What to do... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/18/2006 06:58:18 PM · #1

OK so I've come to a point where a decision has to be made. My options are as follows, and I'm interested in any feedback or opinions anyone may have...

Go to college for computer programming (or networking or something computer related) -- I have always loved computers. Even in highschool I used to be up late at night, often missing school the next day, because I was working on various programs in visual basic or c/c++. Now I've been out of the loop for a while, so I expect some of the stuff I would learn to be a bit repetitive, but I'd get the piece of paper that would prove I know how to program.

Go to college for photography -- with this option, I consider it a risk. I mean what can they teach me that I can't get out of a book for free at the library? It would be nice to have a piece of paper that says I slaved away the hours on photography in classes, but the proof is in the pudding. You can either take the photo or you can't and I personally don't see how a degree will prove to anyone that I am capable of taking a picture the way a strong portfolio would.

Just go all out trying to run my own photography business -- now with this option, there is a lot of risk involved. I could end up broke with no income very shortly. Now at the same time, this option has the potential for the greatest rewards. I could just go full force into things, dropping pamphlets and fliers everywhere trying to get clients for headshots, weddings, senior portraits, and family portraits.

--

Anyway, either way I'm just looking for anyone's opinion on the matter. If you have an opinion, I'd like to hear it. Also, have any programmers out there used //www.rentacoder.com to earn some extra income? I signed up but haven't really familiarized myself with the site yet.

Thanks.

Dr.Confuser

Nikon D800

08/18/2006 07:09:02 PM · #2

How about go to college, major in computer science, minor in Photography?

If you're prepared for school (i.e. take it seriously and are ready to work hard to learn) and can afford it, I doubt you'll regret it.

ralph

Nikon Z9

08/18/2006 07:20:00 PM · #3

bbtake CompSci, get a job & make $$$
& use photography as an excape of the drudgery of the real world ....

i find that to be effective ...sigh......

DjFenzl

08/18/2006 07:25:39 PM · #4

It's really about where is your passion.

Some people may disagree but I went to school for photography and the first thing they taught me is that if you want to be a photographer don't go to school, just go out and shoot.

With that said it's nice to have something to fall back on. going to school for programming might be good to get you into a career but if you don't stay up on it afterwards your skills will quickly become dated. So basically I'd suggest only become a programmer if you want to be a programmer.

Do you enjoy weddings and senior portraits etc? If so then with some dedication that could be a very good route for you. In my opinion you have what it takes to succeed (photography wise). I would strongly recomend you take some business courses though part time as you get started.

In any case good luck. From what I've been reading the past few months it really looks like you're doing some soul searching. I'm rooting for you, I really hope you make it. Just follow your heart and the rest will follow. :)

paddles

Pentax K10D

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

08/19/2006 08:09:35 AM · #5

It's an interesting question. A couple of professional photographers I've known have said that they spend more time doing marketing than photography (how would professionals here respond to that?). A few years ago when I was made redundant (and the IT job market was very weak) a few friends suggested that I switch to professional photography - but I decided not to, because I wanted to keep it as a passion I loved, not as a job I found tedious - not least because I'm lousy at marketing.

But that was what was going through my head. You are not me, and your skills/passions/values are not neccessarily the same as mine.

Going into programming doesn't mean you have to stay in programming (I started there, but moved to business analysis, which I love). But I'd only suggest going into IT if you have some interest/passion for it.

None of us can make the decision for you, we can only offer some (possibly contradictory) perspectives for you to consider.

annasense

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

08/19/2006 09:43:14 AM · #6

deapee, wasn't it you that was selling your gear not to long ago? change of heart?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/19/2006 10:07:38 AM · #7

Originally posted by paddles:

a few friends suggested that I switch to professional photography - but I decided not to, because I wanted to keep it as a passion I loved, not as a job I found tedious - not least because I'm lousy at marketing.

Wow, that's exactly my line of thinking.

I'm a programmer by day. I've been writing programs since I bought my first computer in 1976. I really wouldn't want to give it up. It's fun and it's challenging. I compare it to the way some people like to solve crossword puzzles. It's not for everyone. But, to me, solving programming problems is enjoyment more than work.

