Expert: Don Wood - 10/7/2004

Question
I am looking to get into photography as a career, but don't know where to get started. I have a couple of questions: First, what would be a good beginner camera (digital and or film) and is there a way I can get experience in the field with some kind of internship? I currently have no experience (except with point and shoot cameras), but when I get a camera I plan to take some classes and really dive in! Any advise would be great! Thanks.

Answer
I would suggest that you get the best education in the field that you can get. University, tech college, reading, being an advanced amateur, these are all the areas available to you. Most photographic studios do not take internships, many will feel that they are only feeding and educating their future competitors. I think you can understand their concern. That being said, they do hire photographers to help them out in their various assignments. However, you will find that they will examine your resume very closely to determine how much you know about the field.
Please notice I didn't mention anything about buying a camera. To make a good purchase you will have to know the purpose you will be using it for. A camera used for shooting portraits is not necessarily the same as one used for sports or news photography, It's especially true when you consider either film or digital cameras. Know what you will use it for, then you can prospect for the camera.
You may be able to get into press photography, particularly if you can afford a 4 year college education. Major in journalism, minor in photography. These colleges may also have an internship with small-town newspapers. Many newspapers will supply the cameras for the photogs. Of course, some of those cameras may be best be pitched than to be used. Sometimes, the publisher, will believe that you can give a reporter a camera and thus not have to send 2 (reporter and photographer) people to the assignment. Cameras are becoming so easy to use that anyone can bring back the picture.
To sum up, get the education first, then you will know what kind of camera you will need. You may even find that you will be one of the people who drop out of the field within the year. 7 of 10 will fall in this category. You may be one who survives for more than a year (2), maybe you will have the skills necessary to make a splash in the field.
This is a difficult field to succeed in, many attempt it, few survive.
Best of luck to you, if I can help further, please ask.
Don