Photographer Matrix

Contrary to the belief that photography is a never ending learning, I feel the success of a photographer, commercially or socially depends upon two key things his/her Skill and his/ her Networking.

I feel a good photographer will already form a style and peak her skills within first couple of years of shooting. After that, the bases like composition, framing, style will remain almost same, except for ofcourse gear changes and more technological changes.

What will later determine their standing or success is NETWORKING. Be it a chance breakthrough or being at the right place at the right time or publicity skills etc etc. It will determine where is your work going to be see, whom is it going to be seen with, and what opportunities come your way. And thus what will you be able to command from this advantage.

The success of networking over a period of time is so high, that you could continue to ride this wave over a long length of time, even if your skill (as show in the matrix,) has gone down a bit, from not feeling the need to staying abreast with trends or technologies, and also from resting on ones laurels.

If you would agree rarely does a creator fail later in life due to his technique or skill. Once he is accepted for it, his growth is only dictated or hampered by his ability to market, network and behave.

So what are we going to sell our skills or ourselves ?

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Ash