Harry Hoffman wrote:
I want to be credentialed so I can work 16 hrs or more a day and hope to make enough money to break even on expenses. Probably won't happen for a couple more years. Fortunately Motorsports has magnitudes less interest than ball sports, so I still have hope.
Ah see Mr. Rick, there I have asked the question and you have given the answer...
You don't get credentials to start networking, you need to start networking to get credentials. The easiest way to get them is to be part of the working media or involved in shooting said event. Yes there are some other underhanded and improper ways to get them as some have mentioned, but I will leave that up to your own thoughts on ethics to determine if you should go down that avenue
I shall do what you suggested, emails & calls to see what I can get, my wonderings were if became a sportshooter member would that help? hmmm doesn't really sound like it, I think I just hang around with the wrong crowd (I don't know anyone who works as a professional photographer) I just don't know how or whom to ask the correct question ... back a loooong time ago when I got my "credentials" to be an aircraft mechanic I lucked into the correct situation (not the military) and here I am today working in a dying industry were people will work for nothing just to say they work on airplanes... why? you ask, would I want to become a photographer? same reason I wanted to be an aircraft mechanic, to never stop learning new things and to do something I truly like doing... it is the only thing that makes it worth it no?
And after 6 pgs. nothing has changed including the whinning, crabbing and ego mania.in the 2 years I've been away, only the names have changed to protect the guilty.
Page 6 ain't good enough! Rick posted an innocent enough topic full of insight and helpful information and he's was able to stir up enough controversy to stretch it to 9 pages! Just kidding of course, this isn't about how many pages one topic can generate but rather the content of those pages. Unfortunately, with the exception of a very small number of brave souls, I'm not sure I still understand what motivates photographers (beyond those already working) to want credentials. Yes, I can guess, as someone already has but I'd rather hear it directly from those involved. And let me be clear, my intention is NOT to draw out a bunch of answers and then judge and denounce those willing to be honest.
For "jetmutant": honestly, its not an easy road but you are correct in saying that "you don't get credentials to start networking, you need to start networking to get credentials." Now there are naysayers who will say that's a Catch .22 situation: you can't network without credentials and you can't get credentials without networking. But really, there are many possibilities to network in order to get credentials. Also remember that if and when you get credentialed while your fellow photographers might be able to present you with the occasional opportunity, they really aren't your best source of networking. Professional photographers might be good sources of referrals but they are not the decision-makers, the ones doing the hiring. They can recommend and vouch for you which certainly doesn't hurt. What they can provide is their invaluable and honest opinion of your portfolio which is key.
Feel free to PM me or any of the others pros here with any questions you may have. By the way, I'd love to work on airplanes. I've never done it but I do have a good set of tools and would be willing to work for free just for the experience and bragging rights
I'm an elitist sideline photographer, and I want credentials because of the riches and hot women they bring me!
Don't forget sex and rock n' roll.
An acquaintance kept pestering me about getting credentialed because he thought it was a free pass for all major concerts here. When he finally got into one big show here he was almost removed by security for being a jackass.
Steve Ickes wrote:
Page 6 ain't good enough! Rick posted an innocent enough topic full of insight and helpful information and he's was able to stir up enough controversy to stretch it to 9 pages! Just kidding of course, this isn't about how many pages one topic can generate but rather the content of those pages. Unfortunately, with the exception of a very small number of brave souls, I'm not sure I still understand what motivates photographers (beyond those already working) to want credentials. Yes, I can guess, as someone already has but I'd rather hear it directly from those involved. And let me be clear, my intention is NOT to draw out a bunch of answers and then judge and denounce those willing to be honest.
I gave my answer in pg 2 #24. from my experience of many years ago when I started.
These pro's should get Photoshop credential as well.
They can press button to operate camera but they don't know how to do post-processing. I've seen many and I can do way better job in PP.
