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In a world fueled by the media, the role of photographers continues to grow. Photography as a career option is finding many takers, and it requires much more than an eye for a good picture to make a successful photographer these days. While a creative bent is essential to capture a striking picture, what is equally necessary is some technical knowledge, especially as digital photography becomes more and more prevalent.

While some photographers prefer to take on salaried jobs with studios, media houses, or advertising agencies, most are self-employed. Specializing in fields such as commercial or industrial photography, portrait photography or news photography, they work on a freelance basis for various organizations or take pictures for stock photo agencies. Photographers are also specializing in niche areas such as nature and wildlife photography, science photography or fine art photography.

Freelance photographers must also have some business skills in order to make a good living. While they enjoy greater flexibility and freedom of expression, they have to deal with uncertain incomes and the stress of constantly looking for new clients. Self-employed photographers also have to invest a considerable amount of money in equipment and studio space.

The increasing popularity of digital photography has had far-reaching effects on the profession. Photographers can edit images on the computer and send them anywhere in the world over the Internet. Digital photography is a boon for photographers who work in remote areas with limited access to darkrooms and developing studios. To really benefit from digital photography, a photographer has to be well versed with computer software programs that allow him to edit images.

Photographers do not have typical 9 to 5 jobs; they have to be where the picture is, regardless of time. While salaried photographers might work for a set number of hours every week, news photographers have to work irregular hours and meet strict deadlines, often in dangerous conditions.

Several universities and other training establishments offer basic courses in photography. The best way to gain experience is to assist an established photographer. It takes a while to get photographs accepted, so an important attribute for a photographer is patience. If you also have an eye for detail, creative composition, and good hand-eye coordination, a great career can be just a click away.

Photographers provides detailed information on Photographers, Nature Photographers, Portrait Photographers, Wedding Photographers and more. Photographers is affiliated with Compare Photo Printers.

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Even if you feel that you already know what kind of photography you like to do, it’s always a good idea to try your talent at different aspects of photography.

Pictorial, this is a general term but it applies to any photographer who’s goal is simply to create beautiful photos. This breaks down into smaller subsets but the most popular form is landscape and nature photography. This is what I do and it’s tempting to go on and on but I will just say that this form of photography, to me, is a real art. At least that is goal to create art in photographic form. It is the goal of the photographer to use their abilities to capture an image in it’s moment of beauty and simplicity.

Portrait, this can be people and even animals. It also includes wedding photography as well. This is an aspect of photography that can be a lot harder than it seems. Not only do you have to know your basic photo composition but you need to understand what makes each person look their best. You must know how to bring out their personality and character in the shot. If you love working with people this may be your field. It’s fun and challenging.

Photojournalism, now this isn’t just press photography, though that is one aspect of it. It is also documentary photography as well, the latter doesn’t always need an event to occur right in front of you. Either way the purpose is to tell a story. Really good photojournalism shouldn’t need the text below it to tell you what is going on. It should be compelling and storytelling. Composition still plays a part, you can’t tell a story if the story can’t be seen. And while these photos can be beautiful in their technical aspects they aren’t necessarily beautiful images. The story telling is as important.

Abstract, probably not as common of a form of photography but I’m seeing it more and more. This is usually characterized by extreme close ups of detail of something, so much so that you can’t identify the original subject. But in this case that doesn’t matter since the abstract detail or pattern is the subject of the photo. (Color can also be the subject as well.) Basic composition still plays a part, maybe a bigger part in this form of photography.

This week’s assignment: Four rolls of film again. Roll one, pictorial, get outside and try your best using all your abilities to capture moments of beauty and simplicity. Composition is key here. Roll two, portrait, get somebody to volunteer for you. Remember composition but really focus on finding the shots that make that person look their best. Different light, background, camera angles, or even clothes. Roll three, photojournalism, outside or inside anywhere you see stories. This can be as simple as a child playing with their toys. Find the appropriate moment to take a shot that tells the story. Roll four, abstract, details, details, and more details. Get in close, make sure that you can’t identify the subject but find beauty in the color or details of the item.

If you have some specific questions please visit my Photography Forum at: http://kellypaalphotography.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php and post your question there.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design. kellypaa@kellypaalphotography.com

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