I have a little querry on hand here...

I've been reading a lot about how your camera shouldnt matter and how many Pro's are against that statement and that the camera or gear determines what kind of shot you are able to produce.

My question now is. How does an unemplyed (read: student!) person like me keep up? I sometimes feel intimidated on these here forums cause I know a lot of you shoot with bigger and faster pieces of glass and with bigger, badder cameras. I find it hard to grow when people sometimes say it cant be done without "insert name of tool/camera/lens here*. I want to know also how one makes the initial transition from a hobbyist to a pro when people always ask for a "portfolio". How does one go about building it from scratch when people sometimes dont support the newbies in the industry?

Input will be greatly appreciated. :)

hi sonny

here's my take... if you have the biggest, fastest, baddest camera/gear then you have more pressure to produce great photos. people tend to associate new/high tech gear to good results. im actually more impressed with people who come up with awesome photos..... and to know afterwards that they used their kit lens:) . I certainly dont have that much gear in my bag... i just do with what i have. Now thats coming from a newbie.

If your planning to become a pro... then the right gear is essential. Again it depends on the discipline that you choose. I know an advertising photographer who has all the top lenses... but uses one lens (his fav) 95% of the time :Grin:

Hi Sonny,

It's the Indian, not the arrow...

although good gear helps a lot..

Everyone starts as a newbie, the pro's here were never born PRO's in the first place. One small advice..keep on shooting..

wala lang... :)

ruel

"It's not the size of it man... it's how you use it!" :Grin:

Invest wisely in order of priority... Always remember this!

Use your chosen tools to its fullest potential before seeking something else...

Though gear maybe a factor... Bear in mind it's only a limiter...

If you have your mind set in tunnel vision... Your objective would always be within sure reach...

There are alot of things to say but the key here is confidence... Without it everything fails...

Lastly, Go forth... And may the force be with you!

Hope this helps... :)

"It's not the size of it man... it's how you use it!" :Grin:

Invest wisely in order of priority... Always remember this!

Use your chosen tools to its fullest potential before seeking something else...

Though gear maybe a factor... Bear in mind it's only a limiter...

If you have your mind set in tunnel vision... Your objective would always be within sure reach...

There are alot of things to say but the key here is confidence... Without it everything fails...

Lastly, Go forth... And may the force be with you!

Hope this helps... :)

this reminds me of the hippocratic oath i like it i like it :)

Hi Sonny!

Ok. When I first started out as a hobbyist, I did not have the fastest, baddest lens or camera. I bought Canon EOS A2E. ( film days) It came with the 28-105 3.5-5.6 and 70-300 3.5 5.6 lens But for me at that time, it was the best camera and lens ever invented. I was happy with the results. I had no idea about lens quality. I thought a lens was a lens. Until 1 day a guy wanted to sell me his lens and told me that my 70-300 lens was a "basura" lens. I had no idea that there was a whole world of lenses out there (what a dummy I was.. pre internet days) anyway, point is, I was happy with what I had and I made it work. I slowly invested in the best quality lenses i could afford when I started making some income out of photography (I started wiith child photography) I had to work to feed the beast so to speak otherwise, I would probably still be using the same lenses to this day. Grow with your gear.

Oh and with regards to being a pro, it really depends on what you are interested in. When I made the transition, I built a studio in the garage of our place and started photographing children of my friends and charged them. Back then, there was only 1 child photography studio (Childs play) so I had a good start. However since they were friends kids, I ended up giving the photos practically for free (don't follow that) Anyway, I eventually ended up in wedding photography where I found I felt most comfortable and fulfilled and made a career out of it. Now, I am interested in studio work again and am looking forward to doing more studio related work this year.

Thanks for the input guys. Greatly appreciated.
I felt disappointed and started this thread cause before I even did my first job, I was replaced. Bad first experience really, wish it could have gone better than it did.

Thanks for the input guys. Greatly appreciated.
I felt disappointed and started this thread cause before I even did my first job, I was replaced. Bad first experience really, wish it could have gone better than it did.

character building man.:)

show them your work. it will speak highly of your skill... not your gear :)

Did just that sir. Shot first with a point and shoot, then got a D70s. Built up my arsenal but they went with a "vet" pro photographer.

i bet most of the pros in DPP experienced that at least once in their professional career.

just shoot and enjoy your passion man. everything else will follow:)

btw, you can drop the sir... :) i think im still young hehehe

I do need to shoot more I guess. Try to tag along with some DPP folk sometimes too.

(PS, Im younger... just showing a little respect :D) hehe cheers.

sonn, keep your photography on your own pace. don't race with other photographers. you'll get to the finish line, sooner or later, it all depends on how your run goes. don't overexhaust yourself keeping up with those seasoned veterans... they run 15km races without a sweat. hehe! know where i'm coming from? ;)

A lot of people say I take better shots with a canon ixus 40/Powershot SD300. And my mentors always remind me "It's all about the eye"

But I discovered that If you want to get into photojournalism or visual reporting, it would really help if you have a faster camera and both lenses. shucks.

