photography question?

[Roseamenelle]

so here it is, i wanted to ask if people do photography commissions like either sl  or irl wise, cause i was planning to and wanted to know if it would be ok? i mean im still new to sl photography but i am really good with nature photography or i can do food photography, so feel free to comment or im meh :3

Edited June 26, 2020 by Roseamenelle

[takemasaa]

Just to give my two cents with the experience I have..

Photography commissions absolutely exist within SL, but from what I've seen, the most popular style is an artistic style for profile pics/avatar shots, which is drawn or painted over in an editing or art program. This not only requires experience in the program of choice, but also with color theory and digital art/painting, using proper windlights, camera angles, etc. There's definitely other styles out there, which could be done almost entirely inside SL with a little bit of photoshop, but still requires skill with editing and windlight choice. Green-screening can be a huge pain (It certainly has been for me, even with anti-aliasing) but the alternative is paying for back drops.

There are also commissions revolving around events, such as weddings, but these also require experience - and most people will only hire someone who is experienced for this (or a photographer who comes bundled in a wedding package provided by a wedding planner. Getting hired by a marriage company is pretty difficult for photography due to portfolio and experience requirements.)

I worked in-game for a photography studio as a sales rep for a very long time, and the hiring requirements for photographers were super high. I even spent some time working on artistic portraits. I worked IRL with a real professional photography studio for about a year doing the editing myself while assisting my boss who took the photos for clients, so I have a bit of experience in both.

People are pretty unlikely to pay for mediocre work... which isn't a bad thing - almost all beginners are fairly mediocre at first. SL photography is very different from RL photography, although things like editing in PS, good lighting, and color theory remain the same. Also... food and nature photography is absolutely beautiful and requires its own set of skills - but portrait photography is much, much different and would require learning a new skill set (going off what you already have, of course)

What I suggest is doing some free, or cheap, work to build a portfolio and practice. Practicing is vital here and few people will even consider a photographer or editor without a portfolio (Just as people here are unlikely to hire a manager with no experience, or unlikely to hire a freebie newb avatar for an escort club.) You could even just try taking photos of your own avatar or your friends and work on them and experiment, that's what I did.

Keep in mind that most photographers who do commissions in SL have spent years doing this, building up giant portfolios and increasing their skill level significantly over time. It's unrealistic to think that as a beginner, one could jump into the commission business unless it's a "SL photography prodigy" situation. And keep in mind it should be done because it's fun or interesting to you, not just to make some money off commissions - it'll ultimately make you miserable... I've been there in other situations.

[Roseamenelle]

9 minutes ago, takemasaa said:

Just to give my two cents with the experience I have..

Photography commissions absolutely exist within SL, but from what I've seen, the most popular style is an artistic style for profile pics/avatar shots, which is drawn or painted over in an editing or art program. This not only requires experience in the program of choice, but also with color theory and digital art/painting, using proper windlights, camera angles, etc. There's definitely other styles out there, which could be done almost entirely inside SL with a little bit of photoshop, but still requires skill with editing and windlight choice. Green-screening can be a huge pain (It certainly has been for me, even with anti-aliasing) but the alternative is paying for back drops.

There are also commissions revolving around events, such as weddings, but these also require experience - and most people will only hire someone who is experienced for this (or a photographer who comes bundled in a wedding package provided by a wedding planner. Getting hired by a marriage company is pretty difficult for photography due to portfolio and experience requirements.)

I worked in-game for a photography studio as a sales rep for a very long time, and the hiring requirements for photographers were super high. I even spent some time working on artistic portraits. I worked IRL with a real professional photography studio for about a year doing the editing myself while assisting my boss who took the photos for clients, so I have a bit of experience in both.

