Question for photographers?

Jackson

Jackson

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Maybe this is a dim question, but please bear with me :o
Can you/do you just turn up at an event and start taking pictures?
I've been to shows with friends to photograph them, and have been to some point to points where there was a few photographers about, but what about other events? I think that I would always give the organiser an email to make sure that I was welcome?...

Do other 'togs frown upon amateurs like myself? :D I know at a couple of places some have given me the evil glare.
 
well its a bit like opening a can of worms.

For your own portfolio and going along with friends then there should be no problem with turning up, but if you plan to advertise / sell your images thats a bit of a no no really. Most photographers get a signed agreement for them to be the sole professional photographer and often have to pay for being there.
 
I thought that it might have been that way.

Up until now I have been photographing for college work so I haven't given the pros much thought. At the P2Ps, I knew some of the owners/trainers/whatever who were in the pictures so naturally shared them on my facebook page... effectively giving away free photographs, right?
 
If you plan to sell then no.

I have been to event where they did go and ask one photographer what they were doing as they were staying on one fence for a good 3 hours.

I have used events for my A level art few years ago and as long as you don't stay for too long at one fence they don't think anything of it.
Last time I took pictures I was a fence judge and wanted to take pictures of my friends so practised on most of the class, the official photographer was also on this fence and was very friendly and gave me some tips!

But i know the more flashy your camera is the more looks you get!
 
If I'm at an event that a friend is at, then I will happily take photos of them for free.
If I go to an event and take photos, it's for my own folio rather than selling, as a lot of events do frown on this (as do the Pro togs).

By the same token, if I'm competing I get my OH to take pics, but I do also buy from the pro - as it's nice to have some where they're in focus :p

If you get in contact with events, it may be that they don't have a tog for particular events and will get your name in there.

I went to a show a few years ago, and the togs didn't turn up, one of my mates was helping the organiser and I ended up hauled in the ring to take the official photos, which was a great experience :D

I found the opposite MerryVB - I took mine along to another show (for experience) and I felt embarrassed as the togs in the ring were staying out of my way. I found them very friendly (spoke to them later in the day).
 
Thank you both :)

Do you think that it would still be acceptable to share them on my facebook, or even on here (There are 'togs on here who share people they may not know I assume without their permission.. I would feel too awkward to do that?) I would obviously be checking with the organisers but I just want to get a feel if you know what I mean... I have another question too :o
 
A lot of people go to events and then put a few select photos up specifically for CC.
Again, I don't see anything wrong with putting a few up, to showcase your work.

Not guaranteeing I can answer, but ask away. :D
 
My mother is a photographer and often goes to equestrian events to take photos. P2P's are generally quite relaxed, as are team chases (you'll definately get some good shots there!)
I think generally the more 'official' the event the less welcome amatuer photographers are...its always worth contacting the event and asking for a press pass, my mother regularly gets a press pass for events like Burghley free of charge and for relatively little hassle, you just need to apply on their website :)
 
Okay then, thank you :)

Actually I have quite a few questions, now I think about it :o


I've been thinking about offering some portrait/riding shoots to people who live near me (see, I don't even know what you call them!) how viable would that be? I've had loads of interest while I've been doing it for free for my project but now that's ended/ing I don't want to stop going out and taking pictures but I can't keep giving up my time and transport for free if you know what I mean?
I'm not sure if I'm good enough for one, and for two I wouldn't want to be stealing the pros custom because obviously I wouldn't charge as much as them.
And then if we got that far, how much would I charge?!

Would it be enough just to use my home printer (it is a decent one) if I was to do this (or alternately just offer social networking images?) or order prints? What do the pros use?

That's probably a silly idea...

My other original question was 'I'm shooting in an indoor school tomorrow, what should I do, *scream*' But I'm thinking just put the ISO as high as I can without making things fuzzy and a small f stop. And then.. what sort of effect does school lights have on cameras? :o

Thank you!
 
