I appreciate you bringing up the topic of loneliness. For me, it's a hobby, but even then feeling like there aren't many people to talk to who appreciate photography (beyond 'ooo' and 'ahh') and the general fact that the world is so utterly flooded with images now can make me wonder what I do it for. It is usually then that I remember that when I have a camera in my hand, I am vastly more engaged with the natural world.
Trying to explain the attributes of a camera over a mobile phone is fruitless. With modern software 20yo gear is all you need. In fact it may be better than the plastic stuff coming to market.😅😅
Well said. I've often had similar thoughts. Whenever I catch myself feeling overwhelmed by the deluge of great images out there, I remember that I'm doing this for myself. It brings me great satisfaction and a sense of peace, which is all the reason I need. We're like fishermen. We cast our line in the water and dream about what we'll bring home.
I actually like the loneliness and solitude of Photography. I also do fine art and could spend days alone drawing and never speak to anyone. When it does become an issue is whether you are safe in some places alone. I wish I had someone to go with at times and may resort to hiring someone.
There is a world of difference between being alone and being lonely. I can feel lonely in a room full of people, but I absolutely revel in my solitude.
At 74 , I look back as a high school and college photo journalist leading to VietNam Combat marine photographer, only to return to America and be a wedding photographer, which I found to be much more hazardous to my health. Now I am retired from being electrical contractor and he can afford to buy the cameras of my choice and photograph for fun and personal pleasure. Your comments really hit home, appreciate taking the time and time to make this video is like having a heart-to-heart conversation
Ah yes the adulation, praise and glory of being creative. Not! The long hours, low income, and introspection, often unaccompanied; but how wonderful and rewarding it can be. Sometimes the littlest things are worth all the effort especially when you get to do what you love. I always enjoy joining you on your adventures Ian. Thank you.
With regard to the motion v still shot I prefer the still version. As a landscape photographer it's often nice to meet up with others but equally you have to be happy on your own too.
Some of this sums up why I am strictly 'amateur'. I shoot what I want, when I want, and there's a great 'rush' when a shot comes together. I've compared that to the thrill to a golfer or baseball batter gets at the instant they connect to the ball. Everything is about that brief moment. All the planning, all the practice is really about those brief moments.
All of the business side of being a pro photographer is absolutely why I stay an amateur. I want to take photos, I don't want to spend my time dealing with anything else (including filming youtube videos and all of the editing that goes along with it).
I never intend to be a pro, I do it for myself. I love seeing things of beauty and just hope I’m good enough someday with a camera to share what I see.
Appreciate you raising these points, Ian! Always enjoy your videos - visually and for motivation as an aspiring professional. Also great to see your furry companion join you on some photo adventures!
Your point here is already considered. “Lone worker” yes I’d agree with this especially in the RUclips setting. On my walks I have tried it with another person or two but it’s just not me. Stopping and starting to take a photo especially if using a tripod, using my drone for photo / video also takes time and sitting for about an hour while I take a left to right time lapse isn’t everyone’s idea of a walk; especially if it’s cold and a good few miles from the final destination then having to walk back (again stopping for imigary). Yep - lonely
Absolutely agree, I retired after a forty year career as a pro. Photography is the easy bit. Marketing, sales and accounting skills are crucial. I think that it was easier to build a career when I started, I think that it is tougher now. Having said that RUclips has opened up opportunities for landscape photographers that did not exist years ago. But if you can make it work it is the best job in the world 😎
You forgot to add insurance, tax, contracts, finance, equipment, premises, etc to your list. Photography is but a small part of making money at it. Like lots of failed small businesses failure to understand these attributes over your liking a hobby leads to distress.😮😮
Old Gear I'm still using my trusty Sony A900 as my main camera and A100 as my walk around. Both are rapidly approaching 20 years of age .. Got into Sony's because I came from Minolta, much of their glass I still use on a regular basis.. As you say, if when I need kit with greater abilities ( such as being able to shoot 30+ frames per second or 40+ Mega Pixels) or an F1.4 85mm lens, then go out and hire it.. Enjoying your video's regards John ..
Very interesting insight into your world as a professional , i admire anyone who can make a living doing what that love, so hats off to you for that. You certainly need to be business orientated and driven i guess ,, glad you decided to post in this space as i enjoy the content and images you produce. Hope your well, take care.
I had one year basic graphic school, 3 and a haft years of education, as an apprentice in a studio with school 5 weeks 2 times a year, finished in 1987, and since that photography was all what I have been doing. As work and income. A long time! You have some very good points in your video indeed! A good thing is to have other interest in your life, otherwise you can become a bit of a boring fellow, but a lot of things can be combined with photography. So it’s good to have other hobbies, and it’s also a good way to meet people! When I had a studio it was always with someone else, and I also work together with a lot of different people so the loneliness was never an issue. And another good thing about photography is that age is never a problem. I do know photographers who are over 70 and do a lot of really great projects.
Nice open advice, I had already come to the conclusion that landscape print sales were never going to give a full time income and assumed that's why many turn to RUclips tutorials etc
Yes Ian , being a pro isn’t as glamorous as as it sounds, I did toy with the idea in the nineties, I think I made the right decision and stay put. Notice we both have mad tri collies , great company on shoots . See you soon
I cannot begin to imagine how stressful it must be to be a wedding photographer as you only get one chance. And turning your hobby into a business could mean the end of doing something you really enjoy ☺️ love watching you explore Pembrokeshire as we are in Lawrenny and I always try and guess your location Ian, I’m not winning that’s for sure 😂 Go try the estuary on the pontoon by the Lawrenny arms early one morning best on a still morning when the tides at its peak, I’ll win that week 😂
Cheers buddy, have you tried the oak woodland which is accessed through the boat yard at Lawrenny, its well worth a look if you haven't, there's some stunning gnarly characters in there 👍👍
Obviously, you need a plan. Don't just snap shots. Then you rinse and repeat each time. Is not that the clinets will compare the photos . Not rocket science
Some refreshingly realistic points here -not least of them #6. That said, this RUclipsr might want to use a larger typeface to highlight them. Great dog, also.
