Camera recommendations for amateurs
11-24-2019, 01:21 PM
#21
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Without hijacking this thread too much, selling the image is very much a part of creating it.
Example: You shoot some racing images. If National Dragster asked for an image of John Force for the cover of an upcoming issue, you would create what they want to buy versus what you may think is an incredible shot.
Example: You shoot some racing images. If National Dragster asked for an image of John Force for the cover of an upcoming issue, you would create what they want to buy versus what you may think is an incredible shot.
In hindsight should not have used the word "Professional" as it was not a good choice in wording regarding the quality of a shot. There are "Professional" images that can be pretty boring and conversely "Amateur" shots that can be outstanding! Now that I reread what I said, I mixed in Professional and Great...and there can obviously be a difference. I should have said these (3) the things are important for creating a greats shots and minimum for being a Professional.
To your point, yes in fact selling is critical to being a Professional as if you are not selling then it is more of a passion hobby..but then again so is having a duplicate style, doing marketing, ability to relate with clients, knowing how to build shot boards, having back up gear for everything, having a business plan that is sustainable etc... for being a professional. Well I should state being a professional that can actually make money that is. When I am contracted to shoot for a publication of course I always ask what they want first then frame shots in a way pending how how they may be used in print. It's hard at the track to get too creative anyway when you have a very limited amount of space and time.
11-24-2019, 01:26 PM
#22
Safety Car
In hindsight should not have used the word "Professional" as it was not a good choice in wording regarding the quality of a shot. There are "Professional" images that can be pretty boring and conversely "Amateur" shots that can be outstanding! Now that I reread what I said, I mixed in Professional and Great...and there can obviously be a difference. I should have said these (3) the things are important for creating a greats shots and minimum for being a Professional.
To your point, yes in fact selling is critical to being a Professional as if you are not selling then it is more of a passion hobby..but then again so is having a duplicate style, doing marketing, ability to relate with clients, knowing how to build shot boards, having back up gear for everything, having a business plan that is sustainable etc... for being a professional. Well I should state being a professional that can actually make money that is. When I am contracted to shoot for a publication of course I always ask what they want first then frame shots in a way pending how how they may be used in print. It's hard at the track to get too creative anyway when you have a very limited amount of space and time.
To your point, yes in fact selling is critical to being a Professional as if you are not selling then it is more of a passion hobby..but then again so is having a duplicate style, doing marketing, ability to relate with clients, knowing how to build shot boards, having back up gear for everything, having a business plan that is sustainable etc... for being a professional. Well I should state being a professional that can actually make money that is. When I am contracted to shoot for a publication of course I always ask what they want first then frame shots in a way pending how how they may be used in print. It's hard at the track to get too creative anyway when you have a very limited amount of space and time.
11-24-2019, 05:12 PM
#23
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People sometimes ask me to shoot pictures for them and ask what I would charge. Other times, someone will ask for reproduction rights on a picture I've shot. In the latter situation, it isn't unusual for them to think I will give them permission in exchange for photo credit.
I won't do either.
I shoot pictures because it makes me happy. If I had to shoot pictures that would make someone else happy, it would take the joy out of it for me.
Most of the professional photographers I know are photojournalists who now are freelancing. It's hard to make a living as a freelancer, particularly when there are so many decent amateurs who will give their work away. I'm not going to be a participant in making the lives of the freelancers more difficult than it needs to be.
If someone is looking for professional photographer, I refer them to someone I know who will give them great pictures at an appropriate rate.
I won't do either.
I shoot pictures because it makes me happy. If I had to shoot pictures that would make someone else happy, it would take the joy out of it for me.
Most of the professional photographers I know are photojournalists who now are freelancing. It's hard to make a living as a freelancer, particularly when there are so many decent amateurs who will give their work away. I'm not going to be a participant in making the lives of the freelancers more difficult than it needs to be.
If someone is looking for professional photographer, I refer them to someone I know who will give them great pictures at an appropriate rate.
