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monty
Guest
in Photography? Do you think a Photographer who didn't have a degree in Photography to back them up would have a chance at "making it"? Could they take photographs for famous magazines and celebrities?
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Would a good Photographer have a chance at "making it" if they didn't have a degree
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Seamless_1
Guest
Yep.
I have never once been asked about a degree in photography. I have a portfolio (several, in fact) that pretty much answer any questions about what I do and can do. As far as making it goes, that will be up to you and some luck, which you should try and make for yourself.
Making it isn't all about how good a photographer you are. There are actually some pretty awesome photographers out there who will never make it. They don't go after the business, they don't sell themselves and some aren't quite reliable or, even worse, if possible, consistently able to kick out the images the customer wants.
For mags like Vanity Fair and others that have a high visual component, you have to be both very good at photography technically, able to interpret the artistic directors instructions (and be able to work with them) and be utterly, totally consistent at what you do. They don't work with people that haven't been able to produce what they want on demand or have to have their hands held.
Also, you have to stay on top of and maybe a little ahead of the visual trends in the industry you're working in.
A degree won't hurt, but it won't help as much as proven competence. That's what sells their products, no matter what it is: looks, life style, or something else. And it's what sells you.
Vance
I have never once been asked about a degree in photography. I have a portfolio (several, in fact) that pretty much answer any questions about what I do and can do. As far as making it goes, that will be up to you and some luck, which you should try and make for yourself.
Making it isn't all about how good a photographer you are. There are actually some pretty awesome photographers out there who will never make it. They don't go after the business, they don't sell themselves and some aren't quite reliable or, even worse, if possible, consistently able to kick out the images the customer wants.
For mags like Vanity Fair and others that have a high visual component, you have to be both very good at photography technically, able to interpret the artistic directors instructions (and be able to work with them) and be utterly, totally consistent at what you do. They don't work with people that haven't been able to produce what they want on demand or have to have their hands held.
Also, you have to stay on top of and maybe a little ahead of the visual trends in the industry you're working in.
A degree won't hurt, but it won't help as much as proven competence. That's what sells their products, no matter what it is: looks, life style, or something else. And it's what sells you.
Vance
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fivetoze
Guest
some folks require years of education and instruction, some of us taught ourselves... at teh end of the day its your portfolio which sells you.. not your quallies...
i dont have a degree, but now i do have 35years experience... my diary is full... but it wasnt always easy.... in reality you have to have a niche', you must offer them something which set your imagery apart from johnny next door... actual photography is relatively easy, however creative consistent imagery isnt.. develop those skills, and youll never be out of work..
35yrs ago i was a grunt, with a camera, and lots of gung ho enthusiasm.. i did the whole lot, from models on catwalks, to scars on compensation victims... from births, to funerals... now i teach... and i work on teh principle, youre only as good as your last job...
so, build a portfolio, A3 is best (12x16)... its got me my first non photographic job, which was compiling a magazine, doing pagelayouts and creating advertising storyboards...
luckily i can write copy, and i have a style, which is quite different... and the clients like it... 8yrs later, im the editor... and a director of the charity, where i also teach...
im not famous, im certainly not rich... but im happy... and in this day and age, thats a major bonus, believe me.
i dont have a degree, but now i do have 35years experience... my diary is full... but it wasnt always easy.... in reality you have to have a niche', you must offer them something which set your imagery apart from johnny next door... actual photography is relatively easy, however creative consistent imagery isnt.. develop those skills, and youll never be out of work..
35yrs ago i was a grunt, with a camera, and lots of gung ho enthusiasm.. i did the whole lot, from models on catwalks, to scars on compensation victims... from births, to funerals... now i teach... and i work on teh principle, youre only as good as your last job...
so, build a portfolio, A3 is best (12x16)... its got me my first non photographic job, which was compiling a magazine, doing pagelayouts and creating advertising storyboards...
luckily i can write copy, and i have a style, which is quite different... and the clients like it... 8yrs later, im the editor... and a director of the charity, where i also teach...
im not famous, im certainly not rich... but im happy... and in this day and age, thats a major bonus, believe me.
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electrosmack1
Guest
If you have a strong portfolio, and a great understanding of your craft, anything is possible. However, one usually does not come before the other. Years of experience, whether formal or informal is definitely needed. Not to mention lots of contacts in the business and "luck."
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strawberry_winecooler
Guest
No, the chances are incredibly slim. If you want to work for a magazine you should definitely go to college. No matter how good you are the people who do hiring for these companies want to hire well-rounded people. Meaning you need to go to college, be active in a student group, and you should probably try to do an internship while you are in school.