Very engaging topic, thanks for sharing your experience from professional and business perspective, helps us enthusiasts that may consider turning professional, cheers.
Great content,Ian, thought-provoking and somehow comforting at the same time. At the risk of being gear focussed, what is the make of your awesome tripod head?
Making photos is the fun/easy part. Clients don't fully understand everything else that goes into it. I don't know anyone that didn't start their journey out of a love and joy for the craft and anyone that starts photography thinking about making money isn't going to last. I took a couple years off because it turned into unenjoyable work and I was taking on stuff that I hated. I recomposed and am back at it but I won't take on anything I don't enjoy anymore. I've been a chef and photographer for 30 years. I don't have time to not enjoy my love of photography. It is my therapy.
It’s cool. It’s why I make my money from my 9-5 as a remote Data Engineer. Maybe I don’t get to take as many pics, but maybe not - you said taking photos is the smallest part of being a professional photographer as well. So…maybe if taking pics is what I enjoy - I should just keep it as one of my many hobbies.
Very interesting take on the life of a Pro Photographer. I think you made an excellent choice to focus on RUclips, and I really look forward your walking photo shoots, both for the great scenery and your always revealing working commentary. The shot at 9:08 is just absolutely stunning, what a truly beautiful treescape.
Hello Ian, I am a photography enthusiast and amateur. I've been watching your videos on RUclips for a while. I am inspired by your compositions and I learn a lot from the comments you give us. THANKS!
Bit of movement - which can also capture a mood I feel - looks good. And yes, when my skills match the tech of my Nikon D850 I might upgrade. But at the moment the camera is better than me! 😂
Another photographer I watch has done multiple videos on photography and introverts. Does photography make you introverted or are introverts drawn to photography? I'm not sure I know that answer but I think many photographers, like myself, are introverts. And hey! By the way, you are never alone when you have your dog! Love that you included footage of him(?) Mine is a female Australian Shepherd and she goes everywhere with me. :)
Very honest content! On the ‘gear’ front, virtually all cameras made in the last ten years are superb and are up to the job of taking great photos. I fully understand the need of manufacturers to keep ‘improving’ and bringing out new models as it keeps their businesses going and without it we wouldn’t have anything to use for our hobby or profession. But - and it is a big ‘but’, if you are a real photographer and with a real ‘eye’ for photography and understand exposure and composition, you can take great photos almost regardless of the gear you use. It seems to me that certainly a lot of amateur photographers think that by buying a better camera they will somehow get to take better photos. But if they don’t have the skills they are wasting their money, money that would be better spent on a photography course to give them training. I have a number of cameras, and one at least 20yrs old (a 5MP bridge camera) and it takes superb photos that I print and are admired by friends and neighbours who beg them off me and have them framed.
Nice video Ian. I prefer the still shot early on, Love the tree shot that you waited for at 9.10, it almost seems other worldly as if the tree is about to move.
The majority of the work involved in wedding photography was going to unfamiliar churches and catering venues to plan your shoot and talking to the service providers. I spent a lot of time looking for distractions that may ruin a shot, such as ugly drain pipes or hazards such as brambles that may snag a wedding dress. Ugly indoor features that might ruin a photo. I'd look for alternative locations depending on the light or an ugly feature external to the venue. As we only had film, we had to get the shot right the first time and there was no margin for error. Then there were nutty vicars, guest who couldn't take instructions, people who went missing etc. You needed to constantly scan the frame for any detritus or a stray dog turning up. I once had a mother of the bride who lost her hat to the wind and it flew round the entire grounds like a boomerang, before it fell into a rusty oil drum half filled with water and some half burnt timbers. You couldn't make it up. I once travelled to Worthing to photograph the wedding of a navy officer. The vicar told me not to use a flash gun because it damages the stonework, as it happened I didn't use flash much because I prefer to capture the natural light. The funniest weddings were in the North East, where all sorts of hilarious things happen. But like you said, there's not much money in social photography.
On my phone at least, I liked the still better. The background looked a little misty and I really like those types of days! (providing I'm not freezing my but off...) As for the rest, lots of good advice about the business and life aspects. Thanks for that, you got a new subscriber here! 👍
An interesting and thought provoking video Ian. Yes, selling images/prints is hard going, I have a little part-time work on top of the photography which basically covers any trips further afield, but I do a lot of photography locally too. I don't have a big income but enough to keep everything goingy. The photography side is a lot of hours, double it when you take into account culling/editing and all the other computer-based stuff so from my point of view it's probably marketing and social media that takes a hit. The upside is I get to spend a lot of time surrounded by nature and over the years have found a lot of 'quiet' places on my doorstep.
Thanks buddy, great words, money isn't everything, i'm earning less now doing RUclips full time, but i'm happier and that's the most important thing. 👍
@@ian_worth Indeed, work/life balance and all that. I'm happier in myself now than 20+ years spent in quite a stressful office environment and have the time to define my photography (if that makes sense!). I wish you every success.
Fairly new to your channel, love the content directly related to taking photos but really appreciate your philosophical content as it is content not as often found and it warms my heart to see how much your dog loves being out in the field with you. My dog has traveled with me thru many western states as I search for those elusive killer shots but on days when conditions work against me and I may not even take a photo seeing how much he enjoys just being out in nature reminds me to appreciate it as well.
