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How does one gain experience fast?
Hello and Happy New Year all. I get more and more request for shoots from friends of a friend and from people browsing through my website but Iâm hesitant to accept it because I have no experience and Iâm not comfortable with my skill level yet. Iâve never shot any people/models except for my friends and I donât want to accept money until I know what Iâm doing exactly â plus Iâm kind of shy so I need to get used to shooting strangers :-) So hereâs the question â how one does gain experience fast? I have full time IT career so itâs hard for me to find time to just shoot with anyone to build my experience normal (slow) way, I need to boost it somehow. Iâm thinking about two ways: - spending couple of days per month assisting in some photo studio (and how do I go about finding the photographer to assist to? ) - hiring experienced pro model or two and learning from them Iâm sure itâs quite common problem and many of you went through this already. Any opinion will be appreciated :-) Jan 02 07 06:27 pm Link shoot shoot shoot ... it's much cheaper now than when the guys who can shoot film learned. if you cant find "models" shoot something else. then shoot models when you can. good luck rich Jan 02 07 06:30 pm Link when i first started, i shot models at least once a week. 4 years have gone by and now i shoot a model a month lolz Jan 02 07 06:32 pm Link richard boswell wrote: Thanks Rich but..................."I have full time IT career so itâs hard for me to find time to just shoot with anyone to build my experience normal (slow) way, I need to boost it somehow", plus I'm not looking to learn photography but to get some studio experience fast. Jan 02 07 06:33 pm Link Read like a historian. Observe the best that will allow you. Perfect the classic lighting and poses. Then break all the rules until YOU like the results. It's all about your art. Keep having fun! Ken (Disregard the above if your intent is commercial work.) Jan 02 07 06:34 pm Link Well, your choices are either: a.) Practice, and shoot as often as you can. b.) Magic c.) Cybernetic implants into your brain. Take your pic. Jan 02 07 06:34 pm Link Sounds like you know what to do. I suggest you learn with a photographer first. Then practice what you learned with a model. Like Rich said shoot anything. I have lots of photos of my dog. If I were in NY I would show you all I know. Eric Jan 02 07 06:36 pm Link get a police scanner and shoot what you hear on it good excersize in being flexible because you NEVER know whats the condition will be when you get there and you get to shoot a LOT Jan 02 07 06:38 pm Link Steal some pictures, call them your own and fake the rest  No one will learn it for ya. There is no quick way. You can get a book on basic lighting and thatâll teach you, weâll the basics. Probably enough to get buy on portrait work. Do a goggle search for basic portrait lighting and youâll come up with links like this http://www.irphotoschool.com/lessons/e2 … string.php Jan 02 07 06:40 pm Link Aaron S wrote: D.)Get Nueterd Jan 02 07 06:42 pm Link if it were ez ... never mind ;-) rich without words wrote: Jan 02 07 06:42 pm Link Aaron S wrote: do NOT use the ones from Miles Bennet Dyson! Boycott Cyberdine!! Jan 02 07 06:43 pm Link There are people that go to school full-time, work full-time, and still have time to shoot atleast a model a week. Keep posting things up for critique section to learn what your doing wrong, shoot as much as you can, and stay open-minded to criticism, and put the advice you get to use. Jan 02 07 06:50 pm Link On the one hand, you have Las Vegas mentality. On the other, you have the Stock Market mentality. The Las Vegas mentality is that you can make something happen overnight or very, very quickly. The Stock Market mentality is that you must put time in -sometimes very extensive time- to see the results you want. Photography, for all intents and purposes, requires the latter mentality. Sure, you're getting people asking you to shoot and all that and that great, and I won't speculate on which of those people will actually pan out and really give you something to shoot... to say nothing of actually paying you... But the key is that you are uncomfortable with you're ability to deliver what they need. As a photographer you are only as good as you last shot and word of mouth travels fast. Especially when the words are negative. Where am I going with all this? Well, there's no fast way to get experience shooting. Even if you assist. You just have to go shoot. You have to take you knocks and earn your chops. And, yes, you'll fuck up sometimes. Maybe a lot of the time. If friends of friends want some pics, see what the need specifically and shoot it. Go find models and shoot them. Go find photographers (good luck finding a good photographer who'll take someone on as an assistant who hasn't done it at least 3 years) and help them. None of it will happen quickly. It takes time to build up the skills and (more importantly) the business savvy to be a good photographer. Think in terms of years, not weeks and months. Las Vegas and the Stock Market, pal. Take your time. If you can't think long term and want to use a Vegas mentality on a truncated time-frame measured in months, become a model... Jan 02 07 06:51 pm Link It seems that I asked the question the wrong way, let me rephrase it: What would you guys recommend as far as getting experience in working with models? Hiring experienced model or two and learning from them? Assisting in good photo studio? How one goes about finding a pro photographer to work for? I have no experience whatsoever and I realize that for some of you the question is silly but still, this is my actual dilemma :-) Jan 02 07 06:58 pm Link Jay Bowman wrote: Photography is an acquired skill that takes time to learn. Some people get good faster