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How To Recognize A Talented Photographer?

 
 
Total results: 24
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Yana Popova
Yana Popova
ID: 160909
Posts: 572
Date: 2007-03-09 03:08
Write down some tips for girls who doesn't know how to understand if photographer is professional (or creative, talented from nature) so her photos will be nice and beautiful.
I am still here

Larry F.
Larry F.
ID: 179376
Posts: 841
Date: 2007-03-09 07:50
Before you actually begin your search it is helpful to understand the different types of professional photographers. There are two primary distinctions: commercial photography and family photography. As a rule, you want to hire a family photographer to shoot your wedding or take “traditional” family portraits, and a commercial photographer to take pictures for other purposes.

In professional commercial photography there are a lot of specialties, and many photographers do more than one type of photography. One photographer might shoot only people, another product and architecture. Even within people photography there are specialties such as corporate, fashion, editorial, and even professional photographers who only shoot headshots. There are people who specialize in aerial or underwater photography. When you talk to a photographer to discuss your needs you need to learn exactly what they do. Even within these specialties, there will be stylistic differences; some photographers will specialize in a distinct look, and others will have a more diverse creative pallet.

Now that you know what you are looking for you are ready to begin your search. Standard web searches are a good place to begin. There are also a number of multiple photographer portfolio sites, like this one and professional photographer organization such as Advertising Photographers of America and ASMP maintain listings as well. Yahoo and some other search engines maintain listing pages that are categorized (rather than keyword search based). Using your location as a search parameter can also be helpful.

Concentrate on the photographers who show images that represent what you are looking for. The only way to really distinguish if a particular photographer is right for your job is to actually see that photographers’ portfolio (on the web or in person). Select and contact several photographers who appear to be right for you project based on their work. It is often better to simply call them rather than sending email if you need an immediate response. Expect to be asked many questions about the project.
If you aren’t exactly sure what it is that you need, discuss your project with several photographers to get a few points of view. Find a professional who can show you published work appropriate to what you are looking for (for the magazine portrait find a published magazine photographer).

After discussing the project with several photographers it is appropriate to select three and request a bid. At this point, it is best to know as much as possible about your needs, and present the same job parameters to each photographer. It is best that all the photographers bid the job to the same specifications. Different photographers may figure the job in different ways. Many will separate fees and expenses (which can either be fixed or vary), while some may provide you with a flat fee (especially for smaller jobs). Always be sure to find out exactly what is included (especially with a single fee bid).

It is appropriate to discuss how the costs may be reduced if the initial estimates exceed your budget. Most photographers are happy for the work, and are willing to work with you to reduce costs if you are a serious client. However, remember that photography is never an absolute process.

In evaluating which photographer to choose, take into account the experience of the photographer, the quality of their imagery, your comfort level in working with them, and all the other factors we have discussed. You can also ask for and check referrals. As always, be wary of the low bidder; photography is both a creative and a highly technical field. All photographers are not created alike or equal.

There is also the TFP process.

Larry

Deleted profile
Date: 2007-03-09 08:03
First things first, like the person's work. If you dont like what he did with others, then you probably wont like what he does with you.

Try to find a photographer that works in the area that you are REALLY interested in. Lots of people have specialties.

Do NOT be impressed by hardware. While a good set-up is important, the person behind the camera is a LOT more important than the amount of money the equipment costs. I have seen some amazing photos from the 30's and 40's, taken on an old Brownie camera.

Make sure you actually check the references. It is not good enough to just get them and stick them in a file. People have been known to give a long list, just so people will be impressed.

Yana Popova
Yana Popova
ID: 160909
Posts: 572
Date: 2007-03-09 09:13
Wow, you both did a good job, very helpfull and interesting and thanks :thumbup:
I am still here

Larry F.
Larry F.
ID: 179376
Posts: 841
Date: 2007-03-09 09:40
No prob.

Love to help out...

:thumbup:

Brea H.
Brea H.
ID: 178549
Posts: 55
Date: 2007-03-09 19:43
100% AGREE WITH EVERYONE
BREA HENDRICK

Mystique Eyed Phoenix IonU
Mystique Eyed Phoenix IonU
ID: 114505
Posts: 936
Date: 2007-03-09 22:58
Make sure your photographer doesn't read BRAILLE:cantlook:
Whether it be :lips::lips: OR :muscle::muscle:. . ."TRUE BLUE" IS The GENE that fits ALL;)

Deleted profile
Date: 2007-03-10 12:41
And also make sure he/she uses their good eye...LOL

Billy Soh
Billy Soh
ID: 154201
Posts: 187
Date: 2007-03-11 08:47
oh i learnt to read in braille before. many years ago when i was introduced to communication for the visually impaired. wahahahaha.