I'm new to photography and really excited to learn, so channels like yours are so helpful! I find it interesting that you tend to use low ISO settings and bring more light into the camera by using a slower shutter. You also seem to always use a tripod. I bought a Panasonic Lumix G85 mirrorless as my first camera and, with my shots so far, I have been avoiding shutter speeds less than 1/100 and compensating by bumping up ISO instead. I'm not really noticing any noise at ISO levels up to 3200 - am I just neive? Part of the reason for avoiding low shutter speeds is because I don't have a tripod yet. But, I'm finding the Dual-IS of my camera seems really good! Do I need to get a tripod right away? I'm an avid hiker, so most of my photos will be of alpine landscapes. I'm also an avid ADV motorcycle rider, so I will also be capturing video and photos from those adventures. In both cases, I try to pack as light as possible. Is there an inexpensive, light weight tripod you can recommend?
If you’re doing landscapes, a tripod is essential gear in the long run. A lot of landscape photography is waiting for the right light to hit. It’s a lot easier to setup everything and frame/ focus done and then wait for the moment with a remote shutter. I find that actually looking with my eyes at the scenery, I nail the right light more than if I keep having to look through the viewfinder. And good light can be very fleeting. It’s naive to think you can just point and shoot and get the perfect shot in that moment. Far better to be properly ready and just hit the shutter. It’s also a lot easier to make small adjustments on the lcd screen. Tripod also allows you to shutter delay to further reduce shake. And then in landscape, you might want to stack or make composites in editing.. photos shot on a tripod will have more consistent framing and will make your life easier. Ofc there’s also a lot of shots you cannot get without long exposure like in astro, or capturing flowing water. So yes, get a tripod. On the ISO side, landscape is already restricted on the aperture front since we need sharpness right to the corners. And if you’re selling prints, then ISO needs to be as low as possible so that if you blow it up in size, the grain won’t be too bad. It’s a matter of if you’re selling postcards or wall sized photos. So with f-stop and ISO both restricted, the only option is shutter speed, hence tripod.
As a spotty teenager my hobby was transporting. ( steam trains). That was 60 years ago. We were known as “anoraks”. We would travel far and wide to catch a glimpse of our favourites. Now we have RUclips photographers taking up the mantle. Looking like something out of a refugee camp. Thanks for the video. 😂😂😂😂😂
I am only a mere amateur and have sold some fine art animal prints, however it is no were enough to give up my day job ! Lol Today in the social media lead business IMO it is hard to a pro photographer, unless you sell workshops and experiences as that is where the money is now !
Very informative, thank you! I'm a amateur photographer looking to venture into professional photography. Really interesting to get an insight from someone with years of experience. Also love the bag! :D
On kit, I remember talking to some guy on the train on the way to a wedding gig. He was an amateur, not even that keen but he had the latest Nikon Flagship which he'd bought because he could, I think I was using a D700 that was about 5 years old at the time. Few years down the line and I stopped shooting professionally, perfectly good D750 in the bag and I'm eyeing up the ZF, how the roles reverse!
I think a lot of photographers should also have a small home studio and do headshot portraits part time, and also their field of study whether landscape or product photos. That way, loneliness is less a problem because you are with people some of the time. I do portraits about 40 percent and product and realty photos about 60 percent, so this makes it less lonely a profession as a one man band profession.
STORY TIME: I remember starting my journey three years ago thinking no one would hire me - fast forward and I have a full-time content creation job and have worked with tv networks, sports leagues, and big influencers! If I can do it, you can too! I share tips and tricks on my youtube channel to! Hope you all the best and I'm here to help answer any questions you may have as well! ❤📸🎥
Photography as a service is a living hell at least for me. Mostly real estate photography for the past several years and it just never ends and it’s never lucrative. I would do anything together get up into another category of it or just get away from it Altogether. And by the way, I couldn’t bill a client for a new pair of underwear. But I am not a business person. And yes, Unless a woman absolutely loves camera gear, Photography And getting her picture taken constantly, A relationship it’s just about impossible. The work just never ends. I would say photography has absolutely been a life choice of hell. Still love it and hate it. But that’s what I do.
A lot of the advice makes sense (which excludes the notion of "hidden secret") but is definitely not a rule. Starting with equipment: what old beaten-up camera and lens are you using for this video? ;o) Medium format Fuji is it? Looks pretty pristine too. As you mention it, a good tool makes the work easier (and can open new possibilities). Ok it was a nice excuse to spend time showing us a few of your landscapes, that was the best part. More images and the talk over the photographs rather than your walk maybe. As for the "loneliness" which I would call solitude, I totally agree. One needs to be immersed into one's subject and oneself to make a good photograph, it is a way of being for many (one of the best examples that comes to my mind is Josef Koudelka, or Sebastian Salgado, or considering landscape photography Ansel Adams, Edward Burtynsky, Richard Misrach-all these guys have spent, do spend enormous time on their own photographing with success).
I'm in that space Ian where I do make some money from Photography and a reasonable amount, but it's not enough for me to make the leap to doing full-time photography. It's partly due to where I live as well which is a beautiful place and I could move to a bigger city with a bigger market, but I simply would then lose my soul. I love going out and just shooting still. I have a very good day job as an addiction counsellor, and that takes care of four days of work and enough money to pay the mortgage and bills and then anything I make on top of that is a bonus. A few people have said to me I should turn full time and open up a big gallery and do all the glamorous things that people talk about, but I just think it would fail and it's not because of my images it's just that the marketplace people in Australia where I live are struggling to meet their mortgage. They can't afford to spend $1000 on a print that's framed on a wal. I would need to sell prints that size just to make end. Meet to pay the rent on the space and then I would need to do more workshops. It would be a lot of time and effort and I just don't see the financial income being able to maintain a life. But I'm really happy with how I've progressed and I think it's finding a spot where you can sit and be comfortable whether that's full-time part-time or casual professional photography I don't think you have to do it full-time. I think there's this obsession with doing it full-time and people burn out my day job keeps me humble and it keeps me. Also very keen to pick up my camera at the end of the day.. Thank you for your great video really got me thinking
A great piece Nev, you made some very valid points there. I too toyed with the idea of opening a gallery in my area, but after a lot of number crunching and research I figured out i would be better selling buckets and spades to the tourists than big prints. 👍
I think one of the biggest differences between a working photographer and a hobbyist is that working photographers only buy the gear that need and hobbyist buy what they want. Some people buy expensive cars or boats to drive around on the weekend. I buy camera gear. Another thing I've noticed is that a lot of working photographers only know how to shoot maybe a couple of types or genres of photography. It's usually portraits or weddings. They can't tell you how to take pictures of the milky way or how to focus stack or blend exposures. They only learn what they need for their business. I'm not saying that's a bad thing or to knock working people in this field. I'm just pointing out a difference. I, myself, am trying to learn everything I can whether it's street, astro, sports, portraits, etc, to become better. So many genres overlap. To me it helps you to be more creative if you've been exposed to different ways of shooting.
