Are you interested in pursuing photography as a possible career? If so, what has been holding you back?

Andy Kemmis — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:48:30 -0400

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Apr 26 at 2017 11:54 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:54:22 -0400

Andy Kemmis:
I already am pursuing my photography career!
Nothing is holding me back!
Have a WONDROUS day!
-Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army (Ret)

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 26 at 2017 11:55 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:55:33 -0400

I would enjoy doing it as a more serious hobby. What's holding me back is that I need to learn a lot more skills-wise including editing the images etc after I take them.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Apr 26 at 2017 12:00 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:00:07 -0400

Career? No. Hobby? Yes. When I retire maybe get into it more. I've been interested in photography since I was kid. I thought about getting a degree in photojournalism but I couldn't afford the camera. So just journalism.
I have no time for it now and no money to buy a professional camera so I do what I can with the digital camera my mom got me last year and has some different effects features on it.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 26 at 2017 12:01 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:01:29 -0400

I wrote for the photo industry for a time. I created advertising and instructional materials for Vivitar when it was the leader in electronic flash photography and its Series 1 lenses were superior to those produced and sold by the name brands. I had the opportunity of working with some of the best photographers who were engaged to provide visuals for my publications. The simple fact is that photography is one of those "skills" that people can imitate with or without talent. (Well, except for my brother. He could photograph a group of people and be lucky to get just a couple in frame) And like other talents, friends and family will lie about a person's talent to avoid conflict (ever notice how surprised some are on singing competitions when the judges tell them they can't sing?). So what's holding you back? The fact is that you won't know until you try. It takes courage to put your work out there and wait for the criticism to begin flowing. Maybe you have talent. Maybe you don't. You won't know until you take the chance. Always remember that famous (or infamous) piece of advice: Feint heart never won fair damsel. Well, that goes for all kinds of prizes. Just don't quit your day job until you've tested the market and your talent. Also, it doesn't take the most expensive equipment to give it a go. An expensive camera and computer can't make a professional photographer out of an untalented person (like my brother).

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 12:19 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:19:13 -0400

opportunities to build my experience and a fantastic portfolio.

Response by SPC Brett Young made Apr 26 at 2017 2:06 PM

SPC Brett Young — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 14:06:22 -0400

For me it's me. If I would spend more time out shooting I could do it. I've done engagement photos for a friend. Thought they turned out good. Taken with D7100 with Nikon 35mm f1.4 g

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 2:24 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 14:24:01 -0400

I possess a Bachelors of Science in Photography from Sam Houston State University. I primarily worked in the alternative process to include, tin types, albumin, gum bichromate, etc. I definitely prefer dark room work over digital but I am a rarity. I also spent a lot of time shooting large format which I still don't believe digital can touch in quality.

Saying all that, I do shoot digitally as a hobby. I am drawn mostly to nature work but have also spent a fair amount of time photographing street life and architecture. Photography fits my personality well and I think much of my personality is showcased in my work.

I am a Public Affairs Officer for the Army Reserve and currently assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; therefore I get the opportunity to photograph various Army Corps projects and events for the office.

Just curious, but is RMSP looking for professors or other faculty?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 3:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:02:54 -0400

Right now, I just don't have the time or resources to expand outside of a hobby. It will be easier to make the shift once my husband and I are co-located.

I already have a decent portfolio in equine photography, but I need to make it stronger by adding a variety outside of rescue horses and an indoor rodeo. I'll be working with my new trainer to get out and start building a good base for model calls and clients. Unfortunately, the lifestyle that I want to photograph isn't common where I'm currently located and it's just not in the cards that a relocation to the midwest is feasible.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Apr 26 at 2017 3:14 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:14:13 -0400

Today, I shoot what I want to shoot, not what I'm directed to shoot. The single biggest mistake the Air Force made was merging the still photographer AFSC with the journalist AFSC. Based on what I see coming out of the various outlets, the quality of AF photography is suffering big time. In my day, we treated PA as the enemy. PA always came up with stupid requests or jobs that portrayed the AF in the best possible light, instead of documentary imagery that told the true story. If I had a dime for every time I killed PA requests I'd be a rich man. Once we went digital back in 93, it was simple to meet PA requests because our imagery was online on our own server. They could download the images they needed.
I don't earn my living today with a camera, but whenever I'm approached for different photographic requests, I usually end up doing them. People today in the digital age think they're professionals because they can push a shutter release. I can totally relate to what I read earlier about using a 4x5 to shoot with. If up to me, I never would have gone digital, I too am a purist. But realistically, meeting peoples' requests can't be satisfied with a single 4x5 Chrome that the customer takes to a specialized print house to be printed. While assigned to Edwards AFB back in the late 80s, I shot most everything with a Hasselblad 500 CM on VPS III. Carrying my daily kit was cool with a 45mm, 85mm, 150mm, and 3 backs. Some of the images I produced were stunning. Ahh but I can't afford to sit pondering the past. Today I'm shooting on Olympus m4/3 with a bunch of lenses, a White Lightning 4 head 800 WS studio lighting system, simple stuff!.

Response by SPC Johnney Abbott made Apr 26 at 2017 6:05 PM

SPC Johnney Abbott — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 18:05:16 -0400

Some days I'm really into it. Then some days I'm so tired of tech I want to go live in a cave.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Apr 27 at 2017 12:48 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 00:48:54 -0400

It would be a fun hobby for me however, I just don't dedicate time to it as much as I would like to these days while I'm still serving. I have a good friend who takes photos of the mountains, rivers, lakes, etc. and has done it for years. Maybe one day but it would just be for fun and not a career job. I do enjoy sight seeing when I can.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 11:18 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 11:18:20 -0400

I have learned a lot over the years, even more so in the last few. A goal of mine is definitely to have a part time business or something more. Id love to be in the industry to learn more and build experience. I would say sometimes a big hold back is confidence in the work produced and what genre would I actually enjoy. Also not knowing how to handle all lighting situations and/ or challenges. The personal question of is it good enough? We are our own worse critic though. I have done a few jobs when people ask, both for a fee and for fun. I continuously try and shoot new thing but mostly the things I enjoy.