Where would people be without photography? Photography pauses time and documents memories that have taken place. The word photographer means drawing with light. (Photographer 18). If one is interested in becoming a photographer there are many job opportunities in the career. There are Commercial Photographers, Fine Art Photographers, Retoucher/Compositor, Photojournalism, Aerial Photographers, Portrait Photographers, and University Photographers. A Commercial Photographer takes photos for many industries for advertising, editorial, and fashion.
Fine Art Photographers are able to create one’s own artwork hrough imagination, creativity, and perspective. (School 2,7,8,9). Fine Art photographers typically display and sell their photos in art museums and can be sold to be used for calendars or cards etc. (Bureau 12). Retoucher/Compositor is the digital revising of a photo, which makes one capable to create any graphic design on a photo no matter how big the imagination is. Photojournalism is telling a story in a creative way, while using no words, only pictures.
These photographers photograph people, events, and places for magazines and newspapers. (School 8,9). Aerial photography captures photos of buildings and landscape from moving helicopters or planes. Portrait Photographers are typically the ones with their own businesses and studios. These photographers take photos of individuals, groups, weddings, religious ceremonies, and school portraits. University Photographers are the photographers that are required to photograph any portraits needed, any landscape, documentation, and news for a University. Bureau 12).
A photographer uses a creative outlook by using the light and objects to one’s advantage to create works of art. Although there is a large range of income and equipment s expensive, one does have freedom, flexibility,and the ability to show creativity. Within the photography career, there are many qualifications to become a good photographer. Since photographers often photograph people, one must learn interpersonal skills and customer service skills to be able to communicate to achieve a specific understanding in a kind and effective manner.
A photographer must also have a good technical understanding of photography, have a creative imagination, and be detail oriented because a good photograph depends on the way the photographer uses his surroundings with the ability to manipulate olors, shadows, shade, light, and distance. Another qualification in the photography career is that if one starts a business one must learn business skills to be able to set up marketing plans, create pricing, and advertise services to reach any potential clients. Bureau 15).
Although high level education is not a requirement for most photographers, there are many degrees one can earn if interested in the photography career. One can either receive a master’s or bachelor’s degree in the degree of one’s choice to improve one’s knowledge of photography. (Bureau 15). Many colleges all over the world offer these photography courses. There are some basic courses for photography that teach the different techniques of photography and how to use the equipment. (Bureau 15).
Extra training can be done to further one’s knowledge and skills of photography. A photographer must learn how to manipulate lighting by working with the different shades, and colors. To be able to advance in photography one must learn how to use complex computer editing software to retouch any photos. (Bureau 15). One of the best ways to learn is to apprentice under a photographer. You get to learn by doing, earn the techniques of the photographer above you, and build up a portfolio of your own. (Traux 22).
Photographer, Emily Traux states, “Can’t express how important it is to find a great photographer and try to intern with them, be humble, be willing to just go and watch and hold lights and carry gear, work your way up. ” [sic] As with every career comes disadvantages, the photography career has a few of it’s own. If one decides to be a self employed photographer and if money and client’s needs are not consistent, there can often times be no set guaranteed salary along with high taxes and a lot f paperwork. (Traux 22).
Although becoming passionate for your career is a good thing, it can also become a disadvantage if a photographer becomes too passionate about his work and forgets about the important things in life. Photographer, David Rams states, “ I have missed tender emotional moments such as a sunset on the lake in the desert with my son because I was so into getting the perfect photograph that I did not enjoy the quiet moment with my boy. ” In the photography career, the equipment is almost always expensive and because of these expenses one’s career may start slow.
Another disadvantage is that because the career in photography is highly saturated it may become hard to find jobs. (Traux 22). Salaries for a photographer may vary between different levels. Ten percent of photographers in the United states are at the starting level. At this level one makes $8. 71 an hour and $18,120 per year. Twenty-five percent of photographers in the United States are at the junior level. At this level one makes $10. 36 an hour and $21,550 per year. Fifty percent of photographers in the United States are at the experienced level.
At this level one makes $14. 6 an hour and $30,490 per year. Twenty-five percent of photographers in the United States are at the senior level. At this level one makes $22. 32 an hour and $46,420 per year. Ten percent of photographers in the United States are at the highest level. At this level one makes $33. 14 an hour and $$68,930 per year. The senior and experienced level is considered one of the advantages in the photography career. (Sokanu 19,20). If one is interested in a photography career, there are many benefits to follow.
The career of photography has many exciting opportunities such as traveling the world, working for local ewspapers, magazines, and getting one’s photos featured or even making it to the next level and receiving the opportunity to photograph celebrities. Photography is a good career to choose if one likes to be creative because one gets to imagine all the possibilities then bring that vision to life with the photos. Another advantage is that a photographer learns to become observant and begins to find beauty in things most people do not even notice. (Rams 23).
A photographer’s salary depends on where one decides to work and what type of photography one does. The photography career has many advantages. Scheduling flexibility, independence, self reliant income, and the ability to enjoy what one is doing. The opportunities within the photography career are endless. With proper knowledge, training, and a desire to succeed, a career in Photography is a good decision for anyone to make because of the benefits and opportunities it supplies. The photography career would be enjoyable because one gets to be creative and interact with people, while getting paid for doing what he or she enjoys.
The rewards do far exceed any disadvantages because of the ability to capture moments of time that an be brought back as memories for future generations. One may not even realize the events that could be captured in a picture could be important to relive the past. The excitement of Photography is in the not always knowing the benefit of a picture, to the right person, that could change their life. The creative aspects of a career in photography could be the difference in a picture and a capture of reflection of someone’s life. A career in photography is an exciting one. The memories that we all share are easier because of Photography.
