Finding a niche

My boys
I like to read a lot. Most times I read fiction. Sometimes spiritual books. Rarely, anymore, do I read technical books. I’ve been reading a fiction book called ‘Next’, by Michael Crichton. The story is about genetic experimentation, specifically transgenic work. Transgenic work is taking the genes from one species and injecting them into another. In the book, for example, they have injected a human gene into a parrot. The parrot is now self-aware and not only mimics speech, but can reason as well. I see photography heading this way. No longer is the natural photograph appreciated, it has to be more and more stimulating to even get a look. Eye candy! More to this later.

I guess that I’m in one of those mid-life things. No, not a crisis, but a deep desire for a gradual career change. I’ve had a glorious run with software development and have throughly enjoyed it; however, I think that it is time for a change.

Within about 2 years, our younger son, Tony, will be headed off to college. Again, we will downsize and our income requirements will be less … we hope. By that time, we will have one who will have graduated college and one just entering. Changing careers and ‘downsizing’ in money, at least temporarily, I hope, will then be an option. I’ve started investigating the ‘income’ side of photography.

I’m pretty familiar with the technical and aesthetic side of photography, I think; however, the business side is somewhat mysterious. I decided to sign up for a course at BetterPhoto, called Making Money with your Photography. The course is taught by Jim Zuckerman. You can see some of his work here. I’m on week one of an eight week course. The topics for the first week have to do with showing / submitting your work.

One of the axioms stated early on in this course was that “Color sells!”. People want to see bold, daring color. Personally, I’m not into the hyped up, super reality color shots, as seen on most calendars and in travel magazines, etc. It’s just not my thing, so perhaps that area is not for me. “That area” being selling images to magazines and calendar companies, etc. In looking a some of Jim’s work, it is very nice! Some of it is amazing; however, a lot of them are composites of multiple scenes, transgenic! That said, this is the new ‘reality’. This is what art buyers and editors want to see. I would assume, this is what the public demands.

My heart, I believe, is still with the idea of teaching, especially beginners. I love to see that light come on. If I never get published, it’s fine. I also am thinking that a goal for next year might be to participate in an art show or two, just to get the experience. Craig Tanner told me that it is a humbling experience to have someone critique your artwork right in front of you as if you are not even there!

Anyway, still trying to find a niche. I think that the course will be helpful and enlightening. I may even take a Photoshop course to increase my skill there. I’ll keep you informed.

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