What matters more?
The qualifications behind the photographer or the end-product of the photographer?
A question that needs to be answered today. A fellow photographer told me of an incident where the decision to pick a photographer ended up in a debate over formal qualifications. Here is my two cents on this.
I have a degree in International Business and Global Marketing, not photography. Does that mean I can't take pictures as well or better than a person with? I had been accepted into the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) and a year later decided not to continue membership. Does that mean now I cannot take pictures as well as I did then? What matters most to you? The pride in showing off your mediocre wedding pictures taken by a highly accredited photographer with dozens of memberships in photography associations OR showing off your beautiful moments by a photographer who does what he does best without all the paper backing. Sorry, this is not to fown upon these associations but instead is to highlight that point that it is THE photographer that takes the pictures and NOT the association, the diploma or the degree that he or she holds. The purpose of such association is only that of kinship and marketing and nothing more. The purpose of a diploma or degree is to show that the holder has attended formal studies in the field and nothing more. Most of the top WPJA photojournalists out there do not hold such formal qualifications but instead are comprised of those who share a common passion.. photography and a common goal, the pursuit of the ultimate picture.
Most photographers evolve and improve with time. Those that improve fastest and evolve are those that learn through passion for the art.. that's why over time and with experience, the quality of work and rates they command improve and rise accordingly.
I can share with you this.. Wedding photojournalism is not about knowing how to take a picture that is technically correct.. its about knowing when to take the picture that captures or evokes emotion. The best ones do this instinctively. They never have to ponder too much about a shot. They just do it as second nature. Your story should be one that is yours and yours alone and NOT one that is molded and staged out by your photographer.
Never judge a book by its cover.
A question that needs to be answered today. A fellow photographer told me of an incident where the decision to pick a photographer ended up in a debate over formal qualifications. Here is my two cents on this.
I have a degree in International Business and Global Marketing, not photography. Does that mean I can't take pictures as well or better than a person with? I had been accepted into the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) and a year later decided not to continue membership. Does that mean now I cannot take pictures as well as I did then? What matters most to you? The pride in showing off your mediocre wedding pictures taken by a highly accredited photographer with dozens of memberships in photography associations OR showing off your beautiful moments by a photographer who does what he does best without all the paper backing. Sorry, this is not to fown upon these associations but instead is to highlight that point that it is THE photographer that takes the pictures and NOT the association, the diploma or the degree that he or she holds. The purpose of such association is only that of kinship and marketing and nothing more. The purpose of a diploma or degree is to show that the holder has attended formal studies in the field and nothing more. Most of the top WPJA photojournalists out there do not hold such formal qualifications but instead are comprised of those who share a common passion.. photography and a common goal, the pursuit of the ultimate picture.
Most photographers evolve and improve with time. Those that improve fastest and evolve are those that learn through passion for the art.. that's why over time and with experience, the quality of work and rates they command improve and rise accordingly.
I can share with you this.. Wedding photojournalism is not about knowing how to take a picture that is technically correct.. its about knowing when to take the picture that captures or evokes emotion. The best ones do this instinctively. They never have to ponder too much about a shot. They just do it as second nature. Your story should be one that is yours and yours alone and NOT one that is molded and staged out by your photographer.
Never judge a book by its cover.
posted by DC at
3/15/2007 02:57:00 pm
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