My theory about marketing myself as a photographer is that more and more (previously) potential customers are buying digital cameras and doing it themselves, with point-and-shoots or DSLRs� similar equipment to that used by many contributors to this list.
Wedding and portraiture photography is a big market for which you do not need very sophisticated equipment but requires specialist skills. Ballet photography is one area in which I would like to specialise: it seems that there is a market here. A specialist ballet photographer my fianc�e used had no idea how to relate to the girls, how to pose them or anything, used a grand or so�s worth of kit - and turned over two grand for the day! Sport, gymnastics, theatre and glamour you can do with simple equipment, but I hope to be able to get some interesting shots with equipment with movements. Architecture and landscape benefit from movements, a good range of lenses, and my 10m tripod and (particularly for stone buildings) high res. Many Estate agents do their own photography � some of them might even use PC lenses. Macro, micro, mixed lighting interiors, may be a small market � but how many photographers can tackle them? Digital give instant feedback and prevent the hassle and expense of calculating bellows factors, bracketing, etc. Thank you Jorge and Shangara for suggesting other lists that have more content relevant to the sort of equipment I intend to acquire: I will check them out. Jorge � Insurance is a major headache � especially as I would like to tour the continent with comprehensive Sinar (54H) and Hasselblad kit, freelance with no one to foot the bill! I used to use a Rollei 35 with my Nikon fit, and may well get a digital zoom 6-12Mp point and shoot. >Many clients would find out� in reality medium format (with some >tilting/shifting) was enough for their needs. Until the recent batch of MF monorails for digital, I was not aware of many MF cameras capable of much in the way of movement, which is why I bought a Sinar and some roll film backs. Most amateur photographers talk more about equipment than pictures, and I know I need to be thinking about creative aspects as well as the technical, but I wish to specialise in markets where a technical approach is required. Digital puts one on a short learning curve for technically difficult shots. One leading sailing photographer used box brownies � they were adequate - and disposable. One of the few photographers whose work I admire is Joe Cornish - I wonder if he has contemplated digital. =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
