Staying Passionate and Be Inspired

Everyone is a photographer thanks to the prevalence of digital camera devices, accessible post production tools and easy photo sharing. Facebook is the largest holder of photographs (60 billion), with over 800 users worldwide.  That said, we know that photographs are being shared, viewed, downloaded and distributed more than ever before.  Thus, now more than ever, there is a need for a cohesive understanding of photographic visual culture and language.  While many photographers are self taught – a formal education can allow a professional honing of craft as well as an opportunity to delve into the historical and theoretical basis of photographic visual cultural which in turn informs smart, good quality work of ones own.

As with any career, being dedicated and passionate is important. Our industry advisers confirm this, as well as many successful photographers like Chase Jarvis above. In  Jeff Curto’s podcast “Camera Position”, Mary Virginia Swanson, photography consultant, says technique is not enough. She says that making work you care about and that you have a personal connection with is a must for capturing the viewer and going beyond aesthetic technique.

To keep current with your passion and your field, look at a lot of photographs,  join professional organizations, seek continuing education and keep tabs on the career outlooks in Photography. Professional organizations are listed on the left side of Prof. Erika Gentry’s Education Blog, as well as links to many inspiring image maker works. While employment of photographers is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations, so is the interest in Photography as a career. Your craft, business skills and hard work will be needed to set you apart from the rest! To enhance your skills be sure to register for Fall classes, which start August 15.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics :

“Employment of photographers is expected to grow 12 percent over the 2008-18 period, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for portrait photographers should increase as the population grows. Moreover, growth of Internet versions of magazines, journals, and newspapers will require increasing numbers of commercial photographers to provide digital images. The Internet and improved data management programs also should make it easier for freelancers to market directly to their customers, increasing opportunities for self-employment and decreasing reliance on stock photo agencies..Job growth, however, will be constrained somewhat by the widespread use of digital photography and the falling price of digital equipment. Improvements in digital technology reduce barriers of entry into this profession and allow more individual consumers and businesses to produce, store, and access photographic images on their own.”

A Day in the Life of a Lighting Student

Student Tiago Pinto Russo made this fun clip of CCSF Photography Students at work in his lighting class a while back.