Twenty-five years ago, I invested in a Nikon D1, the first “affordable” professional digital camera. Before owning the D1, I would occasionally rent Kodak digital cameras when their benefits outweighed the cost of shooting on film. As we entered the new millennium, digital photography started to surpass film in practicality for my corporate and editorial … Read more
Digital imaging has revolutionised photography, making it more accessible and user-friendly. Collaboration between creatives and Big Tech companies has fostered innovation, but the relationship is weakening due to a shift in focus towards influencers and a lack of respect for creatives and copyright principles. Despite this, AI has the potential to enhance creativity and productivity, … Read more
Short answer: no. Professional photography can be learnt on-the-job, through trial and error. However that’s at the expense of clients or employers, until you learn the ropes of both business and photography. Doing photography as a profession differs from a hobby. Your client dictates what is required, and you need to be able to produce … Read more
As visual medium, photography relies heavily on the user experience. As a business, photography relies a lot on your client’s user experience. In both cases the outcome is the same, it’s all about the human experience. You can’t get away from it, photographers are visual people. It’s how we communicate and interact with the world. … Read more
A common question for professional photographers is, “What is your day rate?” Although photographers are often reluctant to discuss day rates, the reality is that clients pay for their time. Day rates originated in editorial photography, particularly for magazines and newspapers. These rates were established by the media companies or their unions, covering a day’s … Read more
Photography has a mixed history regarding trust. On one hand, it’s used as evidence in court; on the other, people often assume every image is “Photoshopped.” The media has long upheld standards to ensure trust in photojournalism, yet it is frequently accused of spreading fake news. Professional photographers, like any business, depend on clients’ trust. … Read more
As a professional photographer, I’ve come to realise there are two distinct types of photographers. One starts with a blank canvas, carefully crafting an image from the ground up in a controlled studio setting. The other type, which includes myself, is thrown into dynamic, cluttered environments, thriving by transforming chaos into compelling visuals. I don’t … Read more
In the early 1990s, I came across a photography book titled, ‘My Mamiya made me a Million’ by Keith Cogman. It offered a unique perspective on running a successful photography business. Cogman attributed a million UK Pounds in sales to his Mamiya, a renowned brand in the medium format cameras. As the Mamiya RZ67 was … Read more
Often said in jest, I sometimes hear the phrase, “You must have a good camera!” when someone views the image on the back of my camera. It implies that the quality of the images is solely due to the camera itself, without taking the photographer’s skill into account. It reminds me of the story about … Read more
People remember film with romanticism. I understand that. The photo below is of my grandparents. I never met my grandfather, whom I’m named after. When I view the original slide I know the light that reflected off my grandfather, through the camera lens, touched the film I now hold in my hand. I went onto … Read more