Does anyone have some advice on getting started in photojournalism. I have only recently started taking my work seriously, mostly environmental portraits using my leicas and an old linhof, but am interested in others experiences. How they started, their hurdles, getting published, agency work and such, any advice that may help. Experience is often always the best education.

-- Lux (andjesuswept@hotmail.com), March 25, 2001

Answers

I suggest you go to www.photo.net and do some searching. This subject has been pretty well answered over the years.

For photojournalism, I suggest you call the photo editior of your local paper and tell him you want to shoot for them. PE's don't turn down good images, and if you go and get some, you can most likely get a chance to shoot for the paper (so go out and shoot some event in your area). Once you are doing that, you can build a portfolio to carry you forward.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), March 26, 2001.

Proceed carefully. There are few, if any, more difficult ways of making a living.

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), March 26, 2001.

That last advice also applies to being a professional counselor. However, there is a lot to be said for doing whatever it is that you really do best, and/or have the greatest passion for.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 26, 2001.