Do pro photogs use R-D1?

[emraphoto]

I know we are all really gear oriented around here and biased toward RF's, but it's really pretty simple with this thread. There is a reason all those PJ's standing around at an event are shooting Nikon and Canon DSLR's with big zoom lenses. You can take a look at them, say to yourself "what idiots hauling around all those porky DSLR's and two pound zoom lenses," or you can decide maybe they know something about their day to day work you don't.

If you can find someone to commission you to do month long photo essays anymore, then you can use just about any camera you want. But there aren't many of those commissions left, I'm afraid.

some of the folks advocating a different approach have spent a great amount of time in that world and know a great deal about it.

trying to find commissions to shoot in depth documentary work is indeed difficult. it is doubly difficult if you don't have a signature of your own. breaking into the news wire or daily spot news is next to bloody impossible if you don't have an inside track.

i have spent countless hours at the press events where the white lens crowds show up in herds. one climbs up on stage behind the politician with his fist in the air and the rest of the heard promptly follows. one puts his super wide down at the feet of the politician with his fist in the air and points up, sure enough the rest of the pack follows. they're like a flock of starlings and the images showing up in the press the next am will demonstrate it. because they are all carrying the same gear says to me "find a different path". i am not trying to be rude, i just know the scene well.

you can choose your own path. but do not overlook following your own. if you think you produce good work with rangefinder and want an r-d1 then get one. get two and when you can get a third. follow you're own route and produce work with a distinctive vision. if you're good and reliable people will notice.

 

[thinkfloyd]

Oee of my mentors told me to do what you want to do, with passion. Don't think about the fame, the fortune, or even your competitors. Focus on what you want to achieve, and do it well, soon enough, you will get noticed. If you think too much fame, when you achieve it, what's left? If you think of fortune and achieve that, what's next? and if you best all your competitors, what's next? But if you focus on your passion, you will never get tired of it, and you will always strive to do better.... I don't know if this is appropriate, I just was reminded of it reading this thread. Nevertheless, do what you want to do, with an RD-1, a DSLR, or whatever... do it well and you will get noticed. 🙂

 

[MatthewThompson]

some of the folks advocating a different approach have spent a great amount of time in that world and know a great deal about it.

trying to find commissions to shoot in depth documentary work is indeed difficult. it is doubly difficult if you don't have a signature of your own. breaking into the news wire or daily spot news is next to bloody impossible if you don't have an inside track.

i have spent countless hours at the press events where the white lens crowds show up in herds. one climbs up on stage behind the politician with his fist in the air and the rest of the heard promptly follows. one puts his super wide down at the feet of the politician with his fist in the air and points up, sure enough the rest of the pack follows. they're like a flock of starlings and the images showing up in the press the next am will demonstrate it. because they are all carrying the same gear says to me "find a different path". i am not trying to be rude, i just know the scene well.

you can choose your own path. but do not overlook following your own. if you think you produce good work with rangefinder and want an r-d1 then get one. get two and when you can get a third. follow you're own route and produce work with a distinctive vision. if you're good and reliable people will notice.

Good points. I'd say if the OP was trying to work inside his own limits with gear he really connects with, it might be time for him to take the advice in this thread and attend some writing classes, find a "cause" and get shooting.

Lots of publications are interested in photography that comes with quality copy. If the OP can find a niche that moves him, lets him be creative with his preferred kit and is sale-able (bonus!), then it satisfies all the criteria mentioned.

This isn't photojournalism in its current iteration, though. I'd say he's looking more at photo-essays or light documentary work. The upside for a publication is that they keep nobody on staff and can refuse whatever work they want.

If you do it, do it for love at first. Make a name (and a "look") for yourself. Work on some small gallery shows. Let your body of work grow and it will become its own beast.

 

[MatthewThompson]

Oee of my mentors told me to do what you want to do, with passion. Don't think about the fame, the fortune, or even your competitors. Focus on what you want to achieve, and do it well, soon enough, you will get noticed. If you think too much fame, when you achieve it, what's left? If you think of fortune and achieve that, what's next? and if you best all your competitors, what's next? But if you focus on your passion, you will never get tired of it, and you will always strive to do better.... I don't know if this is appropriate, I just was reminded of it reading this thread. Nevertheless, do what you want to do, with an RD-1, a DSLR, or whatever... do it well and you will get noticed. 🙂

Here, here.

 

[johnastovall]

Sean Reid has .....

 

[DGA]

Oee of my mentors told me to do what you want to do, with passion. Don't think about the fame, the fortune, or even your competitors. Focus on what you want to achieve, and do it well, soon enough, you will get noticed. If you think too much fame, when you achieve it, what's left? If you think of fortune and achieve that, what's next? and if you best all your competitors, what's next? But if you focus on your passion, you will never get tired of it, and you will always strive to do better.... I don't know if this is appropriate, I just was reminded of it reading this thread. Nevertheless, do what you want to do, with an RD-1, a DSLR, or whatever... do it well and you will get noticed. 🙂

Obviously. I totally agree with you.
Still, somehow, you need to get some food to your mouth once in a while.