than others. Some never become good at all. Jan 02 07 07:00 pm Link Other then a mind meld. Shoot shoot Shoot shoot. Both your ideas are good. Assist a wedding photographer on a few weekends and pay attention to everything. Then Shoot shoot Shoot shoot some more. And don't charge until you feel you can deliver, unless you got big balls and can fly by the seat of your pants. Jan 02 07 07:01 pm Link Jay Bowman wrote: Well, I am confused at the moment. Jan 02 07 07:07 pm Link without words wrote: I used to be in your place when I first got here and I gained experience by making friends with local photographers who were also on MM and just doing TFP jobs with the local models. Over time I started getting used to setting up shoots and finding the right angle, and now I'm more comfortable with sketching ideas and have managed to develop a small (but good) reputation with the locals as well as experience working with people you never met before (as opposed to friends). Jan 02 07 07:07 pm Link I see that you are from New York. I don't see why you should have any problem finding dozens of models of your same caliber and mind set. Locate them and hook up, going into the shoot with a mutual understanding that it will be a learning experience. Hopefully you might even get a few good shots in the process. Gary Jan 02 07 07:14 pm Link it almost sounds like you don't know what you want... do you want to improve your technical skills as a photographer, or your ability to work with models, or both? some photographers are very good at the technical side of photography, some are very good with people and getting good thing from models, and some photographers are good at both... I don't think you asked your questions the wrong way, I just don't think you got the answers you wanted... as everyone on here has stated, there are no shortcuts... I've fucked up more shoots than completed good ones, but I learned something from each shoot... if you're not working with experienced models, (most MM models are not), then practice the basics with the inexperienced models, the basics are all those models will be able to do anyway... and when you've conquered the basics, push yourself toward more creative shots, and hopefully by then, you will have also conquered your "shyness" and be able to work with more experienced models... Jan 02 07 07:14 pm Link Infinite patience, brings immediate results Jan 02 07 07:22 pm Link And the question was asked how do you get to Carnegie Hall? practice,practice,practice,,, My spin is,, in order for you to be very good at this is by all means to have passion for it, with that comes an open mind to except the good and the bad, Sure digital makes it easier, but I,ve known people with top name cameras who were lousy at shooting certain things but dynamic on others. Find what you want to do, I say look at a lot of television,movies,advertisements,billboards it,s all around you,study the work of those whom you admire,I started out with one film camera ,an old nikon F,with a 50 mm lens and a 2x converter,back then I couldnt afford much,I went to an art supply store and bought gel filters ,I was blessed to have a very good mentor who influenced me on a positive side and here I am thirty years into the business 3 time award winner,but I still miss the days of a fresh mind,my mentor gave up photography ,retired from G.M.photodivision says he doesn,t want to even see another camera ,and I understand why, being in the creative field can be very costly , I have seen it break up happy homes, I have seen it financially ruin people but at the same time I and others have reaped a lot of rewards, . Jan 02 07 07:33 pm Link without words wrote: I went through a casting agency in Los Angeles under the circumstance that I would offer free head shot services and NOT spam their clients with self-marketing and promotion. Received over 900 responses from actors and actresses, picked 5, shot them all and moved out of town. Jan 02 07 07:38 pm Link As an amateur I have been shooting for 12-13 years. I am happy with my pics sometimes, but see need for further improvement almost always. Only rarely am I thrilled by a shot. I like to shoot a lot and shoot anything I can. In our society which seems to value instant gratification, how do you decide to follow a course that takes years to develop and which you'll probably never be completely happy, because there is always something new to learn. That's the kind of decision your starting to make. If your in as an amateur consider years of improvement. Most people will tell you you are good, but you know you still need to improve areas of your work. I'm rambling, but your asking a very difficult question. I have over 12 years invested as an amateur and am not completely satisfied with my abilities. Jan 02 07 07:46 pm Link What kind of requests are you getting that'd require you to shoot models? If you want to get good fast, then focus specifically on what you need. Advice like shooting with wedding photographers and chasing on police bands won't help if they're not applicable to what you want to do. Jan 02 07 07:59 pm Link without words wrote: Looks like you've answered your own question!! Jan 02 07 08:09 pm Link both ... not to be cryptic, but i learn constantly and i have been doing this for decades. think of yourself as a baby bird being fed, suck it all in, and eventually you will crap out what you don't need ... mostly ... rich without words wrote: Jan 02 07 08:14 pm Link I believe that you have in a way answered your own question. I am still a little confused by your own question, and I think you are a littl eunsure of the answer anyway. Thats ok. I don't really know the need for your desired goals to get better fast. You're in control of your destiny. The suggestions that you posted are good ones. Working with a good experienced model and paying her can really help you. Since you would be