how hard is it to become a well known photographer

[removed account4]

And how does one go about developing such a "talent"?

schmoozing

 

[Pieter12]

Being in the right place at the right time has many aspects. Is it the right place and time to take a photograph? The right place and right time to meet someone who can advance your career? The right place and right time for your particular style of photography to be popular? Or all of the above, which really means being lucky.

 

[MattKing]

I have a friend who listens to a police scanner, just like Weegee

 

[removed account4]

Being in the right place at the right time has many aspects. Is it the right place and time to take a photograph? The right place and right time to meet someone who can advance your career? The right place and right time for your particular style of photography to be popular? Or all of the above, which really means being lucky.

luck has a little bit to do with it but not much, its more like knowing what to do when you leap off the log

 

[Arthurwg]

Many thanks. Maybe in my next life - what remains of this one is being devoted to project photography in southeast Asia, which will keep me busy until I shuffle off to the big darkroom in the sky. Taos belongs to my young years - I've not been back there for too many years, and I reckon my memories and ten boxes of cherished Kodachromes will see me through. It was an enchanted place in its time - I even have ONE valued slide of an afternoon of triple gins and tonics with the late Dorothy Brett, who in her time was the sort of immortal character one no longer sees now, though I've lucked into one or two among the old Chinese I meet in my Asian travels. All grist for my lenses, so to speak.

Silver City, NM was another fun place in the 1970s. When I think of the parties I was invited to at the Buckhorn up in Pinos Altos, sigh...!!

Wow! Dorothy Brett. Taos has a well developed mythology that's still alive, and she was one of the central characters. Many others I could name. My favorite is Rebecca James, previously married to photographer Paul Strand. She made beautiful painting on glass. BTW,I'm also a fan of Southeast Asia. Several trips there over the years.

 

[Pieter12]

The truth is famous to whom? The photo community, maybe. The general public--forget about it. The average Joe might be able to name 3 photographers, tops. And probably only one living "famous" photographer. How many living, well-known photographers do the members of this forum know of?

 

[awty]

The truth is famous to whom? The photo community, maybe. The general public--forget about it. The average Joe might be able to name 3 photographers, tops. And probably only one living "famous" photographer. How many living, well-known photographers do the members of this forum know of?

Before joining this forum I didn't know any.
Im more interested in the picture, less about who took it and what camera they used.

I think the younger audience are influenced by high profile social media posters and would struggle knowing any of the dead photographers....unless the blogger happens to mention one.

 

[warden]

I think the younger audience are influenced by high profile social media posters and would struggle knowing any of the dead photographers....unless the blogger happens to mention one.

That's probably true, but thankfully there is a market for discussing the masters on YouTube and elsewhere, so the young ones can dip their toes at a beginner level if they're so inclined. This vlogger posts frequently, using short and easy to understand presentations that the young (and old) can digest.

 

[Arthurwg]

I'm a great admirer of Penn, but something about this video annoys me, probably the condescending way the narrator addresses the audience.

 

[warden]

I'm a great admirer of Penn, but something about this video annoys me, probably the condescending way the narrator addresses the audience.

You are already an admirer of Penn (as am I) and presumably an adult. Awty was sharing his opinion of the younger audience that gets its information from video and personalities. I don't think this type of video is aimed at people that are already educated about their favorite dead photographers. Putting yourself in the shoes of a fifteen year old aspiring photographer is hard, but try. They're not likely reaching for the hundred dollar thick book of Penn's works until they know a little about him from the web first.

 

[CMoore]

I have never seen this guys videos before. I do not know how he usually speaks, but i did not get the feel he was being condescending.

I also did not get the feel he was aiming this video at any particular subset of photographers.
I know who Penn was and have seen many of his photos, including a few in the video, but i did not know this "Corner and Carpet" setting had been a whole series.

You cannot know about everybody.
An experienced 70 year old photographer might know a lot, and have several books about David Bailey, Berenice Abbott and Ansel Adams, but know nothing about Penn other than his name.
I thought it was a good video for anybody interested in photography.

 

[awty]

You are already an admirer of Penn (as am I) and presumably an adult. Awty was sharing his opinion of the younger audience that gets its information from video and personalities. I don't think this type of video is aimed at people that are already educated about their favorite dead photographers. Putting yourself in the shoes of a fifteen year old aspiring photographer is hard, but try. They're not likely reaching for the hundred dollar thick book of Penn's works until they know a little about him from the web first.