People are pretty unlikely to pay for mediocre work... which isn't a bad thing - almost all beginners are fairly mediocre at first. SL photography is very different from RL photography, although things like editing in PS, good lighting, and color theory remain the same. Also... food and nature photography is absolutely beautiful and requires its own set of skills - but portrait photography is much, much different and would require learning a new skill set (going off what you already have, of course)

What I suggest is doing some free, or cheap, work to build a portfolio and practice. Practicing is vital here and few people will even consider a photographer or editor without a portfolio (Just as people here are unlikely to hire a manager with no experience, or unlikely to hire a freebie newb avatar for an escort club.) You could even just try taking photos of your own avatar or your friends and work on them and experiment, that's what I did.

Keep in mind that most photographers who do commissions in SL have spent years doing this, building up giant portfolios and increasing their skill level significantly over time. It's unrealistic to think that as a beginner, one could jump into the commission business unless it's a "SL photography prodigy" situation. And keep in mind it should be done because it's fun or interesting to you, not just to make some money off commissions - it'll ultimately make you miserable... I've been there in other situations.

im mostly new to sl photography but im more experienced in rl photography like nature and some food photography , here is one example 

Edited June 26, 2020 by Roseamenelle

[sandi Mexicola]

wow, ok, i was just gonna say "yes" lol

[Roseamenelle]

1 minute ago, sandi Mexicola said:

wow, ok, i was just gonna say "yes" lol

lol, whats the wow for?

 

[takemasaa]

4 minutes ago, sandi Mexicola said:

wow, ok, i was just gonna say "yes" lol

 

Me and my little chatterbox fingers!! >.< Figured I'd give some advice if OP is genuinely interested in exploring SL photography (and commissions) haha.

 

13 minutes ago, Roseamenelle said:

im mostly new to sl photography but im more experienced in rl photography like nature and some food photography , here is one example 

 

Removed the pic from my quote not to fill the thread too much

I think it looks quite nice - not sure if it's compression or the camera you're using, but the quality isn't top-notch (this isn't really in your control unless it's a filter choice, which is totally understandble. If not, it might be compression, might be the camera's settings, lens, or the camera itself). Luckily SL will render photos in highest quality especially when saved in a very high file size. The focus on the flowers is very pretty and the colors go well together. What I am noticing is that it doesn't appear there's been any editing done on it such as color adjustment. Little things like that can help a picture really shine and bring out some beautiful details. Some fiddling with photoshop can improve pictures like that - but it's a very good start as a base!

But as I said, SL and portrait photography are whole new skill-sets to learn, and beginners can rarely make money right away. Go out there and take some nice pictures if your PC allows for it! Maybe try out an editing program to play around with small adjustments, filters, etc (Photoshop costs money, and I'm not going to suggest pirating - but there's several free websites and programs that allow for tiny adjustments.) Practice and experience will get you where you want to be. It certainly has a learning curve and does require a little talent but I think anyone can learn SL, or RL photography if they try their best.

Edited June 26, 2020 by takemasaa

[sandi Mexicola]

Well, your answer was so detailed and helpful!  And mine, well, much lazier! hahahah! 

[Roseamenelle]

i use gimp for fixing my photos currently

@takemasaa

[sandi Mexicola]

ah dang, u beat me to it, but yah, was gonna suggest GIMP.  

I been sl photographer for over a decade... still not good enough to make money at it, lol!

[Jackson Redstar]

Everybody does photography in SL it seems and a ton of super talented people. You can charge what people are willing to pay! If you offer somthing super nice, or unique or awesome or whatever.... but to make money on a consistiant  level with SL photography a specialty field could be really helpful, like Wedding, Maternity, Family, etc.. One thing is don't under sell your self ... SL is full of cheapstakes and tightwads, but if you offer good high quality work and you know it - set your price and don't let people convince you to basically work for free

[Chic Aeon]

Along with the detailed answers that I agree with, I suggest setting up a little studio  FOR FUN. It can cost very little with small shops for 100 linden a week. See how it goes and if you enjoy it.  I have in the past done photography for money (studio and magazine) and while interesting I enjoy just taking shots for myself much more.   Lots of photographers (good ones) charge 250 for a profile picture. That's a US dollar more or less so you aren't going to get rich by any means. 

 

You might have a better experience joining an artist group. Kultivate has open exhibits often and that would be a good place to show your work maybe :D.