Greylegs
Well-Known Member
I ride and do a bit of equestrian photography for a local riding club, as well as having been lucky enough to get some portrait commissions on the back of that, so can see this from all sides. I class myself as a keen/competent amateur rather than a "pro" - however you might define that.
When I do an event I always try to get the images edited and onto the club's FB page and my own photography FB page as soon as possible for people to see. I don't edit and post every image I take, just the best three or four of each person. To me it's pointless putting the bad shots out there for public scrutiny (and, of course, I do take some baddies!), and I know from experience that it's very easy to take a bad shot of a horse in action. I'd rather just post the best ones and be judged on those.
As a "one man band" amateur photographer it would be impossible for me to justify setting up a full scale edit and print operation on site at the events - and even if I did, i'd have to somehow be in two places at once - taking pictures, and sitting downloading and printing - which would be impossible. I would also have to go to additional expense of setting up a web site with ordering facilities etc which I don't want to do.
Having said that, I sell enough prints to cover my costs and earn a bit of pin money, but nowhere near enough to call it a business or to even look at paying off the cost of my gear. I use top end gear. The cameras/lenses I use costs thousands, my computer gear/software/printing set up cost more thousands, and I know i'll never earn that back. As such, I simply do this as a hobby and if people like my stuff, then great. If not, equally great. Once on line, the images are there to be used by anyone who wants them and they get widely shared around: some people order prints.
I think the point here is that, with the advent of digital photography (as has been said above) getting a decent image is easier and people expect them to be cheap, or even free!!. To make a proper living as a pro photographer, you have to really up your game and be better than excellent to command top prices, which most people competing at events wouldn't pay, or be able to sell large volumes at modest prices at every event to make it worth your while attending. It's simple economics.
I'll stick to doing it as a hobby - just for fun, knowing people like my stuff, and look forward to seeing me at the events.
When I do an event I always try to get the images edited and onto the club's FB page and my own photography FB page as soon as possible for people to see. I don't edit and post every image I take, just the best three or four of each person. To me it's pointless putting the bad shots out there for public scrutiny (and, of course, I do take some baddies!), and I know from experience that it's very easy to take a bad shot of a horse in action. I'd rather just post the best ones and be judged on those.
As a "one man band" amateur photographer it would be impossible for me to justify setting up a full scale edit and print operation on site at the events - and even if I did, i'd have to somehow be in two places at once - taking pictures, and sitting downloading and printing - which would be impossible. I would also have to go to additional expense of setting up a web site with ordering facilities etc which I don't want to do.
Having said that, I sell enough prints to cover my costs and earn a bit of pin money, but nowhere near enough to call it a business or to even look at paying off the cost of my gear. I use top end gear. The cameras/lenses I use costs thousands, my computer gear/software/printing set up cost more thousands, and I know i'll never earn that back. As such, I simply do this as a hobby and if people like my stuff, then great. If not, equally great. Once on line, the images are there to be used by anyone who wants them and they get widely shared around: some people order prints.
I think the point here is that, with the advent of digital photography (as has been said above) getting a decent image is easier and people expect them to be cheap, or even free!!. To make a proper living as a pro photographer, you have to really up your game and be better than excellent to command top prices, which most people competing at events wouldn't pay, or be able to sell large volumes at modest prices at every event to make it worth your while attending. It's simple economics.
I'll stick to doing it as a hobby - just for fun, knowing people like my stuff, and look forward to seeing me at the events.