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Some really great points here as ever on the forum and I am very grateful to you all for posting your thoughts. Just to clarify John I was using centre point only spot focussing on the K5 but either because of my own carelessless or the focussing system or the lack of a really clear back screen I didn't spot the fact it had locked onto nearby leaves very near the subject's face on a couple of the shots. I was shooting wide open unfortunately because it was a mid afternoon shoot a couple of weeks ago in a forest so light levels were low and dropping, depth of field was narrow. We were in a gorgeous forest of bright red leaved Japanese maple trees so I was using them by placing the child in amongst the leaves and unfortunately lost a couple of otherwise excellent shots. I did get plenty of others I'm happy with but it did lead me to question the K5 and myself!
It's interesting to hear that many of you haven't found the K3 much of an upgrade in terms of motion tracking. I too don't really know why they lag Canon and Nikon in this respect. If I ever switched system it would probably be to Nikon although to be honest I really do love Pentax cameras and anyway once you've held a 645 as I did today for the first time ever nothing else comes close!! I think I'm in love...
So the update to this story is that with the prospect of a few shoots coming up I decided to go down to SRS because the deals are just so good at the moment. I ended up buying the K3, the grip, a Flucard and they were throwing in both a rather useful small Lowepro 140AW bag which is just what I need for a go anywhere small kit bag and a 32GB SD card. I already have a large rucsack for taking most of my kit with me on day shoots but sometimes it would be handy to have a pick up and go bag so that's useful. The extra 32GB card they were throwing in was useful too as the number of cameras in the household rises! I managed to get them to match the best available prices I could find on each item so a big thanks to Chris there.
I asked him about the full/frame and K3 successor issue and he indicated that sometimes they know something is coming and are sworn to secrecy, other times they know nothing and this time they know nothing. His take on it is that if a full frame was going to arrive (and it might) Pentax would really need to boost the number of full frame compatible lenses and his feeling is that at present they aren't there so it's unlikely to happen in the next few months. In terms of life-cycle his feeling is that the K3 is about halfway through it's life. It remains to be seen if he's right but I think there is a logic to it.
For my part I came to the conclusion that as bwlchhmawr said earlier in the thread if I'm doing paid work I need to give the best I can both in terms of using my own skills but also trying to use the best equipment I can. It's one of the reasons that I asked Chris at SRS to get a feel for the new 645 because one day if I'm able to I would love to be able to shoot (at least in studio) with one of those. I'm not so sure I would want to lug one around a forest and chase children with it!
It's been a hell of a ride for me this year as a 46 year old pilot who has developed arthiritis I've suffered physically and emotionally having to face the possibility of losing the career I love. I'm really hoping to get back to flying part time in the New Year CAA willing but I think that developing my photography has been an enormous positive from having had most of the year off (and getting closer to the 9 year old daughter I missed seeing far too much when flying). I'm really hoping I can get the photography business off the ground as a sideline and back up plan to the flying so if I lose my medical at some point in the future I will have a viable business ongoing. I'm also profoundly grateful to have been able to have shared my love of photography with the like minded souls on here, we might never have met but rest assured I value the camaraderie I have found on here greatly and there's certainly a bond. It's the people in your life that count - to quote Monty Python 'It's easy to love someone, even if you don't know them'
My wife who has been a rock for 17 years said to me today - 'love, just go and get it - you need to use the best tools you can' she's quite a lady and there'll never be another one quite like her for me.
Right, I'd better go and unpack a K3! Big thanks to Chris at SRS too
Thanks guys,
Jonathan aka saxon.
It's interesting to hear that many of you haven't found the K3 much of an upgrade in terms of motion tracking. I too don't really know why they lag Canon and Nikon in this respect. If I ever switched system it would probably be to Nikon although to be honest I really do love Pentax cameras and anyway once you've held a 645 as I did today for the first time ever nothing else comes close!! I think I'm in love...