Another thought provoking video Ian, thank you. Can you please do a video on how to train a Border Collie? My nutter would be knocking over and chewing the tripod. Yours is so calm. Oh, and nice pics.
There is a meme that says "Marry your lenses, but only date your camera". There seems to be a new camera model every year, but new lenses are introduce once a generation.
The print business is almost gone now , 10 years ago I used to make good money selling prints but now I only sell to a client list and stop chasing the print market. Workshops are where the money is made if you have the people skills… I don’t lol
Just a retired guy with a camera, out creating whatever I wish. How about those peps who call the authorities because they don't want to be on camera while out in PUBLIC SPACES! It's happened more than once with me. It's one thing to be using a phone, but a totally different animal while using pro-gear. Nice $10,000 camera there. lol
I am sure the camera industry rely on amateurs rather than the pros for profit. When it was my living I hired equipment when it was required, the brunt of my work was shot on 35mm. If I needed medium format I would hire a 6x7 Mamiya RB67 or later the RZ67. I was never scared of saying no to a prospective client, rather that than be out of your depth and earning yourself a bad name. So back in the day I had hard copy portfolios all A3 size and they can still work today, if you put large prints in front of a client they will take notice, wedding, portrait or commercial. There is too much rubbish on you tube about what camera to use, they are fooling themselves. Some of their money would be better spent on marketing and sales courses, if you don't know how to sell you will flounder. You make your own luck! Selling landscape prints, that's your world, but Joe Cornish is closing his gallery in Northallerton, overheads are going up and up. Everybody is a photographer these days and they all take awesome photographs, they know this because the weather lady on the TV says so!
Not sure about the gear advice, I’m a trade person and I would just hate working with crappy tools, make the job a bit of a pig and you can’t always achieve the desired result. I always keep seeing pro photographers saying gear doesn’t matter but they all have the best gear lol. I think if you can afford it and it makes you happy then why not.
Virtually all cameras made in the last ten years are superb and are up to the job of taking great photos. I fully understand the need of manufacturers to keep ‘improving’ and bringing out new models as it keeps their businesses going and without it we wouldn’t have anything to use for our hobby or profession. But - and it is a big ‘but’, if you are a real photographer and with a real ‘eye’ for photography and understand exposure and composition, you can take great photos almost regardless of the gear you use. It seems to me that certainly a lot of amateur photographers think that by buying a better camera they will somehow get to take better photos. But if they don’t have the skills they are wasting their money, money that would be better spent on a photography course to give them training. I have a number of cameras, and one at least 20yrs old (a 5MP bridge camera) and it takes superb photos that I print and are admired by friends and neighbours who beg them off me and have them framed.
I appreciate you bringing up the topic of loneliness. For me, it's a hobby, but even then feeling like there aren't many people to talk to who appreciate photography (beyond 'ooo' and 'ahh') and the general fact that the world is so utterly flooded with images now can make me wonder what I do it for. It is usually then that I remember that when I have a camera in my hand, I am vastly more engaged with the natural world.
Trying to explain the attributes of a camera over a mobile phone is fruitless. With modern software 20yo gear is all you need. In fact it may be better than the plastic stuff coming to market.😅😅
Great comment Alex and very true 👍
Well said. I've often had similar thoughts. Whenever I catch myself feeling overwhelmed by the deluge of great images out there, I remember that I'm doing this for myself. It brings me great satisfaction and a sense of peace, which is all the reason I need. We're like fishermen. We cast our line in the water and dream about what we'll bring home.
Anything that connects you to nature has to be positive in my book. View it, capture it, and enjoy it for you.
I actually like the loneliness and solitude of Photography. I also do fine art and could spend days alone drawing and never speak to anyone. When it does become an issue is whether you are safe in some places alone. I wish I had someone to go with at times and may resort to hiring someone.
There is a world of difference between being alone and being lonely. I can feel lonely in a room full of people, but I absolutely revel in my solitude.
I’m with you,but I think we’re in the minority Tony
At 74 , I look back as a high school and college photo journalist leading to VietNam Combat marine photographer, only to return to America and be a wedding photographer, which I found to be much more hazardous to my health. Now I am retired from being electrical contractor and he can afford to buy the cameras of my choice and photograph for fun and personal pleasure. Your comments really hit home, appreciate taking the time and time to make this video is like having a heart-to-heart conversation
So good to see a fellow photographer that takes his dog along on shoots ❤
Thanks buddy, she certainly slows my photography down. haha
Ah yes the adulation, praise and glory of being creative. Not! The long hours, low income, and introspection, often unaccompanied; but how wonderful and rewarding it can be. Sometimes the littlest things are worth all the effort especially when you get to do what you love. I always enjoy joining you on your adventures Ian. Thank you.
Thanks buddy 👍 great words
You're never lonely when you've got a black and white dog with you.
Even though I love motion, I’ll vote for the still version this time.
Many thanks, that is good to know 🙏👍
With regard to the motion v still shot I prefer the still version. As a landscape photographer it's often nice to meet up with others but equally you have to be happy on your own too.