12-02-2019, 07:26 AM
#24
Simple answer: If you are interested in learning more about photography, get a beginner package DSLR. Make sure it has an "Automatic" setting so you can point and shoot, and also "Shutter, Aperture and Manual " settings so you can learn advanced camera functions with it. The Automatic function is fun to just point and shoot to learn how to compose a photo, while the other functions can enhance the shot once you understand composition. I started with a Nikon D5100 and to kit lens. Working as a semi-pro, Nikon support at the events has been outstanding, so I upgraded to a few other Nikon lens and bodies. I even picked up a used D7000 on ebay for a fraction of new cost to use as a day to day beat around camera to be able to have a camera with me for unexpected shots.
12-02-2019, 07:39 AM
#25
Team Owner
I Saw the Nikon D610 with the 50 1.8 lens, battery grip and wireless adapter for just under $900. Granted it's an older tech camera, but it is full frame. Sales of the D750 killed the 610. I also saw the D750 body only for just under $1000.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...63A98F3F689D4A
The D750 gets rave reviews from photographers from amateur to pro. It is an amazing camera, especially for the price.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...63A98F3F689D4A
The D750 gets rave reviews from photographers from amateur to pro. It is an amazing camera, especially for the price.
12-02-2019, 11:38 AM
#26
I Saw the Nikon D610 with the 50 1.8 lens, battery grip and wireless adapter for just under $900. Granted it's an older tech camera, but it is full frame. Sales of the D750 killed the 610. I also saw the D750 body only for just under $1000.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...63A98F3F689D4A
The D750 gets rave reviews from photographers from amateur to pro. It is an amazing camera, especially for the price.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...63A98F3F689D4A
The D750 gets rave reviews from photographers from amateur to pro. It is an amazing camera, especially for the price.
12-03-2019, 11:20 PM
#28
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FWIW, none of my camera gear was purchased new. I have had good luck in shopping for lightly used equipment -- usually on Fred Miranda.
12-05-2019, 12:21 AM
#29
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Thanks for the suggestions. BTW, where has the Photography section been moved too now? I don’t see it anymore.
Edit: Disregard, found it.
Edit: Disregard, found it.
Last edited by FX VETTE; 12-05-2019 at 10:22 AM.
12-12-2019, 10:40 AM
#31
Le Mans Master
People sometimes ask me to shoot pictures for them and ask what I would charge. Other times, someone will ask for reproduction rights on a picture I've shot. In the latter situation, it isn't unusual for them to think I will give them permission in exchange for photo credit.
I won't do either.
I shoot pictures because it makes me happy. If I had to shoot pictures that would make someone else happy, it would take the joy out of it for me.
Most of the professional photographers I know are photojournalists who now are freelancing. It's hard to make a living as a freelancer, particularly when there are so many decent amateurs who will give their work away. I'm not going to be a participant in making the lives of the freelancers more difficult than it needs to be.
If someone is looking for professional photographer, I refer them to someone I know who will give them great pictures at an appropriate rate.
I won't do either.
I shoot pictures because it makes me happy. If I had to shoot pictures that would make someone else happy, it would take the joy out of it for me.
Most of the professional photographers I know are photojournalists who now are freelancing. It's hard to make a living as a freelancer, particularly when there are so many decent amateurs who will give their work away. I'm not going to be a participant in making the lives of the freelancers more difficult than it needs to be.
If someone is looking for professional photographer, I refer them to someone I know who will give them great pictures at an appropriate rate.
Sorry for being long, but this has to be stated about being a "REAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER", it is NOT glamorous, easy, or rewarding job, as many would like you to believe. I am a published photographer, graduate of a very famous Photography School, and considered very gifted with an eye and perspective for photography. So I am more than qualified to make the statements below.
For years, during the film years before digital, I worked as freelance, staff, and my own business as a real photographer. I worked for a profession baseball team (staff photographer), Kodak Illustration Division, and Associated Press, Boston Desk. As my own photography business, I did the Weddings, special events, and portraits, freelance and commercial product work. I owned and used large, medium and 35mm cameras, and all the associated equipment, flashing, lights, stands, backdrops on and on including several enlargers and color and B&W processing lab..... Did most of the film and print processing myself. Had my own lab in the basement.. OK, not bragging, just want you to get the flavor. As a real professional level photographer either freelance or staff you are expected to work 15 to 18 hour days, during the film days. Especially if you are on same day deadlines for print, taking the photos are the easy part, most time consuming is the development, printing and waiting for editor to review your contact sheet on which photos he wants to see printed, only to wait more as he determines which one will go to publication, if any. .
