|
| Author | Thread |
|
|
07/22/2005 08:41:37 AM · #1 |
...the continuing chronicles of my freelancing...
ok, i'm starting to get a lot more comfortable with getting the assignments and going out and doing the shoots. for the most part, i believe the comfort is coming from the confidence that i can interpret the assignment well enough to get enough shots that the paper will find something that works.
another thing is having confidence in my equipment. as we all know, skill, experience, and creativity are more important than equipment. however, we also know that sometimes, if you don't have the equipment, you can't do the job. case in point: my sports challenge shot. i shot that on a bright, sunday afternoon with my 75-300 f/4. it is adequate, but still lacking. i lost the assignment to shoot an evening game, because that was the longest lens i had, and the photo director knew that it would not get the shots he needed--it just isn't fast enough. but, at this point, with my 20D and my super-wide angle 16-35 f/2.8L, i do have the equipment to get just about any documentary type shot the paper needs.
yesterday morning (thurs, 07.21.05), i had two assignments, back to back:
9:00am "For a project story about the jobs of high school football players. Deep Run's E. Stockbower works for Hawthorne Landscaping. Get a photo of him doing his job."
10:30am "For "Hidden Treasures" series. Scotchtown, the home of Patrick Henry, in Hanover County. Shoot artifacts, exterior shot of Schotchtown, individual room shots, and details of artifacts. We need 4-5 shots for the main Flair Section cover.
on the surface, this is not too bad, but it is about a 45 minute drive from where my kids are in camp to the first shoot, and then it's another 30 minute drive between shoots. so, i have to get my kids to camp, find this kid, do the shoot, then hustle up to the next one.
it doesn't help that by 9am, it's already 92 degrees, with a heat index over 100. and even though i had good directions, it still took me 10 minutes hunting through the development they were working in to find the guy i was to shoot. these guys are landscapers and there is no shade. on one hand, this is the type of assignment i'd like to be able to do in 15 minutes...BUT, i've already learned that even with a deadline, you have to shoot until you are satisfied. so, i shot for about 45 minutes.
then i jumped in my car and drove up to rural hanover county...and, as luck would have it, i got stuck behind a hay-baler for the last 4 miles. talk about taking time to smell the roses--i had no choice but to slow down and enjoy the ride.
even though the Scotchtown house is about 250 years old, they did, thankfully, add central air conditioning when they renovated it. this was a fun shoot. i took the tour, talked with the reporter and the curator, got an idea of what was interesting to them and what they wanted to feature, then they let me loose to see how i could see what was there. what a blast! it really is amazing, though, looking through these shots, to see how much of an influence dpc has had in my shooting...
it made for a great morning, covering lots of territory. now, i'm just waiting to hear back from the photo director as to which images he's going to want worked up.
edit: ay-yi-yi, they wanted 5 from the football player shoot and 16 from the patrick henry shoot!!!
Message edited by author 2006-01-22 00:26:12. |
|
|
|
07/22/2005 08:50:16 AM · #2 |
Hey Skip - Did you remember to pick the kids back up on the way back? ;^)
Seriously, it's so cool that the photography gig is coming together for you. You've certainly earned it. Thanks for sharing the excitement!
Barry
|
|
|
|
07/22/2005 08:52:59 AM · #3 |
Hey Skiperoony!
Sounds like it's taking off for you! Are you doing a regular job full time still or working mostly on this now?
I don't think it would be unreasonable to just remind the editor of travelling times as he may have overlooked that. I know one wants to be as accommodating as possible but I think any good editor will have respect for someone who shows willing, is flexible but occasionally declines or suggests a different timeframe where appropriate.
Anyway, good to hear how well it's going.
Kavey
|
|
|
|
07/22/2005 09:05:22 AM · #4 |
Hey Skip, I enjoyed your reading about your day and looking at the pics. Funny--I had the same questions and thoughts as Kavey!! Maybe she's planting stuff in my brain from across the ocean. ;)
When they send you to shoot someone, are you sure they mean take a photo ;)
I'm curious how much they pay for such work if it's "freelance" rather than salary. If you care to tell here, or by email, let me know. I'm sure it will vary by area. But it seems like in some cases, especially like the Patrick Henry house, it would be a fun way to gain full access for a shoot that you might like to do anyway!
We love reading about your days here, but you might consider, for your own sake, starting a blog instead. Then you will have a nice sequential log of your progression from amateur to professional. Some day you may be writing a book, and think of how hard it will be to find these in the forums ;) |
|
|
|
07/22/2005 11:43:40 AM · #5 |
thanks, barry, kavey, & neil!
ok, to answer some questions:
1) you do not do this to get rich ;-)
2) it is AWESOME getting access to things you wouldn't otherwise
3) starting out freelancing, you are basically paying your dues, until you establish a rock solid reputation for delivering quality work, on time. for some, this might take a few months, for others, it might take years. in any event, the competition to get on a freelance list is fierce for larger papers and can be for smaller publications. the pay is little, and, unless you are on staff, no travel expenses are reimbursed. you are typically paid by the image or by the assignment, with payment ranging from $7-25 per image, and from $25-50 per assignment.
4) there are exceptions...like if you have an exclusive image that will not only make the front page, but also get picked up by other news agencies. this is another reason to always have a camera with you.
5) yes, i remembered to pick my kids up
6) i might get a blog going, once i finish overhauling my website, but, for the time being, i'm collecting all these threads at the bottom of my profile, just above where you can click to add me to your favorite photographer's list ;-)
7) in subsequent threads, i aim to cover some of the other mechanics of freelancing and photojournalism, including things like contracts and photo-file preparation.
8) and yes, photography is all that i'm doing for a living these days.
thanks again for all the support! |
|
|
|
07/23/2005 10:12:10 AM · #6 |
|
|
|
07/23/2005 10:15:34 PM · #7 |
Awesome set of posts, Skip. Congrats on the freelance work. Your shots are interesting. I like what you've shown throughout this set of posts.
Keep up the good work.
Kev
|
|
|
|
07/23/2005 10:21:02 PM · #8 |
| Skiprow, this is all exciting reading. Thanks so very much for sharing your experiences with us. You write so well I expect that helps you choose your photographic subject matter. Staff writers must be delighted to get your images and your background material. |
|
|
|
Current Server Time: 08/24/2025 03:43:44 PM  |
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/24/2025 03:43:44 PM EDT.
|
