Random ramblings...

So we are all photographers nowadays.

Who cares really?

Well, there are some established pro photographers out there who do care as the huge popularity of digital cameras have revolutionized the game known as photography. Digital SLR cameras have recently sold in numbers bigger than film SLR cameras ever did. This is a good and a bad thing, depending on who you ask.

As a veteran chat forum junkie I have picked up on several "established pros" who go rabid at the idea of some new dude with a camera who wants to become a wedding photographer. I wonder why this is? Are weddings seen as easy money? It is not, believe me.

As a veteran pro friend of mine recently shared with me, there has been a definite loss of revenue and jobs across various sectors of what used to be a diverse photographic job market. Why? Because Jim, John and their mates all recently got themselves a digital camera for obvious reasons and chances are it is possibly even a digital SLR. It looks the part so much more than a point-and-shoot, you know?

For the established pro this only really means that Jim and John can now churn out competent images in their respective workplaces that previously would have been a nice little filler bread-and-butter job for Mr Pro Photographer.

The relevant question is: can we fight it? The very real answer is no! Trying to fight it would be pointless and only cause great frustration - especially to those who try fighting it.

Think about printers as an example. Who of us could generate today's documents and images at our desks or homes fifteen or twenty years ago? Do you think this did not have an effect on printing companies?

The big irony is that most owners of hundred dollar printers reading this might not even know what a typewriter is...go on then, Google it!

All you googling "typewriter", check out what we had before CD's.

Photography simply moved with this wave of technological progress and the playing fields will keep changing even more dramatically in the next two to five years than in the last two decades, I'm sure. It takes no rocket science to figure that out.

If you bothered to read this far I thank you and wish to lay the basis for my renewed energy in building this blog. I wish to build my little bit of help for everyone out there interested in photography who want to know more.

As a full-time employed semi-pro photographer I fit nicely in the middle of the road. This is generally not a nice place to be but here I have the security of a salary and the freedom to do jobs when my spare time allows.

I am one of millions around the world in this position, no doubt, but I aim to make a difference as far as I can.

Rather than gripe with wannabe pros I will make whatever little bit of knowledge I have available so I can hopefully play a role in someone putting out a better image.

I will never undercut local pros and I strongly suggest that no-one does this. But...and here is a very valuable BUT...know that your product is on par with your local pro or better before you charge his price.

If you simply wish to do photography for the love of it or for enjoyment you are equally welcome to share what little bit of knowledge I can possibly assist with.

I look forward to meeting all you folks who join me on this journey...and I look forward to learning whatever I can from every single one who reads here.

Enjoy!