Any professional photographers here?

[BUBS]

just wondering if there are any professional photographers that are on this site. i've been taking some classes at my college and i'm thinking that it could be a cool way to get money on the side. would like to take pics of cars and whatnot for websites and magazines. even weddings and other events would be chill. any help or push in the right direction would be rad.

[direktdrive]

just wondering if there are any professional photographers that are on this site. i've been taking some classes at my college and i'm thinking that it could be a cool way to get money on the side. would like to take pics of cars and whatnot for websites and magazines. even weddings and other events would be chill. any help or push in the right direction would be rad.

Sup BUBS. I don't consider myself professional, but I'm very familiar with photography. Though, I don't get paid for what I do, I know a thing or two about shooting cars and models. Plus, I'm in the process of building my own website publication. So here is my advice as a fellow photographer.

1) Patience
Take your time and build your portfolio. Magazines and sites take your portfolio into consideration. There are a lot of photographers out there, so to be the best, you need to stand out. Try to shoot for perfection and be unique.

2) Network
This is very important and it well help you build your credibility. I might be lucky, but over the summer, I managed to meet some of the best photographers through networking. For example, through Geoff Pitts of Thunder Drift, I had the pleasure of meeting Antonio Alvendia from MotorMavens. Also I've networked with some legitimate photographers from the UK because of my website.

3) In it for the money?
If this is what you desire, and by all means there's nothing wrong with it, then showcase your work. Advertise yourself. Whether it be on a social networking sites, classified ads or even here on the forums. But keep in mind, people pay for quality. So do your best to stand out. And if you'd like to work for a site or magazine. Contact them. I'm pretty sure they have job listings.

I wish you the best of luck.
- Mike

[BUBS]

that's pretty helpful. and I do it for the art mostly, not so much the money. i do film photography and print my own stuff. i know i'll need a digital for more professional approach to photography. but yeah i'm thinking of starting a blog type site and just scan my prints on it and on flickr. i'm not trying to get money out of it soon i'm just trying to figure out how to get there in the distant future. for now i'm trying to do it as a hobby while i get better at it.

do you think i should switch to Digital SLRs if i want to go in that direction? or if i get good with film slr's would I just naturally get good quick with a DSLR?

[direktdrive]

that's pretty helpful. and I do it for the art mostly, not so much the money. i do film photography and print my own stuff. i know i'll need a digital for more professional approach to photography. but yeah i'm thinking of starting a blog type site and just scan my prints on it and on flickr. i'm not trying to get money out of it soon i'm just trying to figure out how to get there in the distant future. for now i'm trying to do it as a hobby while i get better at it.

do you think i should switch to Digital SLRs if i want to go in that direction? or if i get good with film slr's would I just naturally get good quick with a DSLR?

Get a DSLR from the start. This will save you time and money. I too shoot film, but that's just for fun. It's difficult shooting action/drifting shots with film. It may feel like cheating, but DSLRs can take a huge load off the photographer with its auto-focus capabilities. And, I felt the same way when I switched over. Plus with digital, you can continuously shoot. No need to worry about purchasing film roll.

With purchasing a DSLR, make sure you read the reviews. Don't opt for a camera that won't deliver. I currently use a Nikon D80 and, though it may be mid-range and outdated, it still delivers. So yea, just look around online, look at consumer reports or even ask me about camera selection. I'm familiar with the Nikon/Canon camera line, so ask away.

Also, get a Flickr pro account if you haven't. It's such an easy way to keep your portfolio organized.

If you have any more questions, keep asking away! I don't mind answering and helping out.

[Ceepo]

Get a premium membership and check out the premium member section, they have some photography threads inside :D worth it :D alot of good info and cool guys :D

[BUBS]

Get a premium membership and check out the premium member section, they have some photography threads inside :D worth it :D alot of good info and cool guys :D

thanks i'll check that out whenever i can get a premium membership.

Get a DSLR from the start. This will save you time and money. I too shoot film, but that's just for fun...

yeah i figured it would be hard to take moving shots with them so i thought taking black n white film pictures of classic cars would be a rad way to start. i'm sure some retro dudes would love that haha. i appreciate that insight though. i'm pretty broke right now trying to pay for books and shit, whenever i get a job i'll make sure to research different DSLRs and invest in a good one.