You deal with customers who want only the negatives, do not purchase the finished product, or at least tries to get negatives, you get into a pattern if you do record photography of doing the same type of formats, same type of perspectives, and same development methods (B&W mostly for press). YOU LOSS CREATIVIITY, DRIVE, and THIRST TO IMPROVE. Basically, I was treating my photography as work, not for my sanity, creative appetite, and rewards of seeing results never done before. Basically after 5 years of this, I got out of the business, stopped working as freelance and staff. I resigned myself to shot for myself, for my own pleasure on my own time under my own rules. Best decision I ever did, as soon as I did the for pleasure, my creativity returned, my thirst to learn more and more came back, and once again I loved photography, as it helped me regain my sanity.
As a freelance, you are constantly marketing, competing with thousands of others (after all anybody with a 35mm camera can call themselves a professional), no more getting up a 3:30 AM to head to photo shoot to get prime spot, no more working past midnight, as the mercy of a print editor who determines the prime print photo off the contact sheet at 2:00 AM, making you wain only to have you do final print for publication due at 3:00 AM to run the photo, or start work at noon only to get home 4:00 AM next morning, only to have an 8:00 AM shoot job next day. No more hustling to a point you are begging for a chance to shoot for fee because you need to pay the rent and personal expenses, you sell out to get the job. . No more subjective judging by people, based on their own bad taste and lack of knowledge on the subject they hire you to shoot, not listening to you as a professional, but merely as an employee working for them, as result your own work does not look like your work, but their bad taste. No more dealing with whining, over critical, cheap customers, not more dealing with unruly kids, teens, and others who really don't want to have their photo taken, and makes every attempt to take a lousy photo, no more dealing with other over aggressive photographers pushing and shoving you, or even sabotaging your equipment by spraying lense cleaner on your spare camera while hanging off your shoulder, and I can go ON and ON about how unattractive and tough it is to be a real photographer I never had my own studio, and I would imagine it would be much better, but many chain department stores can offer better deals then I could in a studio. Never worked with models, did work on the track many times, but regardless I been there got the T-shirt, and now I enjoy my HOBBY. Still maintain professional equipment, still will shoot for hire, under MY conditions, and I have my own contract agreement that must be signed, before I shoot and I chose what job I want, because my income does not depend upon my need to land a job.. But overall I prefer NOT to shoot as a profession, but at my own pleasure. Again this is based on my life's experiences, and my own personality. CHEERS..
SO finally to address the original request to recommend a camera. My recommendation would be the new Nikon Coolpix P1000, as in my opinion, many of the Coolpix line can shoot photos comparable to the DSLR, cost effective, dependable, easy to use, point and shoot, yet has manual overrides if you prefer to shoot the old way, and you have Zoom Lenses with reach for daily photography, including travel, and special events.
Following taken off the internet:
The Nikon P1000 is a hefty camera, both in terms of dimensions and weight. Just how big, you realize when you have it in your hand. The P1000 cannot be compared to a conventional compact camera with a small sensor. Of course, it is not a "normal" compact camera. The Nikon P1000 has 125x optical zoom, which means it starts a little wider than your typical smartphone camera lens, and can zoom far enough that you can focus on objects that are literally miles away depending on your vantage point. In camera terms, the 125x lens has an equivalent focal range of 24mm to 3000mm
Last edited by 1KULC7; 12-12-2019 at 11:08 AM.
12-12-2019, 07:57 PM
#32
Team Owner
Totally agree with you.
Sorry for being long, but this has to be stated about being a "REAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER", it is NOT glamorous, easy, or rewarding job, as many would like you to believe. I am a published photographer, graduate of a very famous Photography School, and considered very gifted with an eye and perspective for photography. So I am more than qualified to make the statements below.