Thanks buddy, very true.
Some of this sums up why I am strictly 'amateur'. I shoot what I want, when I want, and there's a great 'rush' when a shot comes together. I've compared that to the thrill to a golfer or baseball batter gets at the instant they connect to the ball. Everything is about that brief moment. All the planning, all the practice is really about those brief moments.
All of the business side of being a pro photographer is absolutely why I stay an amateur. I want to take photos, I don't want to spend my time dealing with anything else (including filming youtube videos and all of the editing that goes along with it).
I never intend to be a pro, I do it for myself. I love seeing things of beauty and just hope I’m good enough someday with a camera to share what I see.
Another vote for the still over motion. Always love the idea if trying something different though!
think I prefer the still scene at 5:40. Good point on the marketing and business skills being most important.
Cheers buddy 👍
Appreciate you raising these points, Ian! Always enjoy your videos - visually and for motivation as an aspiring professional. Also great to see your furry companion join you on some photo adventures!
My pleasure and thanks for watching 👍😊
Your point here is already considered. “Lone worker” yes I’d agree with this especially in the RUclips setting. On my walks I have tried it with another person or two but it’s just not me. Stopping and starting to take a photo especially if using a tripod, using my drone for photo / video also takes time and sitting for about an hour while I take a left to right time lapse isn’t everyone’s idea of a walk; especially if it’s cold and a good few miles from the final destination then having to walk back (again stopping for imigary). Yep - lonely
It's one of the reasons I bring along my dog 👍
Absolutely agree, I retired after a forty year career as a pro. Photography is the easy bit. Marketing, sales and accounting skills are crucial. I think that it was easier to build a career when I started, I think that it is tougher now. Having said that RUclips has opened up opportunities for landscape photographers that did not exist years ago.
But if you can make it work it is the best job in the world 😎
Thanks Mark, congrats on such a long career 😊👍👍
You forgot to add insurance, tax, contracts, finance, equipment, premises, etc to your list. Photography is but a small part of making money at it. Like lots of failed small businesses failure to understand these attributes over your liking a hobby leads to distress.😮😮
@@geoffreystone1598 , hiya, I did forget those and probably a myriad of other things..
Old Gear
I'm still using my trusty Sony A900 as my main camera and A100 as my walk around.
Both are rapidly approaching 20 years of age ..
Got into Sony's because I came from Minolta, much of their glass I still use on a regular basis..
As you say, if when I need kit with greater abilities ( such as being able to shoot 30+ frames per second or 40+ Mega Pixels) or an F1.4 85mm lens, then go out and hire it..
Enjoying your video's regards John ..
Thanks John, much appreciated 👍
As to the motion vs still shots, the still gets my vote. Great points made in this video Ian. Keep it up!
Thanks buddy 👍
Great to hear your point of view, Ian. Nice shots too.
Thanks buddy 👍
In this instance, I prefer the motion blur of the leaves. I think it helps lead the eye to the subject and makes clear what the subject is.
Thanks buddy, that's my preference too 👍
Very interesting insight into your world as a professional , i admire anyone who can make a living doing what that love, so hats off to you for that. You certainly need to be business orientated and driven i guess ,, glad you decided to post in this space as i enjoy the content and images you produce. Hope your well, take care.
Thanks Lee 👍😊
I had one year basic graphic school, 3 and a haft years of education, as an apprentice in a studio with school 5 weeks 2 times a year, finished in 1987, and since that photography was all what I have been doing. As work and income. A long time! You have some very good points in your video indeed! A good thing is to have other interest in your life, otherwise you can become a bit of a boring fellow, but a lot of things can be combined with photography. So it’s good to have other hobbies, and it’s also a good way to meet people! When I had a studio it was always with someone else, and I also work together with a lot of different people so the loneliness was never an issue. And another good thing about photography is that age is never a problem. I do know photographers who are over 70 and do a lot of really great projects.
Nice open advice, I had already come to the conclusion that landscape print sales were never going to give a full time income and assumed that's why many turn to RUclips tutorials etc
Hi Ian, I prefer the Still one at 5:40. Great video, thank you.
Thanks Alain 😊👍
Yes Ian , being a pro isn’t as glamorous as as it sounds, I did toy with the idea in the nineties, I think I made the right decision and stay put. Notice we both have mad tri collies , great company on shoots . See you soon
Hey David, cant beat a collie, how old is yours?
@@ian_worth we’ve rescued two the first in 2020 very mistreated, he’s ok now, and my shadow Bella I rescued 18 months ago, both are four.
Another great video Ian , very informative as always, keep up the great work 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
I cannot begin to imagine how stressful it must be to be a wedding photographer as you only get one chance. And turning your hobby into a business could mean the end of doing something you really enjoy ☺️ love watching you explore Pembrokeshire as we are in Lawrenny and I always try and guess your location Ian, I’m not winning that’s for sure 😂 Go try the estuary on the pontoon by the Lawrenny arms early one morning best on a still morning when the tides at its peak, I’ll win that week 😂
Cheers buddy, have you tried the oak woodland which is accessed through the boat yard at Lawrenny, its well worth a look if you haven't, there's some stunning gnarly characters in there 👍👍
Obviously, you need a plan. Don't just snap shots. Then you rinse and repeat each time. Is not that the clinets will compare the photos . Not rocket science
Some refreshingly realistic points here -not least of them #6. That said, this RUclipsr might want to use a larger typeface to highlight them. Great dog, also.
Very engaging topic, thanks for sharing your experience from professional and business perspective, helps us enthusiasts that may consider turning professional, cheers.
I appreciate that! 👍
Thank you for this, sir!
Now I’m off to check out your other videos.
Great content,Ian, thought-provoking and somehow comforting at the same time. At the risk of being gear focussed, what is the make of your awesome tripod head?
