Photography

I’ve seen a lot of comments in the photography session basically putting down any newbie that is learning and shooting pictures on craigslist or similar sites. They have to learn somehow!
I find myself slightly snobbish and HIGHLY critical when I look at other photographers websites unless they are clearly more experienced than me. Although I do realize that they need to start somewhere.
Do you tend to do that?

Good question – expect some great answers!

There are two extreme types in every walk of life – those who are positive and secure and those who are negative / defensive – tolerance vs fear?

As a generalisation those I have met at the very top of the profession (I’ve met a few) have typically been incredibly positive and helpful – as are the vast majority of people here – they are secure in their knowledge and skills. Others who are less sure can also be very defensive, which is understandable too.

On top of this it’s all too easy to confuse opinion with fact – an issue which I know irritates a lot of experienced photographers who donate time helping others… but it’s not an ego trip to help others and we all make mistakes from time to time, even experienced people get tired and make silly errors. Such issues can cause friction.

We all need to be a little more patient with each other – even those at the top keep learning and it’s an education for everyone here, top answerers or not – we should all try to keep it positive and also try to keep a sense of humour.

I do sincerely believe that we can critique others work and do it POSITIVELY and in an encouraging manner – it’s really important how we carry ourselves as we all represent photography… it helps to remember that we all had to start somewhere!!

So yes, snobbery is everywhere, not just in photography and it’s a symptom of fear, but it needn’t drag us down with it! I’ve had one or two honourable disagreements here on YA, but after we disagree we tend to talk and see each others point of view – if I make a mistake I withdraw my answer or acknowlege my error… no-one can always be right.

We all learn from each other and get a new sense of respect for those who disagree with us from time to time… it’s a good lesson for life.

What do you like about the new changes in photography. What don’t you like? What are you expecting in the future? What do you wish people still used from the past? Do you think the age of beginner photographers is becoming younger?

With the age of digital cameras,almost anyone ,even youngsters can take great photographs. As good as digital is ,and I love it, there is something to be said for a photograph taken on film and developed by yourself in a darkroom watching the image appear before you as you control it all yourself. If you have ever spent time in a darkroom, you will know what I mean . From the smells of the fixer and developer,it has never been forgotten by me even though it’s been some years ago that I spent so much of my waking hours taking photographs and developing both film and photographs. I always felt a rush seeing that image appear on the blank paper in the red light lit darkroom,an amazing sight to see if you never had the chance.That part is becoming a think of the past but I still marvel at a black and white photograph by Ansel Adams, or Weston,or Man Ray.I do hope the young people continue photography and make it even more of the art form I always believed it is.

Essay Midnight

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What lens is the most common amongst photographers for close up shots? For example, 10mm-27mm or 18mm-70mm?

Please help me out with your suggestions and thank you very much!

Yes, I see there can be some confusion in your question.

My first instinct was to answer, "A macro lens," and show a couple fo examples:

But, you might mean just seeming as if you are closer to the subject than you really are, like:

The macro I use is a 60mm macro lens. There are other common lengths, particularly the 105mm. Be aware of the difference between a true 1:1 macro if you want to get really close and a "near" macro (my term) that does not give a 1:1 image ratio. Some require an adapter to actually give you 1:1 and this combination ends up costing you more than just buying a true macro in the first place. See this for more info: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/2548820842/

You might benefit from looking at these two demos to get an idea of how "close" you can get with various focal lengths:

To see this program visit http://www.createspace.com/204454 Top Life Magazine photographers tell viewers stories about their best photos. Behind-the-scenes stories of how they were made. Extremely valuable for photographers and deeply emotional for viewers who want to relive some of the greatest moments of the 20th century.

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So how much do editorial photographers, that work for well-known magazines or other publications, get paid? Also, what would one need to do to become a great, well-known photographer? Do you think that going to school is necessary or can one learn on their own from books and experience?

"So how much do editorial photographers, that work for well-known magazines or other publications, get paid?"

Lots. I’m sure…..

"Also, what would one need to do to become a great, well-known photographer?"

Right place, right time, right contacts, right everything – the law of averages. This question is sort of like asking what you’d need to be the next Brad Pitt, or the next American idol – like, who knows…….whatever it is, it’s rare. But, if you have the drive, perhaps the law of averages says it’s in the cards for you……perhaps not. But it has been said, the best photographers had backgrounds in the more mainstream arts, like painting, sculpting.

"Do you think that going to school is necessary or can one learn on their own from books and experience?"

You know what……..who knows. I can tell you this, if you’re not naturally gifted in the arts, gifted like Mozart gifted, chances are you’ll need to be schooled in the arts because believe it or not, creativity can be learned and nurtured. I’m pretty sure one of my personal favorite photographers, Sally Mann, didn’t learn what she does from a book. Books are great, but people don’t become brain surgeons because they read about it in a book.

I need to do a research paper on my favorite photographer, but I don’t really know of many photographers. So I thought I’d find one, lol! I really like the greeting cards with candid pet photos, so does anyone know the names of any of the photographers who do the greeting cards at PetCo and places like that?

http://www.andyrouse.co.uk/ Is really great

If you go to the website. Go to Collections and have a look at the flash-presentations.

btw. Wildlife is a more common name.
btw2. If he had only used his intial+last name he should have been in an entirely different kind of photography

How the police deal with casual photographers in inner-city London

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Almost 100 years old, Lester Hayes was a pioneer of Abstract Photography. He took photographs of ordinary things, using a sheet of mylar plastic shimmering in the breeze, to produce stunning images, and he did it all with the brand new Kodak Instamatic. Kodak awarded his ingenuity with a major one man exhibition in New York City, but became disinchanted when Hayes discovered a tiny flaw in the camera that ultimately contributed to its demise.

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Photography is considered an art but is this art justifiable in this case. Models undress themselves for money and photographers shoots videos and photos of the models .
What do you think nude photography is an art and the girls doing it have morales?
Will you go for it if given such option?

Oh, my.

There are two sides to this.

First the fashion shoot is a commercial effort, both the photographer and model are paid to produce images that sell clothes.

It is during theses photo sessions, photographers and models meet one another and professional relationships are established.

Models and photographers just don’t go back on the shelf until the next time they are commissioned to do a shoot.

It is during these "down times" that both photographers and models experiment with new looks, lighting ideas and edgy shots … this may or may not include nude photography.

Many models would rather have tasteful nudes in their books than have to "strip-off" during a casting call to show that they have no obvious tattoos, skin blemishes or piercing that the art director will have to cover in order to use the model for a particular shoot.

It is clear from the question, that your professional world is not one that has much connection to fashion, glamour or the art community.

In fact, while in "art" schools, students routinely pose for their fellow students. Many times (especially in life drawing or nude studies) the wives, husbands, girl friends or boy friends also act as models.

So you can see that it is a whole different world out there where photographers, models, actors, screenplay writers, authors and the like live, when compared to other professions.

My book includes nudes (male and female) as do the books of many of the models I shoot.