The Industry Today
Recently I was asked to do an interview for a magazine and was asked this question about the the industry today. “If you could change anything about this industry what would it be?” I answered it with two of the main reasons why I think this industry has changed. “Well I would change a threat of a bad economy. I feel that the late 70s and 80s where the best time, because everyone, magazine wise, photographer wise, make up wise, etc, were really into experimenting and pushing the limits, and it was all excepted in the professional industry. Now with a bad economy everyone is afraid of trying anything new, in fear that they will loose profit. So the industry just goes into safe mode. That is they just use everyone they had been using since the late 70s, 80s and early 90s. All the people the industry gambled on are now the safe bets. So I feel that if we had a better economy, artists who are amazing out there would have the stage to showcase themselves. On a side not to this answer, a second problem is the birth of the “Everyday man photographer”. Since semi pro and pro cameras are now heavily available everywhere, everyone can be photographer with professional grade equipement. I feel that this has over saturated the industry and the talent out there. Yet there could be some really great photographers who pick up a camera and never knew they had the talent until they bought a camera. But for every shining star there are a 1000 hacks. The problem with the Everyman Photographer in the industry is that magazines or clients will just have them shoot just because it cut costs and that they are free and quick. Typically these people already have an inside gig in the magazine or agency, be it an intern, assistant, a stylist, etc. It actually makes it harder for the people who are trying to really make a name for themselves and who have a lot of talent and are working their butts off. “
