Making a living from travel photography?

While researching this topic myself, I came across a discussion thread http://voyageforum.com/voyage/est_t_il_possible_gagner_un_peu_argent_avec_tres_belles_photos_D2577539/ that I found a bit disheartening...

First off, I want to say that this recurring dream isn’t impossible:

http://www.pixfan.com/entretien-avec-eric-lafforgue/

That said, it won’t just fall into your lap by chance! ;-) Believe me, just because no degree is required doesn’t mean you can approach this project as an amateur.

You’ll need to be a technical expert, invest thousands of euros in gear and software, have a unique aesthetic vision, sharp business sense, and a rigorous approach at every stage of your work—because this *is* a profession. Without a minimum of commitment and professionalism, you won’t get far... But then again, other careers aren’t exactly easier...

So, for those who already have a portfolio that triggers uncontrollable gasps of wonder at every slide show at Aunt Monique’s place, here are some great places to test your determination and skills:

http://www.lonelyplanetimages.com/prospective_photographers

http://www.theimageworks.com/cu_prosphoto.php

http://www.pacificstock.com/photographer_guidelines.asp

For those who think they’ve already created some high-resolution masterpieces, you can also invest in internationally renowned competitions:

http://worldinfocuscontest.com/

http://www.tpoty.com/2009/about.html

http://www.thecolorawards.com/

http://journals.worldnomads.com/scholarships/post/32554.aspx

Finally, you might want to start by simply showcasing your work online at low cost and submitting your photos to a massive, not-always-agreeable-but-not-hostile audience for feedback:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28421453@N07/sets/72157614525899920/

By the way, I hope you're already fluent in English...

Happy travels!

Hi Pvince,

You're right, the post you mentioned first quickly spiraled out of control for various reasons, and you probably saw it was "locked"........😉 We won’t reopen that discussion since it went south, but it’s true that it’s worth repeating now and then how tough it is to make a living from travel photography. Many amateur photographers believe in their talent—maybe out of naivety or a lack of self-criticism—some do take great photos, it’s true, and think, *why not me?* Selling photos or getting published feels like a dream and an ideal way to earn money while continuing to travel. Where to start, how to do it—so many questions people ask themselves... But it’s not that simple, even with talent! Very few actually succeed. You’ve got to be realistic: there are *tons* of travelers bringing back stunning photos from every possible place, every country in the world!

Of course, it’s not impossible either, so you can always dream.... You could start by doing exhibitions, enjoying the process, testing your photos through others’ eyes, and trying to present them to professionals—if you’re open to rejection and criticism... It can be discouraging but also really eye-opening.

You mentioned Eric Lafforgue, who has his photos on Flickr—I knew his work. Having a website or showcasing your photos on well-known sites like *Géo* or others might help get your name out there. With a bit of luck, talent, and a large collection of images, of course! 🙂

Olivier Follmi also built his reputation step by step, after countless trips and exceptional photo stories. Today, he’s published so many books! But what talent—enough to make any amateur who thinks they’re a good photographer feel a little inadequate, right? http://www.follmispirit.com/indexfr.html As for the links you shared, they’re all in English...😕 Not the easiest for beginners...

Anyway, I checked out your photos on Flickr—you clearly know what you’re talking about....😉 No complaints, your gallery is gorgeous. Plenty to learn from!

Happy photographic travels!

Hi, We could also flip the question: why try to make a living from travel photography?... Doesn’t a tiny non-commercial bubble oxygenate the planet and human relationships?🙂

Thanks so much for all these links—really interesting! I saw a documentary about Eric Lafforgue on M6 Replay not long ago... Can't find it anymore :/

Finally, maybe just start by putting yourself out there online, at little cost, and submitting your work to a massive audience—not necessarily consensus-driven but without aggression:

http://www.flickr.com/...s/72157614525899920/

I’ll go ahead and mention a few other sites where you can find stunning photos:

http://www.darqroom.com/

http://picasaweb.google.fr/

http://www.pbase.com/

The list is just waiting to be expanded! Personally, I love spending hours and hours browsing photographers’ galleries and websites...

