Industry Research

 Film is what I wish to do as my future job, therefore I need to know what sector I want to work in or if there are other parts I can work in and enjoy if it does not work out. 

First of all I am going to look into the beginning of a film career and see what the roles entail. 

Essential Guide: Film Crew Positions

Above and Below the Line.

Commonly when making a film there is a line. Your role will either be above the line or under the line. People who have a less significant role within the production of the film will be classed as being under the line. People who are more significant, such as director, producer etc, Will be place above the line. The line is a reference to how you will be paid. Under the line refers to how you will be paid by the hour whereas above the line means you will be paid a set amount that is pre-established and agreed on.

For me, I am solely interested in the physical camera side of things. However I understand that film is hard to get into and that I may have to go into a job I don't like first in order to get my foot in the door. 

The Director of Photography:

The DP is a job I have wanted and dreamed to have since I first started to make my own content. But why? The DP is the person who talks directly with the Director in order to create the best style and look to the film. They are the head of the camera department, having the decision over lenses, light position, light diffusion, bounce and much more. However they also guide the Grip and Electrical teams in creative decisions.

This job appeals to me as I am passionate about telling story through light, color, composition and angles. To be able to have the creative freedom to create my own style of images would be a dream of mine and to see it come to life would be extraordinary.

The Camera Operator:

A DP is a very very hard job and takes time to earn the trust to be able to take control over a set. However another position that interests me is being a camera operator. Becoming a camera operator takes time and effort to perfect. It is the fact of understanding what is going to happen in the scene and being able to move the camera slowly and stable enough depending on the shot. At the moment I am not good at keeping a shot stable or keeping a subject in the same segment of the screen. Therefore, before I had a chance of getting such job, I would need to practice with my camera and other camera gear more in order to  stand out from the rest.

Gaffer:

When starting my career in the film industry, it is unlikely to go straight to the top. Therefore I would have to do lesser-important jobs. These jobs will be less creative and more technical. I am prepared to go through the struggle of these jobs in hopes of getting to a beginning in the creative side. Once I manage to prove my creative skills, chances are I would be tasked with a job like a gaffer. Gaffers are the head of the Electrical department and are in charge of supplying and setting up lights in the correct location for a shoot. To be a gaffer you must be very knowledgeable with light, how it moves and where light may be needed or not. Being a close role with the DP, it makes a great gateway to becoming a DP.

The Key Grip:

The key grip is the opposite of a gaffer. Where a gaffer is in control of electrics (artificial light), the key grip is in charge of natural light. They sometimes bring 5-ton trucks worth of equipment on set just to manipulate and alter the natural light. I would enjoy this job also as it needs a strong understanding of light in order to know what equipment needs to go where in order to create a special effect.

After looking at just a few of these roles, I can feel myself leaning towards University. I would like to think that by studying a film/ film production course at university, it would broaden my knowledge and give me the skills necessary to understand how to work on a set and give me a head start in the industry.          However I want to look at some other "normal jobs" to see what my choices are. It is my dream to work on sets. It sounds weird to say but if I end up working on sets, pay would not be a factor i would worry about. I would rather to enjoy my job with a reasonable pay, than a job I hate with great pay. Therefore for these next jobs I will be looking at average incomes and what the job entails to see if it entices me.

Photographer - Landscape - Link

As Well as my love for film, I have a passion for photography. Landscape photography is an aspect I enjoy and would not mind having it as a future. The only thing that makes me skeptical about landscape photography is the income. I think it is hard to sell images of a landscape enough to live on. Therefore I have decided to do some research into it and see how some people make a living with landscape photography. On the website above, there are ideas of how make money with landscape photography. The first idea to make money is to sell prints. Prints at cafes, a store, restaurants and online. When people are eating they may see your image and want that in their house in order to remember their trip and have something sentimental. Another option is selling courses and doing workshops. Although this is a viable option this does not sound like a viable source of income as their wont be a steady stream of customers. After looking online and thinking myself a while for a way to try make money with landscape photography, i cant think or find a firm way to make a steady income. Therefore, I have decided to not pursue Landscape photography as a job... Maybe a hobby.

Photographer - Products - Link

Detail:

When shopping online, the first thing that catches your attention is the image of said product. Therefore having a good image of your product is a good idea. Product photographers have to have extreme attention to detail. Making a simple stick of lipstick or a SUV look professional is no easy job. Product photographers have to use their knowledge of angles and lighting in order to create the best image possible. 

Vision:

Being a product photographer requires a creative mind but equally a mind that can understand vision. When/if a photographer is hired to take images, they are usually given a brief and a concept of what the image should look like. The client they are working for mostly know what they want but don't have the skill to create it. Listening and understanding a client plays a big roll within being a product photographer.

