WHY DO WE NEED TO CONTINUOUSLY LEARN PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY ? / AERIAL FOOTAGE FROM BULGARIA

If you're one of those people who imagines your life taking pictures with phone in hand of prospective clients just, please stop reading this story! Why with a phone? Because it's not professional. Go on vacation with the family and snap as many thousands of meaningless photos as you want.

Cheers!

The biggest problem in the photography profession is that everyone "takes pictures". He doesn't know what an aperture is, but he presses the button and shouts:

Very cool, very cool, praise!

What's cool, you illiterate man?! Here now I will explain the most common reason why such people are called photographers... Life has brought together an ordinary person in a working environment with a photographer. The average person realizes what a cool profession a photographer has. He travels, photographs cool girls and tough guys and enjoys photography. This is visible from above. Days or months pass. The common man starts emulating the photographer in the most inept way by taking out a loan or borrowing money from his family for the latest model camera no matter the model. He puts it around his neck and goes to "shoot" some cool place. Then the problems start...

Ouch, why is the picture so light or dark. Why doesn't it look like the photographer's? Stupid, I must have screwed up with the apparatus. I had to buy the other model!

Do you realize how absurd all this is? It is a great pity that a very large part of the competition of photographers are just such ordinary people, because there are so many of them that the client no longer has an eye for real photography...

** THE UGLY TRUTH!**

I confess that at the beginning I was the same. Before I bought my first camera I started shooting with a late model phone. The company had just launched a global marketing for mobile photography, which then influenced me. Luckily for me, this snap only took two weeks. I realized very quickly that the phone had nothing to do with photography. Then I started to EDUCATE myself. I watched all of my favorite photographer's videos and a few hundred more for beginning photography. I did some research on what the first device should be and found just the one - cheap and sturdy!

After a year of wandering, I realized again that I can't impose my own style with the internet alone, because I copy that of others. Then I enrolled in a photography course, which I completed with distinction. The first six in my life. Well, it's cool to know what you want, huh?
After another year, I found that cinematography was my thing. In short - my footage should have a film element. Here came the next problem... In my country - Bulgaria, nobody shoots like that. Now, besides having to establish myself as an artist, I also had to promote this style. Another year passed. Fortunately, people recognize me. I have reached my goal!

Folks, I say this to you as the best spinner: KNOWING BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES, LIGHT SCHEMES AND COLOR MIXING IS JUST THE BEGINNING. Photography is an adventure of a lifetime. For two years I photographed birthdays, weddings, christenings, sessions and all sorts of banal things until one day subconsciously tired of being one of many despite a cinema visit I sat on the sofa next to my wife and asked her - WHY THE HELL ARE PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOS?!
The sweetheart gave me a strange look and said she thought she retained some memories. Okay, but my opossum so far says otherwise. During a session I tell what to do, in the ritual hall the woman who leads the ceremony, in the church the pope and so on...

It turned out that for four years I had walked down a well-trodden path without giving any real emotion to my clients. You see how long learning, life mistakes and conclusions... After the conversation, my wife and I had dinner, and I stayed up all night. In the morning I already knew what I wanted to do and build. I made a promise to myself before we ever went into the field for photos to communicate at length with people to understand their emotions, dreams and desires. I named this whole thing:

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPH STORIES "WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU?!"

I was definitely feeling satisfaction this morning. However, after the second coffee, I ran into another wall... How can I briefly explain what I mean?
There is a comprehensive explanation on my site, but no one will read a long text on social networks. So I made brochures and some stories with my acquaintances. The whole theme is very simple. You write me your favorite things, food and people, and I prepare scripts, which, if approved, we execute in the field.
FOR EXAMPLE: If you work as a cleaner but love football, foodies and your grandmother, the theme of your story will include these three components.

This way I build a very emotional connection and get to know my clients long before I photograph them. And the shooting itself often happens on their territory or home, where they are calm. I am bothering you with all this because I want to save your time. I wasted 5 years in wandering, searching and self-discovery. Yes, maybe that's the price of being different in a world where everyone is a photographer first, but I did it. You can too! Just learn to think and practice your style.

What is the benefit to my clients? Well the answer to my question is very simple - They reveal themselves to themselves through these pictures. Why should they wander around studios with different backgrounds or make them smile like drunken monkeys?!
In my opinion, this themed session is even better than an ordinary, banal wedding. I've talked to a lot of newlyweds and they all say they couldn't wait to get their weddings over with because they were just sick of being dragged back and forth. If you want a really beautiful wedding, then the solution is an outsourced ritual. Then I can come shoot!✌️😁

If you're still reading, then I've managed to get you thinking, for which I really thank you! Don't procrastinate and don't listen to everyone around you who says how photographers can make a living! Yes, they are right, but if you enroll to study marketing or come up with a great idea, you will succeed. Understand that the world has changed. Nothing is the same anymore and unfortunately it is going for the worse. Oversaturation is felt quite a lot.
If you like to take portraits, immediately call a girl and go take pictures! If you love nature, run in the forest or on the beach! Always looking for interesting topics to tell through your photos. If you like Bulgaria or want me to hold your hand and help build your career, write to me. I organize educational photography trips in our small but uniquely beautiful country!

The shots you see are from Belogradchiski rocks and "Kaleto" fortress. In my opinion, this is the most interesting Bulgarian place. Ah, I forgot to explain how I got into aerial photography… Well, I just like to shoot from different points of view, and because I always forgot my ladder, I decided to buy a drone. Very nice toy, indeed! You can see a video from the place HERE!
I haven't cracked it yet and I'm not a very good pro, but I'm starting to realize an idea soon. I think it will be very cool!

Look, I totally understand the fear of failure before you decide to get serious about photography. Until a year ago, I worked in a 24/7 liquor and cigarette store to earn enough money. Still, there is a toddler who already eats as much as I do. My wife and I have had some very difficult times. At one time he hated me for not changing and going out with some girls for photography, but at some point he realized that this is me and without photography there is simply nothing for me to do. He didn't want me to get drunk and became an angry uncle and supported me. So I am very grateful to her!

Write in the comments what you think about all this and whether you plan to devote time to photography training?

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS STORY!

I took the footage with a DJI mini 2 drone

FREEDOM IS ACTION AND A WAY OF THINKING…

www.mestanophotography.com