Photography as a technology appeared not so long ago
but in just over a century it has become the most widespread and accessible form of fine art. Optical imaging experiments have been going on since the 5th century BC, but the real breakthroughs began to occur in the 19th century. In the middle of the 20th century, photography became widespread, and the technique of instant photography became available.
The profession of a photographer has undergone many changes as technology has developed. At first, photography was available to a narrow circle of inventors, then it was taken up in special studios, and only wealthy people could afford a home photo studio. With the spread of digital photography and snapshots, almost everyone has been able to try on the profession of a photographer, but the demand for professionals has not fallen, and technology and skill are only getting more complicated.
“By historical standards, photography was born quite recently, and the first special person to be captured on a bulky camera at that time was, if I’m not mistaken, the august wife of Nicholas I, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna,” says photographer-journalist Platon Bakharev. – Then there was Karl Bulla and his wonderful photographs in every respect. The last Romanovs were also seriously fond of photography, leaving behind more than a dozen family albums with hundreds of photographs.
Specializations
A professional photographer often has a specialized education or takes courses, general or special. Within the profession, too, there is a specialization:
A photojournalist shoots reports for the media, blogs, photo projects.
The photographer is engaged in artistic shooting.
A documentary photographer is a documentary photographer.
An advertising photographer shoots photo content for promotional products.
A wedding photographer shoots wedding celebrations, makes photo shoots for newlyweds and their families.
A family photographer creates family albums, develops designs for family photography.
A forensic photographer captures crime scenes and incidents, evidence and other objects for forensic experts.
A fashion photographer works in the fashion industry – in modeling agencies and at fashion shows.
An industrial photographer works at industrial enterprises, takes pictures of the work process, production, and employees.
A photographer in laboratories and scientific centers is a researcher who captures the progress of research and experiments.
A street photographer takes pictures on the street, captures the everyday life of urban spaces and their inhabitants.
The paparazzi shoots scenes from the personal lives of pop stars and other famous people in the media space.
“Street or street photography is the most common in the world, many of today’s eminent masters began their professional careers with it,” says Platon Bakharev. – As a person who is still fond of it, I can advise novice amateurs to enter the profession through this “door”. Commercial photography is basically anything. This concept is so vague and generalized that any shooting is included in it: weddings, christenings, anniversaries. And not every photographer who takes on it is fully aware of the responsibility for the final result. And here you should not be shy to demand good work yourself – from the client. After all, he will then require good personnel from you.
– And then there are TFP-filming, – Bakharev continues. – With this, everything is simple, although not at all easier and no less responsible. Translated from English – “time for a print”: the model gives the photographer her precious time, and he, as an obligatory return gesture, gives her his precious photographs.
pros
This profession allows you to travel a lot, meet new people, visit interesting and exclusive places and events. This work is creative and not related to the office routine.
Another plus of the profession of a photographer is that there is almost always a demand for the services of this specialist, this area of \u200b\u200bactivity is considered prestigious. With a good portfolio, you can work on large and expensive projects.
Minuses
There are two main disadvantages of being a photographer. Firstly, the photographer must invest a lot of personal funds in expensive equipment and its repair, because the camera and lenses are working tools. Secondly, there is a lot of competition in this area. Because of this, getting into the staff of a major publication is quite difficult for a photographer, and freelancing is unstable.
Another drawback in this work, which all photographers face, is conflicts with clients and customers about the vision of the result.