Do each of us have a photographic niche? A niche is where we excell in our photographic pursuits the most, even though we could do well anywhere in our photographic endeavours. Could some miss out on discovering their niche by persisting on "specializing" on one thing only? If you never attempt to enter the world of avain photography how would you know if you have what it takes? Same with discovering the world of macro and close-up photography, etc. You'd never know if that was your photographic niche. I can count on one hand the number of avian shots I have taken in my lifetime. How would I know if I could excell in that area unless I pursue it with practice, patience, and the right equipment? So do we need to look for our niches or will we find it naturally?
Thank you for your thoughts.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Posted by Bill Chambers on August 8, 2006 at 4:39 PM
I think we find it quite naturally, at least I did. For me, it didn't turn out like I thought it would though. I always figured I would enjoy shooting wildlife more, but currently I probably shhot 95% landscape and enjoy it immensely. I didn't even realize at first; I just kept noticing the landscape files growing much faster than everything else, then I took a hard look at it and discovered that almost all I shoot now. Surprised me!
Posted by Jerry Greer on August 8, 2006 at 5:46 PM
Do each of us have a photographic niche?
Will,
I found my niche and built a growing and successful publishing company around it. I personally think that you will find it naturally. I also strongly believe that the photographer must have a personal connection with that special niche for it to be truly successful.
I agree with Bill and Jerry - just follow your inner voice and it will come naturally. I started off as a generalist and ultimately realized landscape is my calling.
Also, I don't really think that being good at something necessarily means it's nour niche. I may be a good stock broker or Harley mechanic if I gave it a try but it just doesn't appeal to me.
You mean there's something besides bird photography??? I'll have to check that out.
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 8, 2006 at 7:28 PM
Jim--
You can simply use the Audobon method to get birds to hold still for your 4x5. I have always considered myself a sort of generic outdoor photographer, but I have found I get much more enjoyment taking photos of desolate winter scenes than I do of bird photos. I mostly take photos with a general theme of "Life on the Northern Plains". While that's a general subject, I find I'm attracted to some aspects more than others. Even with my favorite subjects though, I think I'd get bored if I couldn't do other stuff too.
Hello Gang,
How you lock onto one field of photography is certainly a mystery. My interest in close-up photography started some 35 years ago. One day I just happened across some close-up images in a book and said, man that looks like fun. It was fun but was not easy in the old days of film. Well that one look at those images set me on a life long pursuit in closeup photography and photography in general.
These days, I like to shoot bugs, flowers, landscapes and birds (big birds) and an occasional small bird. To do all the above at one time is certainly difficult with regards to time spent in the field, time on the computer, working a 40 hour week and maintaining a house and yard. So the solution for me was to divide my photographic interest into seasons. During early spring and into mid-summer, I shoot the local wading bird rookeries. Mid summer to fall I shoot the bugs and flowers. Late fall and winter I shoot the swampy landscapes of South Louisiana. Actually it all works out perfectly with regards to finding maximum subjects with the changing seasons.
The problem with trying all aspects of photography for many people is expense. The three big fields of nature photography all require, to some degree, specialized equipment to do it right.
The common thread all nature photographers have is a great appreciation for NATURE itself. We love experiencing the natural world and wanting to photograph it, is all but natural. I think when you hit on your niche, it will ignite a inner spark that will turn into a roaring fire within. It becomes an obsession, something you just can't wait to do every day you have off. It almost give you a reason for your existence. Like my good friend David Chauvin and I always tell each other about photography, either you get it or you don't, no in between.
What you have enthusiasm for is probably your niche. I like photography, but I'm not interested in taking photos of chopped motorcycles, even for good money (I DO have a price, but it would come high! :-) ). If you don't have enthusiasm for your subject, you probably won't have the patience it takes to get the time to get good shots with everything in place--light, subject action, background, etc.
I think there is a difference between what we really want to do and what we have the opportunity to do. I love shooting wildlife (elk, bear, exotic cats, moose, etc), and really want to excell at it. However, I live in an area of only modest wildlife (white tail is the largest and most numerous). I have made trips to Yellowstone, Alaska and even Africa. However grand total these trips only account for 5 weeks of shooting. The rest of my shooting is of birds, bugs, flowers and the occasional landscape nearer to home because they are readily available.
So, is my "niche" one of the home grown subjects or is it what I really get excited about - wildlife? I am getting pretty good at flora and macro of flora. I am also getting better at bug macro and local avian. However, are these my "niche"?
Apparently they are as this is what I can develop higher level of skills with due the constant opportunity.
Maybe our "niche" is the ability to take advantage of the opportunities that nature presents to us. While we may have a personal preference we shoot what we are presented and what we have the ability to "see". Developing the ability to "see" will help us develop our real "niche".
