Its Only 365 Days
181/365: TERRIBLE PHOTOGRAPHERS
29 JUNE 14
I went online to Craigslist today to try and see if I could find a legit wedding photographer. No, I am not getting married, but I wanted to see what people who claim to be photographers post in there. It didn't take long before I was extremely disappointed. I know in life that everyone needs a break. I am a firm believer in giving people a chance, but those people need to be those that have truly put in the time and effort, but maybe just haven't gotten that break.
So here is what I found. I found one photographer who had clearly used images from a better photographer as his postcard collage of wedding photos. When I went through to his webpage, I kid you not, every single image of the bride, groom, family, friends only existed from the waist up. It's as if he couldn't figure out how to do portrait photos by turning the camera, but instead every image was landscape. The pictures weren't bad, but they were basic at best. There was nothing special to them, no real editing that I could detect until in the slideshow there was one image of a gazebo in the background, and the bride and groom walking back down the isle where he's seen fit to add a fake sun flare most likely from photoshop elements. He added it right at the top of the gazebo, as if it were the star on a Christmas tree. It was (pun intended) glaringly obvious it was fake because the time of day was late afternoon on a cloudy day as there weren't any real shadows about the guests at all. He was charging 499 for his services.
The second one I found really had no grasp of lighting. All the guests, the bride, groom, were shot in midday which wasn't the photogs fault but his attempt to get them under shade was pretty rough. There were shadows from the trees above that made for splotchy faces and dress clothes. His next attempt at good shots, was right out there on the front lawn, but you know what you get midday---raccoon eyes.
The third photog was Mr. Flash. Every shot had that dead skin tone look of using an on camera flash. It really reminds one of the old disposable cameras.
It is absolutely true that in between the rubble out there, you can find a gem. You can find someone starting out, who's done their homework, and maybe it's a hobby for them, who cares, but as a photographer, you should not want to sign your name to anything that isn't of worth, that isn't done with 100% care, which isn't well edited, etc. The problem is, as we all know, you have people who assume they have a camera in their hands and as long as they can autofocus, they will do well and you always will have people who don't care about a good edit, or about someone who can handle tough lightening and will book because they don't want to spent a cent over 200$ on photography. You get what you pay for. Some people will be happy with this junk and others who've seen their best friends wedding albums will wish they spent more on the photography and less on their wedding flowers.
I've done two weddings myself and they are the reason I don't do weddings. I am no fan of the, this is the only moment this will ever happen vibe or of family members who aren't paying for my services barking orders at me about who to shoot and when, when I clearly have a schedule and shooting order from the bride and groom. Neither were fun experiences, and I left really stressed. I prefer the much more intimate experience of portrait photography. I love and crave that interaction between myself and my client or clients. I make it a habit to leave them feeling good and knowing that they trust me to shove a camera in their face and not have them looking crazy, but again, I wouldn't do it, or sign my name to it, if what I was doing was crap. I have put in many (wo)man hours, and worked on honing my craft, and have been no stranger to getting help or advice from older or more seasoned photographers. When you are humble enough to hear criticism and to hear advice, and are willing to admit you don't know everything, there is a chance for you to become a good photographer.
181/365: TERRIBLE PHOTOGRAPHERS
29 JUNE 14
I went online to Craigslist today to try and see if I could find a legit wedding photographer. No, I am not getting married, but I wanted to see what people who claim to be photographers post in there. It didn't take long before I was extremely disappointed. I know in life that everyone needs a break. I am a firm believer in giving people a chance, but those people need to be those that have truly put in the time and effort, but maybe just haven't gotten that break.
So here is what I found. I found one photographer who had clearly used images from a better photographer as his postcard collage of wedding photos. When I went through to his webpage, I kid you not, every single image of the bride, groom, family, friends only existed from the waist up. It's as if he couldn't figure out how to do portrait photos by turning the camera, but instead every image was landscape. The pictures weren't bad, but they were basic at best. There was nothing special to them, no real editing that I could detect until in the slideshow there was one image of a gazebo in the background, and the bride and groom walking back down the isle where he's seen fit to add a fake sun flare most likely from photoshop elements. He added it right at the top of the gazebo, as if it were the star on a Christmas tree. It was (pun intended) glaringly obvious it was fake because the time of day was late afternoon on a cloudy day as there weren't any real shadows about the guests at all. He was charging 499 for his services.
The second one I found really had no grasp of lighting. All the guests, the bride, groom, were shot in midday which wasn't the photogs fault but his attempt to get them under shade was pretty rough. There were shadows from the trees above that made for splotchy faces and dress clothes. His next attempt at good shots, was right out there on the front lawn, but you know what you get midday---raccoon eyes.
The third photog was Mr. Flash. Every shot had that dead skin tone look of using an on camera flash. It really reminds one of the old disposable cameras.
It is absolutely true that in between the rubble out there, you can find a gem. You can find someone starting out, who's done their homework, and maybe it's a hobby for them, who cares, but as a photographer, you should not want to sign your name to anything that isn't of worth, that isn't done with 100% care, which isn't well edited, etc. The problem is, as we all know, you have people who assume they have a camera in their hands and as long as they can autofocus, they will do well and you always will have people who don't care about a good edit, or about someone who can handle tough lightening and will book because they don't want to spent a cent over 200$ on photography. You get what you pay for. Some people will be happy with this junk and others who've seen their best friends wedding albums will wish they spent more on the photography and less on their wedding flowers.
I've done two weddings myself and they are the reason I don't do weddings. I am no fan of the, this is the only moment this will ever happen vibe or of family members who aren't paying for my services barking orders at me about who to shoot and when, when I clearly have a schedule and shooting order from the bride and groom. Neither were fun experiences, and I left really stressed. I prefer the much more intimate experience of portrait photography. I love and crave that interaction between myself and my client or clients. I make it a habit to leave them feeling good and knowing that they trust me to shove a camera in their face and not have them looking crazy, but again, I wouldn't do it, or sign my name to it, if what I was doing was crap. I have put in many (wo)man hours, and worked on honing my craft, and have been no stranger to getting help or advice from older or more seasoned photographers. When you are humble enough to hear criticism and to hear advice, and are willing to admit you don't know everything, there is a chance for you to become a good photographer.