Another great point about product photographers is a mix of their detail and vision. Photographers understand how to compliment a product and make it look its best. They have the knowledge of what decor to add and see the vision of what said decor will add to the overall image. Therefore, sometimes they will be called to help with styling and setting up the backdrops for an image. For example, if doing a car shoot a photographer may be called for help in order to find a good place and time to take an image of the car in order for it to look best. When taking images of an couch (example on the link) they may be called in order to see what backdrop, complimentary cushions etc, are best.

Types of Shots:

Individual shots - 

Individual shots are the images that are taken of the product itself as a standalone image. These are what are mostly used on magazines, newsletters, websites and much more. They are probably the most important image out of them all as it is all about the product.

Group shots - 

Like Individual shots, which are used for selling purposes, the group shot is normally taken for the same purpose but for more products. Maybe a brand is doing a beginner kit, a giveaway or gift sets etc. Group images are used to show multiple products at once. Knowing the best way and compositions to take group shots at is a key thing to understand as a photographer as it is the difference between a sale and a loss.

Lifestyle shots - 

Possibly my favorite type of shot out of them all. A lifestyle shot is an image of the product where it will be used and made for. For example, a computer in a library, a jeep in the mountains, whiskey on a bar. The lifestyle shots are meant to connect the product with the viewers life and make them want the product. Lifestyle shots are a great way to change a persons feeling of "want" into "need". For example, if a person is adventurous and likes the outdoors, after seeing a jeep in the mountains, their psychology will change from "i like that jeep" to "i need that jeep, so i can do that". 

Scale shots - 

A lesser important shot in most cases, a scale shot is used to show the true size of a product. Although in some cases this is used, most of the time it is used to fool people. For example, an SUV will be shot in order to make it look as spacious as possible, tricking the consumer into what the actual product looks like.

Detailed shots - 

As it is described, a detailed shot is of the details. From the articulate design of a watch, to the slimness of a TV, detailed shots are used in order to show of the product and its design. These shots are normally used next or with the individual shot.

Packaging shots - 

Some companies take great care within their products and even want the unboxing to be its own unique experience. Therefore, a product photographer may be called to take images of the boxing in order to show the customer how much care the company takes with their product. Some people (my mother) like to keep boxes of things they buy as well incase they wish to sell in the future. Showcasing nice packaging can make some people (like my mother) want to buy a product more due to its care.

So.... How much?

When it comes to charging for product photos, there are normally 3 common ways that are used in the industry. The first one is hourly rate. This is where you charge a certain rate for each hour you work. This is normally best for beginners. For example, if a beginner and an experienced photographer charged $200 for a photoshoot, but it took the beginner twice as long to get the same outcome, he has worked twice as long for half the same price. Even though charging hourly is effective, it can cause common disputes over editing time. Some people may not understand how long it takes to edit images and may feel lied to if you say you edited for say 5 hours.

A flat rate is the a more common used form of rate. It is where the photographer charges a certain price for his images. it works well with photographers who have experience and know how long a project will take them. It is also a great way to tell your client that you're not wasting their time for extra money. However, if you end up having an issue creating an image and going over time, you may spend a long time creating an image for not much money

Finally a per photo price. A per photo price is where the client is charged for each individual image. This is possibly the best way to charge for a shoot. For example, as said earlier, a company may present their concepts and ideas for their images. Therefore you will already know what images they need and want. If a company wanted 10 images of their coffee to be taken, you can factor in the props needed (and their price), the time taken to set up each photo, the time to edit and the effort it will take to produce all 10 images. then you are able to calculate the price of an image effectively. 

Example:

A company approaches you asking for images of their new shoe. 

Someone working hourly may charge $10/hr, work 10 hours end up delivering 30 images and take home $300. But at the same time he might take a few hours longer, but still be paid.

A flat rate photographer may charge $300 a shoot and know it will take him 8 hours to create 30 images, therefore making more than the hourly. However he may run into issues and end up working 15 hours and end up losing money.

Finally a per photo photographer knows that the client only needs 15 images. Due to him charging per image, he needs to make sure they are perfect, meaning more detailed than the rest. It may take him 10 hours to create 15 images, however he has not wasted his time on extra images and his reputation as a photographer will go further, due to the standard he has to hold with each image. He could even charge more than the rest, $400, due to the quality of each image.

How do I feel now?

Even though I have done this research into product photography, I have been doing it myself for around a year and i can definitely say it is something I would like to do as a career. Their are some steps on the link talking about the best ways to start out as a product photographer. The first few steps include practice, building a portfolio and having the equipment. I have spent the last few years doing these steps, meaning I feel fairly confident in starting this as a career. However I still want to pursue film as my career more than this. Product Photography is going to be my 2nd choice for a career as of right now and it is something i wish to do as a hobby if it doesn't end up being a career.