For years, during the film years before digital, I worked as freelance, staff, and my own business as a real photographer. I worked for a profession baseball team (staff photographer), Kodak Illustration Division, and Associated Press, Boston Desk. As my own photography business, I did the Weddings, special events, and portraits, freelance and commercial product work. I owned and used large, medium and 35mm cameras, and all the associated equipment, flashing, lights, stands, backdrops on and on including several enlargers and color and B&W processing lab..... Did most of the film and print processing myself. Had my own lab in the basement.. OK, not bragging, just want you to get the flavor. As a real professional level photographer either freelance or staff you are expected to work 15 to 18 hour days, during the film days. Especially if you are on same day deadlines for print, taking the photos are the easy part, most time consuming is the development, printing and waiting for editor to review your contact sheet on which photos he wants to see printed, only to wait more as he determines which one will go to publication, if any. .
You deal with customers who want only the negatives, do not purchase the finished product, or at least tries to get negatives, you get into a pattern if you do record photography of doing the same type of formats, same type of perspectives, and same development methods (B&W mostly for press). YOU LOSS CREATIVIITY, DRIVE, and THIRST TO IMPROVE. Basically, I was treating my photography as work, not for my sanity, creative appetite, and rewards of seeing results never done before. Basically after 5 years of this, I got out of the business, stopped working as freelance and staff. I resigned myself to shot for myself, for my own pleasure on my own time under my own rules. Best decision I ever did, as soon as I did the for pleasure, my creativity returned, my thirst to learn more and more came back, and once again I loved photography, as it helped me regain my sanity.
As a freelance, you are constantly marketing, competing with thousands of others (after all anybody with a 35mm camera can call themselves a professional), no more getting up a 3:30 AM to head to photo shoot to get prime spot, no more working past midnight, as the mercy of a print editor who determines the prime print photo off the contact sheet at 2:00 AM, making you wain only to have you do final print for publication due at 3:00 AM to run the photo, or start work at noon only to get home 4:00 AM next morning, only to have an 8:00 AM shoot job next day. No more hustling to a point you are begging for a chance to shoot for fee because you need to pay the rent and personal expenses, you sell out to get the job. . No more subjective judging by people, based on their own bad taste and lack of knowledge on the subject they hire you to shoot, not listening to you as a professional, but merely as an employee working for them, as result your own work does not look like your work, but their bad taste. No more dealing with whining, over critical, cheap customers, not more dealing with unruly kids, teens, and others who really don't want to have their photo taken, and makes every attempt to take a lousy photo, no more dealing with other over aggressive photographers pushing and shoving you, or even sabotaging your equipment by spraying lense cleaner on your spare camera while hanging off your shoulder, and I can go ON and ON about how unattractive and tough it is to be a real photographer I never had my own studio, and I would imagine it would be much better, but many chain department stores can offer better deals then I could in a studio. Never worked with models, did work on the track many times, but regardless I been there got the T-shirt, and now I enjoy my HOBBY. Still maintain professional equipment, still will shoot for hire, under MY conditions, and I have my own contract agreement that must be signed, before I shoot and I chose what job I want, because my income does not depend upon my need to land a job.. But overall I prefer NOT to shoot as a profession, but at my own pleasure. Again this is based on my life's experiences, and my own personality. CHEERS..
SO finally to address the original request to recommend a camera. My recommendation would be the new Nikon Coolpix P1000, as in my opinion, many of the Coolpix line can shoot photos comparable to the DSLR, cost effective, dependable, easy to use, point and shoot, yet has manual overrides if you prefer to shoot the old way, and you have Zoom Lenses with reach for daily photography, including travel, and special events.
Following taken off the internet:
The Nikon P1000 is a hefty camera, both in terms of dimensions and weight. Just how big, you realize when you have it in your hand. The P1000 cannot be compared to a conventional compact camera with a small sensor. Of course, it is not a "normal" compact camera. The Nikon P1000 has 125x optical zoom, which means it starts a little wider than your typical smartphone camera lens, and can zoom far enough that you can focus on objects that are literally miles away depending on your vantage point. In camera terms, the 125x lens has an equivalent focal range of 24mm to 3000mm
Sorry for being long, but this has to be stated about being a "REAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER", it is NOT glamorous, easy, or rewarding job, as many would like you to believe. I am a published photographer, graduate of a very famous Photography School, and considered very gifted with an eye and perspective for photography. So I am more than qualified to make the statements below.