Also, get a Flickr pro account if you haven't. It's such an easy way to keep your portfolio organized.

If you have any more questions, keep asking away! I don't mind answering and helping out.

again, i'm broke lol. i just have a regular account and i'm not looking to have a great portfolio just yet, just wanna have a way for people to see my progress as a novice photographer. and thanks. you ever travel down to socal?

[direktdrive]

Hey BUBS. I only travel down to Socal for big events. Actually, I'm still waiting for word on my media pass application for Formula Drift at Irwindale. Whether I get my pass or not, I'll still be attending this event. However, since FD at Irwindale has strict security, I'm pretty sure they won't let me bring my gear in without a pass. Regardless, I'll shoot with whatever I have.

Btw, if you're on Flickr, hit me up and add me as a contact. I'd love to see your progress and work.
Flickr: mjcabuco's Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjcabuco/)

[MWH_Photo]

Direktdrive covered just about everything you need to work at to be successful, but I'll cover another end..

I don't shoot professionally anymore, and I'm not sure how serious you are about doing other events like weddings, (as you were talking about) but if you do.. cover your end as much as possible. This means contracts, insurance, second shooters ect.

I know you were just saying there is a chance you'd do events like weddings, but when you get into things like that (quinceaneras, corperate partys, HS Senior Photos) there are a ton of things that can screw you over if you don't cover your end of things.

I doubt there are many issues that you'll run into if you go into shooting cars, especially if you network well like direktdrive was talking about, but I just wanted to give you a heads up if you decide to branch off and try some other things. You can PM me too if your seriously thinking about it and want some more info.

I'll be at Formula D in Irwindale with my fiance on saturday. I was planning on bringing my DLSR though. It's nothing special anymore since I sold most of my stuff after I finished off my buisiness, but do they really restrict cameras? I saw something about video cameras, but I didn't notice anything about "cameras with detachable lenses" It's just a 20D with a 24-70 2.8 but I'd hate to bring it and end up having to run back and throw it in the car..

I'll be there all day saturday so if anyone wants to meet up just hit me up. It'd be cool to learn more about shooting cars.. I can never get the lighting to mesh well with the reflections and everything.

[direktdrive]

I'll be at Formula D in Irwindale with my fiance on saturday. I was planning on bringing my DLSR though. It's nothing special anymore since I sold most of my stuff after I finished off my buisiness, but do they really restrict cameras? I saw something about video cameras, but I didn't notice anything about "cameras with detachable lenses" It's just a 20D with a 24-70 2.8 but I'd hate to bring it and end up having to run back and throw it in the car..

I'll be there all day saturday so if anyone wants to meet up just hit me up. It'd be cool to learn more about shooting cars.. I can never get the lighting to mesh well with the reflections and everything.

Sup MWH_Photo. Well, a couple of years back, they were strict on the type of lens equipment. They restricted certain focal lengths. For example if I got caught with my 70-200mm lens, they might turn me back. However, if it's 24-70mm, I don't think there should be any problems. Still though, just give it a shot and they probably won't turn you back.

But good news everybody...I GOT A MEDIA PASS! haha. So any of you coming out on Saturday feel free to introduce yourselves, that includes you MWH_Photo! haha. I'll be wearing a black Thunder Drift staff tee with a nifty FD media pass vest. yes. it's about time I wore that vest! lol.

[MWH_Photo]

Congrats man,

Looking forward to seeing your shots!

Thanks for the heads up on the lenses. I really only want to get some shots of the Fatlace show, not going to bother shooting the event from behind that fence haha.

Can't decide on my wide-angle or standard lens..

I'll definatly be looking out for you saturday tho man, good luck out there!

..you can call me Mike by the way tho.. lol

[direktdrive]

yea thanks. and just in case I haven't thrown my name out there...my name is mike as well! haha.

standard lens you mean prime?

either way, i'd try to get something around 24-70mm. I swear, Saturday is going to be packed. lol. Aside from dodging other spectators and what not, I think that range should be perfect for mobility and getting clean shots.