Some times I reflect back on where I came from in photography and wonder, "what if" I had this or that? Where would my skills and business sense be today?
When I finally decided to take photography classes at the local college and then at a well named school in upstate NY I thought, all I have to do is get through this. Then they all said go assist a professional photographer in NYC, if you are serious. But I also heard, forget assisting just go for it!
For the photographer not living in or near NYC who is wanting to learn more, not at the expense of his clients and ultimately his business. What other higher learning options did I have back in the 90's?
Fast forward, the higher learning/real world options are pretty much the same plus now you have YouTube Channels. Learn from a professional, before, during, and even after the classroom setting. If you went that route.
Those professional photographers have turned to offering workshops at a fee, teaching by the head count. All becasue of the drastic changes in the industry, and wanting to eat.
But boy, I can only say I wish I knew about or seen photography workshops when I was trying to make heads or tails out of all the photography books I read in the book stores. Let alone the topic of finding your niche' to help stand you apart from all the others.
Even in this digital age having a guide to help me interpret what was going on in my minds eye, and place into the physical with light ratios, camera settings, and then a print? Lord, that may have saved me about ten years on my life.
Of course, this is just me reflecting on our workshops and what we present to folks in helping them think and create what they see in their minds eye. And me wishing I had this opportunity when I was learning photography back in the day. School and workshops would have been the holy grail for me back then, maybe who knows. :)
So, tell me what would help you now with starting out in photography?
Are you a hobbyist, or are you thinking about taking a step or two deeper than that?
An image from 2010 at the Hotel Helix in Washington, DC which is now closed. Portfolio development project for the male model Miguel.