The two primary purposes of a lighthouse are to serve as a navigational aid and to warn boats of dangerous areas. It is like a traffic sign on the sea.
When you are at sea and trying to find your port, having a lighthouse to guide you will increase your chances of reaching your destination.
What can a photographer use as a lighthouse to help them navigate their career?
First, you must know what you want to do with your photography. Who has the job that you want to do? That is the best question to start with on your journey.
You may be like millions of photographers who want to work for National Geographic Magazine. The advantage of choosing somewhere like this is that you can meet those photographers. Most of them teach classes and workshops where you can pay to consult them.
I know this because I did just that in the 1980s. Then, I studied with Steve McCurry at the Maine Photographic Workshops in Rockport, Maine. Steve reviewed everyone’s work in our class and answered any questions during our week with him.
The best part was that he told us about his career path. I quickly learned that one couldn’t simply replicate the paths taken by previous photographers. For example, he illegally crossed into Afghanistan to obtain the woman’s photograph for the cover of National Geographic Magazine. He sent his Kodachrome film to his sister, a schoolteacher, to send to the magazine. Before this, he worked at a small newspaper for a few years.
During my time with Steve McCurry and other photographers such as Don Rutledge, I soon learned that I needed to master specific skills to advance my career.
List of things one must master
- Master your Camera
- Master digital workflow
- Master Visual Composition
- Master Lighting
- Become an “EXPERT” in your subject
- Know your audience
- Create “UNIQUE” images
Master your Camera—It takes time to actually pick up your camera and make it do what you want it to do. Mastering is the ability to sit down at a concert piano and play whatever music there is to play. I found that, for most photographers, this takes around five years.
Master Digital Workflow—everything that comes after capturing the image for the client. We often refer to this as post-processing. During post-processing, you understand the color space you are working in and the color space you are delivering your images in for use. Post is where you can take the well-exposed pictures you captured and then maximize the dynamic range for the outlet.
Master Visual Composition—This is where you can capture moments that communicate the mood and message you intended to capture.
Master Lighting—First, you must recognize good light and capture it. Mastering light means putting yourself in a position to capture the best images of a subject. For example, you are planning your shoot to take advantage of natural daylight to show off the issue in the best possible way and capture the mood and message you want. Second, you know how to use artificial light to enhance the scene and create the moods and messaging you intended, not just how it looks.
Become an “EXPERT” on the Subject—This is the most crucial aspect on the list that can help set you apart from any other photographer. I went on to seminary to get an advanced degree in my subject matter to help me separate my knowledge of religion from that of many of my other photographer friends who enjoyed covering religion. In addition, after following Georgia Tech and working there for more than ten years, I knew the campus better than anyone. My experience helped me cover sports, the classroom, and research.
Know Your Audience—In business, we talk about SUPPLY and DEMAND. While you may have a lot of great images, what will determine whether you can put food on the table and a roof over your head is DEMAND. What is your audience interested in about the subject? Just as a good writer knows their audience’s reading level and writes for that audience, a photographer must understand enough about their audience to engage them. Going off to war and photographing the grotesque can be a significant mistake. You may need to filter how you cover the battle to prevent your audience from viewing the images.
Create “UNIQUE” images—If the people you are going to approach to buy your work could have shot the same idea, what good are you to them? You need to surprise them with images they would not have taken themselves. Maybe the only difference is how you light something, and sometimes it may be a pretty elaborate remote camera that lets you take a photo that would be impossible without the special gear. Remember to supply images that not everyone could easily do if they were there.
The reality is that it takes much more than talent alone. Talent is only a tiny part of the equation. Tenacity, the ability to handle severe rejection, perseverance, and a good team, gets you to the next level.
It would help if you had others look at your work and provide honest feedback.
When it comes to a successful career, other things to consider include your look, attitude, personality, photography style, fan base, tear sheets, that specific intangible X factor, and, most importantly, an undeniable, outstanding portfolio.
People say that “practice makes perfect,” but in reality, that statement is incorrect — it should state that “perfect practice makes perfect.” Perfect practice is a form of rehearsal during which you remain cognizant and analyze what you are doing. For instance, are you delving into bad habits?
The more intentionally you acquire the skills necessary to capture the subject you are becoming an expert in, the better set you are up to have a lifelong career as a professional photographer. Of course, it would help if you committed to pouring your life into this career.