your photographic ambition?

Tricky01 wrote: . . . Things I want to photograph 2. closer to home, and theoretically imminently more achievable, I want to get a decent shot of a barn owl that hunts near my home. I've so far only achieved the 'look, I really did see a barn owl' photos, but I want a few 'look at this stunning image of a barn owl' photos. Very much work in progress. I've found where best to stand for the best back lit image, and been out there numerous occasions at dawn and dusk these last 9 months of lockdown, just got to get the darn owl to play ball! . . .

Enjoyed your post (and others from others above). Nice to see the variety.

On this specific point ... I started out (in photography) tracking Roe Deer in 1987. And sometime in 2007 (I think) I got the photo that I'd been trying to capture for 20 years. It represented 20 years of field craft. The day I shot it was a huge moment for me. It was about 5 minutes into what was normally a 2-3 hour wander and wait (never did the hide thing). It was the first day I used a specific bit of Minolta kit.

It was also the day I knew I was 'done' photographing animals. Not in a sad way. It took me a year or more to finally quit and sell up. And I got 3 other keepers afterwards. But after tracking one group of wild deer in one piece of woodland, not in a park, for perhaps 2-3 of their generation I was ready to leave them.

I found that shot on Sunday when organizing my archive and will post it this week as my Alpha archive shot. I also found one of the other 2 keepers. 20 years of photographing them and I consider 4 frames to be worth keeping. Loved every minute of it.

Good luck - and I hope you get your shot 'a little quicker' than me.

dCap wrote: @nandbytes - interesting set there, and as you say a mix of achievable and difficult. Have you considered submitting images to an image library? Sure they take a cut but they are doing the hosting and 'marketing' for you - passive income. I think a few of them have 'wanted' lists of types of shots (probably a lot with a focus on 'tech'). As for selling prints / stepping into the fine art zone / yes, this appears to be a lot to do with reputation, perhaps brand, and exclusivity. I've seen people aim far too high (vs the appeal of their image to 'my' eye) and I've seen people aim for the $30 zone and work on volume. It is the 'do you want to sell one image a year at $1,000 or 10x images at $100' - one is gonna be easier to achieve but if you can land in the $1k zone a second sale is more exciting! And then there are limited editions, one offs, signed prints - which I imagine is a tough place to get into. I've seen a few local cafes (artsy fartsy coffee shops) put 'local artist' photos on the wall, framed, priced, and ready to take-away with your coffee. Then a few months later a different artists work appears. Back when drinking coffee indoors was legal. Could be their sister's images or just someone they know. Will likely be a commission ... but this might be an option. But I've seen gaps on the wall which indicate a sale.

thanks for the ideas

in order...

I am not really into having my images publicised in a digital sense... I am not against it either but its not really something that gets me up in the morning. but the marketing of them I do appreciate especially could help with the second point i.e. selling prints.

I would like to sell one for £1000.... quality over quantity
I agree a lot of it is brand building, uniqueness and also many folks also have good online presence like YouTube and social media perhaps or perhaps also the right contacts and clientele? I wouldn't know where to start to be honest with you but its a nice dream none the less.

I'd happily provide a picture to a artsy coffee shop for free even for displaying it as long they do the printing and they give me the print once they are done with it.

But in all cases I am not after a few pennies per say or commissions here and there. I don't need the money from photography well at least not pocket change. I do enjoy my day job which gives me enough pocket money
If I can make some "big bucks" by selling few prints a year then that's a challenge year or year to be able to produce more. Of course that probably means I'll end up spending all the money I make from selling the prints on trying to get the next best one but that's fine by me. Its not making money or getting rich... its more about the achievement... to say I my prints sell for 4 figures