there are two types of photographers in this world. the ones who went to art school and the ones who didn’t.”

hahaha – now are the ones who went to art school the problem or the solution ?

Let’s get in touch!

OMG – Rob! Your a photo editor and don’t subscribe to PDN? Color me surprised.

Hey Rob, while I do think it’s a cool thing, I also believe the above statement makes you seem more naive and void of resources that we all know you are.

I mean really, you CAN’T imagine a better resource?

i love photography, i make my living doing it, but jesus, you people are my colleagues? get a clue.

there are two types of photographers in this world. the ones who went to art school and the ones who didn’t.

There is no other definition.

My target audience? Whomever drops by. But, my expertise is limited to Mens Editorial Magazine Photography With An Emphasis On Outdoor Adventure.

I’d like to know about the 70/30 in advertising for gender. Tell me which female photographers are heavy in advertising but shoot very little editorial.

quoting: “I’d like to see some numbers on the pro photographer community”

I think you’ve stumbled onto something here that leads to a lot of confusion and ambiguity on this blog, and that is: What is your target audience here?:

a. Editorial photographers? (since that was your old occupation).

b. “Pro” photographers? (What does that mean? Advertising photographers?)

c. Fine Art photographers? (Completely different set of rules apply to them).

It’s almost like, with each new day’s post, there might be a small Subhead that stipulates what part of the market you’re talking about that day. Because everyone reading here reads this through their own eyeglasses, and their own “filter”, depending on what segment of the marketplace they’re working in.

Fine art rules are completely different from Photojournalism rules, which are completely different from Advertising photographer rules, which are completely different from Editorial rules (and motivations).

As I read this blog, it seems like people get upset, because they’re reading their own rules through a topic that does not apply to them.

As far as my segment, (advertising), I’d say the 70/30 proportion applies pretty closely.

Are there no minority shooters worthy of this project?

I’m not saying a minority should be considered over a more qualified white photographer — this nation’s been down that path and we know the problems it caused.

But I find it hard to believe that not a single African-American or Hispanic photographer is qualified to be on this team. And to have only 30% female participation seems out of sorts with reality.

I’m well aware of who PDN is geared toward. I’m also well aware that many of their subscribers are ad agencies and magazines. PDN is well read by buyers, art directors and photo editors so while the original intent was to let photographers know how business was in their particular state, they enabled the above mentioned in finding photographers.

“They’ve mixed wedding and corporate photographers in there so that’s not as helpful. Then there’s nothing about the photographer on the page.”

Yes – and there are wedding publications and business magazines that probably read PDN. Perhaps the links have been taken down as these pieces are a few years old.

Hold on.

Here, I found it for you.

http://www.pdngallery.com/special/50states/2007/index.html

In this version none of the photographers have websites.

Here’s another version:
http://www.pdngallery.com/special/50states/2005/index.html

They’ve mixed wedding and corporate photographers in there so that’s not as helpful. Then there’s nothing about the photographer on the page.

So, it appears that this version blows doors on theirs.

Maybe you don’t realize that besides the PDN30 and the photo annual the magazine is geared towards photographers not photo editors.

“I’ve never seen PDN but now I can’t help but wonder if it also has an attitude that is antagonistic and uppity.”

Haven’t you heard? Not only are women allowed to ask questions and voice opinions these days, but rumor has it we’re going to be able to vote soon and maybe even buy land.

Thank you. That was the best laugh all day.

I am disappointed that my state’s, Wyoming, photog didn’t make the deadline and that the many of the others seem to be shots pulled from archives rather than meeting the terms of the original challenge of producing new, fresh, assignment specific images. Maybe these photogs just don’t really need the extra exposure.

It is nice to see lots of images, many are quite good, but were I the editor I’m afraid I would have some hesitation about handing out additional assignments to at least some of the participants. But I guess the definitions of assignment and deadline are open for individual interpretation.

Debra Weiss seems to be bound and determined to keep PDN’s name in our faces. Does she have some connection to the publication or represent it in some way? I’ve never seen PDN but now I can’t help but wonder if it also has an attitude that is antagonistic and uppity.

http://www.12faces.org

This 50+50 project is pretty smart, and is yet another take on a photo concept that would have had no legs 3-4 years ago. If you don’t like Stuart’s idea, that’s fine- go off and create one of your own. Don’t just sit back and complain how it doesn’t fit your own ideals.