How To Become A Photographer?

Answer 1

Answer

I deleted all the answers to this question because none of them actually answered the question. There were a lot of really nice answers to the question, "what is a photographer?" Unfortunately, that was not the question that was asked.

The answer to this question is, "it depends."

First things first: The most important thing a photographer can have is NOT a camera. It is the realization that the Photography business is about ten percent art, ninety percent convincing people to pay you for it. They call it the photography BUSINESS for a reason.

Once you've got this, you need a few other things.

You need business knowledge. You need to know about profit and loss statements, taxation, and all the other things any other businessman does.

You need money. LOTS of money. You need enough money that you won't have to worry about money. The best photographers I've ever seen are married to professionals like doctors or lawyers. If you're worried about money you're not going to be creative, you're going to take pictures you know you can sell. As one of my friends put it, when you're broke is no time to be fancy or creative.

You need to know what kind of photos you are going to make. If you are a landscape photographer, like I am, you won't do well shooting portraits. Conversely, a portraitist shouldn't get a job shooting in factories.

Once you have decided what kind of photos you plan to make, you will then know what equipment you are going to need. For instance, a portrait photographer will need:

at least two cameras

a slightly long focal length lens--on my RB67 I would want a 180mm, but on that camera a "normal" lens is either 90mm or 127mm. (My normal lens is the 127.)

a tripod

a studio flash system with at least three heads--more are better. Some photographers use eight heads for portraiture.

Light modifiers like softboxes or umbrellas

at least one posing stool

some backgrounds, sets, props and other things to use to make the pictures interesting

somewhere to use as studio space

soft-focus filters--the reigning king of soft-focus filters is the Zeiss Softar, but they are outrageously expensive.

a dressing room with a mirror

After all that, consider that some portrait photographers also offer hair and makeup services; if you go that way you'll either need to hire someone and have them bring their own products and tools, or you will need to learn those two skills and buy your own materials.

Someone who wants to specialize in photographing industrial machinery will need cameras, a full range of lenses (because it's hard to back up 50 feet to get an entire cotton gin in frame when the building it's in is only 40 feet long), a spot meter, an extremely powerful lighting system, tripods, a hard hat, to be drug free because the factories you will work in require anyone on the premises to be tested...

A couple of additional bits of advice: The importance of business acumen cannot be overstated. The owner of a very successful studio once said to me, "Given the choice between a mediocre photographer who was a fine businessman, and a brilliant photographer who was a poor businessman, I will always hire the businessman, because any fool can take pictures but business is the real art." (It must be cautioned that this commercial studio made outstanding pictures as well. But the point was made.)

In my experience, if you are not married to money, then you must have in the bank enough operating capital to keep yourself, your family and your business alive for at least one full year. My recommendation would be that if you do not have this much money, do not start the business. Many successful photographers of my acquaintance took early retirement from jobs that paid them well, had saved their money and also had excellent pensions. Some were retired military. But that was 30 years ago and the world economy has drastically changed, so this may no longer work as well as it did.

Also from experience I would recommend that you own your building and the ground it stands on. If you rent or lease you are too vulnerable to being driven from your location.

Finally, get yourself an education, and not just in photography, although that's important for the nuts and bolts of the work. One of my teachers used to say that all photographic equipment is just hammers: if you know how to use one, you can drive a nail; if you don't, you'll hit your thumb. Make sure you take those business courses without which you will not be successful, and don't neglect the arts and humanities. It's easier to be creative if you have a broad base of human understanding and a knowledge of what has gone before

Answer 2

You need a tutorial: http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/digital-photography-tips-for-beginners/

you just need good camera and own creativity to take photos...

by using both thing you can become good photographer

Answer 3

Employers usually seek applicants with a "good eye," imagination, and creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of photography. Photojournalists or industrial or scientific photographers generally need a college degree. Freelance and portrait photographers need technical proficiency, gained through a degree, training program, or experience. Education and training. Entry-level positions in photojournalism or in industrial or scientific photography generally require a college degree in photography or in a field related to the industry in which the photographer seeks employment. Entry-level freelance or portrait photographers need technical proficiency. Some complete a college degree or vocational training programs. Photography courses are offered by many universities, community and junior colleges, vocational-technical institutes, and private trade and technical schools. Basic courses in photography cover equipment, processes, and techniques. Learning good business skills is important and some bachelor's degree programs offer courses focusing on them. Art schools offer useful training in photographic design and composition. Photographers may start out as assistants to experienced photographers. Assistants acquire the technical knowledge needed to be a successful photographer and also learn other skills necessary to run a portrait or commercial photography business. Some photographers enter the field by submitting unsolicited a portfolio of photographs to magazines and to art directors at advertising agencies; for freelance photographers, a good portfolio is essential. Individuals interested in a career in photography should try to develop contacts in the field by subscribing to photographic newsletters and magazines, joining camera clubs, and seeking summer or part-time employment in camera stores, newspapers, or photo studios. Other qualifications. Photographers need good eyesight, artistic ability, and good hand-eye coordination. They should be patient, accurate, and detail-oriented and should be able to work well with others, as they frequently deal with clients, graphic designers, and advertising and publishing specialists. Photographers need to know how to use computer software programs and applications that allow them to prepare and edit images, and those who market directly to clients should know how to use the internet to display their work. Portrait photographers need the ability to help people relax in front of the camera. Commercial and fine arts photographers must be imaginative and original. News photographers must not only be good with a camera, but also understand the story behind an event so that their pictures match the story. They must be decisive in recognizing a potentially good photograph and act quickly to capture it. Photographers who operate their own business, or freelance, need business skills as well as talent. These individuals must know how to prepare a business plan; submit bids; write contracts; keep financial records; market their work; hire models, if needed; get permission to shoot on locations that normally are not open to the public; obtain releases to use photographs of people; license and price photographs; and secure copyright protection for their work. To protect their rights and their work, self-employed photographers require basic knowledge of licensing and copyright laws, as well as knowledge of contracts and negotiation procedures. Freelance photographers also should develop an individual style of photography to differentiate themselves from the competition. Advancement. After several years of experience, magazine and news photographers may advance to photography or picture editor positions. Some photographers teach at technical schools, film schools, or universities. For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated below this answer box.

Answer 4

Reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, learning strantegiew are basic skills that it needs but art and monitoring skills are more important.

Answer 5

just have the will to become a photographer

Answer 6

u need a camera lol!

Answer 7

i have the same Q ;/

Answer 8

1st become an assistant to a photographer