tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-990547288155525709.post2428766253184983762..comments2012-10-04T05:17:17.945-07:00Comments on Andris Apse: Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16510325192468220293noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-990547288155525709.post-33377012849668326512012-08-16T02:11:12.538-07:002012-08-16T02:11:12.538-07:00With any such career hard work is the essence and ...With any such career hard work is the essence and a good dose of ambition to go far with whatever they choose does help! If someone goes half heartedly into something they are unlikely to succeed. Sure, chance in involved too, but the world is always an uncertain place and we make do with what we have.Bobbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145654868513951541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-990547288155525709.post-29963758561380702062012-01-02T18:17:42.433-08:002012-01-02T18:17:42.433-08:00A "sad decline" might overstate the mark...A "sad decline" might overstate the mark Andris. That in no way detracts from the truth of your thoughts.<br /><br />I would consider there to be (at least) two groups of "professional" photographers; the first group are the "true" professionals, the experts who specialise in the commercial aspects, of product, advertising, fashion, or personal portraiture; the other (and I in no way demean this group) obtain their images and then find the market to buy them, the art photographers, the part-timers, I know personally at least two whose names have appeared on calenders from time to time.<br /><br />I recently read of Stieglitz' thoughts when Eastman brought out their "shoot and print" cameras, followed soon after by Kodak's first Brownie, and how that development would "demean" the professional and particularly the art photographer. <br /><br />The same transformation has occurred in the modern landscape as digital cameras have gotten to the point where the image is as good as film and automated to the point where almost anything (including yours truly taking a passable image) is possible.<br /><br />As a "qualification" that of "Batchelor of Photography" has as much weight in my mind as "B Pop Music" or "B Rugby" despite the hopes and dreams of so many youngsters. The winners are those who have the talent irrespective of formal qualification.<br /><br />Anyone can be a real estate agent; the drop-out rate in good times is about 20% in the first year. When the market goes sour I can imagine that drop-out rate heading toward 50%. <br /><br />Much as I might like to be a professional photographer, I am as much one as I am a real estate agent (IOW zero). I will be sticking with the day job for at least this year when I will qualify as a pensioner...The probligohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17882103150181414348noreply@blogger.com