Success at last!!

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Hello,

This post is a combination of a huge thank you to everyone and me jumping up and down excitedly!!:D

Last weekend I did my first "proper" shoot for a local newspaper and well, this is the results (see below) 3 pictures used. Not entirely sure about the photos used, but hey, as Gmen mentioned in the sports Q&A, what we would choose and what is actually used very rarely matches up.:confused:

Anyway, more seriously, a huge thank you to those who have pushed me in the right direction with C&C, advice and encouragement. It is hugely appreciated and testament to just how much you can learn from these forums!

Have already notched up 3 more events to cover for them over the coming week so all looking rosy! Not sure that I will be giving up the day job soon though - I like the warmth of my office with free coffee and nice view out of the window too much!!

Thanks again and thanks for looking!

Paul

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/ForTonypage64-Cutting.jpg


http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m58/Tall_paul_2000/ForTonypage66-Cutting.jpg

[Dan-o]

Congrats!!

[LMP]

Great work Paul, well done !

Nice bylines on those as well..what I call maximum exposure ;)

Couple more weeks and you can take this 300mm off my hands :)

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Thanks Marc.

Well, nothing like some shameless self-promotion on the bylines. Was going to go for a few interesting facts in there too. Bit like speed-dating by byline!!

And don't tempt me about that lens......please don't....its not fair.......:lol:

[Nick C.]

Congratulations Paul!

May I ask how you eventually got your first proper shoot? Have you been doing other stuff for the paper or did you just approach them with an offer to shoot?

[pyterps]

Paul...congrats, I can remember how I felt when I seen the first image in print.

Keep up the good work.

dave

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Guys thanks for comments so far (although Marc, as for your comment about the lens, I'm still a little upset! ;) )

Nick, to answer how I got my foot in the door, this is the first time that I have done anything with them.

Up until September (and a rather nasty knee injury whilst playing rugby putting an end to weekends playing sport:( ), the last "proper" photography I did was 9 years ago, so I have been very lucky to get into things this quickly.

I went to a few events locally and put together a portfolio of local sport - concentrating mainly on Hockey and Rugby as they were things that I felt weren't covered very well in the paper, as well as popping in a few other sports shots just to prove that I was, at least, as good as the other photographers.

I put all this togther initially on Photoshelter and then built a website to create a slightly more user friend "front end" (www.phsphotos.co.uk), before firing them across to the picture editor with a "lets meet" email.

A meeting request came and I was very lucky in what I was offered. See the post below on the offer and my thoughts on it at the time:

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2205475&postcount=1

The work I have next Tuesday is on the "for a byline basis" but since it would be my first night-time event for a a long time, I am happy with that on this occasion - I would rather not be under-pressure whilst I learn night-time shooting again!

That said, I have spoken to the picture editors at a daily paper in our area and another in the area of the opposition who have said that they would like to see the pictures and will pay for them if they use them, so assuming I get a couple of decent pics, then it may still be a profitable evening.

Probably I am not the most qualified in here to give tips, however from what I have learnt so far:

Ask lots of questions! There are some exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful people on here, all of whom are happy to help.
Study the local papers, what they tend to use and what sports they do and don't cover. If you have a top grade sport in your area that isn't covered very well then try and tap into that.

Some of the more accomplished togs on here may wish to add their own thoughts/tips, but those are just a starter and what worked for me!

Hope this helps a little bit however and with the post from the other thread, gives an idea of the process I went through to get to where I am now.

Paul

[Nick C.]

Thanks for that reply, Paul. Really appreciate it.

Sport photography is the only sort I would be interested in getting into professionally, so I always like hearing how others got their start.

From the sounds of all the preparation and work you put in to getting the job, you certainly deserve it.
So, once again, congratulations and thankyou for all the good advice. (I'll be watching for your posts in the future :))

[joetothphoto]

Paul,

Congrats!

[nippon24]

Well done Paul! I agree with your comments about the choice of pictures, but there again, picture editors are not necessarily photographers are they? I wish you continued success.
Kenny

[joetothphoto]

Paul, funny you metion about the use of pictures. I am a jounralism student right now and this week we have covered page layout. You would be amazed at all the issues that go into selecting a photo. I think that guys who shoot soley for the papers have a small edge on others because they might go into a shoot knowing that they will need 1 horizontal and 1 vertical shot for the page. Also, the size of stories might contribute to your one awesome pic not running or running small.

I can understand why the second pic ran, it has a quality about it.

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Paul, funny you metion about the use of pictures. I am a jounralism student right now and this week we have covered page layout. You would be amazed at all the issues that go into selecting a photo. I think that guys who shoot soley for the papers have a small edge on others because they might go into a shoot knowing that they will need 1 horizontal and 1 vertical shot for the page. Also, the size of stories might contribute to your one awesome pic not running or running small.

I can understand why the second pic ran, it has a quality about it.

Joe,

Thanks for the comment about the 2nd photo - strangely I didn't like it at first and only submitted it as the team lost to the last hit of the game - that came from a short corner. But its the photo that people have commented on most, was at the hockey yesterday and a number of people were rather complimentary about it.

I agree with you about the guys shooting for the papers too. The lot I am working for ask for uncropped pictures so that it gives the editorial guys the opportunity to crop according to the space on the page.

I think you mentioned a cracking example of strange picture selection the other week - where you had pics of all the goals and celebrations, yet they used pictures of 2 unrelated players?!:confused:

[joetothphoto]

The crops on my pics have loosened up quite a bit, I want to make sure they can get a vert if needed.

[musicmate]

congrats Paul very well done, it does feel great when you get your first shots published, i remember how i felt when the local rag used mine for the first time.

Steve