My Practice

   

The task this week is to write a bit about our practice and how we see it developing in the future.  

1. What is my industry? 

A. A degree in the arts can give you lots of opportunities. For example, working in education, library services, museums, art galleries or photography. I would be content working as a curator in a museum which deals with history or art.

2 How would I make money from my practice? 

A By doing a masters at Preston when I graduate to gain the relevant qualification. Once I graduate from Preston, I could hopefully explore the contacts I will gain online through social media platforms and LinkedIn.

3 How would you promote yourself? 

A I would promote myself through social media, business cards and word of mouth. I am developing a zine at the moment. Through the summer, I will develop more zines and work on a book.

4 How do I develop my practice in line with industry standards? 

A I would keep up to date with current trends that influence photography. This would be through the internet and keeping up to date with what's happening locally in my area. There is an advantage also of going to exhibitions in my area and art galleries to gain more inspiration for other artists/photographers. I will join Redeye soon also to gain more of an insight into the sector, advanced opportunities in workshops and gain critiques from professionals on how to improve on my work.

Creating advantage.

 On reflecting on these two questions, I have come to several conclusions. My age is an advantage and a disadvantage. Meaning, I am in my early 50s, so it is slightly late in life to consider other career paths. It is therefore hard but not impossible. My life experience means I have seen a lot of change in society, and I am able to articulate this change into my practice. Especially when it comes to social issues and politics.  

I see my motivations being pollical issues, history and activism. My interest in the past has been nature but the more I have been exposed to photographers whose work has documented social trends-I find myself being drawn to this genre of work. Photographers such as Martin Parr and Dorothy Lang have influence me, as well as an interest in social issues that has always been with me, but I did not know how to express this. I hope in the future to attend more demonstrations and capture the scenes taking place.

Political meeting, Yozgat, Turkey, 1990 by Nikos Economopoulos | 'If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough': how Magnum photographers follow Robert Capa's famous advice - Photography (telegraph.co.uk) 

I am using my knowledge of history in my photography. I am currently doing another module in which I have chosen to show stages of The British Empire. This work has made me aware of where I want to go with my work in the future. I am especially drawn to curation and working in a museum, studio or historical society. Therefore, my knowledge of history and my passion for the subject can be aided by my knowledge in photography.

In creating advantages in this line of work, I need to network and open myself up more online. I need to get my LinkedIn updated from social care, and make it more relevant to photography. Also, add galleries, museums and historical societies to find out what is going on regionally.

I joined Redeye recently with a view to taking advantage of all the resources on it.

Where is the industry today.

 According to The Face of the Photography Industry Today and Tomorrow (slrlounge.com) The average wage for a photographer is £42,212 a year. A wedding photographer can earn £600 a day. This sees photography as a very lucrative business. Photography is very popular and expanding. This is clearly seen by seeing websites such as Instagram and Facebook. Where photography is very popular. 

When breaking into the industry, there are several ways to consider.

1 Self-taught. A lot of YouTube presentations can teach you elements of photography.

2 A degree can cost you anything from £30.000 

3 A diploma which can cost less. Such as £8.000

To break into the industry, there are several options available. According to The Face of the Photography Industry Today and Tomorrow (slrlounge.com)

'In terms of building a career, many photographers work on a freelance basis, though there are also fixed employment opportunities within businesses. As of 2020, the largest number of in-house photography jobs are in Creative & Design, and PR, Advertising & Marketing'

There are niche markets in the industry such as wedding photography, food photography, travel, sports, fashion, animal. The graph below shows the most searched niche industry's which are searched for online. The most used hashtag on Instagram seems to be travel photography-with people searching for ideas of where to spend their holidays. The second is food photography with people looking for inspirations of what to eat. 

Pay scale in Photography with different subjects. 

Photography in 2020 & beyond | Tech Talk (currys.co.uk)

In terms of the industry which interests me, I would like to create narratives with my photography and appropriation. These two areas are where my passion is at present. However, I am prepared to be fluid and adapt. Where I am now is not where I will be in a years' time. I am learning still life at the moment with the university. As well as working on some appropriation. I think that any photographer has to have the ability to adapt and diversify. This helps the photographer to be contemporary and relevant. As well as having a lot of technical experience. 

Below, is a timetable of when people search for photographers. This is handy to explore because it gives you an opportunity to advertise. For example, couples wanting to marry, tend to look for photographers early on in January. A notorious month for making plans and considering the future.