So the update to this story is that with the prospect of a few shoots coming up I decided to go down to SRS because the deals are just so good at the moment. I ended up buying the K3, the grip, a Flucard and they were throwing in both a rather useful small Lowepro 140AW bag which is just what I need for a go anywhere small kit bag and a 32GB SD card. I already have a large rucsack for taking most of my kit with me on day shoots but sometimes it would be handy to have a pick up and go bag so that's useful. The extra 32GB card they were throwing in was useful too as the number of cameras in the household rises! I managed to get them to match the best available prices I could find on each item so a big thanks to Chris there.
I asked him about the full/frame and K3 successor issue and he indicated that sometimes they know something is coming and are sworn to secrecy, other times they know nothing and this time they know nothing. His take on it is that if a full frame was going to arrive (and it might) Pentax would really need to boost the number of full frame compatible lenses and his feeling is that at present they aren't there so it's unlikely to happen in the next few months. In terms of life-cycle his feeling is that the K3 is about halfway through it's life. It remains to be seen if he's right but I think there is a logic to it.
For my part I came to the conclusion that as bwlchhmawr said earlier in the thread if I'm doing paid work I need to give the best I can both in terms of using my own skills but also trying to use the best equipment I can. It's one of the reasons that I asked Chris at SRS to get a feel for the new 645 because one day if I'm able to I would love to be able to shoot (at least in studio) with one of those. I'm not so sure I would want to lug one around a forest and chase children with it!
It's been a hell of a ride for me this year as a 46 year old pilot who has developed arthiritis I've suffered physically and emotionally having to face the possibility of losing the career I love. I'm really hoping to get back to flying part time in the New Year CAA willing but I think that developing my photography has been an enormous positive from having had most of the year off (and getting closer to the 9 year old daughter I missed seeing far too much when flying). I'm really hoping I can get the photography business off the ground as a sideline and back up plan to the flying so if I lose my medical at some point in the future I will have a viable business ongoing. I'm also profoundly grateful to have been able to have shared my love of photography with the like minded souls on here, we might never have met but rest assured I value the camaraderie I have found on here greatly and there's certainly a bond. It's the people in your life that count - to quote Monty Python 'It's easy to love someone, even if you don't know them'
My wife who has been a rock for 17 years said to me today - 'love, just go and get it - you need to use the best tools you can' she's quite a lady and there'll never be another one quite like her for me.
Right, I'd better go and unpack a K3! Big thanks to Chris at SRS too
Thanks guys,
Jonathan aka saxon.
I have a few family portrait shoots lined up. I'm currently using the Pentax K5 with either the Pentax 17-70 F4 or the Tamron 17-50 F2.8. I also have a Tamron 70-200 F2.8 which is a great lens.
I do sometimes get frustrated with the focus accuracy on the K5 - in particular:
Its tracking of moving subjects can be a little off and I find some shots are lost because it can't keep up with a running child etc.
Also although I use spot focus mode and go for the eyes the camera sometimes still focuses on something else nearby. I recently did a shoot in a forest and lost quite a few otherwise brilliant pics because when there were branches or leaves in front of the subject's face I sometimes found the camera would focus on the leaves/twigs - and crucially the eyes were then just slightly off focus. The problem is that the subtle difference wasn't visible to me at the time on the rear screen (although to be fair perhaps I should have used live view but I don't really like shooting with it as I find it spoils my fluidity in a shoot and my interaction with the subject. I tend to just review pics after shooting on the rear screen.
Do people here think the K3 offers a worthwhile improvement on a K5 (not a K5ii) especially with respect to focus and would it help to eliminate these issues. A friend has a Canon EOS 5D MK3 and there's no doubt his rear screen is a lot clearer for reviewing pics than mine is...
My dilemma is whether to spring for one of the very attractive body only deals on the K3 at the moment or wait in case 2015 brings an affordable full frame. Part of the problem is that even if there is a full frame launch at say £1500-£2000, I've got to factor in the purchase of a grip plus some sort of decent standard zoom. It could easily be £2500 with that little lot and realistically I can't afford it at present (although if I started getting a lot more paid work I might be able to). On the other hand if the K3 offfers the prospect of a big jump in the number of 'keepers' then with a number of paid shoots coming up I could spring for one now. I could do with knowing if Pentax are going to launch something full frame at say the March NEC show - if they are it might be prudent to hold off and wait. On the other hand if it's going to be the back end of the year that's a bit long to wait.