For years, during the film years before digital, I worked as freelance, staff, and my own business as a real photographer. I worked for a profession baseball team (staff photographer), Kodak Illustration Division, and Associated Press, Boston Desk. As my own photography business, I did the Weddings, special events, and portraits, freelance and commercial product work. I owned and used large, medium and 35mm cameras, and all the associated equipment, flashing, lights, stands, backdrops on and on including several enlargers and color and B&W processing lab..... Did most of the film and print processing myself. Had my own lab in the basement.. OK, not bragging, just want you to get the flavor. As a real professional level photographer either freelance or staff you are expected to work 15 to 18 hour days, during the film days. Especially if you are on same day deadlines for print, taking the photos are the easy part, most time consuming is the development, printing and waiting for editor to review your contact sheet on which photos he wants to see printed, only to wait more as he determines which one will go to publication, if any. .
You deal with customers who want only the negatives, do not purchase the finished product, or at least tries to get negatives, you get into a pattern if you do record photography of doing the same type of formats, same type of perspectives, and same development methods (B&W mostly for press). YOU LOSS CREATIVIITY, DRIVE, and THIRST TO IMPROVE. Basically, I was treating my photography as work, not for my sanity, creative appetite, and rewards of seeing results never done before. Basically after 5 years of this, I got out of the business, stopped working as freelance and staff. I resigned myself to shot for myself, for my own pleasure on my own time under my own rules. Best decision I ever did, as soon as I did the for pleasure, my creativity returned, my thirst to learn more and more came back, and once again I loved photography, as it helped me regain my sanity.
As a freelance, you are constantly marketing, competing with thousands of others (after all anybody with a 35mm camera can call themselves a professional), no more getting up a 3:30 AM to head to photo shoot to get prime spot, no more working past midnight, as the mercy of a print editor who determines the prime print photo off the contact sheet at 2:00 AM, making you wain only to have you do final print for publication due at 3:00 AM to run the photo, or start work at noon only to get home 4:00 AM next morning, only to have an 8:00 AM shoot job next day. No more hustling to a point you are begging for a chance to shoot for fee because you need to pay the rent and personal expenses, you sell out to get the job. . No more subjective judging by people, based on their own bad taste and lack of knowledge on the subject they hire you to shoot, not listening to you as a professional, but merely as an employee working for them, as result your own work does not look like your work, but their bad taste. No more dealing with whining, over critical, cheap customers, not more dealing with unruly kids, teens, and others who really don't want to have their photo taken, and makes every attempt to take a lousy photo, no more dealing with other over aggressive photographers pushing and shoving you, or even sabotaging your equipment by spraying lense cleaner on your spare camera while hanging off your shoulder, and I can go ON and ON about how unattractive and tough it is to be a real photographer I never had my own studio, and I would imagine it would be much better, but many chain department stores can offer better deals then I could in a studio. Never worked with models, did work on the track many times, but regardless I been there got the T-shirt, and now I enjoy my HOBBY. Still maintain professional equipment, still will shoot for hire, under MY conditions, and I have my own contract agreement that must be signed, before I shoot and I chose what job I want, because my income does not depend upon my need to land a job.. But overall I prefer NOT to shoot as a profession, but at my own pleasure. Again this is based on my life's experiences, and my own personality. CHEERS..
SO finally to address the original request to recommend a camera. My recommendation would be the new Nikon Coolpix P1000, as in my opinion, many of the Coolpix line can shoot photos comparable to the DSLR, cost effective, dependable, easy to use, point and shoot, yet has manual overrides if you prefer to shoot the old way, and you have Zoom Lenses with reach for daily photography, including travel, and special events.
Following taken off the internet:
The Nikon P1000 is a hefty camera, both in terms of dimensions and weight. Just how big, you realize when you have it in your hand. The P1000 cannot be compared to a conventional compact camera with a small sensor. Of course, it is not a "normal" compact camera. The Nikon P1000 has 125x optical zoom, which means it starts a little wider than your typical smartphone camera lens, and can zoom far enough that you can focus on objects that are literally miles away depending on your vantage point. In camera terms, the 125x lens has an equivalent focal range of 24mm to 3000mm
12-13-2019, 11:52 AM
#35
Le Mans Master
The following users liked this post:
carlton_fritz (12-13-2019)
12-13-2019, 07:04 PM
#36
Safety Car
Totally agree with you.
