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Photography Paper:

Today, photographers use high-tech cameras to create works of art. Formal schooling or a degree is not required, but creativity, imagination, and a "good eye" can get a photographer a long way in the photography world providing him or her with many benefits and some drawbacks.

Photography means “painting with light” and that is what photographers do. A good photographer has a good understanding of light that will help them shoot and edit their photographs. Not only do photographers use their skills to take the pictures, they use business skills to sell their photographs.

Although there are not official requirements for a photographer, schooling and classes are offered. Joy Vertz, from Shoot the Moon Photography, states, "I believe additional knowledge beyond what you learn in books is essential. I routinely have my work entered into competitions for constructive feedback, which improves my craft"(Vertz). It is also helpful to be creative, good hand-eye coordination, have technical expertise, and a good understanding of light. Having both people and business skills is important because many photographers spend most of their time photographing people and selling their photographs to them. "It is helpful for photographers to not have physical limitations that would prohibit them from climbing ladders or lifting things to get a shot"(Vertz). Seminars and workshops help photographers learn new skills and techniques. "It is essential to my job to constantly be looking for new trends"(Vertz). But, most of all, experience using and taking pictures with cameras is the most basic and important training for a photographer.

With a typical 40-hour week of work, photographers spend their day shooting and editing. With small breaks in between, Joy Vertz usually shoots about three to four sessions a day. A typical 10-hour day sends her home around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.(Vertz). No one can officially explain a typical day for a photographer. Even though the cycle of photographing repeats itself, you never know how the shoot is going to go.

There are many benefits of being a photographer. It is a highly creative job and photographers get to use their imagination. Although it does involve technical skills, it is easy to just have fun with. In photography, there is no right or wrong. A photographer gets make the picture look however they want it to. A photographer also gets to work with a variety of people. Everyone is different so one shoot is never like the next. "It is truly rewarding to know that I am creating a piece of artwork that they will enjoy for decades to come"(Vertz).

Although there are many benefits, there are also drawbacks too. Some sessions of photographing require an extreme amount of patience. Some shoots require long hours of photographing, editing, and selling. If a photographers pictures aren't selling, that can easily discourage a photographer. Also, some clients may be hard to work with. For example, it is hard to photograph a baby that is screaming and crying.

This is the life of a photographer consisting of benefits and drawbacks.