paying, be sure to be picky!! Its your money, you don't want to waste it on someone that isn't worth it. Find a photographer to shadow, a good studio or just someone to learn from. Mentors are great. If nothing else, find someone that you trust to honestly and accurately critique your photos. They don't have to be in the same state as you, but it is pretty important that you be able to trust their judgement and be open to it. Being open to critique will improve you faster than many other gadets and gizmos. Read. Read read read. Find books, go to the library and borrow books that are on art, on the technical aspects of photography, on composition, books of collections of photos. Note what you like and dislike. See if you can recreate the lighting effects. If you don't have a lot of shooting time, then books can be your next best friend. Good luck! So long as you have the drive and determination, you're only limited by yourself. Jan 02 07 08:24 pm Link From looking at your website, I am a bit confused about your so called lack of experience. You have images in there that show an extreme understanding of the zone system and metering. Not to mention a multitude of subject matter that would mean that you have either been shooting non-stop for the past year or have been shooting at a fairly expeirenced level for many years. This means that you have either stolen many of the images that are on your site, or you have all the experience and knowledge needed to begin charging clients for your services. Jan 02 07 08:29 pm Link Ok, my situation is a little different but not that much. Sounds from your comments that you need two things. First, you need to get used to interacting with people. That just takes practice. No quick way to that. Professional model isn't going to help there. Working with professional photographer would help some but not that much. Just got to do it yourself. You have a big advantage over me as far as finding models. I live in the cornfields. Second, you said you need to gain experience shooting in the studio (your location work looks great to me btw). I don't know your setup but that pretty much boils down to lighting and playing with different backdrops. I went to the local costume store and bought a mask, a blonde and a brunette wig, and a stryrofaom head to put them on. Sat it on top of a tall box and wrapped a robe around it. Much more reliable model than a lot of the TFP models on MM (before the models start yelling, yes there are some great models on here). Bonus is that the mask is of George W (had the most realistic skin texture). The live models love "George in Drag." Helps break the ice. Jan 02 07 08:44 pm Link Apfel Photography wrote: I think you guys just donât understand what Iâm asking for and Iâm going to blame it on my poor English :-) Jan 02 07 09:15 pm Link Eric wrote: Hehe, the second part of your advice is hilarious :-) I will not try it cause I donât want anyone thinking that Iâm weirder than I really am but I agree it may work :-)) Jan 02 07 09:36 pm Link Have you considered assiting a photographer in your area who looks like the shoot the way you want to shoot? Most of us wouldn't turn down free help, as long as you sign a liability waiver in case of injury.... Star Jan 02 07 09:38 pm Link I am a self taught photographer. I was pulled into the business 5 years ago when an agent saw some photos that I shot on my wife for fun, (in my port the most). They started sending me people to build my book. I told her I didn't want to be a photographer out of fear. The work she saw was shot with the camera on all auto. So I decided to shut my mouth and start taking the shoots without charging. Basically, take the plunge!!!! The best way to learn fast is by trial and error... period! if you're not charging, then niether you or the model have anything to lose. Go for it!!!!! Jan 02 07 09:45 pm Link NC17 wrote: Why so fast? Because my time is very limited and I canât waste any. Iâm very eager to start to work with people who want to shoot with me but I want to be able to offer something amazing, especially if they want to pay me. Thatâs why Iâm looking for the fastest way to get experience and I understand it will cost me some $$$. So yes, I did answer my own question in a way :-) Jan 02 07 09:46 pm Link Star wrote: This is exactly what Iâm going to do. Iâm not quite sure how to go about it but I guess I will start with PMâs to the photographers with work that amazes me. Maybe I will post a message on the forum. I will think of something, thanks :-) Jan 02 07 09:51 pm Link P.S. You'll learn to communicate out of necessity. If you want good shots and you need something from a model that you are not getting, and your shots depend on it, you'll learn to ask. Some of the best photographers that my wife has worked with said very little during the shoot. (She's a working model). Good luck!!!! Jan 02 07 09:52 pm Link Shawn Ray wrote: Youâre lucky to have started this way :-) And I know exactly what are you talking about when you mention âfearâ. I feel the same now but I know it will go away once Iâll know what Iâm doing with models. Your work is amazing, too bad youâre far away, I would definitely ask you if you need free assistant :-) Jan 02 07 09:56 pm Link without words wrote: Feal the fear and do it anyway!!!! you'll never be ready if you wait until you "know what you're doing with the models". Again, you will learn more by trial and error. You can learn alot of technical aspects of photography by assisting, but to find your true eye, you'll need to just start shooting. Thanks for the compliments! Drop a line any time. Ask anything! One word of advice. If you are shooting and you don't want them to know your lack of knowledge, stay away from photography subjects. Get to know the model. Sometimes... silence is golden! Jan 02 07 10:04 pm Link |
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