Additional Information
A picture is worth a thousand words -- and starting a career in photography
costs about $1,000 just to get the right tools.
Ray Bourgeois is a chief photographer for a daily newspaper. He recommends
this equipment list for beginners: two camera bodies, two flash units, a motor
drive, a 135-mm f/2.8 lens, a 24-mm f/2.8 lens, and a 50-mm f/2.8 lens.
The ideal, says Bourgeois, would be two motor drives and an 80- to 200-zoom
2.8 lens. He also recommends a brand name lens. "Third-party lenses aren't
worth the gamble."
Learning about a career in photography doesn't have to be quite so expensive,
however. Experts say working for high school, college and community newspapers
is a great way to get experience in this field -- without the big expense.
"These kinds of newspapers often have their own camera equipment and are
in search of people with an eye for photography," says Miami photographer
Steven Procko. "It's a good way to try out the equipment -- to see how you
like the work."
Commercial photographer Lourens Smak suggests trying to get a summer job
in a photographic studio. "Toys are photographed in June, July and August
for Christmas catalogs. Try to find a studio that shoots that kind of work.
It's very useful experience."
Many professional photographers learned the tricks of the trade volunteering
in a camera shop or a developing studio.
Bourgeois says that in the highly competitive field of photojournalism,
it helps if you can write. "Many newspapers are hiring reporter-photographers
as a cost-cutting measure. You should also be very good with computers," he
says.
"Learn programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand. Use scanners
and the Internet. Newspapers are dying. The future is in electronic publishing."
Many entry-level jobs require little formal preparation in photography.
However, entry-level positions in photojournalism and in scientific or technical
photography are likely to require a college degree.
Underwater photographers, aerial photographers and photojournalists should
look into post-secondary studies related to their specific subject. For example,
underwater photographers should have a background in marine biology and diving.
Many universities offer fine arts degrees with photography courses or majors
that teach students about photography as an artistic medium. Many people in
this industry recommend a multimedia degree, which teaches students about
a broad spectrum of uses for photography.
Community colleges offer two-year diploma courses in commercial photography.
These courses are directed at students who wish to learn about the practical
applications of photography as a career.
The Society for Photographic Education says about two dozen schools in
North America offer bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts degrees in photography.
Many more schools offer degrees in journalism with a focus in photography.
Most degree programs include the study of art theory and history as well
as technical courses in photography and darkroom work. Several schools also
offer master's of fine arts degrees in art photography.