Is age a good gauge for competency?

[allenleonhart]

i am quite curious abt this question.

usually when ur kids ask u why cannot do this why cannot do that, parents usually ans cause i eat salt more than u eat rice.

yet is this really true?:think:

let me set the context so its easier for discussion:

assuming a photographer currently in his teens (lets say 17). he has started shooting from a young tender age of 7, and until now has experience in rangefinders, film slrs, Polaroids, dslrs etc, proficient in photoshop and DI.

vs

an adult of age 30, who has gotten their first dslr from IT show, shoot less than a year.

edited to: which would u hire to shoot photography?

i'm suspecting ppl will be more inclined to the adult due to the age:think: cause personally thats what i'm more inclined to, even though i know that teenager is mroe experienced.

*EDIT*

i am further adding on to this topic. realised it may had already been biased


rank the things most important to u when choosing a photographer

1: age
2: portfolio
3: equipment
4: experience (how long in industry)
5: how big is their company
6: Reputation in industry
7: Integrity of character

 

[kriegsketten]

i am quite curious abt this question.

usually when ur kids ask u why cannot do this why cannot do that, parents usually ans cause i eat salt more than u eat rice.

yet is this really true?:think:

let me set the context so its easier for discussion:

assuming a photographer currently in his teens (lets say 17). he has started shooting from a young tender age of 7, and until now has experience in rangefinders, film slrs, Polaroids, dslrs etc, proficient in photoshop and DI.

vs

an adult of age 30, who has gotten their first dslr from IT show, shoot less than a year.

which would u hire to teach u photography? assuming both can teach.

i'm suspecting ppl will be more inclined to the adult due to the age:think: cause personally thats what i'm more inclined to, even though i know that teenager is mroe experienced.

I think it depends on the interviewer/interviewee... Former: how he/she perceives age and how he/she is impressed by the interviewee. Latter: how he/she projects him/herself.

1) It's ALWAYS best to carry along your portfolio - not just any lamer shots (no matter how large the print maybe) - but those stunning one that will pop the eyes out of the interviewer so that he/she cannot NOT give you a chance. Stunning as in what maybe used / practical shots - not just works of art. As they all say, the proof is in the pudding. All talk no show is pointless. Talk about the images in great detail (if they give you a chance), as proof that you did shoot them and not by others.

2) Attitude: show (enough) confidence in yourself - over confidence (smug attitude) or the lack of is best avoided. Not just for show - the way you talk about the images/yourself is a show of confidence already. (e.g. try not to stammer)

Good luck! ;p

 

[allenleonhart]

I think it depends on the interviewer/interviewee... Former: how he/she perceives age and how he/she is impressed by the interviewee. Latter: how he/she projects him/herself.

1) It's ALWAYS best to carry along your portfolio - not just any lamer shots (no matter how large the print maybe) - but those stunning one that will pop the eyes out of the interviewer so that he/she cannot NOT give you a chance. Stunning as in what maybe used / practical shots - not just works of art. As they all say, the proof is in the pudding. All talk no show is pointless. Talk about the images in great detail (if they give you a chance), as proof that you did shoot them and not by others.

2) Attitude: show (enough) confidence in yourself - over confidence (smug attitude) or the lack of is best avoided. Not just for show - the way you talk about the images/yourself is a show of confidence already. (e.g. try not to stammer)

Good luck! ;p

hmm. good good. i like this one. can use for potential interviewing notes:thumbsup:

 

[snowspeeder]

The older a person is only means they have more experiences in life (also depending on their individual circumstances/situations). It may not necessary mean the person is more competent, more intelligent in terms of IQ or EQ. Gotta look at it on a case by case basis. I've personally come across photographer who have over 20 years of experience, have great technical knowledge and know-how of equipment and techniques; yet when it comes to showing their portfolio it differs greatly. :dunno:

 

[Canonised]

For competency, unfortunately AGE is a good gauge because for a person to be competence in his profession, one has to go through various stages, which include:

1. Personality : naturally talented or willing to learn, maturity, good EQ, reasonable IQ, etc.
2. Experience / Exposure : this is where a lot of people are interested to know about your past, example how you come to be interested in the profession, how many years, etc...
3. Past records : this is where your portfolio of works and awards come in handy
4. Contacts : this is where AGE is critical because one need to build up contacts through time,
5. Luck : one must be in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time.

