How to become a photographer
Photography starts as a passion, becomes a hobby and eventually learn and grow along the way. With the booming media industry, it is not the degree but the hours spent behind the camera which makes a great photographer. From getting the technique right to learning the angles, vision and the light, photography is what an image a person sees before capturing the vision.
During colleges, candidates will be provided with assignments which can help the aspirant understand the working of a camera better. From outdoor shooting to indoor, the working of the aperture in a camera, to portrait shots and the list is endless. The assignments can add great value to the candidates’ portfolio which can help aspirants in search of a job in the field.
Here are the following ways how you can pursue photography as a career:
Enrol for a photography course
To pursue a photography career, the first step is taking a photography course. With technology growing rapidly, the working of a camera is also steadily improving. Candidates need to understand the working of a camera, the theoretical and practical part of photography as the course trains candidates in the required skills and techniques. You can apply for admission in various colleges which offer photography or pursue a diploma course as well.
Get the basics right
Once the candidate has enrolled in a college/university/institute, if the candidate has knowledge on the working of a camera, the theoretical part will be simpler for the aspirant to understand. However, if aspirants are new to the camera, the candidate will have to understand the basics first:
- Rule of Thirds: The frame is divided into nine equal rectangles, three horizontal and three vertical across the frame. The general idea of the rule of third is to understand the framing of a photograph that is being clicked. The grid can help the aspirant to get all the important features in a frame and nail the composition.
- Shutter speed: The shutter speed is the unit of measurement which determines how long the shutter of the camera remains open while the picture is being clicked. Shutter speed goes hand in hand with the aperture. The shutter speed is all based on motion.
- Aperture: The aperture is the unit of measurement that defines the opening of a lens to control the amount of light entering the digital sensor of a camera. The aperture is measured in F-stop.
Understanding the basics can immensely assist the photographer take balanced and interesting clicks.
Do an internship
After understanding the basics and the working of a camera, candidates are advised to take up internships. This can allow the aspirants to explore the outside world and gain knowledge from professionals in the field. The internship can not only help the aspirant grow, but also meet people who can come handy in the future.
Other than internships, aspirants can also sign up for competitions held around as it can be a platform for you to showcase your talent and skills. The work is eventually evaluated and can give the candidate an idea on what to work on. And if you win competitions, there are great opportunities to work with professionals let alone a certificate and prize.
Build a portfolio
With the work done over the years, the main backup is making a portfolio, blog or website as it displays your work done over the years. The portfolio is your USP (unique selling point) which can add immense value in the market as the need to professional photographers is rapidly growing. The blog/website/portfolio online gives you a chance to get noticed and thus build a healthy photography career.
Skills to pursue a career in Photography
There are certain skills which a candidate needs to perfect, which will eventually develop over time. From the composition of the photography to its USP to what the click represents, a photographer needs to master these skills:
- Vision: The first skill a photographer must have is vision. A vision as to what exactly a photographer is clicking. One will have to find ways to make their images creative. Through a vision which one sees, is imprinted through a photograph. The photograph clicked helps you communicate and inform others as to what you have envisioned.
- Communication: What you have clicked, the image should speak for itself. As the saying goes, ‘a picture says a thousand words’, the image needs to stand out and represent itself rather than the photographer having to explain what it is about. The photographer also needs to enhance his communication skills as it is quite essential in relationships with clients. A client and a photographer need to be on the same page as to what is required and what is exactly needed to be done.
- Technical Skills: One needs to fully understand the technical parts of a camera in order to operate smoothly. All the settings, modes need to be fully understood before working. Other than the camera, a photographer needs to understand the working of different lenses, a tripod, covering videos and more. Other than clicking the photograph, one also needs to know how to edit the picture If need be.
