Photography is not going to live long

Stating the above that photography is not a futuristic profession for many who are thinking to get into will do make you upset about reality. One needs to understand why I am saying so and there is a way to go about it even if you feel strongly about it, the fact is traditional photography is for those who wish to feed their soul, in case you are planning to feed your bank you have to work and think a little more different. I have written about it in the past and I feel strongly about it and I wonder often hence here is the other piece I wish to share.

In the past 10 years of being into photography, I have seen drastic changes from an application like photoshop restricted to computers to many you can access in your phone and i-pad making working station mobile. Yes, Google has restricted downloading those images for free but there are many stock photo websites that are quite pocket-friendly and give rights for commercial use in case your work is liked by some and wishes to buy it from you. There has been a drastic change from mere white balance to crazy color toning. A change in the shift from beautiful pictures to hyper-realistic surrealism and abstract is also well admired now. It is more about the concept than just the picture.

That now brings me to the agenda of the article. The present era is more about current social issues and how effective your work is to evoke emotions and bring change in the people and society. It is not tough but indeed forces one to be more sensitive and observant about it and around.

I have personally seen a change in the quality of retouching from buttery smooth to quality texture. I have seen a change in commercial concepts from selling it to the fair and lovely to the color.

These changes may sound minor but the artistic approach in the commercial world is undergoing a healthy yet very competitive change.

If you ask me what one should do to survive is very simple, think, observe and come with a fresh perspective about present situations around which are good enough to bring some impact.

As a visual designer, I have even felt a need to go to a formal institution but I will be honest I have learned most of my lessons in the practical, dealing with people is something no institution can teach you but technicality is all now available online in various subscription platforms. If I have to guide people who don't have money to go abroad and wish to learn, I can't stress enough on online education. Various amazing professionals are sharing their knowledge at the ease of your time and space. The era we are living in is the best mankind can see.

I am not sure how the future of visual designing is gonna take shape and different professionals are going to have a subjective perspective which is indeed fair enough. I being a commercial photographer and product stylist, my dual specialization has helped me to grab many assignments which have also led me to showcase what I have to offer. I am very much interested in film making and I so wish to combine all I have and share a fresh perspective to my clients and followers in the future. I don't shy away if I need to combine 3D artwork with photography if my project needs so, my present agenda is to prevent self from stagnation and let my creative juices flow and think more vivid than possible. As per the marketing strategy and building a brand for self it is going as complex and confusing as it was before, social media platforms will come and go and many will suit certain group of professionals and certain will not be exactly your cup of tea. The marketing strategy will be an ever-evolving and experiment topic for you. Certain aspects like sharing your work and letting people know your workflow will not gonna be old school for sure. Being there every day and let people know you exist is basics and it is going to be a part of your profession as long as you wish to be there.

There is something one should avoid is

JACK OF ALL AND MASTER OF NONE

To sum up the above, check the following below:

• Understand the basics of photography, Graphic design, logo making, film making, illustration or anything you wish to be.

• Invest in value equipment like computer, camera, graphics tablet, i-pad.

• Online education is a good choice to consider.

• Learn and study something about it every single day to keep self updated.

• Combine one skill with others to bring a fresh perspective to your clients, keep investing in the future.

• Learn and understand social media both which exist and the one upcoming, for now, understand Instagram, Youtube, and blogging.

• Keep self-informed about the people in your respective field and look out for one who inspires you.

• Understand the marketing strategy and what you should do to help your brand grow.

• Be open to possibilities.

• Be observant about things around you and explore your medium in and around it.

Hi, myself Shovona, a freelance commercial photographer based out of Mumbai India. I have styled images for various brands and work as a full-time freelance portrait, food, and product photographer. I also share various tips and tricks regarding freelancing and photography on my Instagram account.

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I DIDN't go to a photography college and why?