On the other hand, I love taking pictures. But it's more of a "break from the normal every day work" for me. I take a day off of work here and there to shoot weddings and that's just perfect for me. I feel like I'm on vacation even though I'm spending an entire day working. But ... if photography became a full time job for me, I'm not so sure I would feel the same about it. Suddenly it would become ... work.

And my major disinclination towards photography as a full time business is the marketing aspect. I suck. Right now people come to me. I like that. I don't have to sell them on anything. They ask for me because they want me. But, if I had to make a living out of it, that is, bring in enough money that even between weddings we can still afford to live in a house and eat food and do all else that I currently enjoy, well then ... I'd really have to step up the marketing, and there goes the fun.

Edit to get back on topic: So I think the point is, find out what you enjoy doing "as work". Not just what you enjoy doing.

Message edited by author 2006-08-19 10:08:17.

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

08/19/2006 10:12:17 AM · #8

Originally posted by deapee:

Go to college for photography -- with this option, I consider it a risk. I mean what can they teach me that I can't get out of a book for free at the library? It would be nice to have a piece of paper that says I slaved away the hours on photography in classes, but the proof is in the pudding. You can either take the photo or you can't and I personally don't see how a degree will prove to anyone that I am capable of taking a picture the way a strong portfolio would.

i think you're looking at this the wrong way. yes, the 'piece of paper' will open lots of doors. and you'd probably be surprised how much you'll learn every day grouped with a bunch of other people working toward the same goal. it's the daily injection of knowledge and interaction that makes the difference over reading a book. you don't have anyone to really put things in context when you're reading and maybe not understanding a concept 100%.

just my view.

mist

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/19/2006 10:12:47 AM · #9

There's always another option of going to college/uni and not studying anything related to either of the two things. I did a computing degree, and I work in it now, but you don't need one to make it in that industry, you only really need to be good at it ( or be a bit of an ass and con people into thinking you are good at it, which some people do for a while. )

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/19/2006 10:29:54 AM · #10

Then again... at least in my area, the programming jobs are leaving the country. I worked as a programmer for 5 years for a company (using their own proprietary language) and then they off shored my job to India. Now, I can't get another job as a programmer, because "you haven't worked in **insert language here** in over 5 years". Nice. My piece of paper is worthless!

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/19/2006 10:50:33 AM · #11

RE: Option two Of the three choices, I wouldn't go to college for photography, at least not for the majority of my time available for other endeavours. I have taken a course in photography that was pitiful compared to what I have learned here on DPC.

RE: Option one This sounds like the most reasonable. Like someone noted, you'll have something fall back on if photography doesn't meet your needs and expectations.

RE: Option three If you do "go all out", then REALLY go all out. You'll need to, there is a lot of competition out there in photography. I suggest going all out in as many different directions as you think that you can competently handle. I'm talking about as many of the various facets of photography that you can even come close to mastering; portraiture, fine art prints, stock (ugh!), promotional, etc. Then grab the best opportunities that present themselves and exploit them to the fullest.

You mentioned flyers and pamplets. At the lowest point in my life I was one week and two hundred dollars (plus substantial unsecured debt) from being homeless, recently divorced, and seperated from my son. I had quit my job as an Air Traffic Controller a year earlier and was out of money and income. Using the last of my cash to put together and handout flyers that gave the impression of a successful landscape design and installation company is what got me the job that helped me start my life over. With the deposit from that job, I was able to buy some tools, rent a trailer, and get the job completed. It's been a steady climb now for about five years now, and it all started with flyers. The more that you distribute, the greater the chances that one of them will end up in the hands of someone who will appreciate your talent.

You seem to have an interest in shooting cars. I found the yellow ribbon winner in the Transportation II challenge very interesting. One of the avenues that you might consider pursuing is in promoting businesses that restore cars. One of my waterfall clients is transitioning into this business and is restoring old Ford Shelbys. He is very interested in seeing what I would be able to do for his new business.

