Network, Network, Networking…….

One of the biggest things I have learned so far is that you better network. Without networking you are pretty much out on your own with no help what’s so ever. If you network then you have peers to ask questions, talk too, and hopefully work with. You might be just starting out and not knowing where to secure some work. If you network with people they will know they type of shots and quality of work that you do. If your work is up to there standards and they know of up coming jobs they may ask you if you want an opportunity to do the job.  Personally I have joined many Facebook groups and also a camera club just for the simple reason of networking. Some of the Facebook groups I joined are strictly my home area alone. Sometimes the people in the group put together meet ups to go out and shoot. During these meet ups you get to chat with peers and see what type of work they do. I have met photographers that shoot for magazines, some that do product photography, sports and others that are strictly Fine Art.

The Sports photographer has asked me to shoot with him many times so far. Sometimes it has been a paid shoot and a few it has been a volunteer opportunity. I have done both, while I rather get paid and who wouldn’t. Its also good to shoot a volunteer shoot every so often so that you can for one give back, and then also add to your portfolio. My first time shooting with the sports photographer it was a volunteer shoot. We had to shoot a race that a church was hosting. Now he knows my capabilities and he calls me when he see things come up. He also emails me other events that he can’t make because he’s shooting at other places. I hope that some day the magazine photographer knows of an opening and helps secure me a position shooting that type of stuff also. I probably wouldn’t have any of these jobs if I wasn’t putting myself out there and hanging out with other peers.

You might not know many people yourself right now but search for groups you can join in your area. Another good place to find that is meetup.com they have tones of different photography groups you can join. Once you have met some new friends make sure you hang out and do some shooting. This way they get to see your style and you also get to see theirs. I try to shoot something every week. I also try to invite peers to join me. It makes the shoot less boring and then you have someone to talk with during and after your done.

TBT

Thursday Ambassador


Works Cited

Photo Credit
Virtual Social Media. Web. 4 Sept. 2114.

I can't believe it happened to me

I am posting this a little early.  I will be here all day Wednesday to talk about this if you want

I wanted to take a time out this week and talk about something that I never thought would happen to me.  I was Cyber-Bullied today.

Joker & Harley Quinn - Greg Horn

Let's let that sink in for a minute.  I was Cyber-Bullied today.  I am a 39 year old man who has long left high school and petty differences of opinions behind me a long time ago.  I was hurt (because it was someone that I considered a friend) and shocked that it happened to me.

Spiderman/Mary Jane - Greg Horn

I needed to get some things off my chest regarding the situation.

I am entitled to my opinion, just the same as you are entitled to yours.

I never criticized or otherwise made reference to your artwork, although you took it upon yourself to belittle my chosen profession and the art that I create.

I hold all artists in high regard, especially those that have talents and skills that I do not have, you tell me that I do not have a creative spirit and can only do what I was taught.

I have expectations for people that call themselves professionals, not hobbyists, but professionals.  You see no difference and feel that I should leave the hobbyists to their hobbies and the professionals to their professions.  Apparently I am neither.

You call me a bully because I have an opinion.  You bullied me because you didn't like mine.

I would like to still be friends.  You do not.

I am sorry.  You are not.

I am sad.

Red's Vengeance - John Giang

If there is anything to be taken from that is please be respectful of your peers in classroom critiques (my situation was on Facebook not the classroom, which is why I was making some broad generalizations about photographers that could stand to open their ears to constructive criticism).  I would expect nothing less of each of you.  Also please be open to suggestions, critiques, and criticisms.  It is how we learn.  None of us is above it.  There isn't one photographer on the planet that doesn't make a mistake, or misses a detail, or could stand to grow, even if just a little.

Be thick skinned.  If you plan on making art a career, there are going to be people that do not like your work.  They are usually the most vocal about how you suck.  Your fans will not scream how awesome you are.  It sucks, but it is the way it is.  If you can't handle it please either toughen up or rethink your career choices.

For the record, I know I am a growing artist.  My work has evolved and come a long way over the past 3 years.  I am finding my voice and my style.  I appreciate the comments and critiques of my instructors, classmates, and strangers alike.  Each one has helped me grow in my own way.  So to each of them, thank you.

*Side note:  All the art included this week are prints that I have hanging in my office.  It's what brings me back when I am having a bad day.

Works Cited

Giang, John. Red's Vengeance. 2012. Illustration.

Horn, Greg. Joker & Harley Quinn. N.d. Illustration.

- - -. Spiderman/Mary Jane. N.d. Illustration.