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Garry Black Photography

Question:

Garry,

I came across your web site as I was searching for schools with a photography program. I've been a software engineer for 8 years in Canada and the US but I find myself unemployed for the first time in my life and I'm scared to death. I'm scared because I don't want to be a software engineer an longer and I would like to start a career as a photographer however I have no idea how to get started.

People have always enjoyed my pictures however since my trip to Africa I feel as though I could possibly have some talent but the problem is that I need to get some training since I have no idea how to work my camera or what film to use. People are always amazed that I take my pictures as point and click and never worry about the film or camera settings, I'm sure my pictures could be so much better if I knew what I was doing.

The reason I'm writing because I've been searching for a week on schools but most only offer a three-year program. I noticed that you don't have any formal training in your bio, do you think that a degree is necessary? Is there a school that you would recommend? How should I get started? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:

Wow! What a huge question and there is no simple answer to it.

In photography there are many different fields from which to choose a career. Wedding/Portrait, News, Fine Art, Commercial, Fashion, Editorial and Stock (which is what I do and it involves a little of all of them).

There are many photography schools and programs, some are better than others, but it depends upon which type of photography you want to do and how much money you want to invest in a career and then potentially make as a living.

There are many photographers that never had a formal education in photography, in fact most of the successful and creative photographers that I know usually starting there careers as something else and ended up in photography. They all read as much as they could about photography, took some week long workshops, and PRACTICED by shooting every waking minute.

You'll have to tell me what type of photography interests you before I can give you any specific guidelines.

Follow up Question:

Garry,

Thank you for getting back to me. It's nice know that not everyone goes through a three year program, I just don't think I could go back to school full time. I'm in the process of applying to do a four week workshop at Speos in Paris in January... should be a good experience. I'm a little undecided about the type of photography but so far most of my best pictures are from my travel adventures. I have been sending my resume to apply for work as a photographer's assistant but unfortunately because of my lack of experience I have been unsuccessful. How does one go about getting experience without actually having any? How did you start?

Thanks again for the advice,

Answer:

Most of the people that are photographer's assistants are usually the people that have take a 3 year photography program and then will work for a photographer for 2 - 5 years before going off on their own. Some of them never go off on their own, they just go from photographer to photographer.

The workshop that you're taking in Paris should give you a really good basic understanding of the technical side of photography as well as the artistic side.

I started photography as a hobby while I was working at a full time job in the scrap steel industry. I became totally consumed by photography and had started submitting my work to a stock photo agency. Then as more of my photos were selling, I thought that I'd take the plunge into photography as a full time profession. That was three years after I had bought my 1st camera. It was difficult at first, but as I built up my files with more material, my sales became larger and larger.

Good Luck in your new career!