I wouldn't say that I'm a professional photographer (yet). I'm still an amateur working their way up towards being a professional, because it's what I love to do. There is one vital tip, however, that I can impart upon everyone. It doesn't matter whether you are an amateur, hobbyist, professional.
The one and only thing a good photographer must remember is to bring their camera with them EVERYWHERE they go. I learned this lesson the hard way. I can not begin to tell you how many times I have been out and about in my daily life - running errands, going to appointments, picking up the kids - and saw something I wanted to take a picture of. If, at that point in time, I'd had my camera on me, I could have taken some really great pictures. But I didn't have it on me... and that frustrated me for days afterwards. Even if you go back to that same spot, there is no guarantee you'll be able to take the picture you would have when the inspiration was fresh in your mind.
Bringing your camera with you everywhere will save you a lot of heartache. It will also enable you to take more pictures, with a greater number of those worthy of selling or posting. I read somewhere recently (I can't remember the place or author of the post) that "One good picture out of ten taken is a good number." I know this stands true for myself. I take a lot of pictures - especially now I remember to bring my camera with me everywhere I go - and I end up posting one good picture for every ten to fifteen I take. If carrying your camera with you like it's a purse or wallet enables you to take an extra ten pictures, you've got one more to post - which gives you one more opportunity for a little extra exposure.
To briefly summarize the reasons that this incredibly simple tip is essential, here are a few points to remember:
-Bringing your camera with you enables you to take more pictures
-More pictures taken means more post-worthy images
-More post-worthy images means more opportunities for exposure
-More exposure equals a higher chance of making sales
-Bringing your camera with you everywhere will do away with the frustration and regret of missing a great shot simply because you didn't have it with you
-You will always be prepared for whatever might happen
Do you bring your camera with you everywhere? Almost everywhere? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below!
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Imdan
I cannot bring my camera with me everywhere because of the brutal Arizona summer heat. If left in the car, it would melt. But, I try to bring it with me during the cooler months.
TheSlowWalkers
I'd be in the taking the camera "almost everywhere" I go. There are the odd times when it just isn't practical, that or I just haven't worked out how to get around having it with me but you're right, something always seems to crop up when you don't have it. So far, I shrug my shoulders and think that there will be other times and then keep my eyes open for something else. As for using a mobile phone, I've taken too many photos with either my thumb or finger partially over the lens to keep doing it. By too many, I'd say about 5 before I decided that mobiles and I don't get on.
Lostintimeline
actually if you have a camera cell phone you can always put it out of your pocket and captrure the moment.the only downside with cell pics are they are limited to 72 dpi and not Raw. But on the other hand carrying the slr with you all the time even shopping can be a pain in the ass.i went to some store to buy somethings and i had the camera with me, ,and a sec guard approached me i thought he was gonna accuse me of stealing,and he just said to not use the camera in the store .i was pissed becouse i didnt take not a single shot but becouse i had it in my hands he made his assumptions.
and there are other factors when you have to carry your camera all the time like someone might steal it from you for eg.so in cases like yours a good camera phone will still produce nice images without all the hustle
Bwagner656
I have to agree with both of you. The best shots dont happen by accident. Even if it looks like, and you just happen to carry your camera with... You have to visualize the photo. I have one (two) pics of a fence with rime. I just shot a few pics in our backyard. But, I wanted that photo for years, I was planning it, and when we had that nice long ice needles of rime, and the morning lights, I made them.
On the other hand, not always the best pics are sold. Yes, we all want to shot the postcard quality, want to see our photos in travel magazines and on postcards. But newspaper need pictures too! And they dont need the postcard beauty, sometimes only some characteristic buildings of known places.
Penpossessed
Babar760 - Of course, better shots sell better. But sometimes the best shots aren't planned. You just find them, or you happen to switch something up in a shoot you're doing. I'm by no means a pro (which I stated), but I know quite a few people who make a decent living doing it. Most of them tell me some of their best shots happened by accident - whether they ran across something, made a last minute change to a photo shoot, or even took a snap of a picture that a model wasn't really posing for. The point is, if you don't have your camera with you, you might miss that really great accident shot. I know I regret several times I didn't have mine (like when a young fawn with spots still on it began walking towards me on the train tracks).
Thanks for the input. It is important to think of what will sell. But it's also important to have fun, and be prepared for the unexpected. Different things work for different people.
Babar760
How about selling some images? Look at what some of the top Dreamstime photographers are doing. Being a professional photographer ( by definition=making money at it ) you have to anticipate what will sell.
You can't just go around and make mere snapshots and hope someone will buy it. Copy some of the best selling images if you have to. Do some research and plan photo shoots. Few good shots just happen by accident!
Good luck and keep shooting ( actually, luck, for the most part has nothing to do with being a photographer.)