I want to come to the USA, please help me!

[Vineet666]

Hi guys,

I'm a young Photographer from New Delhi India, mostly self taught, been learning a great deal from this forum for sometime and have been undertaking various assignments including corporate, fashion, rock bands etc. I was considering going to a Photography school in the USA all this while, had a long conversation with the Head of Admissions, Brooks Institute of Photography and found out the fees to be overtly expensive, hence decided not to enroll myself. I do not want to spend thousands of dollars in a school, and keep paying the loans for many years to come. I spent my savings and attended some workshops instead (recent one in Dubai, where I took lessons from Joe Mcnally, David Hobby and Zack Arias)

I have been working very hard, pushing myself to the extremes and shooting a great deal lately, but now feel a need to work with a bigger organization and surround myself with like minded creative individuals in order to take my skills to the next level. I am considering some internship programs in the US, but most of them require you to be part of a college program. The only options I could think of is to assist a renowned photographer, or get a fellowship from an organization or institute, where I can come there for a few months and network with people in the Photography industry.

Please take out some time to go through some images I took last week, from the Kumb Mela, the biggest religious gathering in this part of the world:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vineetmodi/sets/72157623653004805/

And some of my other work on my website:

www.vineetmodi.com

I would be grateful if you could let me know.

1. Am I good enough, i.e. is my work promising enough to show some institutes, organizations etc to start approaching them for fellowships?

2. What are the institutes/organizations/programs I could explore? It can be in Photojournalism, with an Advertising or Stock agency, college program.. anything. I have spent hours on the internet, and not found one good program, where they call Photographers from outside the US for a few months, give them some sort of training and networking opportunities. If you know of something like this, PLEASE post a link or send me an email at vineet[at]vineetmodi.com

Thanks!

[jeptranport]

Vineet
I can't think of or recommend any internships as the digital revolution has birthed many people like yourself..Sorry
I will say I did look at your portfolio and believe you have natural talent.
Good stuff
Regards

[Vineet666]

:-(

[Marius B]

Hey Vineet
Great images, India looks so amazing and exotic to me, specially the people. Focus on what you can do and not what you cant :) You have an amazing Location and subjects where you are now, and I would think that it would be easier for you to "make it" from India as one of few photographers rather than one of many in USA. Keeep shooting, be creative and use the internet to get inspiration and learn from all the other great photographers sharing. Stay focused and have patience, and you will get wherever you want.

Keep working on your website and keepselling your pictures. Your website locked itself, so I havent checked it out yet. But your pictures on Flickr looks great.

[NeoSoulPhoto]

Hey Vineet
Great images, India looks so amazing and exotic to me, specially the people. Focus on what you can do and not what you cant :) You have an amazing Location and subjects where you are now, and I would think that it would be easier for you to "make it" from India as one of few photographers rather than one of many in USA. Keeep shooting, be creative and use the internet to get inspiration and learn from all the other great photographers sharing. Stay focused and have patience, and you will get wherever you want.

Keep working on your website and keepselling your pictures. Your website locked itself, so I havent checked it out yet. But your pictures on Flickr looks great.

I agree. Your pictures look great. just learn how to market yourself and keep learning your craft and you should be good.

[Park Street]

Why don't you approach one of the fine Indian photographers like Raghu Rai to assist instead of coming here? India is booming compared to the US right now and Raghu is one of the best photojournalists in the world and a member of Magnum if that is the direction of the work you wish to pursue. I'm sure there are many other fine Indian photographers you could approach. I just happened to have met Raghu and we share a good friend.

BTW your work is quite good IMO.

[Vineet666]

Thanks for your appreciation guys, it means a lot!

Marius: I know what you're saying, and that is exactly what I have been doing, pushing myself as much as I can, learning from all the resources on the internet, reading forums, buying DVD's, working really hard and improving my skills as much as possible. But I do feel strongly at times, that I don't know whom to ask for feedback, feel scared of how the future will shape, with no 'peers' I can look upto for motivation. There are lots of subjects to shoot here, yes, but I need to make real friends in the industry, share ideas and work at the fullest of my capabilities..

Park: Thanks for your suggestions. Yes, I can work with someone like Raghu Rai, but you know he must be approached by hundreds of Photographers everyday, who are willing to work for him. Not an excuse to not approach the likes of him, but I've been here 25 years of my life, and really feel the need to go out and look at things from a different perspective. Once I spend a few months with a bigger organization, I can always come back to India and explore my options here, or start something of my own, where I have a better hand at what I'll be doing... I did assist some 'renowned' Photographers here in Delhi, but was SO demoralized with their traditional approach to things and an industry full of jerks, that I decided to shoot on my own... The portfolio I've built so far is really my own hard work, no help from anyone whatsoever.

I'm also considering alternative career options, like a film school degree which can be combined with an MBA (like in NYU).. I have a background in Television production, and have experience of running my own business, so maybe that can be one way to go. Honestly, I love Photography and am passionate enough to learn the craft on my own, so don't feel the need of going to a Photography school. I just need the right guidance and support in terms of networks.

[MotoXPunk481]

What you're attempting to achieve is a huge step and I believe you may be trying to attack it too directly. Step back from your end-goal and break down what you want to accomplish into smaller segments. Your work is good, but many a talented artist have failed because they get too overwhelmed with the business of finding success.

I see where you believe you might as well come to the States to start fresh and build your portfolio where you plan to establish yourself, but perhaps you should plant your feet firmly on the ground within your trade before tackling something as large as what you're attempting.

You do seem to have a strong motivation. That will take you a LONG way!

[Vineet666]

What you're attempting to achieve is a huge step and I believe you may be trying to attack it too directly. Step back from your end-goal and break down what you want to accomplish into smaller segments. Your work is good, but many a talented artist have failed because they get too overwhelmed with the business of finding success.

I see where you believe you might as well come to the States to start fresh and build your portfolio where you plan to establish yourself, but perhaps you should plant your feet firmly on the ground within your trade before tackling something as large as what you're attempting.

You do seem to have a strong motivation. That will take you a LONG way!

Thanks for your valuable advice. I've decided to explore some options here, hoping they give me valuable learning until something concrete comes my way :)

[T2000]

"I am considering some internship programs in the US, but most of them require you to be part of a college program. "

There are very few circumstance under which an internship outside of an educational institution is legal in the United States. And I'm pleased to report that many states (and the federal government) are starting to crack down.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html?pagewanted=1

[HappySnapper90]

Yes, get a degree in business marketing like Shaqille O'Neil did. And work on your creative ability on the side.

[Shenanigans]

Vineet, you're not likely to find the program that you described in your post. There are many other ways to visit the US legally, so I recommend that you broaden your opportunity search to include tourist and student visas.

[Vineet666]

Vineet, you're not likely to find the program that you described in your post. There are many other ways to visit the US legally, so I recommend that you broaden your opportunity search to include tourist and student visas.

Yea, that's what I'm planning to do now. Save some money here, attend some workshops in the US and polish my skills. Hopefully things will fall into place.