As I was drinking my morning coffee and checking-in with the world on Facebook, Ed Heaton posted an article that he had found on ProNature Photographers entitled: “The Future May Be The Commercial Nature Photographer” by Charlie Borland.
In the article, it is suggested that the professional nature photographer needs to expand and move into the new areas of digital video, especially with the advent of HD dSLR video cameras, and he uses the term “Commercial Nature Photographers”.
Later in the article, Mr. Borland mentions that he has done a search for photographers on USAjobs.com, and was able to find a position called “Visual Information Specialist”, which suggests an all encompassing jack-of-all-trades skill set and knowledge.
In follow-up posts to Ed’s original Facebook entry, have others agree with the basic premise of the article and also suggest a need for writing skills.
I too have to agree with the premise that photographers need to expand.
Back in the days when we spent hours in the darkroom, are now spent learning how to get “eyeballs” on our work, which includes marketing in many different forms, especially in the area of social media.
One question I do have is, if photographers move into video, are still photographers going to learn the video tools? or are they going to farm out the video editing?
In regards to writing, it seems natural that blogging would be an entry point for any photographer, especially if they can document their adventures in interesting fashion.
How are photographers going to handle the technical side of these new endeavors?
Already, with each new revision of software, and computer power, applications are becoming increasingly more time-consuming to learn let alone put into work-flow.
With all the other demands that a photographer must deal with; clients, accounting, marketing, etc., are they going to have the ability to take on these additional tasks?
I have a feeling that a new sub-industry, or redefinition of existing industry is about to occur.
Back in the day when film was king, and everything was done by hand including retouching, can now be done on the computer, but who does this? Is it you? Is it your assistant? Do you have somebody that can do this for you?
Needless to say, there is change coming, and those that can adapt are going to survive.
What do you think??