The thing with the young is their less influenced by older generations, more so the younger they are. My son in his mid twenties has recently decided that he wants to shoot film (after spending the last five years making fun of my using olden day technology). He wants to shoot Portra 400 and use a Mamiya 7 or an M6 (dont we all), because this is what the young media gurus seem to endorse. On the other hand my twenty something daughter will only use black and white and what ever camera I give her, she is more art orientated and happy just doing her own thing. She also has a close friend who has hundred thousand plus followers on Instagram and makes a living out of it (digital), she is very good at what she does. Recently she stopped because it was because it was becoming too much hard work and mentally draining. Guess there is a price for fame. So to be well known these days would mean you need to have a very high profile on social media and also be able to manage that.

 

[warden]

The thing with the young is their less influenced by older generations, more so the younger they are. My son in his mid twenties has recently decided that he wants to shoot film (after spending the last five years making fun of my using olden day technology). He wants to shoot Portra 400 and use a Mamiya 7 or an M6 (dont we all), because this is what the young media gurus seem to endorse. On the other hand my twenty something daughter will only use black and white and what ever camera I give her, she is more art orientated and happy just doing her own thing. She also has a close friend who has hundred thousand plus followers on Instagram and makes a living out of it (digital), she is very good at what she does. Recently she stopped because it was because it was becoming too much hard work and mentally draining. Guess there is a price for fame. So to be well known these days would mean you need to have a very high profile on social media and also be able to manage that.

Much echoing over here. My sons are a bit younger than your son and daughter but without a doubt they consume culture in a fundamentally different way than I did at their age, and are better for it. They are inspired by their online learning for the most part, not books or TV. One of my sons is about to start a stop motion animation project with my old Nikon D70, and the background research he's done was conducted on Discord, Deviant Art, YouTube, a museum visit, etc, and what he has found so far is encouraging.

I think your comments about social media are spot on, btw. If a young photographer wants fame and the good things that come from it, he/she should be willing to learn the ropes of social media and commit to a professional effort in that pursuit, in addition to the parallel path of developing photographic skill and artistic voice. It's well beyond a full time job, and not an easy one, and as you note there is a high price to pay for all that.

 

[removed account4]

Recently she stopped because it was because it was becoming too much hard work and mentally draining. Guess there is a price for fame.

yup. some young SM people are losing their mind, because their followers need to consume new content like ... 30 seconds ago. its really too bad how SM has given everyone the attention span of a goldfish. ... its not actual people who are controlling what others see and consume but AI that is manipulating the whole scene. at least in ye olden days 20 -120 years ago it was some super rich manipulative powerful human tastemakers that manipulated us all, .. told us unwashed sheep what to think and what to buy, now its some bot. im certain between internet hip-nosis, food and bottled water supply manipulated with nano chips most people between the age of IDK 5 and 30 won't need to care who any dead or living photographers might be because they will all be part of some zombie army. its gonna be like the ring on giligan's island...

 

[mmerig]

You can sell your privacy but you can never buy it back. Bob Dylan said that.

 

[warden]

You can sell your privacy but you can never buy it back. Bob Dylan said that.

You can sell every song you ever wrote to a global conglomerate, but you can never buy them back.

 

[KenS]

Hi guys, I am asking today how hard is it to become a famous photographer or at least a "recognizable" member on the comunity. I ask this because I have the same ambition that we all have, I want people to know my work and to look at it with interest. I know it is a silly question, but i ask this to mainly get tips, some story about one of you, ways for someone to show the world my work or even some good path choices. I think it will be a great discussion

A LOT depends on from whom you might be interested on receiving the most 'positive feed-back'

Might I be allowed to suggest that you FIRST make photographs to 'MEET your OWN' creative desires rather than seeking positive feedback from others?

That 'advice' might feel somewhat "harsh" but sit back awhile and do some 'thinking' about what you want (or seek in the way of positive 'feedback'. While it 'nice'/'comfortable' and 'supporting' I believe we each make photographs to make for 'ourselves' (Unless you are a 'professional' (where you MUST meet the needs of your client FIRST.)

Ken
(been there, done that, bought the T-shirt and wore it out after some 25+ yearsin the employ of a Federal Government agency

Ken
a.k.a 'Grumpy'

 

[Pieter12]

A LOT depends on from whom you might be interested on receiving the most 'positive feed-back'

Might I be allowed to suggest that you FIRST make photographs to 'MEET your OWN' creative desires rather than seeking positive feedback from others?

