What are commercial limits for 35mm film photography?

[q_x]

Oh, I know how promotion looks, or at least "sort of looks", that is how people try. I work in medical publishing, we use cheap stock photos there, but still I know how to start it all - my bet is proper portfolio as a first logical step.

I was wondering about the limits for what can be done with film, or rather for what "the industry" thinks (agencies you've mentioned), that shouldn't be done and I've got at least some feelings.

I'm trying hard to make good photos. I have two landscape parks minutes away (that's by foot), as well as some lovely plains, hills and maybe forests not that much further. I have no problems backpacking all over the country, even with MF camera it's still possible, even on a tight budget.

On the other hand, there's no real care when working with color negative here, I'm getting it developed - it gets scratched, and prints are coming in poor quality, with random colors. So I'm thinking about developing it myself and scanning it afterwards.
What's also bizarre is the fact I'm working alone in 100k city. Culture, or the lack of it, is a sociological issue here. Almost all the people in my age (+/- some years) either left this place or work hard without much time for their hobbies. I guess the Internet will help me here, facebook, twitter, this sort of things.

Cheers!

 

[marciofs]

I think, if you can work professionally with digital photographs it doesn't change much with film photographs on the business side. The difference is that people can't see how is the photo during the shoot but it doesn't matter when the public trust on your service.

As far you can delivery in a couple of days sharp images and print in a acceptable size people doesn't care much actually.

You don't even have to be a good photographer to have a successful business as photographer. You just have to be good at business and marketing. Anything else will be just details.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Even the pros would say that it is the subject that determines what format you shoot. A wedding photographer can use a bulky MF camera because his subjects are essentially stationary. However if you are shooting wildlife in Africa as part of an ad campaign then 35mm is probably the best choice. Here mobility determines the choice of format. It's easier to run from a charging elephant while carrying a 35mm camera rather than a larger format one.

 

[q_x]

Thanks!

marciofs - this approach more or less demands to use whole workshop - a decent scanner, a photo lab (or some time to warm up all the soups). Even when not in a hurry, it's not looking good. But yes, god marketing, PR, advertizement and it's all up and running.

Gerald, that's a great point actually, and there are plenty of places where there's no infrastructure, yet one still has to travel light and fast and somehow make photos, that are good enough. Some use brute force (organizing expeditions with two helicopters), others move more stealthy. I'm feeling really good not carrying a bag full of gear, and I'm often in a situation, when digital equipment can break - from severe cold, heavy rain or humid air. I've seen some situations, where digital, weatherproof cameras were shutting down one after another due to internal moisture and condensation (they have internal condensation sensors). I've also seen some running while being frozen solid, so it's not a proof of any kind. I was thinking in this direction, and I've ended up with a simple Zorki rangefinder as my "pocket sketchbook" camera (as leica-like, as I could get) and a decent manual DSLR and SLR for predictable conditions and shorter distances. DSLR runs on AA batteries, it helps a lot (SLR doesn't, I'm looking for a fully mechanical one).

Cheers!

 

[marciofs]

The subject can determine the format. But your concept can determine it too.

There are photographers carrying very heave large format cameras and accessories up to mountains and long paths on the middle of nowhere just to take some portraits of local communities. They culd carry a 5x4 camera or a middle format one. But no... They want a ultra large for it.

If you really want you can shoot action with 5x4 large format camera handheld.