Deleted profile
Date: 2007-04-17 19:00
Studio samples should be on display!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deon Naude
Deon Naude
ID: 194271
Posts: 156
Date: 2007-05-21 13:09
I agree with "Retouching Inc", If a photographer does not display HIS work there is something wrong. Do not fall for fancy titles such as so and so studio. Anybody including you can fabricate fancy titles, print a few cards and is maybe able to hire a studio for a few hours. A lot of bull out there. Because you have a $5000 camera does not make you a photographer. Make sure you see samples of HIS work and if not find another photographer.

Hans Gruber
Hans Gruber
ID: 190050
Posts: 4
Date: 2007-05-24 04:36
I agree with William !

The stuff the photographer is carrying and using is important, but the photographer himself is much much more !

To give some advices, when you contact the photographer, ask him about his work (website, or that he sends you some pictures, but be carefull with fakes : I knew a photographer who was showing me pictures he did. The fact is that one time, he sent me one picture taken from a famous website, he simply put his watermark on it... I never got in contact with him anymore...), and also ask him models contacts, so that you can ask them about shootings he did with them... I know at least one photographer, professional and famous, who is attracting models from his reputation and trying to sleep with them, or getting some bonuses after the shooting (you know what I mean...).

So be careful !
Hans Gruber photography Intl.

Eyeforanimage
Eyeforanimage
ID: 195571
Posts: 8
Date: 2007-06-07 17:47
Usually they wear big badges that say "I'm special!" :lol:

Nah.. look at their work, listen to the comments above, check references.

Cheers
Gav'

Surinder Singh
Surinder Singh
ID: 186227
Posts: 8
Date: 2008-01-17 00:26
Good Eye for Great Compositions can be judge by their previous work of photographer, but you have to decide what you want and in what way you want to present yourself in this fashionable glamourous industry.

Meet with photographer and checkout possibilities before shoot. Do keep room for experiments if you both agree, as there may be varous concepts in photographers mind to fulfill your requirements and need.

Dante Vega
Dante Vega
ID: 245208
Posts: 92
Date: 2008-06-13 07:07
Every thing that Larry F. said I agree with however if I may add something to that.

Every one is thinking how can I save money? Especially now days while gas prices are on a steady rise.

If you can find a photographer that knows how to enhance his or her own work if need be it will more then likely for you to save a good amount of money. If the photographer has to use an out side source for Photo enhancement then it is more then likely that the photographer will charge you more then the out side source would if you went there your self. Keep in mind that many photographers may have trusted out side sources.

Many people forget or just don't know that graphic artists and photo enhancement artists play a big role in photography.
Dante' A V

Nathan Hill Photography
Nathan Hill Photography
ID: 190390
Posts: 76
Date: 2008-06-29 14:59
Basically ask for references on who you shoot with, check out their work, and make sure you like their ideas. Do your homework.

Mike Jones
Mike Jones
ID: 199345
Posts: 391
Date: 2008-07-13 18:50
Deon Naude:

Because you have a $5000 camera does not make you a photographer.

If the guy has a $500 camera he might not be a photographer, if the guy has a $5000 camera then he almost certainly is a photographer. No GWC is going to pay $5000 for a camera. Thing is, you most likely wont know what he uses until you meet him.

Like most people have said look at their portfolio and then get references. There are lot of people that class themselves as photographers, some even say they are professional, look at the images in their portfolios and you be the judge.

Gary Young
Gary Young
ID: 237093
Posts: 1798
Date: 2008-07-13 19:08
Mike Jones:

[Deon Naude: ...]
If the guy has a $500 camera he might not be a photographer, if the guy has a $5000 camera then he almost certainly is a photographer. No GWC is going to pay $5000 for a camera. Thing is, you most likely wont know what he uses until you meet him.

Like most people have said look at their portfolio and then get references. There are lot of people that class themselves as photographers, some even say they are professional, look at the images in their portfolios and you be the judge.

$5000? insane money for a camera!
You wouldn't pay that for top end samsung's or canon EOS450's, sony, nikon or pentax!
I think if you paid $5000 for a camera you've been done!
:cool:

Mike Jones
Mike Jones
ID: 199345
Posts: 391
Date: 2008-07-13 19:56
Gary Young:

[Mike Jones: ...]
$5000? insane money for a camera!
You wouldn't pay that for top end samsung's or canon EOS450's, sony, nikon or pentax!
I think if you paid $5000 for a camera you've been done!

First of all the Canon EOS 450 or rebel XSi as it is known in the states is not the top level camera, it is entry level. And yes the professional cameras used by pretty much everyone in the sport or journalism business cost over $5000, Canon 1 EOS mkIII (2,600 GBP or $5000) or the Nikon D3 (2,800 GBP or $5,500) Prices from Amazon.co.uk.

For weddings and Glamour shoots some are still using the Canon 5D (1,800 GBP).

Serious Commercial and Glamour togs are using Hasselblads which are around $40,000.

Gary Young
Gary Young
ID: 237093
Posts: 1798
Date: 2008-07-14 19:43
A talented photographer doesn't bang on about modelling schools because a talented photographer knows how to work with models:thumbup:
And they don't boast I did this or I worked with this or that model:doh:
:cool:

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Total results: 24
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