Just like any other profession in the world, photography is also shrouded in misconceptions. For instance, several people believe that photographers just point their camera to a beautiful thing, shoot, and collect their cheque. But that is far from the truth. From adjusting lighting to using the right lens, so many things go into clicking that perfect shot.
Here are a few common misconceptions people working as photographers constantly come across.
#1. Wedding photographers work a few hours and make millions
Talk to any professional wedding photographer and he/she will be quick to tell you that weddings are the most stressful thing to shoot.
Imagine if you fail to capture a special moment. The wedding cannot be redone! In addition to being on their feet for several hours right from the time a ceremony starts till the time it ends, photographers also need to spend hours afterward editing the photos and sifting through the images to find the ones that are worthwhile.
Although the price of wedding photography may seem high, a lot of time and effort goes into the delivery of a quality project that captures the bride and groom’s important day. Also, while it is true that professional photographers get paid well, amateurs take home a neat package too.
#2. Photographers have it easy
Most people tend to think along the lines of – ‘Oh, you’re pursuing your passion! How hard can life be?’ But, the life of a photographer is anything but easy! If you don’t have assistants to move your props and carry your gear, photography gets physically demanding.
What’s more? Photography is emotionally draining too.
And it’s not true that professional photographers always take good pictures. To put it simply, photography is not a glamorous job. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that is exhausting and time-consuming.
Imagine making silly faces to make toddlers laugh because you can’t have them crying in the photos! Bottom line – NO ONE has it easy in life.
#3. A good photographer is bound to be a good editor
Photographers and photo editors have different job roles. Just like it is not necessary that a good photo editor needs to be a good photographer, the same is true when the roles are reversed.
Most photographers do the editing themselves as they cannot afford to hire someone just for editing. But the ones who can afford to hire editors, do so as they prefer to stick to the art of clicking pictures rather than editing them.
#4. Anyone with a DSLR can be a photographer
Just because practicing photography doesn’t require a degree like you would need to practice medicine, it doesn’t mean that anyone can become a photographer.
Photography is an art. Sure, you have a smartphone that has a great camera on which you click pictures of the beautiful blue sky. But that doesn’t make you a photographer! Same goes for the people who own a DSLR.
The thing that makes a good photographer is their ability to see a potentially good shot and know how to manipulate the camera settings to make the person looking at the photo see the same beauty that was first noticed by the photographer.
#5. Taking bad pictures is fine. Just fix it on Photoshop or Lightroom
While there are a few photographers who process their images on editing software such as Photoshop and Lightroom, this rule doesn’t apply to all photographers.
Post-processing photos can take them to a whole new level. This is especially true when it comes to fashion photography.
Many incredible photographers prefer to capture photographs on a 35mm film and not edit them afterward. Every photographer is as different as the work they produce. So whether or not they choose to post-process their work does not affect their level of professionalism.
There are several myths floating around photography as a career option. Don’t let these misconceptions deter you from becoming a professional photographer.
Have more myths to add to this list? We’d love to know in the comments below!