It's definitely the still photo, in my opinion. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed. 👍
Making photos is the fun/easy part. Clients don't fully understand everything else that goes into it. I don't know anyone that didn't start their journey out of a love and joy for the craft and anyone that starts photography thinking about making money isn't going to last. I took a couple years off because it turned into unenjoyable work and I was taking on stuff that I hated. I recomposed and am back at it but I won't take on anything I don't enjoy anymore. I've been a chef and photographer for 30 years. I don't have time to not enjoy my love of photography. It is my therapy.
Great words buddy 👍
It’s cool. It’s why I make my money from my 9-5 as a remote Data Engineer. Maybe I don’t get to take as many pics, but maybe not - you said taking photos is the smallest part of being a professional photographer as well. So…maybe if taking pics is what I enjoy - I should just keep it as one of my many hobbies.
Very interesting take on the life of a Pro Photographer. I think you made an excellent choice to focus on RUclips, and I really look forward your walking photo shoots, both for the great scenery and your always revealing working commentary. The shot at 9:08 is just absolutely stunning, what a truly beautiful treescape.
They Never Tell You to watch out for your dog!😊
so true 👍👍
Your not alone, you've got ya best mate with you. 🐶😁
because of you i have gained more knowledge of photography. thank you
Hello Ian, I am a photography enthusiast and amateur. I've been watching your videos on RUclips for a while. I am inspired by your compositions and I learn a lot from the comments you give us. THANKS!
Thanks so much for watching the channel, much appreciated 🙏👍
And yet here we are.
Bit of movement - which can also capture a mood I feel - looks good. And yes, when my skills match the tech of my Nikon D850 I might upgrade. But at the moment the camera is better than me! 😂
I shot with the d800 for many years, awesome cameras. 👍👍
Just realised I’m the 720 ….. still better than me. 😀😀
Hi Ian.I'm new to your channel and novice to photography,but I really enjoy your content.Best regards.
Excellent advice! Great thought based on experience!
Lovely video as usual, I preferred the still shot you asked about.
Thanks buddy 👍
Another photographer I watch has done multiple videos on photography and introverts. Does photography make you introverted or are introverts drawn to photography? I'm not sure I know that answer but I think many photographers, like myself, are introverts. And hey! By the way, you are never alone when you have your dog! Love that you included footage of him(?) Mine is a female Australian Shepherd and she goes everywhere with me. :)
I like the still shot, but both are sweet images. Enjoyed hearing your thoughts. All I lack as a photographer is a great dog like yours.
Very honest content! On the ‘gear’ front, virtually all cameras made in the last ten years are superb and are up to the job of taking great photos. I fully understand the need of manufacturers to keep ‘improving’ and bringing out new models as it keeps their businesses going and without it we wouldn’t have anything to use for our hobby or profession. But - and it is a big ‘but’, if you are a real photographer and with a real ‘eye’ for photography and understand exposure and composition, you can take great photos almost regardless of the gear you use.
It seems to me that certainly a lot of amateur photographers think that by buying a better camera they will somehow get to take better photos. But if they don’t have the skills they are wasting their money, money that would be better spent on a photography course to give them training. I have a number of cameras, and one at least 20yrs old (a 5MP bridge camera) and it takes superb photos that I print and are admired by friends and neighbours who beg them off me and have them framed.
Different story shooting video. The latest gear is light years ahead of those old DSLR's. ..
Thanks for this. I needed to hear this. Even though I just bought an XH2 (although still shoot with my XT2s).
Nice video Ian. I prefer the still shot early on, Love the tree shot that you waited for at 9.10, it almost seems other worldly as if the tree is about to move.
Photographing the dryads now!
The majority of the work involved in wedding photography was going to unfamiliar churches and catering venues to plan your shoot and talking to the service providers. I spent a lot of time looking for distractions that may ruin a shot, such as ugly drain pipes or hazards such as brambles that may snag a wedding dress. Ugly indoor features that might ruin a photo. I'd look for alternative locations depending on the light or an ugly feature external to the venue. As we only had film, we had to get the shot right the first time and there was no margin for error. Then there were nutty vicars, guest who couldn't take instructions, people who went missing etc. You needed to constantly scan the frame for any detritus or a stray dog turning up. I once had a mother of the bride who lost her hat to the wind and it flew round the entire grounds like a boomerang, before it fell into a rusty oil drum half filled with water and some half burnt timbers. You couldn't make it up. I once travelled to Worthing to photograph the wedding of a navy officer. The vicar told me not to use a flash gun because it damages the stonework, as it happened I didn't use flash much because I prefer to capture the natural light. The funniest weddings were in the North East, where all sorts of hilarious things happen. But like you said, there's not much money in social photography.
Cheers buddy, some great stories there, really interesting 👍😊
On my phone at least, I liked the still better. The background looked a little misty and I really like those types of days! (providing I'm not freezing my but off...) As for the rest, lots of good advice about the business and life aspects. Thanks for that, you got a new subscriber here! 👍
Thanks Ian, that was a really enlightening video,.
An interesting and thought provoking video Ian. Yes, selling images/prints is hard going, I have a little part-time work on top of the photography which basically covers any trips further afield, but I do a lot of photography locally too. I don't have a big income but enough to keep everything goingy. The photography side is a lot of hours, double it when you take into account culling/editing and all the other computer-based stuff so from my point of view it's probably marketing and social media that takes a hit. The upside is I get to spend a lot of time surrounded by nature and over the years have found a lot of 'quiet' places on my doorstep.
Thanks buddy, great words, money isn't everything, i'm earning less now doing RUclips full time, but i'm happier and that's the most important thing. 👍
@@ian_worth Indeed, work/life balance and all that. I'm happier in myself now than 20+ years spent in quite a stressful office environment and have the time to define my photography (if that makes sense!). I wish you every success.
