Photography education

How does a person become a photographer?

Photography education can both achieve through a formal education system like photography classes and photography courses offered in photography schools. It can also be done through self study. Personally, I learned most of the photography skills through online sources like photography blogs offering photography tips. One great blog is from Darren Rowse, Digital Photography School.

The question now is do a aspiring photographer need a proof formal education or just being good at photography enough to be one day a professional photographer?

This is the argument most people argue. Yes, it would be nice to see that such photographer has certification but as long as they do the job with great quality certification might just be a piece of paper. Photography service these days are not like before. A simple occasion could be made more memorable with perfect shots of the event. That is why wedding photographers also have a pre-nup photography sessions to really capture the love between the two people who will soon tie the knot.

Also with digital photographic sophistication added technicality to the profession. With such advancement photography certification now seems a must. Besides photography schools there are online photography certification a photographer can avail to keep himself up with the changing aspect of the photography service. 

But again, any person who has no long background in photography can adapt. That is why  expert and guru photographers conduct photography tutorial for small groups to help out people who might have the passion for photography but has no time to take the long time needed to get certified.

Fascination with photography

Photographs are always part of the common household.

You will find stacks of photo albums ranging from the old black and white or sepia images of your grandparents wedding in the town; your parents dating stages up having their kids; your siblings graduations and out of town trips; to your personal pictures; and most specially holiday pictures.

Also as time progresses photography advances to the digital age. The latest technology even put photography on the mobile phone and with the Internet every moment does not have to wait to be process and develop. A few seconds after the photo is taken you can easily share it not just to your love ones but even to the whole world through social media and specialized website services.

My story started with the film era. I don't quite remember when was the very first time I have a film camera in my hand because if ever we had I believe it was never entrusted to me. It was expensive before and careful handling is required does it never landed in the hands of the young ones of the family. I remember the days when after taking photos of a birthday or any special event my siblings would make sure that all the film was use so that when they go to the twin to process it now negative is wasted.

You even get to keep the negative so that when you want to reproduce it you can easily bring your negative to the photo developing center. After those times I never really have seen a camera that near. The next time I did have a camera was my camera phone when I started working. It was those pixelated small images the advance and sophisticated mobile phone in those days that have one. But even before that digital cameras already existed.

In my college years I see those bulky digital cameras with their gigantic lenses. It makes me wonder and envy as well but back then only professional photographers can afford such.  And with that a dream was formed that one day I will have my own digital camera.

And yes I did have my camera. It is a Canon T3i(600D). After a few months with the kit lens I started researching about photography in general thus I ended up buying a telephoto lens and a 85mm lens. Also I ended up buying accessories to enhance my photographic skills like a tripod and flash. From time to time I look up Youtube video tutorials on how to be a better photographer. It has been rewarding and a learning experience to find ways to perfect my photography.

But then again it down unto me that such expensive gadget and the acquired knowledge would just go to waste if you can't derive earnings from it. Photography industry is a lucrative but a competitive business thus turning professional is not as easy as a snap of the fingers. This is what this journal is for. I am writing this journal to document my goal of turning into an professional photographer. 

My journey starts.