Need professional/retired PJ help

[gc_hk]

<p>I have never taken any formal college photography courses. I started taking

pictures with a simple Canon AE-1P in Nov 2002. During the years, I have

upgraded from manual to auto-focus SLR and finally digital slr (4x5, too!). I

didn't think that I would go into the field, anything dealing with photography

as full time, I started off as an electrical engineering, and soon found I

wouldn't able to pass all those engineering math courses, so I changed my major

to engineering sciences. I have 1 more year to go and I am done.</p>

<p> Not long ago, I saw the AP internship on its site:</p>

<p><em>Photo Internship Program </p>

<p>WHAT IS IT?<br>

A highly selective, 12-week, individually tailored training

program for students who are aspiring photojournalists or

photo editors.<br>

<br>

AM I ELIGIBLE?<br>

The internship is open to full-time juniors, seniors (including

fall 2006 graduates) and graduate students at American colleges

and universities. <br>

The rest is on here: <a href="http://www.ap.org/apjobs/internship.html#Photo"

target="_blank">AP site</a></em> </p>

<p>This internship opportunity is so appealing, this is something I am dying to

do! <br>

I have been taking pictures for my colleges and universities. These are some

of my recent work: <a href="http://www.400d.com/ref"

target="_blank">www.400d.com/ref</a><br>

I would like someone give me some direction on approaching this internship

application and the portfolio, also criticizing my work, so I know what to

choose from. I know the work I have doesn't have the quality to be in my

portfolio, I still have about 2 months to go out and get some work done. It will

probably take 2-3 months for the process, I would really appreciate if anyone

can help me on this (over email or instant messengers), geez I am desperated! I

have asked a retired photojournalist and another full time professional

photojournalist for this, and both of them ignored me -_-"

<p>Thank you so much!

[bobmichaels]

I hate to sound disolusioning but........

 

I recently reviewed the portfolios of some applying for an entry level photographer position at a nearby daily with a circulation of 100,000. Now this paper has a rep for a very good photo dept but there was a large number of extremely talented people. To say the competition was intense would be an understatement. The head of the photo department agreed with my assessment.

 

And their portfolios were not put together in a few months. These were pj majors who had shot almost full time for years with some very good tutoring the whole time.

[gc_hk]

So in other words, just give up and pretend it's something I haven't seen?

 

I know you are just keeping it real. Thanks for your comment!

[Aoresteen]

GC

 

What's stopping you? The worst that they can say is no.

 

Apply for it!

[nolefan32]

I agree with Anthony -- the worst that can happen is they'll say no, but they might just say yes.

 

However, Bob does make a point in that these internships are extremely competitive. It's entirely probable that all you'll get out of this experience is a chance to put together your portfolio for true scrutiny, and as such, will have to spend some time scrutinizing your own work. If that is all you get out of it, it is something, though, and even that much should be worthy of trying to put together the best application package you possibly can.

[tim_gruber]

If you're going to give up after one simple reply than yes you're probably better off not

applying. The field is extremely competetive and like all of us you'll probably face recjection

somwhere along the way. It'll also take far more than 2-3 months to build a portfolio. I've

been working on it now for roughly 2 years and still consider my portfolio to be rather weak.

Good luck.

[gc_hk]

I was being sarcastic.

 

I know couple months are nothing compare to the guys out there spending years on their portfolio.

 

I would start off a lot earlier if I saw it 3 years ago.

 

So would any one of you help me out, like an advisor? I have no $ to pay :S

[john_stafford2]

A friend of mine worked until recently for a major, major west/midwest daily newspaper. Occasionally the paper will send a potential intern, or PJ student with a photographer for a day so that the student can see what it's like.

 

Generally, the students become disheartened. They did not realize how much of it is donkey work, and how much of the work is thrown away by the next edition.

 

Anyway, if you can look into your local paper and see if they would let you ride along you might have a new perspective... and get their attention.

[kgarlock]

I realize this is old, but I've recently subscribed to the national press photographers association and they offer a list of people willing to mentor students. You have to pay the $65 and become a member, but it's very well worth it. Just a helpful suggestion for any other students out there.