Photography for Creativity or Profession

From a creative standpoint, the decision to use photography as a creative avenue opens an artistic door that is different from other forms of artistic expression. In addition to creative uses, the camera can be used as a real source of professional revenue. This can come from such things as recording a profile of the artwork of other artists, recording business functions and events, or doing photographic portraits. This work would be done in either slide or photograph form, depending on the nature of the application.

With a single "tool," the camera, the photo-artist may create everything from strongly contrasting images in black and white to brilliant color studies with prints or slides. Photographs can be arranged into collage works that speak to the viewer in ways paintings and drawings do not. Darkroom manipulation can produce images that are surreal or artistically "unnatural" and personal.

Taking slides can help document all aspects of your art endeavors by keeping an ongoing slide record. It is recommended that every work be recorded on a slide. This gives you a chronological record as well as a record of growth and strengths. (Off the subject, but very important, is the recommendation that you protect your work by filing for copyright on every work. This requires a slide of the image.)

To address the more serious "business of art," photography has great potential. You are not only able to create images that are saleable/showable/competition-worthy and keep a record of your own art career, but you can also use your skills to record/document other artists' works. There is real financial potential here, as most painters (artists in general) loathe the idea of documenting each piece of their work. Photographers who pursue this area of photography are kept busy. Offering a great photograph or slide for a reasonable price is the key. If you love photography, if you have learned to control the media, this could be perfect for you. Once your skills are developed, it is only a matter of promoting your service to art organizations, college art classes, and individual artists or perhaps posting a flier at community centers where art classes are taught.

Contemporary photographers often find their talents in demand for "live" documentation as well. Many events need and pursue photographers to help record their affairs. While this is considered a more commercial way to use your creativity, it is possible to make a very good income. Photographers contacted about this line of work did admit that it is very sporadic and that some clients can be fickle. One way to succeed, echoed by several professional photographers, is to offer the best quality work on a good timetable. Have work done when you promise it will be; reliability is key.

So whether you are using photography to record your own art creations, to create original photographs for exhibition and sale, as a basis for collage work and other photo-related art projects, or as possible income potential, it is always a rewarding creative avenue. All you need is a good quality camera and a roll of film.