I have a friend who do just that.
He worked alone on projects he felt passionate with (mostly social issues)
When he saw they were done, he sent them to journalists and magazines.
They were accepted with high appreciation and were published almost intact.
(he even had two front page covers in one magazine)
Obviously he gained fame and glory following that, and even won awards.

Moreover, several newspapers and magazines called him and proposed him a job.
He refused politely for the offer but accepted some work as a freelancer.
The reason, he said, was not to be tied up to the "system", as he calls it.

You can easily say: "he is a happy man", but when we talk about the
financial subject, he starts talking in low voice.
He lives on the edge, takes loans from time to time just to break even with
his daily life.
He lives of his dream and passion (barely, but does).

I don't want to starve.
Still, I have my passion and dreams to fulfill. :bang:

 

[thinkfloyd]

Ahh, I asked that to my mentor too. He says, of course I need to eat, so I must not forget my other talents. Which is why I write freelance to feed my family. It is an inglorious writing job (mostly ebooks), but I do it to earn enough. I haven't been earning with my photography for months now (long story that involved me selling most of my stuff), but now am trying to get back into it. But that doesn't mean I should quit my day job just yet. If things go well as planned, then maybe I can quit, or if not, at least I still have a means to earn. 🙂

 

[DGA]

"Try do what you passionate for in your free time. Do not quit you day job"
I hear that for quite a while.
🙁🙁🙁
How can one break out of this loop?
This is the Million Dollar Question, isn't it?

 

[thinkfloyd]

Well, I was a musician in the beginning, writing and photography as a hobby. Good pay. We tour the country almost every week. but I got disillusioned in the music industry. So I focused on photography. I saved enough doing music to focus on photography so I did that. Proud to say, I was on the right track. I made a name for myself, being featured in local dailies and having my prints published in magazines and one was even exhibited in a prestigious museum. I also became known as the first and only pet photographer here because of my work doing fundraisers for homeless animals. But then personal/family troubles brewed so I sold my photography equipment (at the behest of my wife who was/still is against my art in all forms). So I write ebooks. Inglorious, nothing fancy, my name isn't printed as the author. But it brings food to the table, pays for rent, and for my daughter's tuition. Though I am giving free artistic rein when writing, of course it still constricts my artistic side. So I am now trying to begin anew with photography, sold my guitars to get an RD-1 (I chose it because it looks like a film camera, and my wife knows that my film cameras come from my dad and she won't dare force me to sell those. DSLRs are a definite no-no). So slowly but surely, I am doing what I can to feed my family, and pursue my passion - albeit in a discreet manner. So to answer your question, how to break out of the loop? Simple. Just do it. Take the plunge. But be sure you still have a means to support yourself. As for your friend who is a starving artist? There is a fine line between sticking to your artistic guns, and stupidity... (not to lambast your friend, but I know you get what I mean) 🙂

 

[Al Kaplan]

Access isn't being pushy, it's being friendly. Like dropping a few 8x10 prints off at the local campaign office, no charge. I've gotten photos of presidential candidate Walter Mondale and a few wealthy campaign contributers chatting on a condo balcony. I was on the balcony with them. The other people I've known for years and worked on some of their campaigns for city council or mayor or shot construction photos for their new condo development or.... it all fits together. Join the Chamber of Commerce, meet people, learn to network. Try to stay in touch with them. Keep all your negatives or digital files forever and know where the stuff is. Let them know that you still have the photos in your files. Promote yourself. And don't forget to dress like you're one of them, not "the newspaper photographer".

Remember this: Wealthy people will pay more for a sevice than poor people will. Wealthy people will pay another wealthy person more for the same service than they'll pay a poor person. Act and dress the part.

 

[thinkfloyd]

@Al: I know what you mean, I got known as a pet photographer because of my fundraising work. I donated 8x10's to those who were willing to donate for the animal shelter. I know it's worlds apart, you in politics, me in animal shelters, but access is the key.

 

[Al Kaplan]

The thing is, it's NOT worlds apart. Try to get some political candidates or office holders to show up at the shelter during your fund raising activities. The shelter gets publicity and so do they. A month or so ago when President Obama got a puppy for his daughters that's all you saw on the TV news and in the papers for days!

 

[Tuolumne]

Access isn't being pushy, it's being friendly. Like dropping a few 8x10 prints off at the local campaign office, no charge. I've gotten photos of presidential candidate Walter Mondale and a few wealthy campaign contributers chatting on a condo balcony. I was on the balcony with them. The other people I've known for years and worked on some of their campaigns for city council or mayor or shot construction photos for their new condo development or.... it all fits together. Join the Chamber of Commerce, meet people, learn to network. Try to stay in touch with them. Keep all your negatives or digital files forever and know where the stuff is. Let them know that you still have the photos in your files. Promote yourself. And don't forget to dress like you're one of them, not "the newspaper photographer".

