Who is to Blame for WW, et al?

[tresorph]

Ok, let me preface by saying this is going to be long-winded.

Are Canon and Nikon to blame for Weekend Warriors/Uncle Bobs/Aunt Mary's? Some may consider me to be a weekend warrior, fine. But I'm working everyday to rectify my decision 10 years ago to play it safe with a business degree vs. an art degree. And I find myself in a cross roads. As of right now, I wake up thinking about my business, and go to sleep thinking of new marketing ideas, and how my studio will eventually look... I mean it's getting quite ridiculous, especially since I find myself closer to decision time about when to leave my current profession all together.

Back to who is to blame. I remember a few years ago Nikon ran an ad campaign trying to put an D80 into everyone's hands. They even had an actual size D80 insert in magazines. With new technology coming out faster and cheaper and with our very own Canon and Nikon pushing these technologies to the consumer mass - what will be left for the professional photographer? Yea, of course I know the whole - it's skill/artful eye/how to use it vs. just brandishing 2K worth of equipment at the soccer game. But this stuff will only get cheaper and more user friendly people. Will we become extinct? (I'm sure there are lovely PPA articles on this - but as this is where I congregate, this is where I ask)

And this is where I pause for a moment. Will it then be worth it to cause a gaping hole in my work history for all of this? Will our very own Canon/Nikon throw us down the river in their attempt to mimic dreamy Depth of Field in point and shoot cameras? I mean I can just see it now: shiny, sleek, size of a credit card AND a Bokeh setting. I mean, I can't be the only one thinking this.

[jasonhuang]

You aren't the only one to thinking that, no. But, I think you have to look at it from a different angle. Youtube and myspace has made celebrities overnight, but the only ones that last and have an impact on the industry operate as a business. Talent doesn't always mean a job unless you have an agent (generalization).

Sure, taking a great picture is easier nowadays. Making great movies is easier nowadays. Achieving DOF is sooo much easier nowadays. But does that mean, 1.) Everyone is going to do it themselves or 2.) Professionals are out of a job? I don't think so... :-)

One thing for sure that will keep amateurs out of the BUSINESS of photography is the actual business of photography. You give up so much when you become your own business owner (as you probably already knew). Most people aren't ready to do that.

And I think one thing that will keep you separated from amateurs is not only how you operate as a business, but your continual embracing and implementing of what's to come. I think since there's so much changing in technology, you HAVE to push yourself to keep up, not just to keep up, but to stay inspired. After all, we didn't get into this for the money, right? :-)

Consider this, also. The folks in California are competing with 5x more PROFESSIONALS, and probably 15x more weekend warriors than we are here in the central states. BUT, those that are successful find a way to stay successful and are happy working alongside WW.

Anyway, would love to hear more thoughts, especially from seasoned pros. :-)

[kenw]

If you are counting on the price or availability of your tools to make a difference, you'll need to chose a different avocation.

[boxofrocks]

Getting this ready. I feel a good thread coming on.

[tresorph]

Originally Posted by jasonhuang

One thing for sure that will keep amateurs out of the BUSINESS of photography is the actual business of photography. You give up so much when you become your own business owner (as you probably already knew).

Fortunately for me - as an accountant, that is one aspect I'm not leary of.

If you are counting on the price or availability of your tools to make a difference, you'll need to chose a different avocation.

I'm not counting on price and availability per se. What I am looking at are facts. And with all due respect, the newest tools to come out for digital photography in the last 5 years, are not expensive (software specifically) and it is what has made the difference to most professional photographers. I want to be a pro photographer for the rest of my working career, I don't just wanna make big money for a couple of years. That is why I am researching and analyzing the pros and cons to it all. I'm not trying to strike it while it's hot. And what I see for the future is that the clients that I will have will know nothing but technology. They will have been born in the late 80's and through the 90's. The are an on demand society. They they are a lifehacker post away from being experts in anything. And how do we compete with that in the long run?

I must leave the comforts of my office back to the drudgery of I-10 traffic. Have fun while I'm gone.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

Getting this ready. I feel a good thread coming on.

damn Tom, I thought you were making a point about the fact that the real money is not in the art, but in the extras that are provided and in creating a need for those extras. Like the popcorn at a movie......??

