Photography

No matter how advanced your camera you still need to be responsible for getting it to the right place at the right time and pointing it in the right direction to get the photo you want; so said American snapper Ken Rockwell. Advances in digital technology may have revolutionised photography and improved the capabilities of the amateur, but professional photography involves much more than harnessing the latest technology. An education in photography instils in the student the knowledge, skills and awareness that are necessary to take pictures for a living.

Photographers can work in all sectors, including advertising, industry, fashion, the media and the art world. A photography qualification can lead to an interesting and varied career for someone with the required combination of artistic qualities, critical awareness and technical skills.

Education

People interested in studying photography have a number of options, including honours degrees (level eight) and further education (level six) courses in Photography. Photography course admissions are usually decided with a combination of CAO points and either a portfolio of work (including 15 to 30 images) or an interview. Some students take a portfolio preparation course and apply through the CAO system the following year.

The subjects studied on a higher-level photography course include a mixture of the theoretical and the practical. Examples of theoretical subjects are Communication Theory, Visual Studies, History of Photography and Critical Theory. Practical training in the use of cameras and other photographic equipment, darkroom and photo-lab facilities, digital photography and image manipulation technology are all key parts of photography programmes. Some courses also offer training in subjects such as business and IT, which can be very useful for a photography career that often involves running your own business in a freelance capacity.

Photography can also be studied as a minor subject in courses such as Media Studies, Communication Studies, Fine Art and Visual Arts.

Options After Qualification

Photography is a very competitive occupation, and new entrants must work hard to build themselves a good reputation. The fashion, advertising and photojournalism fields can be especially difficult, and graduates often work in similar occupations such as visual design or in a gallery while increasing their experience and portfolios. Many work as assistants with established photographers or studios.

Photographers often move into other related professions such as graphic design, multimedia and other visual arts.

The Work

A typical day in the life of a photographer depends very much on the particular field of work – however, there are a number of broad similarities in the tasks and responsibilities that span most photography roles.

The main task of a photographer is to take photos, but it is not simply a case of aiming and shooting. Even though modern cameras perform many tasks automatically, photographers must still manipulate settings on the camera such as shutter speed, depth of field and aperture, as well as considering the environmental aspects such as light, shadow, focus, colour, texture and contrast.

After taking photos, photographers can either process and print them (using a darkroom and lots of strong-smelling chemicals), or work with lab technicians or assistants who perform the processing on their behalf. Modern photographers also use computers, cropping, resizing, and tidying photos for sale or publication. Photographers may also be involved in selecting equipment, locations and models for photo shoots.

Photographers often specialise in one particular area or sector. News photographers or photojournalists attend events and press conferences to cover stories. Industrial photographers may snap equipment or products either on site in a factory for example, or in the studio. Private practice photographers may be hired to record occasions such as weddings, business conferences or university graduations.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment

Imagination, creativity and a ‘good eye’ for what makes a good picture are essential qualities for a photographer. Although the employer (e.g. an advertising agency) will often specify what type of photo is required, photographers are often required to add their own creative input to the process. Patience, attention to detail and technical expertise are also advantageous.

Approximately half of all photographers spend most of their time working in a studio. For the rest, the photojournalist in particular, there is often a good deal of travel involved, as you usually have to go to the photo opportunity rather than vice versa. Photographers also spend lots of time in darkrooms and in front of their computer screens, selecting and creating the finished product.

Self-employment and freelance work are very common, with photographers working on a wide range of different projects. The glamorous image suggested by Austin Powers, attending film premieres and saying ‘ooh, baby, yeah’ all day doesn’t align with most professional photographers’ lifestyles. Many work on ‘bread and butter’ projects such as weddings in order to finance their more creatively ambitious work.

The Money

It is difficult to accurately predict the starting salary for a professional photographer, especially as many entrants work part-time or freelance. Generally, the money is low at first, but as photographers gain experience and recognition, the rewards improve.

The Jargon

Aperture: In photography, refers to the adjustable level of light that enters the camera lens

Stock Photography: An online bank of pictures compiled by a photo agency that regular users of images (e.g. magazines) can subscribe to

Digital Camera: Cameras that store images as electronic data, eliminating the use for film

Job Titles

Photographer
Photojournalist
Industrial Photographer
Medical Photographer
Photographer’s Assistant
Photo-Lab Technician

Further Resources

Gallery of Photography
Meeting House Square
Temple Bar
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 671 4654
Web: www.irish-photography.com
Email: gallery@irish-photography.com 

The Irish Photographers’ Website
Phone: 086 2666 260
Web: www.irishphotographers.ie

Source Magazine
PO Box 352
Belfast BT1 2WB
Phone: 0044 28 9032 9691
Web: www.source.ie
Email: info@source.ie 

National Geographic Magazine
Web: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography.com

Circa Magazine
43/44 Temple Bar
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 6797388
Web: www.recirca.com
Email: info@recirca.com 

Irishphoto.com
14 Oxford Road
Ranelagh
Dublin 6
Phone: 01 497 0740
Web: www.irishphoto.com
Email: peter@irishphoto.com 

The Irish Professional Photographers Association
PO Box 5489
Dublin 12
Phone: 01 429 8648
Web: www.irishphotographers.com
Email: ippa@irishphotographers.com