Is graphic design a good stepping stone into photography or DVP?
I am a graphic designer. My specialty (as of right now) is mainly desktop publishing with a little bit of web design. I am proficient with the Adobe Suite and Dreamweaver; I have one year of experience in print production, three years of freelance experience, and a bachelor’s degree. Though I like to design, I hate being stuck behind a desk all day long.
I am considering getting into still photography and digital video production. It seems like it would be artistic, as well as mobile. I think being a traveling photographer or camera operator for National Geographic would be awesome!
My questions are as follows:
1.How do you get into something like that?
2.Would my skills as a graphic designer be transferrable into that field?
3.What kind of equipment would be good to start with? (Currently I own a Nikon D-50 camera)
Any feedback and advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
As a graphic design professional working with photographers, I would have to say that there really isn’t any direct translation from design to photography (other than that they’re both creative and require a creative eye). The skills required for each professional are dramatically different – which is why they are different majors in art school.
Becoming a photographer is like becoming anything – it requires education, experience and talent. I would suggest taking some local classes on photography to get a feel on if it’s something that comes natural to you and that you might be good at and then consider going through a formal education program. In addition, you can also help a professional photographer as an assistant and learn that way while you get your education.
I would start tracking blogs on photography BY photographers to see their insights, what they are doing and what they suggest in the industry of photography. It’s a great way to learn for free!
National Geographic’s New Infinite Photograph
|
|
Nikon DSLR Starter Kit with Nikon School Fast, Fun, & Easy DVD Set and DSLR Case $70.00 The Nikon School 2-DVD set included in this Value Pack is hosted by award-winning National Geographic Traveler photographer Bob Krist and award-winning wedding and portrait photographer, Kevin Kubota. Featuring the Nikon D3000, D5000 and D3100, this 2-DVD set provides insight on taking great pictures and movies with ease. In addition to the Fast, Fun & Easy 5 DVD set, the new Value Pack will inclu… |
|
|
The Complete National Geographic – Every Issue since 1888 $34.45 Every page of every issue in easy-to-use digital format!The Complete National Geographic6 DVD ROMs 1 BONUS DVDExplore 120 years of amazing discoveries fascinating maps and the world’s best photography with The Complete National Geographic. This definitive collection of every issue of National Geographic magazine — from 1888 to 2008 –which has been digitally reproduced in stunning high resolution… |
|
|
Nikon 7216 Action 8x40mm Binoculars $79.79 A great bang-for-the-buck binocular, the 8×40 Action VII Binocular is the ‘standard’ entry in value-driven porro prism lineup, featuring a tremendous view that’s relaxed and spacious. It is a great choice enjoying stadium sports, and also makes for a sensible birding or hunting selection. Its high-refraction prisms combined with the 8x magnification yield a wide 8.2 degree true field of view, a… |
|
|
Uncle Milton Pet’s Eye View Camera $23.95 Ever wonder what your pet does when you’re gone?… |
|
|
Uncle Milton Digital World Cam $43.99 Go on daring wildlife missions and capture nature at its finest with an adventure-lover’s camera. This camouflaged camera is designed to hang in a tree, giving you a candid perspective on wildlife. The 1.3-inch LCD screen lets you preview your shots, and there’s a time-lapse sequence mode for super-accurate pictures. The hand tree strap secures the camera up high so you can get stealthy shots. Wea… |
|
|
Pet’s Eye View Camera (National Geographic Kids) Clip on Digital Camera Includes: 1 Digital camera, 1 USB cord, 1 Pet Cam Journal, 1 Set of instructions…. |
|
|
Complete National Geographic- Every Issue Since 1888 (OLD VERSION) $16.95 Explore 120 years of amazing discoveries, fascinating maps, and the world’s best photography with The Complete National Geographic. This definitive collection of every issue of National Geographic magazine, digitally reproduced in stunning high resolution, brings you the world and all that is in it. Use the advanced interface to explore a topic, search for photographs, browse the globe, or wander … |
|
|
National Geographic’s Digital Photo Guide $25.99 National Geographic Digital Photo Guide is your first step to first-class photos. Whether you’re a professional photographer exploring new technology, or a newcomer to the digital camera revolution, you’ll unlock the full potential of the latest photographic technology…. |
|
|
Olympus Trooper 10×50 DPS 1 Binoculars $69.95 If you need equal parts economy, endurance and 10x optical power, consider the Trooper 10×50 DPS R. This standard Porro Prism binocular brings sports enthusiasts to their game with easily focused, wide-angle views that are great for tracking – and keeping up with – fast moving subjects, and provide UV ray protection so you never have to worry about the sun. And maybe best of all, these binoculars … |
|
|
Yukon Nvmt 4X50 Night Vision Monocular $263.99 Advanced optics are capable of providing 4X night vision magnification with only starlight, at up to 270 yards of detection distance. The Yukon NVMT series of optical devices embrace modern technology while keeping the focus on practicality. All monoculars in the NVMT series amplify visible light several thousand times, and feature an exclusive Pulse built-in infrared illuminator that expands… |
|
|
National Geographic Complete Photography (Hardcover) $61.27 A comprehensive illustrated reference about photography and the camera, this book combines how-to advice, knowledgeable commentary, and useful tips on how to take and look at photographs. Not just a how-to book, it is a how-does-it-work book, focusing on cameras, photographs, and photographers. Throughout, voices and photographs from the greatest of National Geographic photographers add authority to these pages. Chapters build from camera basics—like how a digital camera works, what different lenses do, and the definition of exposure—to advanced and specific techniques—such as taking the best family candids, underwater photography, or techniques for capturing fireworks on film. Every chapter includes a feature called "My Perspective," highlighting a National Geographic photographer and his or her work with a personal note on photography. Every chapter ends with a feature called "What Makes This Photograph Great?"—twelve different iconic National Geographic photographs are analyzed thoroughly for their subject matter, composition, lighting and exposure—by James P. Blair, longtime National Geographic photographer. A fascinating illustrated timeline of photography places milestone moments in the developing technology and art of photography into historic context. With something for everyone, novice and experienced amateur alike, designed in such a way that a reader can dip in and out of page after page, this complete reference will become a family favorite, to which young and old will refer over and over for years to come. |
|
|
National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Photography (Paperback) $33.89 Straightforward and entertaining, this is the ultimate source for people seeking real how-to advice from the editors and photographers of National Geographic. It is carefully designed to lead the amateur photographer to better pictures and is comprehensive in scope, explaining the entire process from choosing a camera to taking the pictures to printing, scanning, and archiving the images. The National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Photography spells out the basics of fine photography?whether you are using a digital SLR or a film camera?as well as more advanced techniques for the amateur photographer. From the top twelve color moves to creative gift ideas to quality camera phone photography, this guide will not only inspire you but also arm you with the practical know-how to get great images. It is the indispensable reference for photographers everywhere. |
