Photography, like many other professions allied to the communications industries, is going through a revolution. The advent of digital photography has not only revolutionized how photographs are taken, it also affects the transmission, storage and manipulation of the images produced. However there is still a place for the more traditional analog photography technologies, although these are being gradually replaced as the quality of digital photography improves.
Photographers are used in several different areas of industry, including newspapers and magazines, illustrations of books and television. There are portrait photographers and fine art photographers who need artistic talent and creativity, commercial and industrial photographers whose photographs are used as illustrations or archival material, and scientific photographers.
Many photographers are freelance, working on a project or contract basis, and using agencies to gain work. Others are salaried, working with newspapers or large corporations.
Most people enter professional photography after gaining a college degree in photography – often photojournalism. A degree course will give a well-rounded background of photography, the technologies and materials used, computerization, and some of the creativity necessary to compose good photographs.
Earnings averaged at around the $22,300 area in 2000, with the top 10% of photographers earning in excess of $46,000. Competition is fierce to gain a foothold in this industry, so qualifications help to get that important first job.