Hi farang61,

Wanting to make a living from travel photography so you can keep traveling, of course! 😉

It might seem pretentious or utopian—believing you’ve got talent just because you take nice photos when you’re only an amateur, thinking someone would pay you for doing something you love, something that doesn’t feel like work, something that seems easy... Mixing money and pleasure... Yet that’s the life of some professional photographers! I think you just have to see it as a passion! A passion for travel, a passion for photography. A certain pride, too—a desire to share images. Of course, money should be secondary in all this. But it’s a dream for more than a few....

Hello farang61,

Wanting to make a living from your travel photos to keep traveling, of course! 😉

It might seem pretentious, utopian, to think you have talent just because you take nice photos when you're just an amateur, to believe someone will pay you for doing something you love, that doesn’t feel like work, that seems easy... Combining money and pleasure... Yet that’s the life of some professional photographers! I think you just have to see it as a passion! A passion for travel, a passion for photography. A certain pride, too, a desire to share images. Money should definitely be secondary in all this, of course. But it’s something many people dream about....

...But with the price of even the cheapest pro-quality camera, I don’t see how money can take a back seat... On the other hand, people always mention Mr. Lafforgue as an example of a photographer discovered on Flickr... It’s still surprising to see how many still believe in fairy tales...! Mr. Lafforgue already had a Hasselblad, time, and flight tickets before he even took his first photo... So, let’s not dream (if it’s a dream), let’s go out and meet the world, share our feelings and experiences, discover realities our friends may never know, and enjoy ourselves...

You said it yourself:

doesn’t a tiny non-commercial bubble oxygenate the planet and human relationships...?

There’s a real difference between amateur photographers, who travel and take photos purely for pleasure (even if it costs them a lot), and professional photographers, who also have a passion but can’t put money second since selling their photos is how they make a living.

To each their own trade! I also think believing you can make a living from travel photography as a mere amateur is naive and overly ambitious—few people actually succeed, even if they take "good" photos. There are *so* many travelers out there with great shots... Money might not be the main motivator when trying to sell a few photos, but isn’t there also a desire to be "recognized"—not just by friends and family, but by professionals—when photography becomes more than just a passion? Maybe a bit of narcissism, pride, but aren’t all artists dreamers at heart?

I think some jobs will always be dream careers, and photojournalist is definitely one of those travel fantasies—even if it’s a tough gig.

I also think that believing you can make a living from your travel photos as a mere amateur is naive and overly ambitious. Very few people manage it, even if they take "good" photos. There are really a lot of travelers who take great photos...

Totally agree with you on that!

For me, as an amateur, photography is a pleasure that shouldn’t become commercial. And I think if you really want to earn money from it, you’re more likely to succeed with paparazzi-style photos than with beautiful landscapes! The quality required is lower, and there’s more demand for that kind of thing.

Money may not be the main motivator when trying to sell a few snapshots, but isn’t there also simply a certain desire to be "recognized"—not just by those close to you, but by professionals—when photography is more than just a passion? Narcissism, no doubt, pride, but aren’t all artists a little dreamy...?

Hi there, Without necessarily talking about narcissism or pride, I do think that every "artist" or "witness of their time" wants to reach as many people as possible, meet their audience, make their work known, etc...

Let’s already thank the era and technological development for allowing us to "produce" quality for next to nothing compared to... 10 years ago?... and to distribute it for practically nothing!... But let’s also recognize that a "profession" is learned, whether on the job or in school... Plus, we in France know all too well that 99% of elites (and here we’re also talking about money—a school will be private, professional equipment a heavy investment...) operate in a closed circle, co-opting each other and dividing up the "market shares" among themselves...

As for the naive ones, just look at their reactions when you mention "white balance," "color grading," or even "depth of field"... I’ve even read some who think they know everything about photography, and even "master" Photoshop in 10 lessons, on their PC with a 17" screen...

I completely agree—a profession is something you learn, and while it’s not forbidden to dream, you’ve got to stay realistic, even if taking great photos seems easy...

Despite having a bit of knowledge on the subject (which is completely outdated since the digital era), I always try to stay humble. I often admire the talent of others—sometimes they’re just amateurs—but I still feel like a small fish in a big pond... My main goal is just to enjoy myself and share...🙂

Let's first thank the era and technological progress for allowing us to "produce" quality for next to nothing compared to... 10 years ago?... and to share it for practically nothing!

But this is a double-edged sword. Precisely because the number of images shared (and this section is a perfect example) has become so overwhelming that we don’t even bother to look at them anymore. We saw the same phenomenon when music was blasted everywhere—restaurants, shops, elevators. Eventually, we stop listening or just hear it as background noise. As for talking about quality, I don’t think there’s proportionally more of it today—maybe precisely because there’s no financial penalty for a failed photo.

...I'm not talking about aesthetic quality, or whether a photo is successful or not, of course.... You must have forgotten the days of film cameras and their prices, sending rolls of film by mail to Kodak or Agfa, and the tedious storage process...!.. and I'm not even mentioning when the box tipped over! 😎

100% agree with you, and pretty much everyone else, for that matter. The main thing is to enjoy yourself and bring joy to others.

Trying to make a living from travel photography if you're not one of the 1% of ultra-dedicated elite in the field does seem risky, to be honest. It’s also worth noting that those who do make a living from it are generally at least 50-60 years old (like in most creative professions), and they’ve invested—and poured their heart and soul—into it their whole lives. Sure, some, like Arthus-Bertrand, were born into wealthy families, but that doesn’t take away from their talent. I imagine AB would’ve still become a photographer even if he’d been born into a less privileged background.

So, for the rest of us—whether hobbyists or serious amateurs—let’s just keep enjoying it first and foremost. Some might get lucky and get noticed. Good for them. Personally, my websites haven’t earned me a thing (if anything, they’ve cost me money, given how much I pour into them!), and I don’t care. It was never the goal. That said, they’ve allowed me to meet amazing people, and that’s worth more than all the gold in the world. After all, isn’t that why we travel, too?

Anyway, thanks again to the author of this discussion—they really know their stuff.

If it's not about aesthetic quality or whether a photo is a success or a failure... what kind of quality were you referring to? For the "film era," since I only work in black and white and mainly in medium format, it’s not over yet.

"When it comes to quality, I don’t think there’s proportionally more of it today—maybe precisely because there’s no financial penalty for a failed shot."

Hi CHROUSSEAUD,

I mostly agree with your analysis. Having said that, "back in the day," photo quality largely depended on the precision of your camera’s exposure automation, the lab’s processing care, and—to a lesser extent—I’d say the "photographic education" of the eye behind the lens. Today, post-processing tools like cropping and exposure adjustments (especially brightness and contrast) *should* let us achieve better results 😏. That’s not always the case, I’ll give you that—digital photography does push us toward convenience 😕.

Magellan18

"Photographic education" of the eye.... Yes, it's all there—it's the starting point of the photographic process. No matter the method—wet collodion, film, or digital—a poorly framed photo or an uninteresting subject will never make a good shot. Now, those who know the darkroom are aware you can also adjust brightness and contrast under an enlarger. But just like with Photoshop, some cases are beyond saving.

don't dream: a really good TV show

when you think that an amateur might take one exceptional photo out of a thousand, making a living from it????????????? Good luck, but you’ve got to believe in it!

Back when I used to leave photos at an agency, which earned me a little money without letting me live off it, I can say that it wasn’t necessarily the most exceptional photos that sold best. Just look at the small images on the right side of your screen as you read this: they’re technically well done, but we’ve seen them a hundred times—utterly ordinary images. Advertising and events use this kind of image every day, while your "exceptional" photo won’t find a buyer simply because it’s just beautiful. It can’t fit into a story or any context. Regularly, the agency would ask me to photograph urban transport, shopping mall interiors (I’ve had more than a few headaches over color temperatures), newsstands... Images you wouldn’t necessarily think to take, but those were the ones that sometimes found buyers.

Hi CHROUSSEAUD,

I completely agree with what you said about illustration agencies. They’re absolutely flooded with beautiful images from all over the world—taking great travel photos is commonplace now. The truly exceptional shots are reserved for a select few.

I visited one of those Parisian agencies myself about twenty years ago, and it was already like that. It’s even worse today because you can find anything you want online...

It’s become more interesting to photograph subjects close to home—a strong regional story sells better than a report from the other side of the world...

The same goes for prestigious press agencies—photojournalism is in crisis, and serious reporters are being "eaten alive" by celebrity photography... Gamma Agency, one of the first famous Parisian agencies that brought together big names in photography, was even forced to file for bankruptcy not long ago...

Thanks to everyone for your interest and contributions! :-)

In this thread, my modest take is that it’s possible to make a living from your travel photos, but it requires a no-compromise professional approach...

And since you’ve got to start somewhere, I suggest putting your images up for critique. So, I recommend taking part in this Canon online initiative:

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/editors_choice.do

It’s magazine editors who select and judge the images submitted to them. Check out the results in this short video:

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/swf/videoplayer.swf?videoUrl=/files/editors_choice/herrera_choice.flv&width=960&height=540

Sorry, it’s still in English, but hey, isn’t mastering English a prerequisite for any travel photographer? (If you want to debate that, it’d probably be best to start a new thread, in my opinion.)

On another note, I’ve noticed that for many of you, the distinction between "amateur" and "professional" seems crucial to this discussion.

I’d like to clarify—at the risk of stirring up some debate—that an "amateur" is someone who loves what they do, while a "pro" generates income from their work. But that doesn’t make them fundamentally different, and it certainly doesn’t stop anyone from improving...

Finally, for photographers looking to share their work, I suggest checking out this site, where you can sell art prints and potentially earn a little income: http://www.mabellephoto.com/galerie.php?GID=341a6664ffaaaad2c511178f19996d&SID=25e26662bd777731f1ddd3cdc444ea

For more details on this initiative: http://mabellephoto.wordpress.com/

If it's neither about aesthetic quality nor about failed or successful photos... what quality were you referring to? For the "film era," since I only work in black and white and mainly in medium format, it’s not over yet.

Hi there,

...because these three terms are pretty subjective.

If we take "objective" criteria: -focus -exposure -usability

Nowadays, even the clumsiest person pressing the button has a good chance of taking a decent digital photo... The success rate with film was much lower for the "general public."

I’d like to set the record straight a bit, even at the risk of stirring up controversy, by clarifying that someone who is an "amateur" loves what they do, while a "pro" earns an income from their activity. This doesn’t distinguish them in any way and certainly doesn’t prevent anyone from improving...

Hi there, It seems to me that a "pro" makes a living from it—that’s the simple and only difference.

You can indeed "generate an income" and not live off it: that makes you "semi-pro." (You may have noticed, we never say "semi-amateur," no matter the field...)

Be careful not to mix things up. Selling images to magazines and selling art prints are two completely different approaches. The "product" isn't the same: a collector will never choose a print based on a screen—they’ll prefer an analog print, palladium, gum bichromate, etc., with a proven lifespan rather than a hypothetical one. The print is numbered, and the edition is limited. While magazine publishing demands 90% color, collectors’ choices are roughly split between black-and-white and color (preferably Cibachrome for longevity). Digital, even in this sector, remains marginal.

Take another look at the links provided in the previous post...

Limited edition prints do exist, but that's not what mabellephoto.com is about...

This site is primarily aimed at people looking for a beautiful image, properly printed and well-framed to decorate their home. There’s also a broader audience that uses this site to "deliver" prints of photos with a "less universal" appeal.

On another note, I’ve already had digital prints made by the pros at Picto http://www.picto.fr/index.htm. The product is obviously different from a silver halide print, but it’s no less valuable. In fact, these signed prints were ordered by "amateur" collectors who discovered my images on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/28421453@N07/sets/ ;-)

Finally, I’ll admit that you don’t select or prepare your images the same way depending on their destination. That said, travel magazines like *Grands Reportages* or *Géo* are totally open to "alternative" techniques: watercolor, black and white, toy cameras, vintage processes, Polaroid...

Hi Pvince,

First of all, thanks for this discussion and for the links.

I think everyone reading this post knows the subject pretty well 😉, some could even be called "advanced amateurs"—they’re primarily photography enthusiasts. Some have their own websites, others have already tried selling a few prints and are fully aware of the challenges.

It’s normal to distinguish between professionals and amateurs, even if their love for photography is the same. For professionals, it’s a job, and therefore a perfectly legitimate source of income—one that’s more substantial than for others... That won’t stop anyone from wanting to improve, though, or prevent some "amateurs" from taking photos just as good as some professionals... (I’m not talking about the "big names" in photography, of course!)

In your first message, you seem to say that earning *some* income isn’t impossible, BUT that it’s extremely rare... (and I think we all agree on that.) Yet, in your previous message, you end by highlighting the site "mabellephoto," which looks really interesting and might suggest that YES, IT’S POSSIBLE! 🙂 (You’re living proof... and your photos definitely deserve that recognition.)

So, what’s the real deal with this site? For those of us with a few good travel photos—who don’t claim to make a living from it but wouldn’t mind trying to sell a few prints... I’m afraid you’re making a lot of amateurs of all kinds dream again—those who lack critical thinking, the ones who ask, "Can you make a living from travel photography?"—whether they’re good, not-so-good, naive, or not... You’re offering a path to try, so it’d be interesting to know what percentage of the revenue goes to the photographer per sold photo and what the site keeps...????? I think I saw that the print prices are relatively low. If I remember correctly, Parisian illustration agencies took about 50% per sold photo... At the end of the day, it doesn’t add up to much...

In conclusion, let’s not get our hopes up too much. I’m not against wanting to give it a shot, but as we’ve said throughout this message, the most important thing is to enjoy taking photos, sharing them for free, testing our photographic eye on others, our ability to move them, to amaze them, etc...🙂 Good luck to everyone!

If my memory serves me right, Parisian illustration agencies took around 50% on every photo sold... In the end, it doesn’t add up to much... 50% can be enough to live off photography if you’re productive and understand the demand—that’s what sets amateurs apart from professionals. The amateur takes their photo; the professional takes the photo. As for quality, it’s often the amateur who wins because they don’t usually have profitability in mind. But to make a living from photography, you *have* to think in terms of profitability.

Personally, I don’t knock agencies—I’d be incapable of handling transactions with Swedish, Japanese, Iranian, or Brazilian magazines. Agencies do it, and they do it well. Yes, it’s possible to make a living from photography, but you need to know it’s a product, not a work of art. As for the gear hype, that’s just marketing aimed at amateurs. Simple example: does a pro talk about the latest camera body? No, they complain about the weight they have to lug around and the agency ripping them off.

And on the remaining 50% (best-case scenario), you still have to deduct CSG, AGESSA... But sure, a photographer knows how to take photos. Selling them is a whole other job—and a full-time one at that.

After reading the terms of the site "mabellephoto" more carefully, which I wasn’t familiar with, I’m answering for those who might be interested in the question I asked myself: 😉

What percentage of revenue goes to the photographer for a sold photo, and what’s the site’s commission?

Here’s the answer: the photographer sets the selling price themselves, and the site takes a 15% commission...

"No comment!" Grab your cameras! 🙂 Thanks again Pvince for this discussion and those interesting links.

you still have to deduct CSG, AGESSA...

- not if they're based abroad 😉.. plus, yeah, they take 50%, but that's the official figure. 😎. when a photographer satisfies the agency, they can negotiate better percentages.. and a photo can be resold multiple times.. some photos, due to their rarity, become little lifelong annuities.. 😉 (well, as long as the subject doesn’t fade into obscurity.) in the end.. travel photography is called 'illustration'.. it’s kind of the photographer’s pocket money.. everyone has their specialty. From what I know.. I don’t know any photographer who lives off beautiful photos of markets, children’s faces, or especially sunsets..

for the record.. I have a German friend.. (another camera gypsy.) who published a very successful book with 20 years of private photos from around the world. - the title is << I hate tourists.... >>

yeah, there are still photographic niches out there.. 😉

yep, there are still some photographic gems left.. 😉

totally!😛

For those who are really motivated, why not prepare an image submission for a photo agency? Even if it doesn’t lead to the 100 € million EuroMillions jackpot, it’s still a good exercise, right? And what’s the point of images sitting unused on hard drives? An image is meant to be seen, and agencies are far more skilled at that than we are...

Sorry, though—I’m sticking with my English links. The truth is, French agencies aren’t very open and don’t communicate much about how to submit images...

Here’s a case study for you: Robert Harding, a travel photography agency based in England.

Submitting for the first time: Show Us Your Best Shots

Are you a professional photographer who loves travel? Would you like to earn more money from your work and see your images promoted to thousands of top publishers, advertising agencies, and design companies worldwide?

Our internationally respected picture agency, Robert Harding World Imagery, is always looking for fresh photographic talent and outstanding images that capture vivid world peoples, places, celebrations and customs, faiths, nature, and the "being there" experiences that bring travel alive. Submit your best images now. You could succeed in joining the world's favorite "real world" library.

Start by searching their photo library by keyword to see if you’re at their level: Robert Harding Picture Library

Check out the bios of their contributing photographers—everyone had to start somewhere!

Contact the agency’s editors through this form. At this stage, you’ll need to have some images already published online...

Make sure your images meet the agency’s technical standards and prepare them according to the guidelines.

Pick your 200 best images. This is a portfolio, not a photo essay—they don’t need to fit a narrative or be thematically linked...

Double-check that you’ve thought of everything!

I warned you—this is a full-time job! Darwinian natural selection applies to the photography market too. I’ve exchanged a few emails with London agencies, and they openly admit that the technical requirements for submissions already filter out the less motivated. The first submission will be tedious, but once you’ve established a Lightroom workflow and internalized the agency’s technical and aesthetic expectations, things will get easier!

Browse their FAQ to see how you’ll be treated. Their partnership terms are pretty standard across the industry... Harding deserves credit for making them public.

Finally, let’s not forget that these agencies’ job is to sell images, and their ambition is also our chance to share the photos we care about. They’re salespeople who can place your shots in obscure Korean magazines! :-)

Good luck, everyone!

PVince, wouldn’t your pitch be better suited for photo-focused forums?

And finding 200 quality shots isn’t exactly a walk in the park! 😕 Even those obscure North Korean magazines (I’m guessing ) want to sell their issues. It still requires at least a basic respect for photography rules. Unless, like in cinema, photography has its own "Z-movie" equivalent.

It still requires at least a basic respect for the rules of photography. You could call it understanding the market demand. 😉

It's a lovely, positive post, but it doesn’t reflect the harsh reality... 😉

We're in the photography section—I don’t really get why it bothers you that this topic is here instead of on a purely photography forum. What difference does it make?

We're in the photography section, I don't really understand why it bothers you that this topic is here and not on a purely photography forum—what difference does it make???

Remind me where I said it bothers me???

I’m saying the discussion would be better suited to a photography forum, and I’m still talking about amateurism (meaning people who do it out of passion and don’t make a living from it, as we’ve mentioned). Photos there are generally more polished, topics aren’t limited to travel, etc... And from my experience frequenting one regularly, there’s a world of difference in terms of quality. Personally, I’m always surprised that on a travelers’ forum, people put so little care into their images—both in the shooting and the presentation. I don’t think this would cut it at all for magazine submissions! I try to put some effort into my photos, but I wouldn’t dream of submitting them to magazines. I’m at least realistic about it!

Just an example with this amateur sports photography contest: http://www.lequipe.fr/...photo-amateur_3.html

You can see the gap between different amateur photos.

After all, this is just my personal opinion! Everyone sees things their own way. But the topic is still interesting—otherwise, I wouldn’t be participating! QED

Sorry, though, I’ll keep posting links in English... The truth is, French agencies aren’t very open and don’t communicate about the procedures for submitting images...

Hi there, you’re absolutely right, and this applies to every field! France is the country of diplomacracy and elite reproduction; that’s one of the reasons (among others) it’s gradually closing in on itself... Anglo-Saxon societies are far less compartmentalized and much more pragmatic—whether in photography or any other field! It’s a real philosophical and cultural difference!

Well, if you made a comment, I assume it wasn’t for nothing, and that it bothers you somewhere... Sorry if that’s not the case—I understood it that way.

Personally, I try to limit my time on forums because it’s such a time-consuming activity—you just can’t get away from it... So I’m really glad to find this topic here because I wouldn’t have gone looking for it on yet another photography forum, honestly. Also, I find VF friendlier—we all know every forum has its own vibe, shaped by its users. I really appreciated the links Pvince shared; I wouldn’t have seen the winning photos from this or that contest if he’d posted them on another forum I don’t visit. That’s all 😉

Plus, not everyone on this forum is a bad photographer—some take really beautiful, well-composed, high-quality shots. Of course, they’re not the majority since we’re on a travelers’ forum: most people come here to share their vacation albums (like me) and nothing more, just like some share their travel stories without being writers. There’s a bit of everything...

And since it’s really interesting, I’d prefer if we just shared useful links! (Like the one about sports) 😛

Ben, if you made a comment, I imagine it’s not for nothing, and that it bothers you somewhere.

I make a lot of comments without being bothered. We’re all here to discuss. If it’s in good faith like it has been here from the start, there’s no reason to be bothered. Even if I really think hard about it, no, I’m really not bothered! But surprised? Definitely yes.

Since you want links: http://www.fousdereflex.com/ You’ll see some amazing amateur photos there, just how I like them (even a few of mine under another username).

And since you have to start somewhere, I suggest submitting your images for critique. So, I recommend participating in this online Canon initiative:

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/...nt/editors_choice.do

I’m game, but: Only photos taken with a Canon camera will be accepted

I love this *very* healthy mindset.😉 Long live photography.

"I’m still amazed that on a travelers’ forum, people put so little care into their photos."

That’s exactly what I think, though it’s not fair to generalize. This topic was brought up by ChristianG (shout-out to him!), but he got a lot of flak for it. Anyway, seeing a photo on a computer screen is already not great, but when the photo is bad—or worse, just plain boring—it’s better to skip it.

but he got a real earful

I had to read it. That’s exactly why I don’t post photo critiques anymore. I got a few digs myself in his thread about the top 5 vacation photos !😏 If you can’t handle negative feedback on what you share here, it’s unrealistic to think you could pitch photos to a magazine. Still, it’s a cheap way to dream!

though we shouldn’t generalize

I agree. I’ve still seen some great photos here.

Great news for all aspiring travel photographers: sometimes, you manage to get noticed!

Mabellephoto Interview: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28421453@N07/4154510564/in/set-72157622787182541/

*Monde de la Photo* Coverage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28421453@N07/4149854702/in/set-72157622787182541/

Canon Editor's Choice: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28421453@N07/4125139918/in/set-72157622787182541/

Explored Front Page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28421453@N07/3933441531/in/set-72157622787182541/

:-)

Hey Pvince

Congrats! Your photos are undeniably stunning, well-composed, and all that... But as I mentioned earlier, you're in a forum where most photos struggle to even get a straight horizon for simple landscapes.

Oh well, we can always dream!🙂 And Christmas is just around the corner!

I’ve already said it, but I’ll say it again here: congratulations!

Keep at it and show us it’s possible—I’m sure of it!

For those who still doubt, read this article... Okay, the guy is super talented too, I’ll admit, he deserves it ;) http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2009/11/25/un-jeune-inconnu-vend-pour-44-000-euros-de-photos_1271868_3246.html#ens_id=1269423

Yeah, it’s clear this kind of success is dream-worthy...

Hi Vincent,

First of all, thanks for bringing this thread back up—I just discovered it and had missed it before...

Also, thanks for all these links; they’re really interesting. It’s great that you’re sharing them with everyone! Feels like you’ve got some real experience behind them too 🙂😉

Finally, I checked out your gallery, and wow—BRAVO! I’m saving it for later so I can take my time looking through everything. But what I’ve seen so far has really impressed me!

See you soon, and I wish you all the best in your photographic journey!

Thib.

PS: Seeing your photos of Karakol, I thought you’d been to Xinjiang… but no, apparently it’s in Tajikistan! Don’t mix it up with Lake Karakul, then… where I was recently 😉

For those who still doubt, read this article...

I’d rather play the lottery— 100% of winners have tried their luck.

He is the 2009 winner of the SFR-Young Talents award, worth 5 000 €. The prize also gave him two exhibitions: at the Rencontres d'Arles this summer, and at Paris Photo, in the space reserved for the mobile phone operator.

Still, you had to come in first! 🙂 Not a sure thing! It’s no walk in the park to make a living from your photos! And there’s no guarantee he actually does, for that matter!

Otherwise, his gallery: http://www.marc-montmeat.com/les-galeries.html

Hey Pvince,

In the links you shared, they all reference Flickr. What’s Flickr? It’s a platform that hosts photos, meaning it has "FREE" access to your photos. With the help of certain gear brands, this platform gets its own advertising.

If some photos are selected, it’s because they’re representative, but making a living from it is another story. Professional photography is a closed world—when I say closed, I mean locked tight, so you can only get in if you’re accompanied.

Vincent, I’m not judging your work; I’m just commenting on your approach because you’re getting a bit too carried away. A youthful mistake!!!!!, if this is your path, take it step by step and cover your bases.

Pierre

Hello,

I’ll readily admit that the restriction is "a bit" cliquish, but not cynical, really ;-) After all, Canon is just another company using its customers to promote its products—nothing too shocking in the world of marketing...

I think Nikon offers a similar approach for its customers, but I haven’t looked into that direction much...

Hello,

I’ll admit, I don’t mind a bit of controversy :-)

In any case, I hear your arguments, and I’ve actually thought about the issues you’ve raised...

When it comes to Flickr, you have to admit it’s a business, and those poor little Americans need to make a living ;-) However, Flickr also offers a service that fits into a professionalization project: not only can I test the popularity of my images by submitting them to public critique, but I can also be contacted by potential clients, which has already led to sales... If Flickr makes a profit thanks to me, I call that a fair exchange of services...

As you seem to suggest, taking good photos isn’t enough to break into the photography profession. So, I’ve decided to take an extra step by putting myself out there (by exposing myself) because when you want to make a business out of images, you eventually have to show and share them.

Of course, I don’t think I hold the magic recipe for success, but I enjoy sharing my journey in real time to get feedback like yours.

After all, you can’t be right all on your own, and it’s by facing contradiction that we grow, right? :-)

Finally, I think all professional fields are pretty corporatist, and the idea that a profession is locked unless you’re co-opted by your peers has a familiar ring to it. So if I have to put in the same effort to open a sports shoe store, I’d rather focus on photography ;-)

Interview Mabellephoto: http://www.flickr.com/...t-72157622787182541/

Monde de la Photo cover: http://www.flickr.com/...t-72157622787182541/

Canon Editor's Choice: http://www.flickr.com/...t-72157622787182541/

Explored front page: http://www.flickr.com/...t-72157622787182541/

All these links do point to Flickr. Actually, I found it handy for adding comments and extra info...