RE: How to expand portfolio

[DemonicAngelz]

To be honest, I look upon Photography as a way of killing time and mainly as a hobby. I've started taking photos since I was a way young as a kid all the way through my school days. I would think that I am technically competent to take a decent photo.

However, I have a problem with my coming up with a decent portfolio to show my work. Firstly, I'm a perfectionist. If something is "not good", straight it goes into the recycle bin. Secondly, my Seagate 7200.10 320GB hard disk just failed on me, and there goes 80% of all my photos, with the other 20% in print when I was using a SLR film camera 9 years back. Most of the prints are yellowed with age anyways.

After entering the army, I now have some free time to concentrate on photography and improving my skill. Hence, I am looking for opportunities to shoot as well. When I was still schooling, I could help out with shooting school events and such, but now I am finding difficulty finding opportunities to shoot.

Starting this thread, I would like to create a source for photographers to share upon how they can expand their own portfolios. Starting with a few suggestions, I would like to hear from you guys how did or will you expand your own portfolios.

• Time for CD [TFCD] shoots
• Organised photoshoots
• Drag friends out
• Work as part time assistant photographer
• Work as freelance photographer

 

[Jed]

• Time for CD [TFCD] shoots
• Organised photoshoots
• Drag friends out
• Work as part time assistant photographer
• Work as freelance photographer

There are plenty of things you can do; anything that you (legally) photograph could go into your portfolio.

From your list, points 1 to 3 seem to relate to shooting people, which seems to be what you're aiming at. I guess the situation is a bit different in Singapore from what I've gathered on CS, but I've only just (silly me, eh?) started to do some TF stuff and it's pretty easy to find people to TF with in the UK. It is helpful, but not essential, that you have a good portfolio to show people, but obviously that's the problem you're facing. But like you there will be other people starting out that want pics of themselves, and in this situation, a competent portfolio in other areas of photography will help - and other areas you can do without people ie landscapes, wildlife, etc.

Assistant work is hard to come by in Sg from what I've gathered. And working to build your portfolio... well theoretically you should hopefully need a portfolio to get work, so that's not very good. Nor is it responsible, unless the client is aware that you're... erm, learning on the job, so to speak.

Just shoot a lot, on your own, when you can. If you take good pictures, it'll translate across mediums.

 

[DemonicAngelz]

There are plenty of things you can do; anything that you (legally) photograph could go into your portfolio.

From your list, points 1 to 3 seem to relate to shooting people, which seems to be what you're aiming at. I guess the situation is a bit different in Singapore from what I've gathered on CS, but I've only just (silly me, eh?) started to do some TF stuff and it's pretty easy to find people to TF with in the UK. It is helpful, but not essential, that you have a good portfolio to show people, but obviously that's the problem you're facing. But like you there will be other people starting out that want pics of themselves, and in this situation, a competent portfolio in other areas of photography will help - and other areas you can do without people ie landscapes, wildlife, etc.

Assistant work is hard to come by in Sg from what I've gathered. And working to build your portfolio... well theoretically you should hopefully need a portfolio to get work, so that's not very good. Nor is it responsible, unless the client is aware that you're... erm, learning on the job, so to speak.

Just shoot a lot, on your own, when you can. If you take good pictures, it'll translate across mediums.

Ok so the good news I've gathered gathered from you is that I'd have a easier time when I go to England in Oct then :sweatsm:

Glad you understand the vicious cycle happening here.

 

[Jed]

I don't know I do necessarily. If you mean getting into the industry is hard; that's true everywhere.

I think the trouble with TF in Singapore is there are not many models or aspiring models; the demand isn't that high and most tend to be agency represented. I think as a general rule Singaporeans also tend to be less extroverted and less inclined to feel comfortable in front of the camera; I have an impression that a not insignficant percentage of the modelling population in the UK really just want nice pictures of themselves - and there's nothing wrong with that either.

The rates for group shoots in Singapore seems to be high, sometimes even compared to solo rates over here.

 

[DemonicAngelz]

I don't know I do necessarily. If you mean getting into the industry is hard; that's true everywhere.

I think the trouble with TF in Singapore is there are not many models or aspiring models; the demand isn't that high and most tend to be agency represented. I think as a general rule Singaporeans also tend to be less extroverted and less inclined to feel comfortable in front of the camera; I have an impression that a not insignficant percentage of the modelling population in the UK really just want nice pictures of themselves - and there's nothing wrong with that either.

The rates for group shoots in Singapore seems to be high, sometimes even compared to solo rates over here.

Yea, one thing I do not see doing is spending $50 or even $100 just to shoot amateur models.

 

[Jed]

Yea, one thing I do not see doing is spending $50 or even $100 just to shoot amateur models.

Well, amateur is one thing (although if you're paying them then I suppose that makes them at least semi-pro, but I know what you mean), but as part of a group shot is the killer. 2 hours with a group of 6 people = no time for you specifically, without someone else grabbing their attention.

You can hire someone for two hours over here for that sort of money, and you have their full attention for two hours. But like I said, plenty of TF available here as well.