Photography in 2020 & beyond | Tech Talk (currys.co.uk)

In terms of where the industry is at the moment, opportunities can be had in any area. Blackpool is an entertainment and holiday capital. This means there are numerous opportunities in the leisure and entertainment sector. Businesses like their ideas expressed to customers through visual arts. This includes film and photography. Blackpool has a diverse cultural vibe also and facilitates many festivals such as punk weekend. 

                                                  photography industry - Bing images

Industry. Shape.

 All the different genres of professional practice are commercial-i.e., selling.

In order to sell your images, you must be able to derive technical mastery of your practice and have creativity. Also, understand online business and have boundaries.

The structure is:

Commercial- Editorial, advertising and Products.

Publication-books, periodicals and editorials.

Social-weddings and portraits.

Associates-Education and Editing.

All the sectors above, the way selling takes place has changed to a web-based economy.

In all sectors, it is vital that-

1 You understand the client's needs

2 You can work on a small budget

3 Problem solve

4 Aware of copyright.

5 Flexible and fast.

6 Boundaries in work. Appropriate content.

7 Network with others.

The 3 main areas to gain entry into photography are

1 Educational

2 Assisting others.

3 Practice. 

In terms of what element I want to pursue, I am going down the educational route of gaining a degree and hopefully a masters. I want to sell my work and also use my experience to work as a curator (though its more likely at my age to be an asst curator). I enjoy putting together my two interests of history and photography. 

photography - Bing images

Contemporary Practice.

  
The meaning of Contemporary according to CONTEMPORARY | meaning, definition in Cambridge English Dictionary is: 
"Contemporary music/literature/art/fashion 
Although the play was written hundreds of years ago, it still has a contemporary feel to it. 
I wanted to update my kitchen and put in something more contemporary" 

 
 

It refers to art or ideas which are relevant to the present. For example, a production of William Shakespeare's Othello could be rewritten for the present but keep the original narrative but have subtle changes like the events occurring in the present. Or the language can be contemporary to make it accessible for today's generation.  

Contemporary ideas are important in business and the arts. It's a sign of being relevant and having the ability to keep up with today's trends in today's fast paced world. An artist or business that is forward looking will be recognized and seen as innovative by the public.  
Especially in the arts, it is important to keep up with trends and to use platforms that reflect this relevance such as Instagram and Linked In In. This assures your audience is wide and far reaching as well as being relevant to your practice. If you are in contact with practitioners who are as contemporary in ideas as yourself, this will influence your creativity and contribute to your sell ability in the marketplace. Meaning, your work will be more successful and be relevant-in touch with the zeitgeist (the spirit of the age). 
To remain contemporary an individual needs to absorb information from multiple sources which is relevant for the time. In terms of my practice, I have multiple platforms I visit to get information. This includes Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Here, I view the work of other contemporary photographers. I also speak directly to some if I have an idea, but I am unsure of how to do it technically. This keeps my practice contemporary and up to date.

                                                     contemporary art - Bing images

The Future

 I have a variety of qualifications from institutions like The Open University, London School of Music and Dramatic Arts and other qualifications I have gained working in social care. I have been in management for 10 years at a homeless hostel in Blackpool-so I have a variety of experience on my CV. However, since 2018, I have been thinking of a new career and doing something that I love, which is photography.  

As this academic year has progressed, it has been noticed by tutors that I enjoy working with miniature people and creating reenactments of battles or creating narratives with still life images. I like to think my photography is telling a story and I am using my work to illustrate a narrative to the viewer. This was specifically noticed by a tutor who suggested a career in curation in a museum, art gallery or historical society. Here, I could use my historical knowledge and photography together. What the tutor said was quite interesting and it gives me a specific avenue to explore as photography is very varied in types of jobs within the sector.

I am getting to the end of my second year on the course, next year will be my final year. I am setting the ground work now by creating a portfolio and establishing contacts in the museums and galleries local to my area. This will hopefully give me the contacts needed to eventually find work. I also have to do my masters in Preston if I want to consider moving into this field of work. However, that will be based on how well I do in the coming months and next year on the current course. In the meantime, I have to research as much as possible and put in the work to get a place in Preston in the coming years.

 

In terms of getting my name out there and finding ways of disseminating my work, this coming year will give me the tools and the experience to do that. I am looking forward to learning these new skills and benefiting from the experience gained. 

Where I want to be.

2023- Finish the academic year with a good grade that will get me onto the level 6 course next year. Learn how to create ways of disseminating my work. Promote my work in the local community and online.

2024- Learn new skills which will benefit my work professionally. Complete my level 6 study while engaging with local employers and get a website up and running to show my work. Business' cards and posters made to promote my work further.

2025 Start a masters course in Preston with an emphases of giving up my job in social care and working part time as a photographer.