Expert: Don Wood - 6/25/2002

Question
i always wondered about one thing
photographer - is it a call or profession?

to be a pro in photography do you have to learn it in university or an art school

or you just becoming one after lots of experience

or just you have "the gift" from the begining a talant for it?

to work for (let's say) respected magazine - you need professional education
or you just need to have a "good eye" for photos

I know that diferent people whould say diferent things - but i want to know what you have to say about it

thnx
Jonathan.

Answer
In Photography as in life, the more education you get the more openings there are for talented people. Unfortunately, the best was to show your talent is to participate in getting a higher education than you can receive by merely doing it on your own. Yes, there is a calling involved, but the calling is your ability to see pix posibilities before you even snap the shutter. Many people need help to cultivate this talent prior to actually operating in the field.  30 years ago it was possible to get onto a job by merely applying for it, learning on the job, but unfortunately today the market demands the demonstration of the knowledge that you can learn which is what advanced training is. Experience is helpful but you need to have the job before you can get the experience, catch-22, to have the job you must show that you have the experience. College helps. You will always continue learning even after you have a job, have the experience of several years, etc. The day you stop wanting to learn about this business is the day you should get out of it, you're going nowhere.
Hope I haven't confused you too much, best of luck, in this day and age of fewer and fewer jobs you need as much advantage as you can get thru training.
Good Luck,
Don