The Portland Metro Photographic News

A commentary by Editor Tom Hubbard

The New Camera For Professional Photography?

It was actor Peter Finch, as news anchorman Howard Beale in the film Network, who shouted the now famous line, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore." 

Like any photographer or writer, I'm constantly reading what others have written on the subject of photography.  Like most photographers, I never stop learning.  Hearing the thoughts and seeing the images of other concerned photographers and authors never fails to broaden my understanding and appreciation of the craft. 

HOWEVER, it seems as though for every well constructed and knowledge-packed article I find on the Internet, there are dozens of others that are affronts to photographers, photo-educators and the entire profession.  I have lost count of the number of times I have seen the words aperture, shutter and f/stop misspelled or misused.  Nor can I remember the number of articles I have read saying how easy it is to be a photographer and make the big bucks.

Here is an example I stumbled upon this week as a result of a Google search for "photography+education".  To ensure that I am not misquoting the author or taking the statements out of context, the ENTIRE article is shown below.  I have added the BOLD type to those words that I was amazed and appalled to see in print and offered as career advice to photographically inexperienced Internet readers.

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"If you're looking for some extra income, or if you're a bored housewife looking for a home-based business without investing a large sum of money, then this article can be your guide. While there are several ways of earning extra income right from the comfort of your home, this one - in my opinion - is, by far, the easiest and the simplest way to go. And the best thing about this approach is that you do not need any money to start this business. Running your own home based-photography business from home is the easiest thing to do to generate extra income, and almost anyone can do it.

Here is a list of things - or let's call it "equipment" for the sake of sounding more corporate - that you will need to start your own photography business:

1. Camera: It doesn't have to be a high end 15 megapixel camera to start with. It can be any camera, even the one-time use-and-throw ones that you can get at any Walgreen or Rite Aid store. If you're wondering how a cheap Walgreen camera can help you start a home-based photography business, read on and you'll soon find out.

2. Good Imaging software: Any camera will do the works if you have really good digital imaging software. You've probably heard of quite a few of those already, and if not, then you've probably heard of software like Adobe Photoshop and the like. That's the kind of digital imaging software that I'm talking about. If you have something like Adobe Photoshop (or another "good" imaging software), then you can even do without a good camera (now you see why even a cheap Walgreen's camera works, right?).

3. Taking Pictures: There are two things you must know (and if you don't already know these, then you must learn them) in order to run a successful photography business from home. The first one is a no-brainer: You have to know how to use a camera. You don't have to be a great photographer to start your own photography business, but you should how to hold a camera and take a photograph.

Clicking your way through the camera will work ninety percent of the time, even if it's your first time with a camera. All you have to do is snap the picture and then use your Imaging software to edit it, removing minor imperfections and improving the picture quality. This is the second thing that you must know: How to use your Imaging software. It doesn't matter what object or person you are taking a picture of; it's your choice - you can choose to photograph anything that you think will make a good picture.

4. Digital Picture Scanner [optional]: This one is optional if you own a digital camera with picture-transfer capabilities. If you don't have a camera that can transfer pictures to your PC or other devices, or if you have one of the traditional film cameras, then you will need a digital scanner to make digital copies of your photographs that can be edited using your Imaging software. The scanner is not required if you're a photographer and can be sure the photographs you take will come out perfectly and not need editing.

So, with only a camera and good digital imaging software, you can start your own home-based photography business in no time and without investing a large sum of money. And who knows, with the right kind of publishing and advertising, you might be the next big thing in the world of photography!"

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I am sorry if I'm bursting the bubble of anyone who read the article above and is now thinking of starting a home-based photography business. BUT PHOTOGRAPHY AS A PROFESSION IS A 24/7 OCCUPATION.  IT'S FULL OF HARD WORK AND, YES, SUFFERING.  Professional photography requires the same degree of training, experience, professional grade equipment, customer service and dedication as any other small business -- not to mention the need for a sense of the artistic. As a profession, it is never-ending work, precarious and fiercely competitive.

That, my young entrepreneur, does NOT happen overnight or with a disposable Walgreens' camera.

Of course, none of these "tips" include the fact that photographers must also master the "business of conducting business" and the laws that apply.

Not recognizing these realities is an insult to working pros and just plain "bad advice" for those seeking to start a new business.  Making a career decision that has family and financial well-being implications based on this guidance could be disastrous.  Apparently, the most important consideration for sites offering this type of uninformed and irresponsible advice is the Click Rate necessary to attract advertisers -- not accuracy and truth in journalism.

Next month:  "The newest fun and easy home-based business requiring only common garden and kitchen utensils -- Brain Surgery."