If you choose to go for it and pursue your own photography business, then realize that it's all you or nothing. Sacrifice all else for now and make building your business the priority in your life, at least until it's up and running well. If I had made the changes in my life at your age...I'm at a loss to explain where I'd be right now! Only this year (year five) have I really started to make up for all my hard work by treating myself and living the rest of my life more.

Don't succumb to getting burnt out or tired because, unlike a 9 to 5, you don't get paid if you don't work. Only you will be responsible for how hard you work at it, but only you will be sharing in the rewards that your own business has to offer.

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/19/2006 10:55:33 AM · #12

Continuing about shooting cars...I remember that one of the "Kiwi's" had posted some very informative comments in a thread about six to eight weeks ago regarding his shooting for a car company.

I'll see if I can find it.

edit to add: I found the thread, and you posted in it also. It was

KiwiShotz that I was referring to.

Message edited by author 2006-08-19 11:14:49.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/19/2006 12:04:28 PM · #13

Oh well ... DONE

I'm now enrolled full-time as a college student for Computer Information Technology. Classes start this Monday ... lol ... I don't waste any time, do I?

And on my way back from registering there, I stopped at Sheetz where I ran into an old friend and found a nice part-time job 20 hours a week to pay the bills.

So that's that.

Message edited by author 2006-08-19 12:04:38.

Canon EOS-20D

08/19/2006 12:23:29 PM · #14

Trucking wasn't for you, eh?

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/19/2006 12:52:38 PM · #15

Originally posted by mk:

Trucking wasn't for you, eh?

HELL no

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

08/19/2006 01:00:00 PM · #16

Originally posted by deapee:

I'm now enrolled full-time as a college student for Computer Information Technology. Classes start this Monday

not a bad route at all, dave. when i was in college over 20 years ago, i studied a ton of CS. a friend of mine who was an extremely talented artist was also in the program. she was there because her parents had encouraged her to study something practical that would support her passion. made sense then, makes sense know.

i ended up building and running my own IT consulting business, and that's what put me in the position to do what i'm doing today.

hope things work out for you, as well.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

08/19/2006 01:41:12 PM · #17

Thanks Skip.

Oh yeah...I set up my schedule so the earliest I have to get up is 10AM lol...and that's only 2 days a week. HAHAHAHAH

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

08/19/2006 02:11:03 PM · #18

Originally posted by deapee:

Originally posted by mk:
Trucking wasn't for you, eh?

HELL no

So, how did you really feel about trucking. :)

Sorry that didn't work out for you. Hope you have a good semester though!

MrHllywd07

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/19/2006 02:30:25 PM · #19

Originally posted by deapee:

Originally posted by mk:
Trucking wasn't for you, eh?

HELL no

So what was wrong with the trucking? Why not get a local 9 to 5 job driving local? School is good, but commitment is key, and where do you really see yourself when you are done?

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

08/19/2006 02:33:24 PM · #20

I must have missed a thread or 2 because I thought you weren't into photography anymore?

Sell Everything.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

08/19/2006 02:52:43 PM · #21

mrh: I want to sit in a chair all day in an office with a nice bathroom within walking distance away...not be stuck out on the road for 11 hours a day with no bathroom in sight and risk my career at every turn because some idiot is talking on his/her cellphone and not paying attention to the light that turned red or the stop sign or where their lane is for that matter.

buzz: I was selling my equipment because I was going to truck driving school...and it was going to be a good month before I started making some real money. Then I found some help with my financial situation so I didn't sell my gear.

Now, my part time job that I'll be working 20-25 hours a week (and off Sundays for the Steelers games and off Mondays when the Steelers play Mondays ROFL HAHAHAHAHAHAH -- yes I made sure my new boss knew those stipulations) I'll probably actually be making more money than I did at my full time job so that's a good thing.

EDIT to add: I was never selling my stuff because I didn't want anything to do with photography. I love photography, I just needed the money and figured it would have been easier to sell it now and reacquire it when I was making decent money.

Message edited by author 2006-08-19 14:53:49.

Trumpeteer4

Nikon D7000

08/19/2006 02:56:03 PM · #22

Originally posted by deapee:

You sound like an older version of me. I'm taking my first visual basic class this year and I love photography. I am also seriously considering a stock photography business for now, just to make a little money here and there.