That 'advice' might feel somewhat "harsh" but sit back awhile and do some 'thinking' about what you want (or seek in the way of positive 'feedback'. While it 'nice'/'comfortable' and 'supporting' I believe we each make photographs to make for 'ourselves' (Unless you are a 'professional' (where you MUST meet the needs of your client FIRST.)

Ken
(been there, done that, bought the T-shirt and wore it out after some 25+ yearsin the employ of a Federal Government agency

Ken
a.k.a 'Grumpy'

watch out. You're going to wear out the single-quote key.

 

[awty]

yup. some young SM people are losing their mind, because their followers need to consume new content like ... 30 seconds ago. its really too bad how SM has given everyone the attention span of a goldfish. ... its not actual people who are controlling what others see and consume but AI that is manipulating the whole scene. at least in ye olden days 20 -120 years ago it was some super rich manipulative powerful human tastemakers that manipulated us all, .. told us unwashed sheep what to think and what to buy, now its some bot. im certain between internet hip-nosis, food and bottled water supply manipulated with nano chips most people between the age of IDK 5 and 30 won't need to care who any dead or living photographers might be because they will all be part of some zombie army. its gonna be like the ring on giligan's island...

Actually the better educated youngsters are better at switching off the social media when necessary. Schools have become very aware of the problem and teach the students the etiquette around it. Ive been to social get togethers with my daughter and her friends and not see any of them touching their phones and if someone does its briefly and put away again. Otherwise they become anxious and believe crazy peoples conspiracy theories. Its usually the parents that cant seem to leave their phones alone and are the crazy theories protagonists.
Being a SM celebrity can quickly become a 24/7 occupation with little control over if you let it. Best to walk away, rethink things then reboot if you wish with a better understanding.

 

[removed account4]

Hi Paul
maybe its different in OZ but in the states even educated high school and college kids are on their phones non stop, as are some adults. its just the way it is now. its really weird...

 

[Pieter12]

Hi Paul
maybe its different in OZ but in the states even educated high school and college kids are on their phones non stop, as are some adults. its just the way it is now. its really weird...

But maybe they're not spending as much times you might assume on social media. Trends change. Does anyone even remember MySpace? Texting, etc. occupies many. The irony is many seniors (and I'm not referring to students) spend a lot of time on social media. So much so that it has turned off many youngsters.

 

[removed account4]

But maybe they're not spending as much times you might assume on social media. Trends change. Does anyone even remember MySpace? Texting, etc. occupies many. The irony is many seniors (and I'm not referring to students) spend a lot of time on social medicines t. thaSo much so that it has I’m turned off many youngsters.

The people I am referring to I have been connected to for quite some time some for at least the past idk6 years others more. inseparable from a device…. They were tween idk 16- and25
I was friends with a barkeep who told me most couples who sat at a table or the bar arrived together, were a couple but never talked, always on a device ... this was for years ( maybe this is old info, he moved about 3 years ago )
… pretty soon "I hear and I obey" just like on Gilligan ...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi guys, I am asking today how hard is it to become a famous photographer or at least a "recognizable" member on the comunity. I ask this because I have the same ambition that we all have, I want people to know my work and to look at it with interest. I know it is a silly question, but i ask this to mainly get tips, some story about one of you, ways for someone to show the world my work or even some good path choices. I think it will be a great discussion

Your work must be good,very good and unique. Moreover you need to spend a lot of time to be your own marketing manager,knock on a lot of doors and get your work out there, galleries, shows, books etc.

 

[Pieter12]

The people I am referring to I have been connected to for quite some time some for at least the past idk6 years others more. inseparable from a device…. They were tween idk 16- and25
I was friends with a barkeep who told me most couples who sat at a table or the bar arrived together, were a couple but never talked, always on a device ... this was for years ( maybe this is old info, he moved about 3 years ago )
… pretty soon "I hear and I obey" just like on Gilligan ...

Once again, no way to know if they were surfing the web, shopping or texting, or if they were on social media. Remember the last person who posed as POTUS spent most of his time on social media and cable TV and he wasn't in that demographic.

 

[Vaughn]

Your work must be good,very good and unique. Moreover you need to spend a lot of time to be your own marketing manager,knock on a lot of doors and get your work out there, galleries, shows, books etc.

In addition, what I got from from talking to someone who converses in the higher reaches of the world of photographic art; to be considered, talked about, and shown at the highest levels, one needs to be pushing the art of photography past any present achievements and perceived limits. Just doing something very well that has already been done very well will rarely bring fame.