The foundation was the megaflopel-pixel wars between the cameras and of course software that makes every 10 fingered person a Professional photographer. Then everyone jumped one boards, the PS guys, plug-ins, etc… I love the example above of the runway models…..

I’ve Titled this “The Great Light Hype”

But I draw the line at “portfolio reviews” and marketing gurus – in fact any kind of ‘guru’ at all.

It so much reminds me of the modeling industry where ‘agents’ will all come to the part… er, “Talent Shows” and see hopeful young girls who’s daddy’s took a second loan to send her there to be told that 5’5″ girls are not gonna ever walk the runways in NY. Could that young lady found that out on her own by spending a week at the Holiday Inn in Jersey? Sure… but there is the salesmanship of the dream merchants that makes the show so much more appealing.

The industry is really, really changing. Now we are seeing these kind of things and it makes me both sad and angry. I am not sure what will happen, but the situation where people who are in one industry work the others in that industry for all that it is worth that will kill it.

And while I may not be as doom-&-gloomy as some, there are things that make me think about what a lifetime of working in an industry is worth. $45 an hour?

Nawwwww

The only reason they are inventing these “workshops” is because they don’t make enough money on “work” anymore. So it’s time to stick it to the little and mid range guys and suck whatever money they have left in their pockets so they can learn the secrets from the masters themselves.

Well folks, the top dogs don’t make enough to sustain their lifestyles anymore so now they’re targeting you as a big chunk of their income stream, while it lasts, or until they get busy enough to ignore you again.

Everyone makes out in the end, the photogs that run these things, the editors, the places they rent, and whoever else is part of this party. Except of course you, the person who just wants to learn the secrets of success, or get noticed by someone who holds the key to your future success.

Cynical, me? No.

With regards to the secondary rant, personal work is irrelevant unless you can get it published. Avedon, Penn and Meisel had or have their personal work published in books and magazines, so everyone knows about it, no reason to ask. VERY few photographers below the 98th percentile of commercial and editorial photographers that get all of the attention and adulation ever have their personal work noticed or published. Why? Because no one can sell the work of someone unknown. So go do the work, but do it for the love of doing it, not because you’ll ever turn a dime with it.