So You Want to be a Photographer

A photographer takes pictures of people, places, objects, and events, which he tries to capture artistically. Photographers also try to show a mood, feeling, or drama surrounding a particular subject. Photograph is both an artistic and a technical job that allows an individual the opportunity to demonstrate his creative abilities and technical proficiency. A photographer uses his camera much the same way an artist uses his brush, as a tool to capture his perspective of the world. A photographer must practice extensively to master the technical applications of light, camera settings, lenses, film, and filters and use these applications creatively. Photographers use a wide variety of lenses and filters designed to capture the perfect shot.

More than half of all photographers in the country are self-employed, and most of these specialize in commercial photography, portrait photography or photojournalism. Commercial photographers take pictures of merchandise, building, fashion, and landscapes to be used in advertisements, brochures, and catalogs. Editorial photographer work for magazines, book publishers, and newspapers – the last being the single biggest employer of photographers in the country. Forensic photographers work with police to crime scenes to photograph evidence. Portrait photographers work in their own studios or sometimes they go on location, taking pictures of either individuals, families photos, or photos of small groups.

Photojournalists often face a significant amount of danger in attempting to take pictures of news events, people, places, and things for newspapers, news journals, and magazines. Some photojournalists also work in the field of educational photography, where they prepare slides and film strips for use in a classroom. Motion picture photographers will film movies, make commercials, and work with television programs.

Photographers work long and irregular hours and sometimes they will have to be available on a short notice. They must be able to work under the intense pressure of a tight deadline. Self-employed photographers can enjoy a more flexible and relaxed schedule but they must devote a significant amount of time to marketing themselves and trying to expanding their client list.

So if you are truly interested in becoming a professional photographer, find a good camera and learn everything about this camera. And then go out and take some great photographs.

If you would like to see more about being a photographer, here are some interesting sites to view:

Photographing Birds

Photographing Flowers

Photographing Insects

Just remember to Have Fun!