Alyssa.
Howard Moo Young, Contributor
This column has been absent for some time, and the many readers who have enjoyed these articles over the past two years can now be assured that this is the first in a new series which will appear weekly in this section of The Sunday Gleaner. We appreciate your patience and your feedback.
There are many ways to make money in photography, including processing film and making prints for other photographers. You can scan images from slides or negatives, put them on CD, retouch photographs that are not your own, copy and restore old or damaged photographs, collect photos and books, shoot ID photos, weddings, birthdays, school packages and individual portraits.
But believe me, none of these is quite as satisfying from a creative point of view. As a photographer, wouldn't you prefer to make money by shooting pictures? Here are some tips for making extra money from your favourite pastime that involve shooting pictures.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
If you want your photos to attract attention, they had better be good. You get better at your photography by shooting lots of photos. But since the cost of film and processing can be quite expensive, you might consider getting at least a 4-megapixel consumer digital camera to practice your photography. They produce a good enough image quality to publish a photo up to 5x7 at 300dpi and turn out good 11x17 in. inkjet colour prints.
But, most importantly, it saves money and is a great learning tool.
You can store more than 250 images on a CD, and since you don't have to buy film and pay for processing, you can shoot lots of photos to perfect your eye and technique. You can now begin to shoot to develop your eye, the way you see pictures, and, in the long run, develop your style.
LISTEN AND KEEP
YOUR EYES OPEN
Every day, newsworthy events happen somewhere, and just about every place, at one time or another. Newspaper photojournalists just can't be everywhere. So here is an opportunity for you to take and sell good photos of breaking events, and you can even introduce your unique style of shooting pictures. Keep your eyes open for them. But for your own safety, do not interfere with police or firemen doing their jobs.
Take pictures that help tell your story, keeping in mind good composition with impact. With news stories, you have to shoot when and where it's happening, but with features, you can often choose a photogenic time and place. There are many single-photo human-interest opportunities out there.
IS IT WORTH A
THOUSAND WORDS?
With three daily newspapers, several weekly publications, monthly and quarterly magazines, the vast majority if not all use photos. Here is an opportunity for any good photographer who can turn out a decent article to accompany his or her pictures. It is often easier for an editor to accept a photo/text feature, than individual photos for publication, unless the individual picture is outstanding.
If you don't have a degree in English don't worry about it, the editors will polish your prose if your photos and ideas are great. But you must be able to put your ideas on paper clearly. Or you can team up with a friend who is a good writer for your article.
SEEK OUT OPPORTUNITIES
There are paintings, prints and drawings on display on the walls of local restaurants and other business establishments. Why not approach some of your friends and family, or even strangers for that matter, and create a win-win deal in that the business gets free décor, while the photographer gets free exposure.
You can attach your card to each photo on display and even sell your prints to customers who see you at these venues. Edit your work, get some good prints, mount them and approach the manager of such local businesses. Can you imagine going out to dinner with friends and have them notice your pictures hanging on the walls?
CONSIDER THE 'STOCK' MARKET
If you specialise, or prefer doing certain types of photography, you might consider the stock-photography market.
Stock photos are generic pictures that are sold to advertising agencies, publishers, printers and directly to clients. They have several commercial uses, including brochures, ad campaigns, annual reports and calendars. Some popular stock-photo subjects include people at work or play, scenic and industrial scenes, flowers, animals and glamour photography. Please make sure you get model releases from any person who appear in these photos.
Because part of your motivation as a photographer is to share your insights and your vision of the world, you will find that the rewards of promoting yourself (and therefore your stock photography) will far outweigh that of enclosing tear sheets of your triumph in business correspondence.
PICTURES OF PETS
A lot of Jamaicans have pets, ranging from birds, fishes, rabbits, cats, dogs, snakes, even horses and ponies. Sometimes the owners would love to have a great picture of their favourite pet but can never seem to take a satisfactory image. Here's a tip, practice on a friend's pet before you offer your services and remember as with photos of children, take pet pictures at the pet's eye level, not looking down on them. Please don't use a wide-angle lens at close range to distort the face (same as in humans). Animals can also show red-eye, so be careful with the use of the flash. Always make sure that the owner is present or an assistant to help manage the pet and get shots of both owner and pet.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
When families and friends get together and celebrate, the occasion always calls for a good photographer, not only to record the event, but also to capture the expressions, colour, mood and great human-interest pictures.
Usually, the family member you see at these functions with the camera doesn't really have a clue, and is usually disappointed with the results. If you feel that you can deliver great shots, why not offer your services for a fee. You will gain more and more confidence after every roll of film.
Howard Moo Young is an advertising/graphic design/ photography consultant with over 40 years experience. mooimages@yahoo.com.
