If you can make a living doing it.
Over the years, as a new photographer trying to break into the field, I always get some of the photographers I meet on forums saying you can't make a living doing photography anymore. We live in a selfie society that is always looking at phones.
True, but it is not impossible. I didn't ignore these comments, and for about a year I subliminally believed them, but I did not want to believe them. They were right in a way where you can't just be a standard photographer ie. learn to use a camera, adjust ISO, apertures and shutters. Today, having a camera will not automatically give you a job. You need to make your clients believe that you're worth it. Your talents will come second, but it doesn't mean its not important. Be good at what you do, and most of all love what you do and work will come. I was just there last year working a standard 9-5 job wondering if this transition was possible. Its possible, but very hard.
Today photography is more about marketing. In fact, anything you do for yourself is all about marketing. If you love something enough and you have the thrive for it, this market is for you.
Most photographers I knew said they picked up a camera when they were a child.
I scoffed at photography and ignorantly didn't think of it as an art when I was younger. I always wondered why the photographers I was exposed to had the audacity to be such snobs when all they do is snap a photo with an equipment whether if they're good at it or not. Exposure of the arrogance in the field turned me off it for the longest time. I mean, anyone can take a picture right? The technical aspects of taking a photo isn't really that expansive so why do some with the best gears get a bit big headed I will never know why. Its not hard to learn. I feel like any form of art, it is subjective. Some of the most important photos in my life are the stuff taken randomly by family members. They have sedimentary feelings. Then there are those that are so well captured, you just have to call it a piece of art. The tool helps the artist create, not the other way around. Appreciate the person and not the tools.
When I was 4 I picked up a pencil and drew.
I drew nothing but super heroes. I was never the best artist, never the best at everything I do, but I stay passionate about the stuff I do. All my characters were muscular. Obviously at the time I didn't understand human anatomy so I drew lumps. I wish I had these pictures still because I bet you if I looked at it now it would probably look like a dude flexing with a bunch of warts on his body!
I look for shapes in a lot of images, especially in black and white photos. When taking black and white photos, I look for the silhouette. If you draw 2 lines in an image and it looks good, then you understand how rhythm and movement makes an image come to life. It is what I preach in all my work. To me an image must have life.
My art teacher in college Henry Chan was an amazing artist. It took him literally 2 minutes to draw a masterpiece and just 2 strokes. I kid you not. With 2 strokes, Henry can turn 2 lines into a human figure. That man understood rhythm. He understood movements.
These are concepts of my video game environment I worked on back then.
I'm not exactly the most technical thinker, but my mind is full of concepts. I love digital art and I now love photography. For awhile I wanted to find away to integrate the 2 medium into one style. I will be sharing those with you guys later down the road.
Would I say I'm a successful photographer? Not yet, but I make enough now to allow me to believe that they are wrong and that my future is still bright. My journey continues and I hope those who want photography as a career, keep growing.
Andy H. Tu
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