Amateur or professional Elliott Erwitt described himself as “a professional photographer by trade and an amateur photographer by vocation.” Nearly every professional photographer starts out as an amateur. The word “amateur” itself is rooted in the Latin word “amator”, which means “lover.” Amateurs are driven by a passion and love for photography, taking pictures for … 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
Digital photography was a revolution at the turn of the century. To help professional photographers, and their clients, in the transition from film, several Australian photographers banded together to create a set of digital photography guidelines. Working independently, and members of the Society of Australian Commercial & Media Photographers (ACMP), William Long, Robert Edwards, Murray … Read more
Almost twenty years later, I’m again being asked to help with how to set up a professional photography workflow. Some context In the early noughties the move from film (I dislike the word analog) to digital photography introduced many challenges. Especially for professional photographers earning their living with the new medium. How we captured images, … Read more
Navigating the Learning Curve in Photography In the dynamic world of photography, the adage “fake it till you make it” takes on a unique significance. Many photographers have found themselves in situations where they accepted jobs that stretched their expertise to its limits, all in the pursuit of growth and new experiences. This approach, while … Read more
As someone who has been in the commercial photography industry for over 20 years, I have been asked many times if experience really counts. It’s a question that I’ve asked myself many times throughout my career. When I was younger, I was more naive and didn’t fully understand the industry. Back then, I may have … Read more
Professional photographers know that editing can make all the difference in a photograph, and with the right tools, you can edit your iPhone (and Android) photos to better communicate with your audience. While Photoshop is the go-to software for professional photographers, there are many apps and tools available that allow you to do simple edits … Read more
Photography is an art that requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and patience. Many people believe that making a good photograph is as simple as pressing a button on a camera, but in reality, it takes much more than that. Professional photography, in particular, is a complex and time-consuming process that requires meticulous planning, … Read more
In two weeks on 12 October, Standards Australia will celebrate its centenary. For 100 years committees of industry professionals and Standards Australia staff have worked together to create standards that Australians benefit from every day. Standards Australia liaise closely with equivalent associations across the world within ISO, the International Organization for Standardization. Australian experts have … Read more
A great number of the people I photograph have occupational or professional skills qualifications. Most of my clients have a degree in one of the humanities. Many subjects and clients studied a mixture of both at university. STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics have been a focus and STEM is still a buzzword in education. … Read more