art_haykin

You've pretty well named the good spots, but you might add the Watts Towers, Rodeo Drive, Griffith Park, Olevera Street,

Chinatown, Echo Park, and Little Tokyo.

Those goodies will probably stay in Mongolia indefinitely, sad to say.

Your initial order could run as high as $100,000.00! on each brand.

Henri Cartier-Bresson did essentially the same thing for about 50 years, as did Atget

and Arbus and Weegee, et al, but I don't recall their being criticized. Why do you

suppose this is?

I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined what I thought was merely interesting and

benign would elicit such a varied response. After nearly a decade, I've largely

abandoned PN as I find it far less interesting than in the early years, but will still check

in now and again, and will submit things I find interesting. Add to that, at nearly 80, and

in failing health, I seek distractions elsewhere, and will try to have some fun with my

first little digital camera and my brand new 20 inch iMac Desktop. My best to all...Art

Check this out:

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkIWW6vwrvM

craigslist

What does the course cost?

f8 and be there!-!-! Wonder what the knee pads are for?

Historically, few shooters have made a significant portion of their income from stock houses, with few notable exceptions, and especially with something with as much special interest as constrution shots. And virtually NO stock houses pay "big bucks" for any image.

 

You might do better with construction type publications.

 

Also consider, that a stock house which might accept your images will want HUNDRERDS of them, with new ones ongoing all the time.

 

While your posted shot is technically good enough, it is unremarkable. As a VERY young shooter, I did similar things, and everyone "Oh'd" and "Ah'd" but few offered to buy. Don't forget, there ZILLIONS of photos for us to view free of any charge, and on a daily basis, and it's usually for practical use that an individual or firm will pay for an image, and that's usually for publication. But what do I know?

Select those that you especially like and ask for the photo editor. But, don't get your hopes up too high. Shooting food is especially painstaking and labor intensive, so you best have a dynamite

portfolio and be prepared for a personal interview.

A polarizing filter does NOT cut off reflection, it helps to reduce GLARE, which is different. READ THE LITERATURE!

There is no accounting for taste, said the tourist when he saw an Arab kiss his camel.

A pretty seedy shot.

This, too, is an old ploy,and sounds like a scam. Stick to your fee!

This marketing ploy is as old as water, and a legit studio WILL do a sitting, show proofs, and give you a small free print if you do not order. Here is where they rely on a strong sales staff. It's called "Kidnapping."

I have been responding to Nigerian 419 Advance Fee scams for about 8 years. These include phony lotteries, unearthed treasures of cash, gold, and gems, and dying widows who want to see that their late husband's millions find their way into charities to do Christ's work.

 

I responed with feigned, naive interest

and begin, usually, a prolonged exchange of emails as we dicker about my share and the method of delivery of the fortune. My personal record is over 100 exchanges as I led the greedy spammer down the primrose path. It's a LOT of fun! The scam is that you must pay certain fees up front to some security or delivery service to receive your check. They usually ask for between $500.00 to around $3,000.00. My record is $25,000.00, and I bargained him down to $350.00 which I promptly wired via Western Union. Of course, he never got the wire, and that's when the fun really begins. Details on request.

 

TheArt@WebTv.Net

Have you really surveyed and assessed the nature photo market? You'd better do so. Nature and 'creative' or 'fine art' photography are not exactly the hottest items in today's economy, and aren't (usually) in a good economy. Event photography is a far better choice.

Do you mean in person, or via email?

Fine art photography, or

"creative," or "photography for its own sake" is usually

marketed in two ways:

(1) Get your images accepted by a good gallery and let them handle the sales.

 

(2) Do it yourself via a website or person-to- person sales at fairs, craftshows and at other local gatherings where people congregate. Some shooters set up displays

on parking lots and sidewalks on nice days.

 

Minimally, you should have a GOOD selection, usually a general theme

(nature, architecture,

people, animals, etc.),

and at least 30 to 40 examples.

 

The 3 you show as "A complete gallery on one page" barely qualify, in my view.

 

So called "Fine art" work is the hardest of all fields to crack, trust me, and your stuff MUST be exceptional, have a distinct impact, and be offered in a persuavive manner. Snapshots rarely do well.

 

You seem to prefer "street photography," so look up the masters for ideas.

 

Meanwhile, don't quit your day job.

Digital IS instant photography, even faster than Polaroid.

In the American Virgin Islands, you'd have no problems, but most foreign countries require you to get a work visa. But don't quit your day job, with the shape the world economy is in right now,

you'd have a tough row to hoe.

To shoot children in foreign countries, it seems to me that you'd have to travel there, unless the clients are willing to travel to India, which seems unlikely. Isn't there a good market for children photography in India?

 

What kind of photos do you want to shoot for stock agencies? You know that most agencies pay VERY little money.

Always go to a reliable source for answers. There are no secrets. All in business must pay federal and local taxes, so secure a GOOD accountant. Only a fool of a photographer would operate without adequate insurance, so consult with a saavy insurance broker. He or she can also tell you of your chances of being sued. Remember, good business skills and understanding are more important than photo skills.

Being a totally unregulated profession, requiring no degrees, diplomas, or certificates, photography is open to ANYONE with a camera. What ARE required, however, is the skill of the craft, a goal, some very sound business

acumen, and the few licenses and permits envoked by local governments. In my view, it would be ideal if you could tie in photography with your sociology in some way. Common to most successful pros are determination, ambition,

skill, and the gift of problem solving. Absent these, and you haven't a prayer.