Grateful for any insights/views.
Saxon
I do sometimes get frustrated with the focus accuracy on the K5 - in particular:
Its tracking of moving subjects can be a little off and I find some shots are lost because it can't keep up with a running child etc.
Also although I use spot focus mode and go for the eyes the camera sometimes still focuses on something else nearby. I recently did a shoot in a forest and lost quite a few otherwise brilliant pics because when there were branches or leaves in front of the subject's face I sometimes found the camera would focus on the leaves/twigs - and crucially the eyes were then just slightly off focus. The problem is that the subtle difference wasn't visible to me at the time on the rear screen (although to be fair perhaps I should have used live view but I don't really like shooting with it as I find it spoils my fluidity in a shoot and my interaction with the subject. I tend to just review pics after shooting on the rear screen.
Do people here think the K3 offers a worthwhile improvement on a K5 (not a K5ii) especially with respect to focus and would it help to eliminate these issues. A friend has a Canon EOS 5D MK3 and there's no doubt his rear screen is a lot clearer for reviewing pics than mine is...
My dilemma is whether to spring for one of the very attractive body only deals on the K3 at the moment or wait in case 2015 brings an affordable full frame. Part of the problem is that even if there is a full frame launch at say £1500-£2000, I've got to factor in the purchase of a grip plus some sort of decent standard zoom. It could easily be £2500 with that little lot and realistically I can't afford it at present (although if I started getting a lot more paid work I might be able to). On the other hand if the K3 offfers the prospect of a big jump in the number of 'keepers' then with a number of paid shoots coming up I could spring for one now. I could do with knowing if Pentax are going to launch something full frame at say the March NEC show - if they are it might be prudent to hold off and wait. On the other hand if it's going to be the back end of the year that's a bit long to wait.
Grateful for any insights/views.
Saxon
I will be going with a Canon using mate, not sure which day or both days! Interesting but he tells me Pentax are displaying a full large stand this year (unlike previous years when he's been) which in my view is a great sign. A chance to touch the full frame prototype perhaps!!
saxon
saxon
Comment by saxon posted on photo show nec at 11/12/2014 - 07:06
What an interesting discussion and I agree that there are some real challenges ahead for all camera firms - but!!
The truth is that the number of SLR users was always a small minority of the number of people taking photographs even in the film days. The smartphone has certainly eaten into compact camera sales in just the same way that itunes and MP3 has eaten into hi-fi and CD sales. However I certainly think there will always be a market for those discerning enough to not follow the herd and to value quality above fashion. The truth is that I and many others want to take photographs on a high quality camera. You only get one life, memories and moments are precious and I refuse to record my family life on something as crappy as an iphone and more fool those who do... I feel the same about hi-fi - if people choose to put up with listening to heavily compressed MP3 tunes on itunes though some God awful docking station then they simply don't get the full experience of listening to the music they love and are missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures!!
You can live a shallow fashion driven life buying into the latest fad or you can listen to music and take pictures properly - it's your choice but I have little sympathy for those who simply follow the herd and regard it as my mission in life to open their eyes and ears to what real cameras or hi-fi are about. I'm frnakly flabbergasted at how many friends have now ditched music downloads and itunes when they come and hear a song on a proper hi-fi system.
There's a place for convenience of course and sitting by a pool on holiday I love my MP3 player but given an alternative it has no place in my home...
So the challenges facing the camera companies are the same ones faced in may industries - how to fight the tidal wave of fashion and educate the mass market to demand better than the crap that consumer electronics delivers.
Today I went to watch Interstellar in an IMAX cinema, so did many others and these people cared enough to pay more to see the film as it should be experienced - there are quite a lot of us around you know and Pentax just need to target them...