Sorry for being long, but this has to be stated about being a "REAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER", it is NOT glamorous, easy, or rewarding job, as many would like you to believe. I am a published photographer, graduate of a very famous Photography School, and considered very gifted with an eye and perspective for photography. So I am more than qualified to make the statements below.
For years, during the film years before digital, I worked as freelance, staff, and my own business as a real photographer. I worked for a profession baseball team (staff photographer), Kodak Illustration Division, and Associated Press, Boston Desk. As my own photography business, I did the Weddings, special events, and portraits, freelance and commercial product work. I owned and used large, medium and 35mm cameras, and all the associated equipment, flashing, lights, stands, backdrops on and on including several enlargers and color and B&W processing lab..... Did most of the film and print processing myself. Had my own lab in the basement.. OK, not bragging, just want you to get the flavor. As a real professional level photographer either freelance or staff you are expected to work 15 to 18 hour days, during the film days. Especially if you are on same day deadlines for print, taking the photos are the easy part, most time consuming is the development, printing and waiting for editor to review your contact sheet on which photos he wants to see printed, only to wait more as he determines which one will go to publication, if any. .
You deal with customers who want only the negatives, do not purchase the finished product, or at least tries to get negatives, you get into a pattern if you do record photography of doing the same type of formats, same type of perspectives, and same development methods (B&W mostly for press). YOU LOSS CREATIVIITY, DRIVE, and THIRST TO IMPROVE. Basically, I was treating my photography as work, not for my sanity, creative appetite, and rewards of seeing results never done before. Basically after 5 years of this, I got out of the business, stopped working as freelance and staff. I resigned myself to shot for myself, for my own pleasure on my own time under my own rules. Best decision I ever did, as soon as I did the for pleasure, my creativity returned, my thirst to learn more and more came back, and once again I loved photography, as it helped me regain my sanity.
As a freelance, you are constantly marketing, competing with thousands of others (after all anybody with a 35mm camera can call themselves a professional), no more getting up a 3:30 AM to head to photo shoot to get prime spot, no more working past midnight, as the mercy of a print editor who determines the prime print photo off the contact sheet at 2:00 AM, making you wain only to have you do final print for publication due at 3:00 AM to run the photo, or start work at noon only to get home 4:00 AM next morning, only to have an 8:00 AM shoot job next day. No more hustling to a point you are begging for a chance to shoot for fee because you need to pay the rent and personal expenses, you sell out to get the job. . No more subjective judging by people, based on their own bad taste and lack of knowledge on the subject they hire you to shoot, not listening to you as a professional, but merely as an employee working for them, as result your own work does not look like your work, but their bad taste. No more dealing with whining, over critical, cheap customers, not more dealing with unruly kids, teens, and others who really don't want to have their photo taken, and makes every attempt to take a lousy photo, no more dealing with other over aggressive photographers pushing and shoving you, or even sabotaging your equipment by spraying lense cleaner on your spare camera while hanging off your shoulder, and I can go ON and ON about how unattractive and tough it is to be a real photographer I never had my own studio, and I would imagine it would be much better, but many chain department stores can offer better deals then I could in a studio. Never worked with models, did work on the track many times, but regardless I been there got the T-shirt, and now I enjoy my HOBBY. Still maintain professional equipment, still will shoot for hire, under MY conditions, and I have my own contract agreement that must be signed, before I shoot and I chose what job I want, because my income does not depend upon my need to land a job.. But overall I prefer NOT to shoot as a profession, but at my own pleasure. Again this is based on my life's experiences, and my own personality. CHEERS..
SO finally to address the original request to recommend a camera. My recommendation would be the new Nikon Coolpix P1000, as in my opinion, many of the Coolpix line can shoot photos comparable to the DSLR, cost effective, dependable, easy to use, point and shoot, yet has manual overrides if you prefer to shoot the old way, and you have Zoom Lenses with reach for daily photography, including travel, and special events.
