Why do people think it's so easy to earn from photography??

[HeiPiGu]

It's not uncommon for us to hear every now and then about people saying they want to earn money from photography by being free-lancers or wedding photographers, etc.
And I realised these 'aspirations' will mostly come from those who are new in photography.

Many, just after a couple of months in photography, will start to think about become a semi-pro in the industry. Some will create websites to start charging for services.

I'm a relative newcomer in photography and I feel that there's still SO much to learn out there. Techniques, equipments, theories, etc. I mean it's great if we can turn our
passion into a business, but unless I've acquired a certain level of competency, I'll not start to think about making money from it (my opinion).

That's why I'm wondering how come so many think it's easy to make money from photography? :dunno: But I must mention, the confidence shown is indeed admirable.

Note: This is just an observation of a trend that I'm seeing in photography

 

[night86mare]

because got people want cheap cheap photographer

there is demand, so there is supply, never mind that photos come out badly.. then the cheap cheap photographer happy, go around and tell everyone he is now making a lot of money out of his hobby... so people similar to cheap cheap photographer start joining in...

you see, all these would be avoided if there was something called work pride..

but anyways, to cut it short..

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL..

 

[ed9119]

..... not answering your question ...... but this is a good thing..... it helps increase the 'gene' pool of photographers and avoids 'in-breeding'....... a few will survive the swim upstream while the law of nature will take care of the rest.

 

[sbs99]

It's more like they are charging cheap and offer free work at their own peril, afterall it takes lots of experience to become a good one. They are probably ridding themselves out, only the commandos survive. :bsmilie:

Many of my friends too assume it's easy money, and with dslr all within reach of the regular consumer, they assume its easy to go take wedding photos
and make big bucks. They didn't factor in, which couple wanna spend big bucks on photography, the opportunities (knowing the right people), the right
gear, the overheads, etc etc.

 

[HeiPiGu]

..... not answering your question ...... but this is a good thing..... it helps increase the 'gene' pool of photographers and avoids 'in-breeding'....... a few will survive the swim upstream while the law of nature will take care of the rest.

I guess how's that the law of survival works then

 

[papajanggo33]

emm..doesn't have to crack our heads why people like to take the short cut. you can have the latest gears and so called acceptable skill (in your mindset), but if the end products (images) doesn't turn out they way you want them, you only have yourself to pose the big Q.. how come like that huh?

casual shots, many can do it. but in wedding or paid events? even for your own buddy, they expect nothing less than perfect shots. to general eyes, perfect shots are sharp, vibrant and colourful images. simple as that.

maybe we should hear from the full time/professional photographers' opinions..just my thought

cheers
papajanggo33

 

[Sion]

Why do people think it's so easy to earn from photography??

Because it is easy to press a button. :bsmilie:

 

[Daedalus Trent]

..... not answering your question ...... but this is a good thing..... it helps increase the 'gene' pool of photographers and avoids 'in-breeding'....... a few will survive the swim upstream while the law of nature will take care of the rest.

Haha, like the analogy :bsmilie:

When it comes right down to serious clients who want only the best, imho, it won't be too hard to separate people genuinely passionate to excel in this craft from 'equipment-whores' who just want a quick buck :think:

 

[night86mare]

When it comes right down to serious clients who want only the best, imho, it won't be too hard to separate people genuinely passionate to excel in this craft from 'equipment-whores' who just want a quick buck :think:

well, there will also always be clients who want a cheap job.. never mind that most times you pay peanuts for monkeys..

and so it is.. i don't really think it's important to care, after a few times thinking about it. it is not just photography, anyways.

 

[flowerpot]

its not so easy if u factor in the time and cost involved... so the per hour labour is actually not as high... new equipment every 2 to 3 yrs... transport cost, weekends.. late nights...

unless ur passion carry u forward and u eventually become a top notch photography, else its a tough job...

i rather teach tuition, thats where the real money is...

 

[night86mare]

i rather teach tuition, thats where the real money is...

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[loserow]

For me, i would not want to turn my hobby into a business... Hobby is free and easy... At own time and will... Once it turn business, where you have to rely on it for your next meal, you will lose that interest as a hobby...

In time to come, you realise that you are much happier being keeping it as a hobby...

 

[Sion]

i rather teach tuition, thats where the real money is...

Make and sell tofu.

That's where the real money is.

 

[night86mare]

For me, i would not want to turn my hobby into a business... Hobby is free and easy... At own time and will... Once it turn business, where you have to rely on it for your next meal, you will lose that interest as a hobby...

In time to come, you realise that you are much happier being keeping it as a hobby...

it depends.

any business/job is most of the time, a means to an end. i don't think many people love their jobs, but they are willing to do it because of what they achieve by doing their job, and that's really fine as long as they take pride in what they do and remain responsible.

it is not impossible to turn a hobby into a job, and still retain the passion. my argument would be that if you lose your passion, it means it wasn't that great to begin with.

maintaining a balance is not hard, neither is it easy. but it can be done, if you want to do it.

 

[night86mare]

Make and sell tofu.

That's where the real money is.

jay chou would tell you that car racing is better than selling tofu

plus you get to date jap xmm if you do the former.. if you do the latter you end up drunk with a spoilt son using your car to race most of the time. :bsmilie:

 

[Sion]

jay chou would tell you that car racing is better than selling tofu

plus you get to date jap xmm if you do the former.. if you do the latter you end up drunk with a spoilt son using your car to race most of the time. :bsmilie:

You'll get to meet many aunties and housewives selling tofu. :bsmilie:

 

[CYRN]

Very easy to earn $$$ from photography leh.

Juz charge $20/day. Inclusive of post processing and $$ back gurantee. Sure got client one.

 

[sbs99]

i rather teach tuition, thats where the real money is...

i have to explore this option... :think:

 

[Sion]

i have to explore this option... :think:

The real money is in front of the camera: modelling.

 

[Gymrat76]

hard to learn photography? i thought just point the lens at the subject and press the button...

oh, and remember to set your D3 to Auto first :bsmilie: