Sometimes it pays to start a conversation..

rich_g85 · 18 Sep 2006 at 11:48

Here's the story... Last weekend I happened to get chatting to one of the photographers at a horse show near us, told him about my interest in photography, talked about my camera/lenses, gawked at their enormous cameras, impressed him with my knowledge of IT - was able to offer some advice on his laptops & NAS setup and so on.

Anyway, he invited me to join them at a Cross Country event yesterday, with the plan to bring my own camera, find a jump and take some shots- just to see how I did. So I picked a jump and shot around 40 images. I brought the pictures back in, he was really impressed with my composition - but I was let down by having the background in perfect focus but the horse was out of focus. He said this wasn't my fault, but I should look into finding out whether my Canon 300D is capable of continuous focus- so that when the horse appears in the frame the camera focuses on that instead of the jump itself.

That being said, he put my images up on the NAS drive along with the other photographer's, for the general public to browse and I ended up selling 3 of my own pictures which I was absolutlely made up about! :cool:

That really was one of the best confidence boosters I've ever had. He said the difference between an amateur photographer and a professional, is that you're only professional once you've sold a photograph - which I have!

At the end of the event he handed me his Nikon D2X with 70-200mm uber-lens - and just let me have a general play around... it has to be said that camera is gorgeous and if money was no object I would SO buy a D2X!

Anyway this week as I'm on holiday Brian has very kindly offered to meet up with me, bring his Nikon D70 along and give me a bit of a lesson with a view to making me a more permanent fixture at the events he covers

In the same vein I'm going to look into some upgrades we were talking about, like getting his network up to a gigabit to cope with the volume of data transferred while the public are browsing the images.

I just wanted to share that, as I'm really excited and just can't wait to get on and take more photos!!

hoodmeister · 18 Sep 2006 at 11:53

Good on ya mate - definitely pays to get talking, I'm constantly nattering when I'm out & about, sometimes even when I'm on the clock! :eek:

Flibster · 18 Sep 2006 at 12:08

Well done mate. It's a good feeling isn't it.

Got the same thing this weekend - sold a few photo's and been asked if a charity can use some in a calendar.

I only take photo's for myself really - it's nice to know that at least 2 other people like them.

Simon/~Flibster

Wile E. Coyote · 18 Sep 2006 at 12:10

Nice one, just goes to show you what happens when you are polite. Plus both of you got something out of it. Congrats on the sale

, sold a few of my pics on stock sites recently, great buzz knowing that someone wants your pictures

danza · 18 Sep 2006 at 12:12

I have to say that if I had to make a living taking photographs, Horses wouldn't be at the top of my list (although I'd imagine there's a good market for them).

But all the same, I'd give myself a large pat on the back for a job well done!

It goes to show what can happen if you're in the right place at the right time, with the right people!

Also, with what I read the other week, a pro Equestrian event photographer local-ish to me wrote into Amateur Photographer saying that wannabe pros and downright amateurs at these events are taking away business from whom it rightly belongs. Saying that pros are people who worked to get where they are, who've invested thousands in equipment, and who only reel off a few films of shots, as they don't need the point and shoot attitude and a happy trigger finger. Arrogant so-and-so.

What a load of tosh! I'm now glad that they're not all that stuck up, and it sounds like you've been very fortunate. I hope all goes well for you

dod · 18 Sep 2006 at 13:04

Well done Rich

danza said:
I have to say that if I had to make a living taking photographs, Horses wouldn't be at the top of my list (although I'd imagine there's a good market for them).

You'd be surprised just how much of a market there is, 3-day eventing, showjumping, driving, endurance, vaulting etc. The smaller club type events are where the best potential lies, the official pros tend to concentrate on the bigger events and the quality of shots taken at club days varies enormously.

And even if there wasn't a market just think about all those jodphurs

danza said:
Also, with what I read the other week, a pro Equestrian event photographer local-ish to me wrote into Amateur Photographer saying that wannabe pros and downright amateurs at these events are taking away business from whom it rightly belongs. Saying that pros are people who worked to get where they are, who've invested thousands in equipment, and who only reel off a few films of shots, as they don't need the point and shoot attitude and a happy trigger finger. Arrogant so-and-so.

He needs to make sure the shots he takes are so good the competitors want to buy his. Depending on the type of event he should be able to get better access as well, not fighting with the public for better vantage points. If he's the official 'tog he'll also have the huge advantage that the organisers will provide him the contact details of the competitors which greatly reduces the marketing effort he needs to put in to get sales.