Just thought I'd share my day....got up early, drove for two hours only to find the tide times were printed the wrong way round and it was out when I needed in.....drove off again to Glen Affric. All the way there it was sunny with great dramatic clouds and wonderful lights. Got there....and... it was snowing, sideways. Sat in the car for a while, the snow turned to rain, still sideways and lashing at the windows.
Retreated for a late lunch only to get to the only cafe for miles 20 minutes AFTER they stopped serving lunches so had to make do with cake and hot chocolate.
Drove half way back home and decided to stop a forest area and see if I could spot any crested tits or red squirrels..all I saw were crows and great tits (which I get in the garden).
Suddenly realised that it was 5.50pm and that it was getting a bit dark and I was at the furthest point from the car without a head torch. Packed up quick and just made it back while I could still see..
got stuck behind every conceivable slow moving vehicle all the way home....
I know its the 13th today - but it's NOT a friday!
I think perhaps I'll try again tomorrow - or maybe I'll just stay in bed...
...and to think...people think being a professional wildlife photographer is easy....
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 13, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Who on earth thinks that then Jan - they need to be shown the error of their ways post-pronto!
We've gone all multi-cultural now so the Friday bit has no significance anymore - 13th-itis can strike at anytime
I can relate to this. Although at least a professional photographer can try again tomorrow - the real frustration for amateurs like me is when you have to wait another month to find a day free to have another go!
Matt
Posted by Paul Inglis on March 13, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Hi Jan,
Now that I can relate to! As they say 13 is lucky for some! but not all!
Posted by eric weight on March 14, 2008 at 2:15 AM
Sounds like a good day to me, at least you weren't working in a factory. mind you I bet I know which one pays the most bills.
Posted by Nigel Blake on March 14, 2008 at 3:34 AM
"Although at least a professional photographer can try again tomorrow - the real frustration for amateurs like me is when you have to wait another month to find a day free to have another go!"
Well before turning pro I might have agreed...... but with deadlines to meet the onus is on you get the shots even if the weather is garbage, it means pulling out all the creative stops, or going over the deadline and more importantly over the budget for the job!
Being booked for comissioned shooting means scheduling your days, so it could be weeks before theres a chance of a reshoot.
This week I have spent 4 days stuck in front of the PC editing images and keywording, editing images for two books and packing them off to clients. However one tries to arrange the workload; generally the best weather for photography coincides with the most editing/PP/admin work.
Then of course you have to spend time developing new clients and waste time chasing bad payers, seeing the accountant and dealing with admin and VAT etc.
I doubt very much that I get any more time to actually go and take photos than I did when I had a full time job..........
But the gain is that I am not wasting up to 3 or 4 hours a day sat on the M25 breathing other peoples car fumes!
fair points Nigel, I no doubt have an overly romantic idea of what it must be like to be a pro photographer. It seems all jobs these days are bogged down by admin and paperwork.
Discussion
8 repliesJust thought I'd share my day....got up early, drove for two hours only to find the tide times were printed the wrong way round and it was out when I needed in.....drove off again to Glen Affric. All the way there it was sunny with great dramatic clouds and wonderful lights. Got there....and... it was snowing, sideways. Sat in the car for a while, the snow turned to rain, still sideways and lashing at the windows.
Retreated for a late lunch only to get to the only cafe for miles 20 minutes AFTER they stopped serving lunches so had to make do with cake and hot chocolate.
Drove half way back home and decided to stop a forest area and see if I could spot any crested tits or red squirrels..all I saw were crows and great tits (which I get in the garden).
Suddenly realised that it was 5.50pm and that it was getting a bit dark and I was at the furthest point from the car without a head torch. Packed up quick and just made it back while I could still see..
got stuck behind every conceivable slow moving vehicle all the way home....
I know its the 13th today - but it's NOT a friday!
I think perhaps I'll try again tomorrow - or maybe I'll just stay in bed...
...and to think...people think being a professional wildlife photographer is easy....
We've gone all multi-cultural now so the Friday bit has no significance anymore - 13th-itis can strike at anytime
Matt
Now that I can relate to! As they say 13 is lucky for some! but not all!
Well before turning pro I might have agreed...... but with deadlines to meet the onus is on you get the shots even if the weather is garbage, it means pulling out all the creative stops, or going over the deadline and more importantly over the budget for the job!
Being booked for comissioned shooting means scheduling your days, so it could be weeks before theres a chance of a reshoot.
This week I have spent 4 days stuck in front of the PC editing images and keywording, editing images for two books and packing them off to clients. However one tries to arrange the workload; generally the best weather for photography coincides with the most editing/PP/admin work.
Then of course you have to spend time developing new clients and waste time chasing bad payers, seeing the accountant and dealing with admin and VAT etc.
I doubt very much that I get any more time to actually go and take photos than I did when I had a full time job..........
But the gain is that I am not wasting up to 3 or 4 hours a day sat on the M25 breathing other peoples car fumes!
Matt