Following taken off the internet:
The Nikon P1000 is a hefty camera, both in terms of dimensions and weight. Just how big, you realize when you have it in your hand. The P1000 cannot be compared to a conventional compact camera with a small sensor. Of course, it is not a "normal" compact camera. The Nikon P1000 has 125x optical zoom, which means it starts a little wider than your typical smartphone camera lens, and can zoom far enough that you can focus on objects that are literally miles away depending on your vantage point. In camera terms, the 125x lens has an equivalent focal range of 24mm to 3000mm
Sorry for being long, but this has to be stated about being a "REAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER", it is NOT glamorous, easy, or rewarding job, as many would like you to believe. I am a published photographer, graduate of a very famous Photography School, and considered very gifted with an eye and perspective for photography. So I am more than qualified to make the statements below.
For years, during the film years before digital, I worked as freelance, staff, and my own business as a real photographer. I worked for a profession baseball team (staff photographer), Kodak Illustration Division, and Associated Press, Boston Desk. As my own photography business, I did the Weddings, special events, and portraits, freelance and commercial product work. I owned and used large, medium and 35mm cameras, and all the associated equipment, flashing, lights, stands, backdrops on and on including several enlargers and color and B&W processing lab..... Did most of the film and print processing myself. Had my own lab in the basement.. OK, not bragging, just want you to get the flavor. As a real professional level photographer either freelance or staff you are expected to work 15 to 18 hour days, during the film days. Especially if you are on same day deadlines for print, taking the photos are the easy part, most time consuming is the development, printing and waiting for editor to review your contact sheet on which photos he wants to see printed, only to wait more as he determines which one will go to publication, if any. .
You deal with customers who want only the negatives, do not purchase the finished product, or at least tries to get negatives, you get into a pattern if you do record photography of doing the same type of formats, same type of perspectives, and same development methods (B&W mostly for press). YOU LOSS CREATIVIITY, DRIVE, and THIRST TO IMPROVE. Basically, I was treating my photography as work, not for my sanity, creative appetite, and rewards of seeing results never done before. Basically after 5 years of this, I got out of the business, stopped working as freelance and staff. I resigned myself to shot for myself, for my own pleasure on my own time under my own rules. Best decision I ever did, as soon as I did the for pleasure, my creativity returned, my thirst to learn more and more came back, and once again I loved photography, as it helped me regain my sanity.
As a freelance, you are constantly marketing, competing with thousands of others (after all anybody with a 35mm camera can call themselves a professional), no more getting up a 3:30 AM to head to photo shoot to get prime spot, no more working past midnight, as the mercy of a print editor who determines the prime print photo off the contact sheet at 2:00 AM, making you wain only to have you do final print for publication due at 3:00 AM to run the photo, or start work at noon only to get home 4:00 AM next morning, only to have an 8:00 AM shoot job next day. No more hustling to a point you are begging for a chance to shoot for fee because you need to pay the rent and personal expenses, you sell out to get the job. . No more subjective judging by people, based on their own bad taste and lack of knowledge on the subject they hire you to shoot, not listening to you as a professional, but merely as an employee working for them, as result your own work does not look like your work, but their bad taste. No more dealing with whining, over critical, cheap customers, not more dealing with unruly kids, teens, and others who really don't want to have their photo taken, and makes every attempt to take a lousy photo, no more dealing with other over aggressive photographers pushing and shoving you, or even sabotaging your equipment by spraying lense cleaner on your spare camera while hanging off your shoulder, and I can go ON and ON about how unattractive and tough it is to be a real photographer I never had my own studio, and I would imagine it would be much better, but many chain department stores can offer better deals then I could in a studio. Never worked with models, did work on the track many times, but regardless I been there got the T-shirt, and now I enjoy my HOBBY. Still maintain professional equipment, still will shoot for hire, under MY conditions, and I have my own contract agreement that must be signed, before I shoot and I chose what job I want, because my income does not depend upon my need to land a job.. But overall I prefer NOT to shoot as a profession, but at my own pleasure. Again this is based on my life's experiences, and my own personality. CHEERS..