In my experience it's an evolution. Your heart and interests lead you in a direction, and sooner or later you either fulfill it or move on to another. If all goes well for us a new interest starts to make money and becomes a staple. As that happens it seems like my interests move on to the next new love. It's been going on a long time now, and even as my old interests are making money (call it my job), new ones becon and might someday start making money. Seems like I lead with my heart or curiosity, but when the "dream comes true" and the latest new thing becomes part of the business routine, the really creative side of me starts looking for a new outlet.
So which is my niche- the one that has evolved till it's a routine money maker, or the new one that excites me?
Posted by beth summer on August 9, 2006 at 8:58 AM
Hank said it best for me...It's an evolution. What excited me several years ago is no longer of great interest. I notice how my photography has evolved over the years (thanks to NPN is one reason) and I love seeing these changes. I continue to improve and as I do, so does my niche of photography. One thing is for certain...If I don't like it, I don't shoot it And I agree with hank also...When it becmes routine, it's time to move on to a new creative look.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on August 9, 2006 at 10:37 AM
Ronnie, you discovered macro photography 35 years ago??? I thought you were a lot younger than that (unless maybe you were shooting when you 6 or something).
Anyway, finding my niche was pretty straight-forward. I have always enjoyed finding bugs, insects, creepy-crawlies. For whatever reason, this is what has always interested me. To move to macro photography, once I bought my first "real" camera, was a pretty natural move. This will almost certainly be a long term marriage for me, simply because of my personal interests.
But lately, I seem to be having an affair with landscape photography (ssshhh, don't tell my macro lens that - it might jump off of my tripod when I am not looking). I think a lot of it has to do with learning to see that way. Even at that, I still tend to pick out small details in the landscape. Long lenses, especially the 180 macro, are far more heavily used than wide angles for my landscape work. In some respects, I think I am shooting the landscape the same way I shoot macro, just on a signifcantly larger scale.
Posted by Becky Wolfe on August 9, 2006 at 12:29 PM
As a photography newbie I believe it will be a while before I find my niche or my passion because there are a lot of things I haven't tried yet, like avian or wildlife photography. Mostly I just like landscape & elements of man & nature & unique old architecture. There are a few other styles/subjects I've tried that I didn't enjoy or it didn't excite me so I probably wouldn't try shooting them again, at least not for a while. So, I shoot what I like & call that my niche for now. But hey, I'm a woman, I will change my mind I'm sure!
Posted by John W. Wall on August 9, 2006 at 4:00 PM
Even if you don't find your niche, you can have an excellent time looking for it. My interests have evolved and become more general. Now I pick and place and let it reveal itself to me, from the landscape level to the macro, over time. Unfortunately, there's rarely enough time before I have to get back to work....
I would have liked to explore the world of nature photography before settling in on a specific area, but as you indicated, Ed, want you want to do and what you have opportunity for is a big factor in finding one's niche. I think even if I dabbled in this and that I would eventually turn to landscapes anyway. So I think it is a natural process too. Still, I occassionally get this "what if" feeling. It all comes down to loving what you do.
I think as you mention, Ronnie, is that there could be some kind of catalyst which triggers our interest. In your case a book on close up images. Nevertheless you retain a broad interest in the world of photography. I think, if we have the opportunity, reaching out for a broader interest could be a good thing. As you say, Kent, it keeps things interesting.
What attracts you first is likely what will become your niche. I think you will keep on progressing well in the realm of landscapes, man and nature and old architecture, Becky. If you have the resources and the time and patience, you'd likely do well in avian and wildlife too.
Cindy, you touch upon something that is interesting. How you see the world can lead you to your niche. You are attracted to the littler things within the big picture. I am attracted to the bigger picture. Still, I have many images of the "littler things".
Thank you all.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Posted by Svein-Frode on August 10, 2006 at 6:05 AM
Someone once said that unless you live an exciting life you will never make exciting photographs. I believe that to be true. The one fantastic thing about photography as an artistic medium is that it can be part of you 24/7. Photograph what you feel strongly about and you have found your niche (for the lack of a better word).
Svein-Frode, I have always felt strongly about what I shoot so I was never in doubt. As to the "what if" thinking in a way it is thinking of expanding one's horizons. I will always be primarily a landscape photographer, Svein-Frode and Preston, because that is where my heart leads me
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Posted by Ian Beatty on August 13, 2006 at 5:02 PM
Whatever interests you is your niche. In all likelihood that will change over time. Or you may try shooting a variety of subjects before finding something that you really get fired up about.
I truly believe your photographic destiny is influenced, in large part, by the area where you live. I love to look at panoramic landscapes, but they just aren't available on a daily basis in Connecticut. Everywhere you look is a bank of trees, so there are very few open spaces, even for sunrises and sunsets, unless you live on the water. Therefore, you are trained by your surroundings to look for smaller subjects... macro, flower, portraiture, birds etc. We have lots of birds (that hide in the trees) and I am trying to catch them in the open. I have found by going through my large collection of images for placement on the NPN site, that I tend to have a niche in flowers and photo art, both of which I love. Also through NPN I have discovered the amazing avian shots of others and I am now more focused on trying to obtain decent bird shots (I have a long way to go).
