I am not a professional photographer. I will never claim to be a professional photographer.
I know maybe 1% of all there is to learn about photography, post production, the business (definitely the business!!) lighting, and all that encompasses this journey I have been on since I first purchased a Nikon D80 a little over two years ago.
With that being said though, my googling-youtubish-obsessive compulsion with needing to know more and more everyday has lead to quite a bit of content that I want to share with anyone that wants to listen. And that is not to say I feel I am at a place to stop learning more. Some of my favorite photographers, whom I do consider professionals, are constantly posting new techniques and ideas. If those guys are still learning than I have a super long way to go.
Out of everything I have learned to date though the most important pieces of advice I can give (and this goes for photography, editing, business, tech stuff, etc) is
JUST FUCKING DO IT!
Do not let anyone tell you aren't good enough, take in criticisms from those whose work you admire, do not ever believe that school or college will make you a better photographer, and simply try it all. The only way you are going to get to the next level is by learning, researching, constantly shooting, studying, reading, and never ever stopping. The saying:
"It doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you never stop"
completely rings true with not just photography, but for any goals you set for yourself to succeed. Only in photography, I see a lot of people not following this advice. Too many times you see people mistake talent for technological advances in cameras and lenses and software programs. Too many times people are rushing to call themselves professionals and see them worrying about pricing and business and putting the art second.
Over the course of the last couple years I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of other photographers in the same boat as me. People that didn't go to school for photography (still the biggest waste of money in my mind, more on that later of course) or have friends that are photographers. The only friends I could turn to had .com for a last name. There is SO much content out on the internet on how to become a better photographer I thought I would offer the good I have learned from it. (I will spare you the bad...or at least make fun of it randomly, because there is a lot of bad advice out there and/or assholes photographers that think they are the only person in the world to figure it out.)
With that all being said I welcome you to PhotoJunkie.
-Ryan Daley
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