Ken Mist

Professional: (noun) A person who earns a living in an occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs

An interesting article at PetaPixel on the future of professional photography.  They opine that now that everyone has the gear and the ability to share that the next step is that we will see a flood of “Professional” photographers hawking their wares online.  Truth be told, that’s already happened.

What’s a true professional to do?  PetaPixel suggests that the answer is simple – specialize and focus. An analogy – “All doctors go to medical school, but typically the speciality surgeon makes more money than the general practioner.”

I’m an aviation photographer.  An AMATEUR aviation photographer. I’ve not made a cent off my photography, in fact all my photos carry a Creative Commons license stating anyone is free to use them as long as they credit me as the maker.  If people share my work or comment on it that’s enough for me.  If it opens doors for me (increased access at air shows or other aviation events), even better.  There are plenty of professional aviation photographers out there and I’m honored to know a number of them who are warm and friendly when we meet.  I’ve learnt from them and they are usually quick to share tips and objective criticism of my work.  Thank you all.

Be it airplanes or horses or waterfalls or ..  whatever, get out there and shoot!  Take courses at your local night school or online.  Ask people to comment and don’t be thin skinned when the comments aren’t what you hoped.  Learn, grow and for goodness sake have fun.

I’ve been trying very, very hard to keep this as quiet as I can but the anticipation is driving me crazy.  If everything goes right, I’ll be strapping into the back seat of this P-51C Mustang and flying from Tilsonburg Ontario to Dayton Ohio this Thursday morning.  The pilot is Bill Shepard who I first met a few years ago with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and have run into at a number of shows from Fun ‘N Sun to Oshkosh.

Bill is one of a handful of pilots who has the privilege to fly the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Mustang which pays honor to the Tuskegee Airmen.  Their inspiring story is told very well by the traveling Rise Above exhibit.  More information here.

You can bet I’ll be grabbing pictures and video of the flights and also the Vectren Dayton Air Show. 

Rare birds galore at the 2013 Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Air Show.  From a de Havilland Mosquito to a ME 262 jet fighter.

Hello Doctor?  I need your help.  It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday morning and I’ve got the shakes. My right index finger is moving up and down and I’m squinting.  Sort of the way I do when I’m looking through a viewfinder. 

What’s that?  Air Show fever you say?  Ah, that explains it.  What am I going to do until the Hamilton Air Show next weekend?  Go to Pearson and shoot arrivals and departures?  Brilliant!!

Thanks Doc!