One perfect example is Zhang Jingna. She is very young, and started not too long ago, and yet she is successful. My assessment is that she is naturally very talented and got very good personality. She worked hard and got a very strong portfolio, and definitely she got good contacts and luck. :think:

So in a way, AGE is a good gauge, but age is also relative.

 

[2evans]

Just because one is skilled at something, doesn't translate directly into if they can teach another person well.

 

[allenleonhart]

Just because one is skilled at something, doesn't translate directly into if they can teach another person well.

read first post: assuming they both can teach well:think:

 

[kohweeloon]

look at their portfolios then

 

[Muckafutha]

age doesnt equate to good skill, neither does experience.
learning is not the same for everyone, some learn fast, some learn slow, some don't learn at all.

 

[allenleonhart]

look at their portfolios then

also a good point. hmm.

yet there seems to be a mentality that older = better:think:

 

[qwerty628]

i am quite curious abt this question.

usually when ur kids ask u why cannot do this why cannot do that, parents usually ans cause i eat salt more than u eat rice.

yet is this really true?:think:

let me set the context so its easier for discussion:

assuming a photographer currently in his teens (lets say 17). he has started shooting from a young tender age of 7, and until now has experience in rangefinders, film slrs, Polaroids, dslrs etc, proficient in photoshop and DI.

vs

an adult of age 30, who has gotten their first dslr from IT show, shoot less than a year.

which would u hire to teach u photography? assuming both can teach.

i'm suspecting ppl will be more inclined to the adult due to the age:think: cause personally thats what i'm more inclined to, even though i know that teenager is mroe experienced.

Hire BOTH

 

[Leong23]

look at their portfolios then

Second that.

So many people i came across reading CS, they talk until got dragon got tiger. But when i see their portfolios, i always want to faint.

 

[ahbian]

assuming a photographer currently in his teens (lets say 17). he has started shooting from a young tender age of 7, and until now has experience in rangefinders, film slrs, Polaroids, dslrs etc, proficient in photoshop and DI.

vs

an adult of age 30, who has gotten their first dslr from IT show, shoot less than a year.

Actually, basing on experience in various gears/years of experience is just as dodgy as basing on age.

As mentioned, it should be the portfolio.

 

[Sion]

So many people i came across reading CS, they talk until got dragon got tiger. But when i see their portfolios, i always want to faint.

That is because you are afraid of the tiger. :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

 

[allenleonhart]

That is because you are afraid of the tiger. :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

o.o u mean ur avatar:think:

 

[Leong23]

That is because you are afraid of the tiger. :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

Some people can link many of their whatever links and I thought got dragon to see, but end up just a can of worms.:bsmilie:

 

[bengchiat]

age doesnt equate to good skill, neither does experience.
learning is not the same for everyone, some learn fast, some learn slow, some don't learn at all.

Second this.

I hv been pressing shutter button since 1980,
still I find my pics lacking,
When I hv both age n experience.
Neither is a good gauge.

 

[Sion]

Some people can link many of their whatever links and I thought got dragon to see, but end up just a can of worms.:bsmilie:

Maybe worms will metamorphose into dragons one day? :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

 

[allenleonhart]

Maybe worms will metamorphose into dragons one day? :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

huh... maybe maybe:think:

 

[marios_pittas]

also a good point. hmm.

yet there seems to be a mentality that older = better:think:

It is said that a photographer's work peaks at a certain age.. personally, I would consider life's experience important in any job, but there can be so many factors. Now, if all is equal, the 17 year old would be a cheaper hire (since he does not have a family to support), while the 40 year old would be a more expensive hire but with more life's experience.

So, if I was short of money and trying to fill a post, I would hire the 17 year old, if money not an issue, then I would hire the 40 year old!