AboutJoe Appel Expertise I can answer questions related to many areas of photography, but most specifically relating to photojournalism. I can also offer advice on using digital and 35mm cameras, Adobe Photoshop, and digital photography in general. Once upon a time I was pretty good in a darkroom too.
Experience I have been a staff photographer for a major metropolitan newspaper group (over 100,000 circulation) for 12 years. Concurrently, I have maintained a freelance photography business.
Organizations belong to National Press Photographers Association
Publications Rolling Stone, USA Today, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Palm Beach Post, New York Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Super Street Bike, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Cycle World, Roadracing World, T.W.O. (Two Wheels Only), the ABA Journal.
Expert: Joe Appel Date: 12/14/2005 Subject: Sports photography
Question Dear Joe,
I'm an aspiring sports photographer, and looking at some of the clients in your profile I thought perhaps you could give me some advice on entering that niche.
Some background: I am a mostly self-taught amateur. I have shot some portraits and editorial/photojournalistic projects strictly for fun. I own a medium format rangefinder
and a 35mm slr (Nikon). I'm trying to go pro, at least as a part-time freelancer for now.
My questions: What camera is the industry standard for sports photo today? Should I try to put a portfolio together with my 35mm, or trade it in and go digital?
And once I get my equipment how do I go about getting gigs? Do you just show up at sporting events, or pitch a magazine first. Or is it still possible to become a stringer with a newspaper? For example, if I'm just working on building a portfolio, do I go to a gymnastics meet and say "I'm a photographer, can I take some pictures here?" and then take them to a newspaper?
I don't know much about either the technical or business side of this part of the industry so I'm hoping you can help. Any book, magazine, equipment suggestions will be most welcome!
Thanks in advance,
Natasha
Answer Natasha,
Are you familiar with the Joseph Heller book, Catch 22?
The illogical nature of starting out in the business of photography fits right in with the theme of that book - To get something you want you must first already have that thing.
It's tough to break into the business. Some people break into it by getting college degrees at universities that have a track in place to get them an internship or their first job. Others, like me, had to go a different route.
You've got the right idea, sort of, on how to start. Using your example, if you went to a gymnastics meet and took photos, then presented them to a newspaper they almost certainly would not be interested in publshing them.
But you've got to have those photos in you portfolio before a newspaper, or magazine editor will hire you to do those assignments.
The other benefit of covering high school and college basketball, soccer, wrestling, and events of that nature are that you will meet working professionals in the field who can help you.
If you are polite and eager any worthwhile photographer will give you a helping hand. That might be as simple as meeting you for coffee to look at your portfolio. By doing these things you begin to build a set of skills, a reputation, and get your name out there.
Your attitude is at least as important as your portfolio. Be sure this is what you want to do before asking people to give you their time and to trust you with assignments.
While you're shooting these things you might be able to get them placed in a local sports magazine, if you have one in your area. They typically don't pay much, but it's a good way to build up some clips, and to enable you to get press passes to bigger events.
At some point you're going to have to get a digital camera. The magazines I do work for all expect digital now and the newspaper that employs me has been 100% digital for 6 years.
Don't feel that you have to break the bank to get a good digital. The pro-sumer Nikon and Canon cameras are excellent. I'm talking about the Canon EOS 20D and the Nikon D70.
Something you might want to consider doing if you want to earn the money to buy digital equipment is to shoot weddings. It may sound unappealing to you (or it may not) but that's a great way to support the work you really enjoy doing.