Joshlg_uk
The truth is that the number of SLR users was always a small minority of the number of people taking photographs even in the film days. The smartphone has certainly eaten into compact camera sales in just the same way that itunes and MP3 has eaten into hi-fi and CD sales. However I certainly think there will always be a market for those discerning enough to not follow the herd and to value quality above fashion. The truth is that I and many others want to take photographs on a high quality camera. You only get one life, memories and moments are precious and I refuse to record my family life on something as crappy as an iphone and more fool those who do... I feel the same about hi-fi - if people choose to put up with listening to heavily compressed MP3 tunes on itunes though some God awful docking station then they simply don't get the full experience of listening to the music they love and are missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures!!
You can live a shallow fashion driven life buying into the latest fad or you can listen to music and take pictures properly - it's your choice but I have little sympathy for those who simply follow the herd and regard it as my mission in life to open their eyes and ears to what real cameras or hi-fi are about. I'm frnakly flabbergasted at how many friends have now ditched music downloads and itunes when they come and hear a song on a proper hi-fi system.
There's a place for convenience of course and sitting by a pool on holiday I love my MP3 player but given an alternative it has no place in my home...
So the challenges facing the camera companies are the same ones faced in may industries - how to fight the tidal wave of fashion and educate the mass market to demand better than the crap that consumer electronics delivers.
Today I went to watch Interstellar in an IMAX cinema, so did many others and these people cared enough to pay more to see the film as it should be experienced - there are quite a lot of us around you know and Pentax just need to target them...
Joshlg_uk
Comment by saxon posted on Is this a new golden age for Pentax?? at 07/12/2014 - 20:40
If you're a wedding or studio/ fashion shooter currently using Nikon/Canon pro cameras then you simply have to find the Pentax 645z tempting if you value image quality. It is better in every respect than the EOS1DX (or whatever they're calling it) and the Nikon D4s except shooting speed, so while the press pack and the sports shooters won't want one, pretty much every other pro will.
There is an interesting Nikon based thread here: http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00cWTH
Ricoh has a huge amount of power - they employ 115 000 people and turnover $25bn a year. You can bet they bought Pentax with the intention of growing it into a major international force again...
They're a heck of a lot bigger company than Nikon and second only to Canon in their field and you can bet Canon and Nikon are watching them with great interest.
If Pentax can get their distribution and sales/marketing right with Ricoh's resources then I think they could have another golden age. What they need to do is improve visibility and create consumer demand and brand halo.
Joshlg_uk
There is an interesting Nikon based thread here: http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00cWTH
Ricoh has a huge amount of power - they employ 115 000 people and turnover $25bn a year. You can bet they bought Pentax with the intention of growing it into a major international force again...
They're a heck of a lot bigger company than Nikon and second only to Canon in their field and you can bet Canon and Nikon are watching them with great interest.
If Pentax can get their distribution and sales/marketing right with Ricoh's resources then I think they could have another golden age. What they need to do is improve visibility and create consumer demand and brand halo.
Joshlg_uk
Comment by saxon posted on Is this a new golden age for Pentax?? at 06/12/2014 - 11:09
I'm feeling very optimistic about Pentax and it's future. Why? - well when you look at it:
1. The Pentax 645Z is one of the best cameras ever made - it's stealing business from the Nikon D4s and Canon EOS1n and yet neither Canon or Nikon have an answer to it at all. It's also stealing business from the Hasselblads of the world too with its outrageously competitive pricing that they cannot hope to match (though I feel rather more sorry for Hasselblad - they make fine cameras and are a company with a great history... So Pentax build the finest high end camera in the marketplace when value and performance are taken into account. Really interesting site here which strangely mentions full frame camera http://www.camera-pentax.jp/645z/en/
2. The Pentax K3 is the finest DSLR Pentax have ever made and is one of the best in its price bracket. In many ways it could be argued it is the finest APSC camera in the world as an overall package - build quality, weatherproofing, image quality etc and the only things better are the full frame offerings from Canon/Nikon at 2-3 times the price.
3. From the biggest to the smallest interchangeable lens camera system in the world with Pentax Q series - there's not a lot around in that segment either to compete.