REALLY good video Ian - brilliant insights shared. Many thanks. Great dog! :-) Andy - Wellington NZ
Your second photo of the tree is beautiful “love it” 👍
😊 thank you
Fairly new to your channel, love the content directly related to taking photos but really appreciate your philosophical content as it is content not as often found and it warms my heart to see how much your dog loves being out in the field with you. My dog has traveled with me thru many western states as I search for those elusive killer shots but on days when conditions work against me and I may not even take a photo seeing how much he enjoys just being out in nature reminds me to appreciate it as well.
I appreciate you telling this 😊
I'm new to photography and really excited to learn, so channels like yours are so helpful! I find it interesting that you tend to use low ISO settings and bring more light into the camera by using a slower shutter. You also seem to always use a tripod.
I bought a Panasonic Lumix G85 mirrorless as my first camera and, with my shots so far, I have been avoiding shutter speeds less than 1/100 and compensating by bumping up ISO instead. I'm not really noticing any noise at ISO levels up to 3200 - am I just neive?
Part of the reason for avoiding low shutter speeds is because I don't have a tripod yet. But, I'm finding the Dual-IS of my camera seems really good! Do I need to get a tripod right away? I'm an avid hiker, so most of my photos will be of alpine landscapes. I'm also an avid ADV motorcycle rider, so I will also be capturing video and photos from those adventures. In both cases, I try to pack as light as possible. Is there an inexpensive, light weight tripod you can recommend?
don't be scared of high ISOs friend! lowering it to less than needed may be actually worse than getting a little noise (shaky pics most commonly)
If you’re doing landscapes, a tripod is essential gear in the long run. A lot of landscape photography is waiting for the right light to hit. It’s a lot easier to setup everything and frame/ focus done and then wait for the moment with a remote shutter. I find that actually looking with my eyes at the scenery, I nail the right light more than if I keep having to look through the viewfinder. And good light can be very fleeting. It’s naive to think you can just point and shoot and get the perfect shot in that moment. Far better to be properly ready and just hit the shutter.
It’s also a lot easier to make small adjustments on the lcd screen. Tripod also allows you to shutter delay to further reduce shake. And then in landscape, you might want to stack or make composites in editing.. photos shot on a tripod will have more consistent framing and will make your life easier.
Ofc there’s also a lot of shots you cannot get without long exposure like in astro, or capturing flowing water. So yes, get a tripod.
On the ISO side, landscape is already restricted on the aperture front since we need sharpness right to the corners. And if you’re selling prints, then ISO needs to be as low as possible so that if you blow it up in size, the grain won’t be too bad. It’s a matter of if you’re selling postcards or wall sized photos. So with f-stop and ISO both restricted, the only option is shutter speed, hence tripod.
@@sparklefreeze87 thanks very much for the detailed reply, time to buy a tripod!
The tree shot at around 5:30 in the video is spectacular IMHO.
Thanks so much 😊👍
As a spotty teenager my hobby was transporting. ( steam trains). That was 60 years ago. We were known as “anoraks”. We would travel far and wide to catch a glimpse of our favourites.
Now we have RUclips photographers taking up the mantle. Looking like something out of a refugee camp.
Thanks for the video. 😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the incredibly kind comment
love both images 5:41
Great and honest insights! Thank you.
I am only a mere amateur and have sold some fine art animal prints, however it is no were enough to give up my day job ! Lol
Today in the social media lead business IMO it is hard to a pro photographer, unless you sell workshops and experiences as that is where the money is now !
Very informative, thank you! I'm a amateur photographer looking to venture into professional photography. Really interesting to get an insight from someone with years of experience. Also love the bag! :D
Hey what brand is your backpack???
On kit, I remember talking to some guy on the train on the way to a wedding gig. He was an amateur, not even that keen but he had the latest Nikon Flagship which he'd bought because he could, I think I was using a D700 that was about 5 years old at the time. Few years down the line and I stopped shooting professionally, perfectly good D750 in the bag and I'm eyeing up the ZF, how the roles reverse!
Good points!
Thanks. Great advice and thoughts 👍
great points… good vid…
Thanks 👍
I think a lot of photographers should also have a small home studio and do headshot portraits part time, and also their field of study whether landscape or product photos. That way, loneliness is less a problem because you are with people some of the time. I do portraits about 40 percent and product and realty photos about 60 percent, so this makes it less lonely a profession as a one man band profession.
what laptop are you using for editing mate?
STORY TIME: I remember starting my journey three years ago thinking no one would hire me - fast forward and I have a full-time content creation job and have worked with tv networks, sports leagues, and big influencers! If I can do it, you can too! I share tips and tricks on my youtube channel to! Hope you all the best and I'm here to help answer any questions you may have as well! ❤📸🎥
Great points, Ian 👌🏼
Cheers buddy 👍😊
Photography as a service is a living hell at least for me. Mostly real estate photography for the past several years and it just never ends and it’s never lucrative.
I would do anything together get up into another category of it or just get away from it Altogether. And by the way, I couldn’t bill a client for a new pair of underwear. But I am not a business person. And yes, Unless a woman absolutely loves camera gear, Photography And getting her picture taken constantly, A relationship it’s just about impossible. The work just never ends. I would say photography has absolutely been a life choice of hell. Still love it and hate it. But that’s what I do.
Love your videos
You are never alone when you have a dog for company. Woof woof.
right in the jewels 1:22
A lot of the advice makes sense (which excludes the notion of "hidden secret") but is definitely not a rule. Starting with equipment: what old beaten-up camera and lens are you using for this video? ;o) Medium format Fuji is it? Looks pretty pristine too. As you mention it, a good tool makes the work easier (and can open new possibilities). Ok it was a nice excuse to spend time showing us a few of your landscapes, that was the best part. More images and the talk over the photographs rather than your walk maybe.