Remember this: Wealthy people will pay more for a sevice than poor people will. Wealthy people will pay another wealthy person more for the same service than they'll pay a poor person. Act and dress the part.

Great advice, Al. You said it best.

/T

 

[DGA]

Well, I was a musician in the beginning, writing and photography as a hobby. Good pay. We tour the country almost every week. but I got disillusioned in the music industry. So I focused on photography. I saved enough doing music to focus on photography so I did that. Proud to say, I was on the right track. I made a name for myself, being featured in local dailies and having my prints published in magazines and one was even exhibited in a prestigious museum. I also became known as the first and only pet photographer here because of my work doing fundraisers for homeless animals. But then personal/family troubles brewed so I sold my photography equipment (at the behest of my wife who was/still is against my art in all forms). So I write ebooks. Inglorious, nothing fancy, my name isn't printed as the author. But it brings food to the table, pays for rent, and for my daughter's tuition. Though I am giving free artistic rein when writing, of course it still constricts my artistic side. So I am now trying to begin anew with photography, sold my guitars to get an RD-1 (I chose it because it looks like a film camera, and my wife knows that my film cameras come from my dad and she won't dare force me to sell those. DSLRs are a definite no-no). So slowly but surely, I am doing what I can to feed my family, and pursue my passion - albeit in a discreet manner. So to answer your question, how to break out of the loop? Simple. Just do it. Take the plunge. But be sure you still have a means to support yourself. As for your friend who is a starving artist? There is a fine line between sticking to your artistic guns, and stupidity... (not to lambast your friend, but I know you get what I mean) 🙂

I'm currently an employee of a software company, earning OK.
I know that for starts, that my funds will decline dramatically once I get
into photography. My wife knows that too.
But, I will do the move. I know that.
Wife and I agreed that I should give it a chance and try becoming a full time photographer.
She simply doesn't want a frustrated and depressed husband dragging his
heavy body around the house. 😀
I should be lucky and thankful for that.

Nevertheless, Jumping directly to the cold water is something I don't want to do.
I gave myself half a year to sniff around, do one or two self projects and build up a decent portfolio.
People in the photography field who saw my material, told me I have good stuff,
but it needs to be more focused on what I want to do in photography.
It took me a while to understand that my cap of tea in photography is
somewhere in the documentary realm.
I'm positive I'll find my way.

Back to the original topic:
I understand the DSLR is a must, but I think I could not give up my RF, nor
B/W film.
This is where my soul lays, this is where my passion starts.
They will have to live together, side-by-side.

 

[thinkfloyd]

Don't worry about it, as others have said, if working with your RF gear is where you are most comfortable, then use that. Carve a niche for yourself. I am starting out again using just the RD-1, and a single lens. Nothing else. Though I am forced to start out with one camera, one lens, I know that in the long run, I will be a better photographer, if not artist. Good luck and I know you will do well.

edit: I took a peek at your gallery. Your photos are good 🙂

 

[Al Kaplan]

Dress is important. Silk ties knot and hang better than synthetic. A lightweight wool suit has a look to it, a limpness, that polyester lacks. Make note of whether the top people you photograph wear wing tip or cap toe dress shoes. You don't need a large wardrobe, and you can get bargains at end of season sales. Find a good tailor to do the alterations, not the girl in the back room of the mens' department at the department store.

Strangely enough, if you're shooting with an elderly M2 showing dings and brass and the front edge of the hood is silvery a lot of people will still recognize that it's a Leica, and they're likely to remark something like "Wow! I bet that camera has some stories it could tell!"

 

[Pickett Wilson]

That's the only thing about modern DSLR's. You can shoot 200,000 frames on one, beat it to hell, drag it through the slime, and the dang thing still looks like it just came out of the box. No battle scars! 😉

 

[DGA]

Don't worry about it, as others have said, if working with your RF gear is where you are most comfortable, then use that. Carve a niche for yourself. I am starting out again using just the RD-1, and a single lens. Nothing else. Though I am forced to start out with one camera, one lens, I know that in the long run, I will be a better photographer, if not artist. Good luck and I know you will do well.

edit: I took a peek at your gallery. Your photos are good 🙂

Thanks a lot man.
It's really warming my heart.
Good luck with your new way, you too.
May the light shine on your 6MP sensor in the perfect order. 🙂

 

[Al Kaplan]

Battle scars on a camera give people confidence. As to why film? "If it ain't broke don't fix it" or "I'm planning on going digital as soon as I wear out these Leicas!"

 

[thinkfloyd]

The thing is, it's NOT worlds apart. Try to get some political candidates or office holders to show up at the shelter during your fund raising activities. The shelter gets publicity and so do they. A month or so ago when President Obama got a puppy for his daughters that's all you saw on the TV news and in the papers for days!

Hmmm, that's a thought. However, since I am starting out again from scratch, when I sold all my gear, all my contacts were gone as well. I got a bad rap from clients for "disappearing" suddenly. Oh well, if things go back on track, I'll be sure to ask advice from you sir. 🙂