SO finally to address the original request to recommend a camera. My recommendation would be the new Nikon Coolpix P1000, as in my opinion, many of the Coolpix line can shoot photos comparable to the DSLR, cost effective, dependable, easy to use, point and shoot, yet has manual overrides if you prefer to shoot the old way, and you have Zoom Lenses with reach for daily photography, including travel, and special events.
Following taken off the internet:
The Nikon P1000 is a hefty camera, both in terms of dimensions and weight. Just how big, you realize when you have it in your hand. The P1000 cannot be compared to a conventional compact camera with a small sensor. Of course, it is not a "normal" compact camera. The Nikon P1000 has 125x optical zoom, which means it starts a little wider than your typical smartphone camera lens, and can zoom far enough that you can focus on objects that are literally miles away depending on your vantage point. In camera terms, the 125x lens has an equivalent focal range of 24mm to 3000mm
I know quite a few fashion and destination photographers who would argue on the glamorous part. I've never personally found it glamorous, but that's not why I got into it 28 years ago. It's damn hard work.
There are quite a few of us that would certainly argue the rewarding part. If you bust your *** and can put up with all the B.S., there is quite a lot of money to be made in the business of photography.
I've never met anyone that would say it is easy, so I will agree with you on that part.
12-13-2019, 09:30 PM
#37
Parrothead
If you have not bought a camera yet I'd like to make a suggestion.. following on what Rick has said.. Buy some books instead of the camera
by
by (Author)
Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure
by
Understanding Color in Photography: Using Color, Composition, and Exposure to Create Vivid Photos Paperback – August 29, 2017
by
Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
by (Author)
12-17-2019, 04:11 PM
#39
Race Director
I've had a couple DSLR cameras, and my current one is a Canon 60D with a kit 18-200 mm lens. (I had a 100-400 L series lens but sold it when needed money).. I don't take it out too often because cell phone cameras do 99.9% of what I want to take photos of and they are MUCH smaller!
12-17-2019, 07:03 PM
#40
Drifting
I am so glad to see this photography section on the Corvette forum.
I'm on here and "Garage Journal" and have a build thread on a Chevy Truck forum. Taking pictures and uploading and posting them has always taken me way longer than it should.
After reading through these threads I'm encouraged to get set up with a shop camera to use just for posting on the forums and emails.
The digital cameras I already have are both old. The one is a Sony Mavica FD100 that I used for residentual real estate appraisals back in the day. The other is a Fujifilm Finepix F20. The Fujifilm F20 is the one I'll be using.
I've reread the manual on it and have set it up the way I think will work best for what I want to do.
Anyway I'm starting with what I have and will see where that leads.
Thanks for this thread and all the great pictures.
I'll see about getting some of my pics. posted on here too.
I spend a lot of time on the internet and on this forum checking out the "C5" sections and vette stuff in general along with "off topic".
Hoping to be spending more time in the shop once I get my meds. lined out. After being diagnosed with early on set aggresive rhemitiod arthritis I now understand why it has been so hard to do much of anything. So hoping for big improvements soon as a working drug regiment is found.
Thanks again
Vince
I'm on here and "Garage Journal" and have a build thread on a Chevy Truck forum. Taking pictures and uploading and posting them has always taken me way longer than it should.
After reading through these threads I'm encouraged to get set up with a shop camera to use just for posting on the forums and emails.
The digital cameras I already have are both old. The one is a Sony Mavica FD100 that I used for residentual real estate appraisals back in the day. The other is a Fujifilm Finepix F20. The Fujifilm F20 is the one I'll be using.
I've reread the manual on it and have set it up the way I think will work best for what I want to do.
Anyway I'm starting with what I have and will see where that leads.
Thanks for this thread and all the great pictures.
I'll see about getting some of my pics. posted on here too.
I spend a lot of time on the internet and on this forum checking out the "C5" sections and vette stuff in general along with "off topic".
Hoping to be spending more time in the shop once I get my meds. lined out. After being diagnosed with early on set aggresive rhemitiod arthritis I now understand why it has been so hard to do much of anything. So hoping for big improvements soon as a working drug regiment is found.
Thanks again
Vince