As for the "loneliness" which I would call solitude, I totally agree. One needs to be immersed into one's subject and oneself to make a good photograph, it is a way of being for many (one of the best examples that comes to my mind is Josef Koudelka, or Sebastian Salgado, or considering landscape photography Ansel Adams, Edward Burtynsky, Richard Misrach-all these guys have spent, do spend enormous time on their own photographing with success).
I'm in that space Ian where I do make some money from Photography and a reasonable amount, but it's not enough for me to make the leap to doing full-time photography. It's partly due to where I live as well which is a beautiful place and I could move to a bigger city with a bigger market, but I simply would then lose my soul. I love going out and just shooting still. I have a very good day job as an addiction counsellor, and that takes care of four days of work and enough money to pay the mortgage and bills and then anything I make on top of that is a bonus. A few people have said to me I should turn full time and open up a big gallery and do all the glamorous things that people talk about, but I just think it would fail and it's not because of my images it's just that the marketplace people in Australia where I live are struggling to meet their mortgage. They can't afford to spend $1000 on a print that's framed on a wal. I would need to sell prints that size just to make end. Meet to pay the rent on the space and then I would need to do more workshops. It would be a lot of time and effort and I just don't see the financial income being able to maintain a life. But I'm really happy with how I've progressed and I think it's finding a spot where you can sit and be comfortable whether that's full-time part-time or casual professional photography I don't think you have to do it full-time. I think there's this obsession with doing it full-time and people burn out my day job keeps me humble and it keeps me. Also very keen to pick up my camera at the end of the day.. Thank you for your great video really got me thinking
A great piece Nev, you made some very valid points there. I too toyed with the idea of opening a gallery in my area, but after a lot of number crunching and research I figured out i would be better selling buckets and spades to the tourists than big prints. 👍
Great video 👍
I think one of the biggest differences between a working photographer and a hobbyist is that working photographers only buy the gear that need and hobbyist buy what they want. Some people buy expensive cars or boats to drive around on the weekend. I buy camera gear. Another thing I've noticed is that a lot of working photographers only know how to shoot maybe a couple of types or genres of photography. It's usually portraits or weddings. They can't tell you how to take pictures of the milky way or how to focus stack or blend exposures. They only learn what they need for their business. I'm not saying that's a bad thing or to knock working people in this field. I'm just pointing out a difference. I, myself, am trying to learn everything I can whether it's street, astro, sports, portraits, etc, to become better. So many genres overlap. To me it helps you to be more creative if you've been exposed to different ways of shooting.
At 5:20 you mentioned "story" could you elaborate please?
Still, I prefer
That's interesting, thanks 👍
Fab video as always Ian
Thanks buddy, much appreciated 👍
Solid advice 👏👏👏
Another thought provoking video Ian, thank you. Can you please do a video on how to train a Border Collie? My nutter would be knocking over and chewing the tripod. Yours is so calm. Oh, and nice pics.
Cheers buddy, she nuts too, for at least the first 2 hours, then she calms down a bit haha
There is a meme that says "Marry your lenses, but only date your camera". There seems to be a new camera model every year, but new lenses are introduce once a generation.
Still for sure
This is true 9:22
I hit the like & sub button when your best friend there hit you in the jewels , LOL
The print business is almost gone now , 10 years ago I used to make good money selling prints but now I only sell to a client list and stop chasing the print market. Workshops are where the money is made if you have the people skills… I don’t lol
Just a retired guy with a camera, out creating whatever I wish. How about those peps who call the authorities because they don't want to be on camera while out in PUBLIC SPACES! It's happened more than once with me. It's one thing to be using a phone, but a totally different animal while using pro-gear. Nice $10,000 camera there. lol
Still for me
Thanks buddy 👍
Motion!
me too 👍😊
I am sure the camera industry rely on amateurs rather than the pros for profit. When it was my living I hired equipment when it was required, the brunt of my work was shot on 35mm. If I needed medium format I would hire a 6x7 Mamiya RB67 or later the RZ67. I was never scared of saying no to a prospective client, rather that than be out of your depth and earning yourself a bad name. So back in the day I had hard copy portfolios all A3 size and they can still work today, if you put large prints in front of a client they will take notice, wedding, portrait or commercial. There is too much rubbish on you tube about what camera to use, they are fooling themselves. Some of their money would be better spent on marketing and sales courses, if you don't know how to sell you will flounder. You make your own luck! Selling landscape prints, that's your world, but Joe Cornish is closing his gallery in Northallerton, overheads are going up and up. Everybody is a photographer these days and they all take awesome photographs, they know this because the weather lady on the TV says so!
Not sure about the gear advice, I’m a trade person and I would just hate working with crappy tools, make the job a bit of a pig and you can’t always achieve the desired result. I always keep seeing pro photographers saying gear doesn’t matter but they all have the best gear lol. I think if you can afford it and it makes you happy then why not.
Yeah I know what you mean, I always wanted my tools to be sharp, I just didn't like paying for it haha... just me being tight
Virtually all cameras made in the last ten years are superb and are up to the job of taking great photos. I fully understand the need of manufacturers to keep ‘improving’ and bringing out new models as it keeps their businesses going and without it we wouldn’t have anything to use for our hobby or profession. But - and it is a big ‘but’, if you are a real photographer and with a real ‘eye’ for photography and understand exposure and composition, you can take great photos almost regardless of the gear you use.
It seems to me that certainly a lot of amateur photographers think that by buying a better camera they will somehow get to take better photos. But if they don’t have the skills they are wasting their money, money that would be better spent on a photography course to give them training. I have a number of cameras, and one at least 20yrs old (a 5MP bridge camera) and it takes superb photos that I print and are admired by friends and neighbours who beg them off me and have them framed.
They always get you in the peanuts😵💫😵💫
Still
Thanks buddy 👍
👍👍👍
You know on your video thumbnail photo, you have the word "me" twice. FYI
No way, I never saw that, thanks for letting me know 👍🙏