4. Pentax launch the WG-M1 to enter the Go-pro market only it's 2/3 the price of the Go-pro, is waterproof and shockproof without the housing, also Ricoh's first wireless camera out of the box - I quite fancy one myself - it's certainly the sexiest darned action cam I've seen yet!
5. Pentax launch KS-1 for the young, touchscreen, smartphone user who is looking for DSLR quality but with a smartphone style usability - again difficult to see what else is in the market like this - even from Canikon.
6. The big gap in the range - FF DSLR looks like this gap will be plugged at last. It's long overdue but hopefully it will be something special. Pro-spec build and weathersealing, around 24megapixels, backwards K mount compatible and lets hope they address the two areas that let pentax down on my K5 certainly - naff focussing and autofocus with video plus a decently compressed video file size.
7. For the first time in history Pentax now has the backing of a truly huge global organisation with the personnel, R&D, budget and resources to push them back into the top rank.
So - this time next year pentax could have class leading products from action cams to minature cameras, through APSC, to full frame and into medium format. In studio, on the water, in the air, professionally or on holiday Pentax build a camera for you. They've launched a medium format world beater with sixteen lenses plus an action cam, a revolutionary DSLR and the K3 plus some more lenses for it in only 12 months...
Is this the new golden age to be a Pentaxian?? Is the phoenix really about to rise from the ashes....
Joshlg_uk
1. The Pentax 645Z is one of the best cameras ever made - it's stealing business from the Nikon D4s and Canon EOS1n and yet neither Canon or Nikon have an answer to it at all. It's also stealing business from the Hasselblads of the world too with its outrageously competitive pricing that they cannot hope to match (though I feel rather more sorry for Hasselblad - they make fine cameras and are a company with a great history... So Pentax build the finest high end camera in the marketplace when value and performance are taken into account. Really interesting site here which strangely mentions full frame camera http://www.camera-pentax.jp/645z/en/
2. The Pentax K3 is the finest DSLR Pentax have ever made and is one of the best in its price bracket. In many ways it could be argued it is the finest APSC camera in the world as an overall package - build quality, weatherproofing, image quality etc and the only things better are the full frame offerings from Canon/Nikon at 2-3 times the price.
3. From the biggest to the smallest interchangeable lens camera system in the world with Pentax Q series - there's not a lot around in that segment either to compete.
4. Pentax launch the WG-M1 to enter the Go-pro market only it's 2/3 the price of the Go-pro, is waterproof and shockproof without the housing, also Ricoh's first wireless camera out of the box - I quite fancy one myself - it's certainly the sexiest darned action cam I've seen yet!
5. Pentax launch KS-1 for the young, touchscreen, smartphone user who is looking for DSLR quality but with a smartphone style usability - again difficult to see what else is in the market like this - even from Canikon.
6. The big gap in the range - FF DSLR looks like this gap will be plugged at last. It's long overdue but hopefully it will be something special. Pro-spec build and weathersealing, around 24megapixels, backwards K mount compatible and lets hope they address the two areas that let pentax down on my K5 certainly - naff focussing and autofocus with video plus a decently compressed video file size.
7. For the first time in history Pentax now has the backing of a truly huge global organisation with the personnel, R&D, budget and resources to push them back into the top rank.
So - this time next year pentax could have class leading products from action cams to minature cameras, through APSC, to full frame and into medium format. In studio, on the water, in the air, professionally or on holiday Pentax build a camera for you. They've launched a medium format world beater with sixteen lenses plus an action cam, a revolutionary DSLR and the K3 plus some more lenses for it in only 12 months...
Is this the new golden age to be a Pentaxian?? Is the phoenix really about to rise from the ashes....
Joshlg_uk
Comment by saxon posted on Is this a new golden age for Pentax?? at 06/12/2014 - 09:50
Back in the mid 1980's as a teenager armed with an ME SUper who used local Boots or Max Speilman or WHSMith processing and printing services I ventured into Liverpool to shoot a load of architectural pictures in black and white. I still remember getting my pictures back and being horribly disappointed at the lack of contrast in the images - everything was just shades of grey despite me using good (Ilford film) and perfectly exposing each shot with great care on a tripod. Where were the jet black blacks of the greats???
