| Author | Thread |
|
|
10/23/2005 03:06:59 AM · #1 |
Ok for anyone who has two cents to put in, I'd like to hear it.
I'm looking to get more educated from people who may have been in a similar situation....
Here I go.
I have a chance to be the photo editor of my campus newspaper (it's big paper, big Ten school, 40,000 students etc.) next semester. Thing is, since I've been shooting, I've been kinda thinkin the journalism part of photograhy isn't what I dig so much. If I'm not editor I may have time to get into studio courses etc. Basically I'd have time to shoot more commercially themed things or just what I want more.
I'm thinking of applying to grad school for photography next year (an MFA program) and I don't wanna put photojournalism type stuff in my portfolio, so I'm looking to build it with things that interest me.
But photo editor of one of the biggest college papers in the country isn't a bad thing...cept for that it means pretty limited time of me actually shooting (I have weighty advertising courseloads, so free time isn't too existent).
What would you do and why?
I appreciate anyone's thoughts. Thanks
edit: I feel I should add that this is probably my last semester on campus, because I am trying to complete my final semester of college (next fall) in Scotland or somewhere else... so I'm trying to make the best of one last semester around here.
Message edited by author 2005-10-23 03:13:03. |
|
|
|
10/23/2005 08:02:24 AM · #2 |
| Tough Call. On the one hand, I would guess that photo editor sticks out on a resume or bio at this early stage in your career and might get you a second look when you're in a big pile of resume's. But life is long, and it's better to follow your dreams while you are still young enough to do it. So, go shoot what interests you. |
|
|
|
10/23/2005 11:06:47 AM · #3 |
| Are you the only photo editor? At my school, both our papers have two photo editors. Maybe if you weren't the only one, you'd be able to have the best of both worlds, editor on your resume, and with shared responsibilities, a bit of time to do the stuff you enjoy more. |
|
|
|
10/23/2005 11:13:53 AM · #4 |
Having the photo editor gig on your resume could be a double-edged sword. You're judged by what you've done, and if PJ stuff is what you've done, you may be "put in that box" by those who review your resume.
If you want to move in other directions, use the time to shoot subjects that will build the type of portfolio YOU want your future interviewers to see.
|
|
|
|
10/23/2005 11:30:04 AM · #5 |
There will be plenty of minutes in the years ahead to take a wide variety of images to hone your craft. You're still very young.
The Photo editing job will be an experience that you can sell, resell and sell again almost anywhere, to any potential employer that you engage for the rest of your life (in a wide variety of fields, I should add).
If you enjoy photography, it will provide you with a solid, base working skill that will keep you in the game even if your artistic side is slower on the uptake.
If it's too taxing....quit. You can still say that you did it.
What was the question, again....? |
|
|
|
10/23/2005 11:36:55 AM · #6 |
| There is an opportunity cost to every choice you make. In this case, once you leave school the opportunity to be photo editor will never come again, while the opportunity to shoot what pleases you will always be available. In addition, you can take the studio courses at any point in your life should you still desire to do so. |
|
|
|
10/23/2005 11:45:48 AM · #7 |
| Life may look long if you are on the front end, but it looks pretty short when you approach the back side. I would build the resume with the photo editor position while you can. Once you reach the back side of that opportunity you may live to regret not using the opportunity that presented itself. |
|
|
|
10/23/2005 03:56:23 PM · #8 |
| bump for any more opinions? I appreciate the input so far. |
|
|
|
10/23/2005 04:10:28 PM · #9 |
I think you should take the photo editor position. You can't ever be certain that an experience like that will come along again, but you can be reasonably assured that opportunities to take pictures of things that interest you will present themselves along life's path. It will be awful to look back in 30 years and say "what if" or "if only." Good luck whatever you decide. :)
|
|
|
|
10/24/2005 10:03:59 PM · #10 |
thanks for the input people. I think im gonna make a go for the photo editor position provided the times of my required courses don't interfere.
I can always shoot what interests me without being in a class, and it might be ok to give up shooting so much just for a semester. |
|
|
|
10/24/2005 10:12:23 PM · #11 |
| Don't forget to get us free subscriptions to the paper |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 05/11/2026 07:55:50 AM EDT.