I'd bet that most of your scenic photographers are from states/countries where there are vast vistas. In some places you can stand in one spot and turn and capture six amazing scenics, and I love to visit there. But that is only a couple of weeks throughout the year.
I remember an article of a photographer from the west coast who was given an assignment to photograph the eastern states. He stated that he found it most difficult to find things to take.. because you really have to look at the smaller picture and find nature's beauty in minature.
I photograph whatever is presented and am thankful for the chance to capture the image.
Discussion
21 repliesThank you for your thoughts.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Will,
I found my niche and built a growing and successful publishing company around it. I personally think that you will find it naturally. I also strongly believe that the photographer must have a personal connection with that special niche for it to be truly successful.
Also, I don't really think that being good at something necessarily means it's nour niche. I may be a good stock broker or Harley mechanic if I gave it a try but it just doesn't appeal to me.
Guy
You can simply use the Audobon method to get birds to hold still for your 4x5.
Kent in SD
How you lock onto one field of photography is certainly a mystery. My interest in close-up photography started some 35 years ago. One day I just happened across some close-up images in a book and said, man that looks like fun. It was fun but was not easy in the old days of film. Well that one look at those images set me on a life long pursuit in closeup photography and photography in general.
These days, I like to shoot bugs, flowers, landscapes and birds (big birds) and an occasional small bird. To do all the above at one time is certainly difficult with regards to time spent in the field, time on the computer, working a 40 hour week and maintaining a house and yard. So the solution for me was to divide my photographic interest into seasons. During early spring and into mid-summer, I shoot the local wading bird rookeries. Mid summer to fall I shoot the bugs and flowers. Late fall and winter I shoot the swampy landscapes of South Louisiana. Actually it all works out perfectly with regards to finding maximum subjects with the changing seasons.
The problem with trying all aspects of photography for many people is expense. The three big fields of nature photography all require, to some degree, specialized equipment to do it right.
The common thread all nature photographers have is a great appreciation for NATURE itself. We love experiencing the natural world and wanting to photograph it, is all but natural. I think when you hit on your niche, it will ignite a inner spark that will turn into a roaring fire within. It becomes an obsession, something you just can't wait to do every day you have off. It almost give you a reason for your existence. Like my good friend David Chauvin and I always tell each other about photography, either you get it or you don't, no in between.
So, is my "niche" one of the home grown subjects or is it what I really get excited about - wildlife? I am getting pretty good at flora and macro of flora. I am also getting better at bug macro and local avian. However, are these my "niche"?
Apparently they are as this is what I can develop higher level of skills with due the constant opportunity.
Maybe our "niche" is the ability to take advantage of the opportunities that nature presents to us. While we may have a personal preference we shoot what we are presented and what we have the ability to "see". Developing the ability to "see" will help us develop our real "niche".
So which is my niche- the one that has evolved till it's a routine money maker, or the new one that excites me?
Anyway, finding my niche was pretty straight-forward. I have always enjoyed finding bugs, insects, creepy-crawlies. For whatever reason, this is what has always interested me. To move to macro photography, once I bought my first "real" camera, was a pretty natural move. This will almost certainly be a long term marriage for me, simply because of my personal interests.
But lately, I seem to be having an affair with landscape photography (ssshhh, don't tell my macro lens that - it might jump off of my tripod when I am not looking). I think a lot of it has to do with learning to see that way. Even at that, I still tend to pick out small details in the landscape. Long lenses, especially the 180 macro, are far more heavily used than wide angles for my landscape work. In some respects, I think I am shooting the landscape the same way I shoot macro, just on a signifcantly larger scale.
I think as you mention, Ronnie, is that there could be some kind of catalyst which triggers our interest. In your case a book on close up images. Nevertheless you retain a broad interest in the world of photography. I think, if we have the opportunity, reaching out for a broader interest could be a good thing. As you say, Kent, it keeps things interesting.
What attracts you first is likely what will become your niche. I think you will keep on progressing well in the realm of landscapes, man and nature and old architecture, Becky. If you have the resources and the time and patience, you'd likely do well in avian and wildlife too.
Cindy, you touch upon something that is interesting. How you see the world can lead you to your niche. You are attracted to the littler things within the big picture. I am attracted to the bigger picture. Still, I have many images of the "littler things".
Thank you all.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Hi, Svein-Frode! It's great to see you back here!
-PB
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Pete D.
I'd bet that most of your scenic photographers are from states/countries where there are vast vistas. In some places you can stand in one spot and turn and capture six amazing scenics, and I love to visit there. But that is only a couple of weeks throughout the year.
I remember an article of a photographer from the west coast who was given an assignment to photograph the eastern states. He stated that he found it most difficult to find things to take.. because you really have to look at the smaller picture and find nature's beauty in minature.
I photograph whatever is presented and am thankful for the chance to capture the image.