Princess Jess said:
My mother is a photographer and often goes to equestrian events to take photos. P2P's are generally quite relaxed, as are team chases (you'll definately get some good shots there!)
I think generally the more 'official' the event the less welcome amatuer photographers are...its always worth contacting the event and asking for a press pass, my mother regularly gets a press pass for events like Burghley free of charge and for relatively little hassle, you just need to apply on their website :)
Click to expand...
Thank you for that, p2ps do seem to be very relaxed as long as you don't go on to the course it's self to take pictures (yes, I did genuinely watch someone do this.. :confused::eek:) I didn't realise you needed press passes for places like burghley! Thanks for letting me know!
 
Jackson said:
Okay then, thank you :)

Actually I have quite a few questions, now I think about it :
I'm not sure if I'm good enough for one, and for two I wouldn't want to be stealing the pros custom because obviously I wouldn't charge as much as them.
And then if we got that far, how much would I charge?!

Would it be enough just to use my home printer (it is a decent one) if I was to do this (or alternately just offer social networking images?) or order prints? What do the pros use?

That's probably a silly idea...

My other original question was 'I'm shooting in an indoor school tomorrow, what should I do, *scream*' But I'm thinking just put the ISO as high as I can without making things fuzzy and a small f stop. And then.. what sort of effect does school lights have on cameras? :o

Thank you!
Click to expand...

You sound like you need to do your research, read book and research the web, photographers aren't likely going to give you all the info you need. Although I will say that your home printer will NOT be good enough for 'paid for' prints, my dye sub printer cost over £1600 and there is good reason for that. If you are serious, save up for the best kit you can get and a professional printer
 
Photographers may not give all the info that you require, but I have found they are helpful and happy to answer questions etc.

The best thing to do is to go on to some of the photography forums as you can learn a lot on them :)

I agree that your home printer won't be up to scratch for paid for prints - a lot of people up here use photobox.

I absolutely agree with "If you are serious, save up for the best kit you can get and a professional printer".

I haven't been near an indoor school in a LONG time, never mind photographing in it. Another thing you can do, is get in touch with local photographers and see if they would let you be an assistant at events. I had the offer of shadowing one (but work got in the way). It would most likely be helping set up, carrying etc, but you would learn a lot from them.
 
Firstly I would say e-mail round local 'togs and see if you can get some experience shadowing them - I'm currently in the process of doing this and although not much has come from it, hopefully I'll be able to do some shadowing over summer and learn lots, especially about the commercial side (I'm never going to be a pro 'tog, but would like to be a decent amateur).

Next thing is make sure you have a protfolio so you can show people what stage you're at, doesn't have to have loads of images in, just a few of your best images, sites like 500px are great for creating simple websites or if you have a tecchie friend ask if they can help you code it in return for a small fee (that's what I did :) ). If you want links to some good amateur sites PM me and I'll send them over (stupid button pushers!).

I would then look carefully at your work and think about whether or not it's good enough to sell, for example at the moments I have some pictures I love and am really proud of, but the majority of it is no where near sales quality and thus currently all the work I do, I do for free to gain experience and exposure.

Sure I'll think of more points to add in a bit!
 
Agree that your home printer won't cut it - but photobox/Boots photo prints are good quality.

The problem is that the kit to do it all properly yourself is so expensive that it can be prohibitive. A lot of the pros are struggling at the mo, people aren't spending the money they used to at events.

Do you know any small local events - ideally someone just starting up running events? This is a great way to get started, even just as a sideline. There's no better practice than 10 hours of dressage photography on a cold day ;) and if you sell a few it's a bonus - if you don't (which is unlikely IME) it's a day out watching horses and practicing your photography (and getting a suntan if the weather is nice!). Small events like having an 'official photographer' there as it makes the event seem bigger and posher if that makes sense! It's worth asking around in your local area.
 
I always take pictures of my friends at shows and given them as presents.

The open university do a fantastic digital photography course. It teaches you everything you need to know about how to set the shot up, the settings to use and how to digitially process it.

I learnt using film cameras, which was a brilliant way to learn, its not just about how to take the shot its what you do with it afterwards. Get out and practice.
 
Thank you all, you have given me lots to think about :) It is something that I really enjoy, the thought of potentially doing it as a profession makes me :D:D:D but the type of course that I'm doing at the moment just isn't teaching me much and I feel like I just need to go out and do it rather than sat in a classroom :o I understand you can't exactly bring horses in there but :D Yes, that printer is a little expensive for me!
 
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