Mentors....

I was wondering. When it comes to mentors in the world of photography, does one ask for mentorship, or wait to see if a seasoned photographer, asks you?

You know, in these day and age and with the decline of the photography industry as a business enterprise, I am not sure if any seasoned pros would be too eager to mentor anyone. That would just create more competitions. Hehehehe....just saying. I think you should seek out colleagues and to learn from each others. Most of the time, try some self teaching..... Hey, that's just me.

I have a feeling you would have a very difficult time finding someone to mentor you for free. I would suggest looking into workshops, etc.

I've learned a ton from the good people on POTN and even a pro that has a tv show. I find photographers to be open and willing to help a fellow photographer.

Larry Johnson wrote in post #17728240
I've learned a ton from the good people on POTN and even a pro that has a tv show. I find photographers to be open and willing to help a fellow photographer.

I can ABSOLUTELY agree with this. I heard mentor and immediately thought of in person and not on the internet. I guess it really depends on what you're looking to get out of it. If you're looking for basics of photography you could probably find someone local to you to help you out. If you're looking for someone to show you the ins and outs of the business you may have a more difficult time.

I suggest asking but, before that, do some thinking on your potential usefulness to the pro.

You might, for example, offer chauffeur services to a press shooter or equipment schlepping to a wedding photographer -- whatever it takes to match what you are willing to give to what the professional might want.

I have had two mentors in my photography, both of whom I met through camera clubs. One was a professional photographer (mainly architecture) that had clients well into his 80's, the other a very good amateur, mainly shooting studio and still life.

Both of these guys were more than happy to share their knowledge and experience.

Sadly both have now passed on.

I'm sure most would be happy to give their advice and experience free of charge in return for having someone to lug the stuff around, drive, clean, charge batteries, set up lights etc, the issue is training up potential competition, so, remove that element. Do you know anyone a few hundred miles away, friend or relative, offer to assist a photographer in that area for a month, and just move in with your friend/family. You learn, he gets help, no downsides

welshwizard1971 wrote in post #17732509
I'm sure most would be happy to give their advice and experience free of charge in return for having someone to lug the stuff around, drive, clean, charge batteries, set up lights etc, the issue is training up potential competition, so, remove that element. Do you know anyone a few hundred miles away, friend or relative, offer to assist a photographer in that area for a month, and just move in with your friend/family. You learn, he gets help, no downsides

The problem with this mentality is that there is little future in photography as "a well to do" business model. So, you are going to sacrifice your dignity and maybe your humanity so that the pros would teach you a few things or two...and not knowing you would ever make a living by being a photographer. No thanks.... I can make more money and not having to sacrifice my dignity and humanity by doing something else with my life. Is nice you can make some money in photography.

How is having a mentor sacrificing your dignity or humanity?

Depends if the mentor is an a--hole or not???? Hehehehehe.... Remember that there are a lot of moral constellations behind the word photographers or pros. By virtual of being a seasoned pro or an established photographer, it does not imply if such individuals are an upstanding person with a fair mind.

Well that's just life though isn't it, it has no bearing on you as a person, if they're an a'hole then they're an a'hole, not you. Mentoring is how the finest crafts have been passed down the generations, get a good mentor and the learning curve will be extraordinary.

Heya,

Photography is not unlike any other hobby or professions. It has it's share of people who are very giving and enthusiastic and are happy to gab on and show and give to others. And it has it's share of people who would rather snub you or consider you potential competition or carry some elitism. Nature of any beast really.

Most of us got into this because of someone else.

Seek out a photography club, or look for events and meets near where you live. Or get another friend or relative into it and go on shoots. You don't necessarily need a professional to show you the ropes. You can learn tons just by being open minded, read a lot of info around here, explore, and learn the camera and learn exposure and become a photographer.

I'm no professional, but when people ask me about photography I pretty much give them a dSLR and a lens and get them shooting. If it sticks, great. If not, I give the camera to the next one. I keep lots of cheap dSLR's around when I see a deal (10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, XS, XT, XSi, and lenses like 18-55's and 40 STM's or 50 primes, anything cheap and useful, now with Yongnuo 50 F1.8's it's even cheaper at $50).

Very best,

welshwizard1971 wrote in post #17732509
I'm sure most would be happy to give their advice and experience free of charge in return for having someone to lug the stuff around, drive, clean, charge batteries, set up lights etc

Any photographers worth their salt will hire an assistant if they need one, and someone who is there to do a job and not be taught every other second. There is a huge downside. Having to train someone takes time away from what you need to be doing as a business. There is no benefit to me as a business owner to train someone for free, which is why if someone wants mentoring they pay for the mentoring.

Also when someone is prepared to pay for their tuition they are invariably far more committed to learning than someone trying to get a free ride.

So you're a tutor, not a mentor, great if that works for you or your clients, not a model that works for people who can't afford to pay for a tutor, or photographers who can't afford to pay for an assistant, or people who gain more satisfaction from philanthropic motivation than financial motivation ( God, what a great position that must be to be in!! ). Besides, you are getting paid, with their labour, their endeavour, that's a job of work, and they're providing it for free.

Be it an assistant or a student, if you're not 'teaching them every second', how would either know what you want them to do? Surely they're being treated the same, the only difference is their reason for being there, I'd hate to have an assistant who wasn't eager and interested in what I was doing, this is a creative process not making paper clips, they should be engaged and interested. And isn't it better to have someone working for you for free, rather than you having to pay for one??

As for people paying being more serious than people getting it for free, well, I'd agree with that on dating websites, but for every example you can provide to support that argument in this context, I'm sure there's another one to counter it.