We here in India are always guarded with a set of parents who are overprotective about things that surround us. Since the time we are born and as long as they are alive they guard us to their lives, which is very parental and we understand but its important to come out of the comfort zone to know what we are and I will be happy to say I am lucky enough to have parents who let me be me. I have set of friends who chose to do things that were planned by their parents and some are happy to be where they are and some are what they are and it is totally fine.

Anyone trying to fly off in the air or trying to fly in the different directions are either mocked or questioned unless they are proved wrong. Doing something unconventional is a new trend and many parents are understanding the benefits, the escape from the overcrowding applications vs a limited scope.

Reality shows have thrown the needed light, but yet many occupations still need some education to be fed about.

Why I am talking about parents? Cause we are a set of people belonging to a generation who falls right in the middle of the conservative and liberal era of career choices. Many career choices are still a myth and many including ourself raise questions against.

Alike other folks my parents wanted me to join an engineering or medical stream but I ended up doing visual arts, practically as an academic qualification. Photography was not a part of my curriculum but that's what I do full time and I guess I was lucky enough to come across resources that helped me to raise my skills in a short time. At the present point of time where education is becoming more and more of a leisure, a fancy opportunity with the raising fees due to various factors, going to a college is a question for many. Schooling is still a must and I insist to finish it, having a basic education is a must well many are deprived of that too.

With various online educational forums coming into the scene which does give quality content against very pocket-friendly fees is raising a good question in mind if it is worth going to a physical college. All I know from not going to a dedicated photography college is having practical experience matters.

Any college is a combination of practical and theory regarding the respective subject, the deadlines help us to be on track but then why many people don't succeed, psychologically when we are asked to do things we tend not to do it and many times we excel in those. Something similar happened to me too.

I generated my own course and as there was no pressure and expectation I enjoyed it more than what I was supposed to do. I didn't have competition or anyone to get compared with which led me to be a free bird and do my mistakes and learn and self realize.

Expectations are a big enough factor for many to fail and give up on things one is supposed to do.

its a subjective yet very objective thing to talk about.

• If you don't have funds to create a space and have the desired equipment to do things just for yourself, going to a college and sharing the space and equipment is a good way to go about.

• If you feel and think being a free bird with no deadlines will not help you to cover things up faster with the needed love and desire for your subject, college is meant for you.

• Education is a never-ending process and we can simply add on to what we know, irrespective you try to learn something new.

• Going to college is a question depending on the nature of opportunity you will have access to post finishing a course.

• Migration to a different country with better livelihood and opportunity is a good excuse to join a college and it does have benefits.

• Rising international educational fees is a good excuse to look for the scope of being at home.

• Almost all the unconventional streams are not anymore tied to going to college yet being a doctor, lawyer, an engineer and more do have its debate but personally I will suggest going to one to get your basics clear.

Going to an educational institution for its strategic academic can and do a lot of financial stress over one and a family but its indeed a personal choice. A choice which was not a choice a decade ago. It is quite admirable to understand how education is free-flowing and how approachable it is to the extent it's in your hand in the form of a smartphone.

The thing which helped and helps me to survive is the practical aspect of my profession, the experience I had in person and the knowledge I gained gradually. The process of reading about photography to holding one in hand and creating images to processing and manipulating one helped me to be one in the market and good enough to charge which supports my living. I am not sure how much a college would have helped me if I had joined one, sadly the knowledge I gained being an art historian doesn't exactly help me professionally but it helps to add a perspective to things that add value to me and my brand...

Joining a college is a way to get self-validated in the form of certificates and degrees but one should run for the quality of education irrespective its in the comfort of your own home or having a scheduled academic lifestyle.

I am a freelance commercial photographer based out of Mumbai, India, who clicks food, people, portrait and product extensively for many national and international brands and production houses. I ended up teaching myself the skills required to run a firm and do the needed as any business requires, self-realization is my mantra and I understand things better as my guts help me along.

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For any work, queries feel free to connect me at the below

email: shovonakar@gmail.com

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