I had been conditioned to compare myself with the images of David Bailey, Ansell Adams etc who were undoubtedly burning and dodging and ramping up the contrast of their images - something that Boots certainly weren't doing for me!!
When I entered the digital era I still only shot Jpeg and never post-processed anything until this year and I have to say that since I started doing so in the last 12 months the quality of my images (or at least their processing) has soared! I'm a big fan of it now - although it can be frustrating and time consuming but the results I am getting more than make up for it. I don't believe at all in creating anything that wasn't already there, but the ability to get the best out of what you have captured is the angle I approach it from and after some inital reservations about the legitimacy of it I have decided that as long as the image remains authentically what I shot I don't have a problem with it. The other interesting thing is I am starting to see the shots in the field for their potential after post processing, not just what they look like there and then.
I really love this picture of Jean Shrimpton - in fact it's one of my favourite ever portraits but you can't tell me that Duffy didn't max out the detail and contrast on this in 1966:
Saxon
I had been conditioned to compare myself with the images of David Bailey, Ansell Adams etc who were undoubtedly burning and dodging and ramping up the contrast of their images - something that Boots certainly weren't doing for me!!
When I entered the digital era I still only shot Jpeg and never post-processed anything until this year and I have to say that since I started doing so in the last 12 months the quality of my images (or at least their processing) has soared! I'm a big fan of it now - although it can be frustrating and time consuming but the results I am getting more than make up for it. I don't believe at all in creating anything that wasn't already there, but the ability to get the best out of what you have captured is the angle I approach it from and after some inital reservations about the legitimacy of it I have decided that as long as the image remains authentically what I shot I don't have a problem with it. The other interesting thing is I am starting to see the shots in the field for their potential after post processing, not just what they look like there and then.
I really love this picture of Jean Shrimpton - in fact it's one of my favourite ever portraits but you can't tell me that Duffy didn't max out the detail and contrast on this in 1966:
Saxon
Comment by saxon posted on I'm just waiting for the flak !! -or not!!! at 22/11/2014 - 19:35
Cabstar,
many thanks for the critique and I have as you know replied privately offline - I'm very grateful to all of you for your insights and I fear Jeffstclair that you are right - the arts attracts too many people wanting to do it. I think other jobs such as accountancy or dentistry are well paid because no bugger really wants to do it and the required training acts as a barrier to entry. The latter is probably the only thing that has stopped pilot salaries going into complete freefall - although most of you would probably be horrified to know the real state of pilot salaries compared to the golden age. I had a conversation with an aircraft refueller at manchester airport only perhaps 3 years ago and we were both shocked to discover he was earning more for driving the refuelling truck than I was earning for flying the plane!!
Ever wondered why certain Irish low cost carriers are able to fly you on a £50m jet to Rome cheaper than you can catch a bus/train to the nearest city? They don't employ pilots they hire contractors who pay for their own uniforms, meals, bottled water, simulator training and hotel bills. They have no sick pay, holiday pay and in Winter when the schedule goes quieter they park the planes and leave the pilots at home earning nothing at all.
We live in interesting times...
Jonathan
many thanks for the critique and I have as you know replied privately offline - I'm very grateful to all of you for your insights and I fear Jeffstclair that you are right - the arts attracts too many people wanting to do it. I think other jobs such as accountancy or dentistry are well paid because no bugger really wants to do it and the required training acts as a barrier to entry. The latter is probably the only thing that has stopped pilot salaries going into complete freefall - although most of you would probably be horrified to know the real state of pilot salaries compared to the golden age. I had a conversation with an aircraft refueller at manchester airport only perhaps 3 years ago and we were both shocked to discover he was earning more for driving the refuelling truck than I was earning for flying the plane!!
Ever wondered why certain Irish low cost carriers are able to fly you on a £50m jet to Rome cheaper than you can catch a bus/train to the nearest city? They don't employ pilots they hire contractors who pay for their own uniforms, meals, bottled water, simulator training and hotel bills. They have no sick pay, holiday pay and in Winter when the schedule goes quieter they park the planes and leave the pilots at home earning nothing at all.
