Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers.

Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers.

by Zack Arias
Released June 2013
Publisher(s): New Riders
ISBN: 9780133434644

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Book description

For years, editorial and commercial photographer Zack Arias has been a respected and trusted voice in the photography industry. Known for his photography, his teaching, and his ability to connect with photographers, Zack has long had an “open door” approach to discussing his career–the ups and the downs–and in so doing has provided a straightforward and candid look inside the industry. By consistently showing great work and offering helpful advice, he has built a large, loyal readership that looks to him for guidance in navigating the currents of a difficult and dynamic industry. Now, Zack finds yet another way to cut through the noise and offer truly valuable information to those struggling to make their way through the twists and turns of an ever-changing landscape.

In Photography Q&A, Zack answers over 100 questions that he fielded directly from the public. These are questions that range across all aspects of the photo industry: gear, marketing, street photography, vision, pricing, branding, light, models, work/life balance, technical advice, and much more. From how to “put yourself out there” and start to get jobs, to how to get paid for those jobs when the client is slow to cut the check–and everything in between– Photography Q&A answers many of the pressing questions that photographers are asking, but until now have not been addressed. The book also includes intermittent “Visual Intermission” sections–where Zack discusses  individual images that were milestones in his development as a photographer–as well as worksheets on topics such as pricing and costs that help photographers to “know their numbers.”

With all this material, and with insightful, honest answers that come straight from Zack’s experience as a photographer who has seen it all (or at least a lot of it), Photography Q&A is an essential resource for any photographer looking for the real answers to the real questions in the industry today.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication Page
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Contents
  6. Foreword
  7. Introduction
  8. 1–10
    1. Zack is a cynical bastard.
    2. Feeling like a farce and a phony.
    3. Exposure drills.
    4. Which softbox—28″ or 50″?
    5. Quality of light between two lights and one box.
    6. Who’s got the nicest glASS?
    7. Rebels need not apply.
    8. Finding portrait subjects.
    9. Good days and bad days.
    10. Difference between the genres.
  9. 11–20
    1. Is there always a photo to be made?
    2. Seamless in a small room.
    3. Film camera for sports.
    4. Save and buy once.
    5. Till dust do us part.
    6. Best place for critique.
    7. Best piece of gear under $100.
    8. Photography competitions.
    9. Not enough hours in the day.
    10. How important is post-processing?
  10. 21–30
    1. Full frame vs. crop factor.
    2. Taking photos is 10%.
    3. Talk to strangers, kids!
    4. Previsualization and directing subjects.
    5. Lightroom vs. Aperture.
    6. Lord help him. He’s working at Goodwill.
    7. UV filters are trash.
    8. Asking about a street photo.
    9. Style over substance.
    10. Shootin’ nekkid girls.
  11. 31–40
    1. Cheap eBay lights.
    2. OneLight for life.
    3. All lenses are not created equal.
    4. Trade shows.
    5. Résumés for photographers.
    6. Things I’ve learned while learning others.
    7. Gear lust.
    8. My shit ain’t sharp.
    9. Low light blues.
    10. Blowin’ up some photos!
  12. 41–50
    1. Asking strangers for photos.
    2. Stock or purge?
    3. Nudes, Bar Mitzvahs, and WTF.
    4. How do I sell stuff that people don’t buy?
    5. Don’t build a following.
    6. Going to school for photography.
    7. Assisting and 2nd shooting.
    8. Comparing yourself to others.
    9. Noise reduction. Not elimination.
    10. Drinking with friends.
  13. 51–60
    1. Small town fashionista.
    2. Follow footballers foodchain.
    3. The goal of personal projects.
    4. Feeling confident enough to start selling.
    5. How do you charge a band?
    6. Gettin’ paid in Cincinnati.
    7. Salon owner seeks slavery.
    8. Setting prices. The primer.
    9. Why grid a softbox?
    10. Artist’s statements and the innocence of trees.
  14. 61–70
    1. Comparing PCB strobes.
    2. Ain’t no money in live music.
    3. Kidnapped & Dumped. How to start.
    4. Band, label, or manager directing the shoot?
    5. Waves of anxiety.
    6. The Catch 22. Job or jump?
    7. How photography can kill your relationships.
    8. Underpriced and working.
    9. Posting pricing on your web site.
    10. Finding your style.
  15. 71–80
    1. Packing gear.
    2. Lenses and LEDs.
    3. A company by any other name.
    4. Mixing work on web sites or splitting them.
    5. Marketing and self-promotion.
    6. Logos. To pay or not to pay.
    7. What is a successful photographer?
    8. Rare times I use Aperture Priority.
    9. Cropping & Blurring.
    10. Beyond the bridal booth.
  16. 81–90
    1. Giving the files away.
    2. Giving the RAW files away.
    3. Questions to ask when making a bid.
    4. Which of your children do you love more? Portfolios.
    5. Genre jumping.
    6. What an art buyer wants to see in your book.
    7. Great photographers you should know.
    8. Videos of girls putting make-up on.
    9. Great excuses for my crappy web galleries.
    10. Using a light meter. Know your shit.
  17. 91–100
    1. Delivering images you hate.
    2. Basic checklist for permanent studio space.
    3. Using a studio to your benefit.
    4. ’merica!
    5. What keeps me alive on the streets.
    6. He shoots with Sony. Hahahahaha!
    7. Slow-paying clients.
    8. When to charge for licensing usage.
    9. Can’t get no credit.
    10. Learning to sell. Hold this book.
  18. 101–106
    1. Gear porn.
    2. Cards & Battery system.
    3. Do as I say. Not as I do.
    4. Personal Personal Projects.
    5. One day you’re great. The next, you’re a hack.
    6. Putting the camera down forever.
  19. Worksheets
    1. Gear Check
    2. Monthly Cost of Doing Business
    3. My Perfect Wedding / Portrait Client
    4. I Want to Shoot for ______________________ Magazine
    5. I Want to Work for ______________________ Company/Brand
  20. Index

Product information

  • Title: Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers.
  • Author(s): Zack Arias
  • Release date: June 2013
  • Publisher(s): New Riders
  • ISBN: 9780133434644