Expert: Don Wood - 8/18/2003

Question
Don,
You said you use the Paint Shop Pro 8, Nikon coolpix 990 and an Epson 870 printer.  I did a little research on these items on the net and found they are within my price range.  Would this be all I need to get started as far as equipment goes?  What about backgrounds and lighting?  Also, schooling?  I live close to a Community college.  They offer photography classes, I'm just not sure what to take.  I suppose I could talk to the instructor.
Thanks again,
Danette Janecek

Answer
Danette,
You will probably need a background screen that you can place against a wall to reduce the clutter that many newbies get using the home environments. You will need a means to hang it, a light stand with a hook on it can be made for very little money. If it is portable you can take it with you. I use a Novatron 500 strobe light setut.It has 3 strobes and the power supply in a portable case. It will be heavy but very helpful. I use two lights on either side of the subject, varying the distance so that I get a gradation of light between the front and the side of the face. The other light I place behind the subject and pointed up so that it eliminates any shadows which may be cast upon the background. By using this 3 light setup you will be able to provide passport photos complete with the white or off-white background the government requires. Removing the back light, you could use it as a hair-light by placing a snood upon the light.
Schooling, I heartily endorse getting as much schooling as you can, both in the formal environment of educational institutions and the extensive reading of books pertaining to photography. The Internet is a wonderful example of displaying portraits by the pros. They view each visitor as a prospective client similar to a newspaper ad or other flyer. The advantage to you is that you can see their best examples and try to duplicate them. After all the basic poses are universal, it's the subject and the apparel that changes. Another opportunity is visiting art and photo museums. Picture books, anything that displays images are helpful in this unofficial training. You must develop your Photographic Eye. This is the ability to see what will be on the camera and make your poses correctly. Possibly, if you are in a large urban city, you might be able to be an assistant to a studio, either paid or unpaid depending upon the deal you get.
In all cases, don't quit your day job while you are establishing yourself as a photographer of merit. You will need a steady income, using the photo income to build up your inventory of equipment.
As to pricing, remember that pricing a photo by only the cost of the paper and the ink that you use to produce the picture is not truly reimbursing you for your expertise. You must also consider your knowledge to produce the picture, the software you use to produce the picture, the camera you use, and the down-time between jobs. These are all part of the hidden costs. I had a pro tell me one time that he must consider his dry-cleaning costs for the suit he wears to the wedding, the car that he drives, etc.
I hope that I helped you, if I can help further, let me know.
Don