We live in interesting times...
Jonathan
Comment by saxon posted on What to charge for music festival pics?? at 10/08/2014 - 13:16
Sorry Smeggy and Gartmore - for some reason when I replied your posts weren't visible. Anyway thanks for the compliments Smeggy - I was quite pleased with the way some of them came out. The most difficult thing was juggling the shutter speed amidst low and constantly varying light and moving subjects. My biggest fear was that the night shot pictures might have looked sharp on the back of the camera and when I plugged them into the computer I might have seen camera shake on them - fortunately that didn't happen but I was glad I did upgrade to a Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 a month ago and the 17-50mm F2.8 the day before the gig especially for the occasion.
I did write a blog about shooting the event which might be of interest: http://www.jonathangorsephotography.com/blog/2014/7/shooting-my-first-music-fest...
Gartmore - I think your advice is very sound indeed to price a job before doing it. That's easier to do when you're established and approached by someone seeking photographs but over the past 5 years I have known the landlord he has always known me as a full time airline pilot and had no clue about my photography so he would never have thought of asking me - I approached him.
If I hadn't developed an ankle problem which might end my flying career that's exactly how things would have stayed and quite honestly I wouldn't have sought to turn photography into a career because it is undoubtedly difficult to establish a new venture in such a highly contested marketplace. Most tellingly I find there seem to be more people offering courses on how to set up as a professional photographer than there are professional photographers!! It means that just maybe some of the existing pro's haven't got enough real work and are doing training and workshops to supplement their income.
I love photography and always have but I'm yet to be convinced that a sizeable proportion of photographers are earning a comfortable salary - lets say £35000 after tax to provide what I would consider to be a half decent lifestyle. I do think there are a few - but they're established players and they might well be earning a lot more than that with a lot of commercial or wedding work. What I'm trying to evaluate at present is how much scope there is for a viable business in this and the truth is I just don't know...
Keep the insights coming and feel free to PM me offline if that's easier.
Thanks again everyone,
Jonathan
I did write a blog about shooting the event which might be of interest: http://www.jonathangorsephotography.com/blog/2014/7/shooting-my-first-music-fest...
Gartmore - I think your advice is very sound indeed to price a job before doing it. That's easier to do when you're established and approached by someone seeking photographs but over the past 5 years I have known the landlord he has always known me as a full time airline pilot and had no clue about my photography so he would never have thought of asking me - I approached him.
If I hadn't developed an ankle problem which might end my flying career that's exactly how things would have stayed and quite honestly I wouldn't have sought to turn photography into a career because it is undoubtedly difficult to establish a new venture in such a highly contested marketplace. Most tellingly I find there seem to be more people offering courses on how to set up as a professional photographer than there are professional photographers!! It means that just maybe some of the existing pro's haven't got enough real work and are doing training and workshops to supplement their income.
I love photography and always have but I'm yet to be convinced that a sizeable proportion of photographers are earning a comfortable salary - lets say £35000 after tax to provide what I would consider to be a half decent lifestyle. I do think there are a few - but they're established players and they might well be earning a lot more than that with a lot of commercial or wedding work. What I'm trying to evaluate at present is how much scope there is for a viable business in this and the truth is I just don't know...
Keep the insights coming and feel free to PM me offline if that's easier.
Thanks again everyone,
Jonathan
Comment by saxon posted on What to charge for music festival pics?? at 09/08/2014 - 18:41
I need to check it on fast moving subjects such as galloping horses or cyclists and so will head down somewhere I can shoot some of that stuff soon. Suffice to say so far it is everything I hoped it would be! Still waiting for the grip to arrive and I certainly don't like using Pentax cameras without a grip attached but then I do have hands like a 300lb gorilla!
Once again many thanks to all of you for your comments. Rest assured if any of you are using the K5 or earlier generation of cameras the improvement in focus performance is genuinely startling! I'm actually going to head outside to test it on an unlit street...
Kind regards,
Saxon