In the course of developing ourselves as photographers, we might go through countless tips, tricks, videos, and articles. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are fed information that may not necessarily be true. This, of course, can be detrimental to our progress in the long run. It’s thus very important that we try to keep away from false information as much as we can. In this video, Marc Silber and documentary photographer Daniel Milnor take on some myths and false beliefs that are held by many photographers:
Milnor talks about two important subject matters: whether working as a professional is a better choice than working as a hobbyist, and if the concept of “more” is a good thing in photography.
As Milnor points out, working as a professional photographer comes with a bunch of setbacks. Since there are a lot of photographers who are willing to work at cheaper rates, companies are used to and, of course, prefer to pay lower rates. Also, more often than not, when you work with a client you will be forced to hand over your rights. Apart from that, you don’t usually get much room to explore your creativity.
Eventually, your passion can turn into a bunch of unexciting assignments and that kill your interest in the field altogether. That’s why, if you’re really serious about photography, it’s necessary that you have the will to fight for success. The struggle in the field of photography is real. People who aren’t deterred are the ones who are more likely to succeed. So, if you want to go professional, think really hard about if it’s the right decision for you.
Milnor also mentions the concept of “more.” It’s human nature to be attracted to more. Many photographers recommend that you take more photographs as a “safety net”. But if you think about it, there’s a big catch. You’ll need to go through a lot of photos to pick out your best shot which will tire you out. Your choice of images and your editing will thus take a hit. Also, the tons of images that you took will eat through your storage really quickly. A good idea is thus to shoot selectively and shoot with purpose. You’ll end up becoming a more efficient photographer that way.
What do you think of Milnor’s ideas? Let us know in the comments.
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Great tips from Photographer Dan Milnor. I am only an amateur photographer, but amazingly have his same beliefs. Never liked the term “spray and pray”. Before taking a picture I study the subject, compose and take a shot, perhaps two shots. Then I bring the photo into my laptop and decide if I captured what I imagined. If I didn’t then I will try again. But usually will get results within 10 shots. And lastly, I will never become a working (pro) photographer simply because I don’t work well doing what other people want because it kills my creativity.