But check this out...I worship this guy. He's one of my favorite magnum photographers.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6468-7844

A lot of people say I take better shots with a canon ixus 40/Powershot SD300. And my mentors always remind me "It's all about the eye"

But I discovered that If you want to get into photojournalism or visual reporting, it would really help if you have a faster camera and both lenses. shucks.

But check this out...I worship this guy. He's one of my favorite magnum photographers.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6468-7844


Ang galing... he really customized his compact cam gear to his style. No problem with color noise since he shoots mostly in black and white (very gripping photos!) ... no issues with camera responsiveness since he uses multiple units... and it's no sweat replacing a busted camera after covering a war since an Olympus point and shoot is definitely nowhere near as expensive as a Canon EOS Body. :)

Sonny,

There are just some accounts that are not meant for you. A window closes on you but another door opens. My first experience in handling corporate accounts was worst, I lost a Php 700k account for the simple fact that I forgot to bring my business card and not my digital SLR with basic lens kit. You are actually lucky, when I was a student, I didn't have a Nikon D70s lens kit and an SB800 Flash, All I have was a point and shoot film camera worth Php 1k. Don't compare yourself to the pros because if you do, you should compare yourself when they were just starting and you will realize that you are still better off with what you have right now. Always count your blessings and not what you don't have. I sense fear in you young Jedi, use the power of the force so that you will become a Master Jedi soon.

wow 700k job.. maybe i should start printing some business cards :)

sonny, i was able to get many paying gigs with my d70. so i dont think its really the camera/gear that was the cause.

my cheap 50mm 1.8 lens actually earned me some pretty amount of money too.

compile a kickass folio together with good attitude towards work and of course, great pr skills will put you up there sooner than you think.

unlike you, i sort of started with borrowed cams from friends pa :)

Kai,

Good to know that you are also using a D70. It is a reliable work-horse that generates business. Having a business card is an essential part of marketing ourselves as photographers. It was a Php 700k job because I offered an entire package including, production, technical and creative team to organize a Fashion Show. I'm also an Events Planner. I started out organizing corporate and social events and ended up being a photographer but I switch jobs from time to time depending on the needs of my clients.

Sonny,

As what I have told you before, you have to build-up self confidence first. Then you grow everyday. Don't rush things. Enjoy your time shooting and start making a good portfolio. You have to like what you are doing and be happy with your existing camera set-up before you can even sell your services. Don't worry about the equipment. You will buy the latest gadgets at the right time and place. First things first. Shoot, Edit and Learn.

"It's not the size of it man... it's how you use it!" :Grin:

Invest wisely in order of priority... Always remember this!

Use your chosen tools to its fullest potential before seeking something else...

Though gear maybe a factor... Bear in mind it's only a limiter...

If you have your mind set in tunnel vision... Your objective would always be within sure reach...

There are alot of things to say but the key here is confidence... Without it everything fails...

Lastly, Go forth... And may the force be with you!

Hope this helps... :)


Okay, Earl. Put the fortune cookies down and step away from the computer.

I'm kidding, of course. :)

To afford my hobby, I did what i do best, focused on my business which it not photography related. This afforded the gear i have today. As far as I am concerned, there's no ROI when its a hobby, different from turning pro. So much personal fulfillment. You'll get there.

My friend in the US turned pro by joining and doing apprentice with a big photography firm, learning from them, and eventually going on his own. There are alot of guys here that may be a potential mentor to you.

Okay, Earl. Put the fortune cookies down and step away from the computer.

I'm kidding, of course. :)

Yeah... I know... I need to unplug... :D

Too much coffee... Too much coffee...

Keep shooting Sonny....yes gears are important but there are many many factors in creating good images. Ansel Adams compared in our time has used the most antiquated equipment, Cartier Bresson just used 35 mm and RF with only 1 lens a 50 mm. but still they were the best of the best in their own field. I am not professional per se but I get some paying jobs from time to time just for experience and fun and I even shoot several weddings for free ......that's the fastest way to build up your portfolio or you can attend workshops where you shoot models. With the advent of digital it is now even easier to shoot and practice and edit....I must have shot thousands of digital images and less than a thousand film negative & slides since I started taking up the hobby (20++ years) ago and still learning ...it never ends it's a conitnuous process.

don't let those overpriced equipment stop you from having your portfolio. there's always a cheaper third party equipment you can buy and has way more better features.

Wow thanks for this thread.

Some time ago I came by a Megatrade Hall fashion show and was about to take out my 350D with kit lens to grab some shots when I saw the two official photographers with their L lenses and Stofen omnibounces covering the event. I was struck with insecurity and was hesitant to whip out my entry level cam. Good thing my boyfriend reminded me that they have badass lenses because they are paid to have badass lenses. I should not be ashamed to be a newbie, and I should grab every opportunity to practice. With time and a bit of saving (I'm also a student like you), I will be able to buy the gear I need, and they need not be the most expensive.

So thanks for the encouragements guys. It's a big help. =)