they get there by understanding their individual teammates personalities? Maybe they can see the game slower? Maybe it's understanding the slight nuances of the other teams defense? But whatever "it" is, some QBs have it and others don't (despite immense and rare skills).
There are many many photographers who can make great exposures and good compositions. We all have access to the same gear/tutorials/presets/workshops.
I think photographers with "it" aren't technically more skilled than the masses, I think they have a deeper understanding of the nuance of the day. "It" is why they are in precisely the right spot at the right time...every single wedding. Maybe this is a result of the photographer understanding clients? Maybe it's the photographer's personality that allowed them the access? Maybe the photographer is just "cool"? But I believe its these intangible skills that are innate and cannot be taught.
I can look at some members work here and it's just amazing. They have a unique vision that just can't be taught or learned. They can see something that others cant. They can frame something, use shapes, lighting, backgrounds to make a unique image that I don't see in other's work. That is what I'm referring to. It's like a painter who can create something and people just go "wow"........you know this person has "it".
Michael Kincaide, who just passed away and was the painter of "light" had a unique vision to create his style of work that no one else did. There were many copycats, but he was the first.
Same in wedding photography. There are those who initiate, then there are those who copy.