Not all of the "elitist" are dick$ and snobs. Am I an elitist? well lets see I attend big name events, pro series sports, Div I-II-III, I'm given credentials and paid for what I do and happen to love. BUT, I as do many of the "elitist" I stand next to bend over backwards to help out those who are trying to get where "we" are. I recently gave up my seat at the table to someone on this very site that I thought was talented enough to join the "elitist". I called him up and asked if he'd like an opportunity to work for an agency. Now I could have kept my mouth shut and worked the events myself and done fine. BUT I know talent in this industry when I see it and I also know that regardless of the economy there IS enough work to go around. I called the powers to be and gave a personal reference for the fellow FM'er and I offered to help him ANYWAY he may need. He now shoots for the same agency I do and hopefully he'll grow to other outlets just as I did. Those "elitist" you refer to that are snobs, dick$ and whatever else you think, are just like I am... willing to help anyone who DESERVES the help and goes about it asking in the right way. I have yet to meet anyone on the sidelines that I thought was a prick or an "elitist" I have met quite a few other "elitist" who are busy doing their job and don't have time for ass smacking and small talk. Rest assured that after they hit that send button and could afford to breath they looked over the table and asked "What was it you were trying to ask me out there? As for the question as to why I wanted credentials... I wanted to "Play for the Yankees" of course. It's a professional milestone to obtain credentials. It says somebody thinks your skills have reached that level. Why do actors want to be lead, Why do officers in the military want to be a Colonel or a General, It gives you validation that all of your hard work and long hours means something and someone noticed. That's why I wanted credentials. Sorry about the elitist rant. It really is not like that and if you know somebody on the sidelines that act that way well maybe it's not them? Just sayin! By the way a public congrats to the new "elitist" from FM
Image Group wrote:
Not all of the "elitist" are dick$ and snobs. Am I an elitist? well lets see I attend big name events, pro series sports, Div I-II-III, I'm given credentials and paid for what I do and happen to love. BUT, I as do many of the "elitist" I stand next to bend over backwards to help out those who are trying to get where "we" are. I recently gave up my seat at the table to someone on this very site that I thought was talented enough to join the "elitist". I called him up and asked if he'd like an opportunity to work for an agency. Now I could have kept my mouth shut and worked the events myself and done fine. BUT I know talent in this industry when I see it and I also know that regardless of the economy there IS enough work to go around. I called the powers to be and gave a personal reference for the fellow FM'er and I offered to help him ANYWAY he may need. He now shoots for the same agency I do and hopefully he'll grow to other outlets just as I did. Those "elitist" you refer to that are snobs, dick$ and whatever else you think, are just like I am... willing to help anyone who DESERVES the help and goes about it asking in the right way. I have yet to meet anyone on the sidelines that I thought was a prick or an "elitist" I have met quite a few other "elitist" who are busy doing their job and don't have time for ass smacking and small talk. Rest assured that after they hit that send button and could afford to breath they looked over the table and asked "What was it you were trying to ask me out there? As for the question as to why I wanted credentials... I wanted to "Play for the Yankees" of course. It's a professional milestone to obtain credentials. It says somebody thinks your skills have reached that level. Why do actors want to be lead, Why do officers in the military want to be a Colonel or a General, It gives you validation that all of your hard work and long hours means something and someone noticed. That's why I wanted credentials. Sorry about the elitist rant. It really is not like that and if you know somebody on the sidelines that act that way well maybe it's not them? Just sayin! By the way a public congrats to the new "elitist" from FM...Show more →
Wait, you are saying you are an "elitist" but not a snob?
An "elitist" is by definition a "snob".
So if you are not a snob, that's cool. I wish there were more pro photogs like yourself.
The arguments against elitist and snobbery attitudes are obviously not directed towards you, because you are not one of those people.
Me_XMan wrote:
These pro's should get Photoshop credential as well.
They can press button to operate camera but they don't know how to do post-processing. I've seen many and I can do way better job in PP.
What the heck does Photoshop and post processing have to do with shooting pro sporting events with credentials? Makes absolutely no sense. However, since the subject has been raised....
The majority of guys shooting with credentials are working for someone. That means running back to the media room in between periods, at half-time, or in some cases directly from the photo well between innings, ingesting 200 images, tagging your best 10-20 of those 200, maybe straightening some horizons, cropping images, oh yeah, and captioning each of those images all before transmitting those files to your client's ftp site all before the start of the next period, half, or inning. We don't have the luxury of spending 20 minutes post processing each image in Photoshop. Secondly, if you happen to be shooting for editorial content, all that dodging/burning and split toning is usually frowned upon anyway.
Finally, experienced pros just don't really depend on Photoshop, they've learned how to get it right straight out of the camera. Might sound elitist but its true
Don't get me wrong though. When shooting a youth event for the league, parents, or simply for your own portfolio and given the luxury of a day or two for post processing, I'm sure these guys can pretty up a picture just as good as the next person.
FWIW, When I'm doing a gig, I don't have a problem with who is shooting so long as they understand that some of us are hired to be there, and to show some respect. And if there is time during the event I might even offer help if asked. BUT, when "they"get to the point of being a nusance and hinder me from doing my job. Then I will let them know that is not cool. And ask that they stop being a pain in the ass.
Steve Ickes wrote:
What the heck does Photoshop and post processing have to do with shooting pro sporting events with credentials? Makes absolutely no sense. However, since the subject has been raised....
The majority of guys shooting with credentials are working for someone. That means running back to the media room in between periods, at half-time, or in some cases directly from the photo well between innings, ingesting 200 images, tagging your best 10-20 of those 200, maybe straightening some horizons, cropping images, oh yeah, and captioning each of those images all before transmitting those files to your client's ftp site all before the start of the next period, half, or inning. We don't have the luxury of spending 20 minutes post processing each image in Photoshop. Secondly, if you happen to be shooting for editorial content, all that dodging/burning and split toning is usually frowned upon anyway.
Finally, experienced pros just don't really depend on Photoshop, they've learned how to get it right straight out of the camera. Might sound elitist but its true
Don't get me wrong though. When shooting a youth event for the league, parents, or simply for your own portfolio and given the luxury of a day or two for post processing, I'm sure these guys can pretty up a picture just as good as the next person....Show more →
Not only that, but most agencies don't want you to touch the images, just upload SOOC (straight out of camera)