[Hogleg 44]

It takes a dang site more than a fancy camera to be a pro!
I'm sure I fall into your WW class. I have a fancy camera and a lot of fancy lenses and software, but I have no desire to compete with you.
The stuff I take pics of as a WW I would certainly NOT pay a pro to do for me. No Way!!!

I do home remodeling work for a living, and how many TV shows demonstrate to the amateur handyman how to fix his own house up. Home Depot and Lowes have classes for the amateur do-it-yourselfer. You see these supposedly Home Fix-up pros in their PU's all over the streets every day. I don't have any problem keeping busier than I really want to be with all of this competition. I don't advertise my services because I don't have to. Word of mouth is all I need to keep this busy, and all I have ever needed. I good Reputation and a loyal following of clients keep me this busy.

Point is...don't fret yourself about the WW. He is not your competition. He doesn't want to be! You just do your thing to the best of your ability and build a good reputation and a loyal following of happy clients and you will be successful. I didn't start my thing with a long list of folks waiting on me to get to their house. I had to build it up to what it is now.

You just do your thing the best way you can, and do it for a fair return for both yourself and your client, and if you are any good, the rest will come.

There are WW's in every business, so don't feel like you are the only one.

[brad]

We still have some things that WW's don't have.. a creative eye.. a vision.. a knowledge of light.. an ability to get that great shot nearly every time instead of by accident.

The camera doesn't make photos, the photographer does. I've known some extremely talented people who do fantastic work with point and shoots... and as I saw someone comment in chat today.. "I've seen P&S worthy stuff come out of a 5D Mark II."

As Paul just said.. WW's are not your competition. If they are, you are probably doing it wrong.

[110240]

in the red corner: photography is incredibly complex and the more images are used the more are needed...
in the blue corner: the latest Canon/Nikon on full auto can take great pictures.

ding ding!

[110240]

Originally Posted by brad

We still have some things that WW's don't have.. a creative eye.. a vision.. a knowledge of light.. an ability to get that great shot nearly every time instead of by accident.

...if you only knew the amount of hours and shutter clicks I spend trying to copy your (and some other peoples I admire) lighting you might not post any more images

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by jasonhuang

Sure, taking a great picture is easier nowadays.

Im not sure I agree entirely with that. Hitting a shutter button is easier. Great photos easier? Not so much. The PERCEPTION that taking a great photo has become easier to believe. The perception that WW dont suck has become more wide spread. And consumers have become less informed. I had a bride comparing TriCoast to a college kid while buying a bridal gown in my boutique. omg. That's apples and rocks. So NOT the same.

What prompted this question? Im guessing I have an idea, but maybe its something fixable, while the issues with the industry at large are rather overwhelming.

[ShaneKislack]

Originally Posted by tresorph

Fortunately for me - as an accountant, that is one aspect I'm not leary of.

How did programs like quickbooks or quicken affect the accounting industry? Did it replace them...or only the bottom of the barrell?

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

How did programs like quickbooks or quicken affect the accounting industry? Did it replace them...or only the bottom of the barrell?

I dont know about that either. Fear of the IRS is pretty persuasive, while with photography - who is there to worry about coming after you if you suck it up? The PPA? There is no one.

[ShaneKislack]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I dont know about that either. Fear of the IRS is pretty persuasive, while with photography - who is there to worry about coming after you if you suck it up? The PPA? There is no one.

Well..there are the customers. Try screwing up a wedding and see if they don't come after you.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by ShaneKislack

Well..there are the customers. Try screwing up a wedding and see if they don't come after you.

You are right, but brides dont seem to think it will happen to them. NewBs should be afraid of being sued, but its not much of a deterrent to most people, where as the IRS is a looming force most people (even dumb ones) know not to screw with. Its not quite the same, otherwise people would have more insurance, right?

btw, I agree with you. Fear of being sued should motivate people to be more cautious with weddings, however the portrait businesses are still affected by the same thing.