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How to be an AP Photographer

Curtis Clegg, Photographer

	Sycamore \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 5:48 PM on 12.02.10
	->> http://www.ehow.com//video_4984160_become-ap-photographer.html From the transcript of the video: "You can't just wake up one day and start making phone calls, and say, I want to be an AP Photographer. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way, so one thing that you're going to want to do, and this is really a cool way to start, is get a job with a small town newspaper."

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 6:06 PM on 12.02.10
	->> OMG!! that will without a doubt go down as the funniest S#@T I've seen in a long time....and the best part....this dude has a whole series of these things.....thanks curtis, I owe you a beer.....after that advice...next stop NEW YORK CITY where I will be the next and best AP photographer in the WORLD!!! but I might find it competitive! LOL!!!!

Curtis Clegg, Photographer

	Sycamore \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 6:10 PM on 12.02.10
	->> I noticed his other videos... I'm surprised he doesn't have "How to Become a Playboy Photographer" on there.

Jeff Stanton, Photographer

	Princeton \| IN \| USA \| Posted: 6:28 PM on 12.02.10
	->> I also noticed how he doesn't have a segment called, "How To Live on Very Little Money They Pay Small Town Photographers."

Walt Middleton, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Columbus \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 6:34 PM on 12.02.10
	->> WOW... that was fun... Now, I've got to go and finish my video of "how to become a neuro surgen"

Curtis Clegg, Photographer

	Sycamore \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 7:00 PM on 12.02.10
	->> Walt if he wasn't so serious I'd think he was spoofing the old Monte Python skit "How To Do It": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNfGyIW7aHM

Brian Blanco, Photographer

	Tampa / Sarasota \| FL \| USA \| Posted: 7:13 PM on 12.02.10
	->> On the same website you'll find this gem of an article by another clearly-qualified author: http://www.ehow.com/how_4479102_become-well-known-photographer.html

Nick Morris, Photographer

	San Diego \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 7:23 PM on 12.02.10
	->> You mean to tell me after all these years all I had to do was pick up the stupid phone? All those wasted years of taking the long hard route and it was just a phone call away. Wow! Just Wow!!

David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Toledo \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 7:41 PM on 12.02.10
	->> Does he have a tutorial on how to obtain an NFL or NBA press pass?

Jim Comeau, Photo Editor, Photographer

Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 7:42 PM on 12.02.10

->> eHow is usually a joke. Their structure is to create lots and lots of SEO friendly articles and they pay the authors residuals. Friends of friends will write hundred of half-assed (they admit) articles to get a decent side income. I'd applaud them if the content was good, but usually the stuff like "How to start a restaurant" or other very complex things have steps like "check into local, state, and federal laws for permits, licensing, etc." which is usually where all the tough steps are.

Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer

	Colora \| MD \| USA \| Posted: 7:49 PM on 12.02.10
	->> Not sure whether to laugh or cry.

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 7:53 PM on 12.02.10
	->> "eHow is usually a joke" YA THINK!!! holy crap!!!

Niko Kallianiotis, Photographer

Scranton | PA | | Posted: 8:07 PM on 12.02.10

->> I have the unlimited plan..1500 text messaging package...I can reply to emails in a heartbeat..can shoot film, all formats, digital, hold a still and video camera at the same time, and shoot..while I am doing that I can make phone calls as well. Plus I am fluent in Greek, the most historic languages of all....Nobody wants to hire me...so either my pics suck or I have to switch to verizon...

Can you hear me now?

Tim Vizer, Photographer

	Belleville \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 8:19 PM on 12.02.10
	->> The sad part is he probably really thinks people are taking his tips down and applying them.....yikes!

Nic Coury, Photographer

	Monterey \| CA \| \| Posted: 8:38 PM on 12.02.10
	->> @Tim The sadder part is that people are probably thinking his tips are solid and applying them...

Derick Hingle, Photographer

	Hammond \| LA \| USA \| Posted: 8:38 PM on 12.02.10
	->> Check out some of his other gems!!! http://www.ehow.com/video_4985063_become-sports-photographer.html http://www.ehow.com/video_4985052_become-national-geographic-photographer.h... http://www.ehow.com/video_4985059_become-combat-photographer.html Wow, I have not had such a great laugh in a while, thanks to Curtis for the original link.

Doug Holleman, Photographer

	Temple \| TX \| USA \| Posted: 9:04 PM on 12.02.10
	->> That reminded me of that old Steve Martin bit. "You.. can be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes! You can be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes! You say.. "Steve.. how can I be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes?" First.. get a million dollars."

Michael Strong, Photographer

	Lubbock \| TX \| USA \| Posted: 9:34 PM on 12.02.10
	->> Well since all I need is a F4 to F11 Lens for sports I can ditch all this F2.8 garbage I have.

Steven E. Frischling, Photographer

	\| \| \| Posted: 9:41 PM on 12.02.10
	->> "eHow is usually a joke" I learned how to fix my lawn mower's carburetor on eHow last summer!

Mike Ullery, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Piqua \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 9:52 PM on 12.02.10
	->> The gentleman is apparently a professional photographer http://www.anthonymaddaloni.com/about.html I looked through his fine art gallery...didn't see the first AP photo in there.

David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Toledo \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 10:05 PM on 12.02.10
	->> I really hate to steal Anthony's thunder but in case anyone wants to know how to really get it done: http://tinyurl.com/32n6jff

Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer

Colora | MD | USA | Posted: 11:37 PM on 12.02.10

->> I want to be the King of Made Up Photo Land like this guy. Can we all start our own "Society" and become fellows. I always wanted to be a fellow. Seriously, I am pretty average, but I would have a hard time putting even one image that "Craftsman" took in my portfolio. What a tool.

OK, we are now members of Her Royal Highness' Great and Magnanimous Society of Most Excellent Photographers.

I vote Liddy for the first fellow.

Sorry, I am not usually like this. I can let Liddy going off on stuff because he has actually walked a mile, or more. This fool, really, 1300+ people have viewed that idiocy?

Mark Peters, Photographer

	Highland \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 11:48 PM on 12.02.10
	->> He forgot to tell the viewer to buy one of those new Panasonics.

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 12:44 AM on 12.03.10
	->> hey fish, I need my lawnmower fixed. hows about bringing you "ehow" ass done here and fixin' it?

David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Toledo \| OH \| USA \| Posted: 12:53 AM on 12.03.10
	->> Fish, Liddy's so old he probably means that you'll have to bring a whetstone to sharpen his scythe...

Mark Peters, Photographer

	Highland \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 12:57 AM on 12.03.10
	->> Or neuter his goat.....

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 1:01 AM on 12.03.10
	->> the best thing about this site is some of you "comedians" can practice your "new" field......but of course, you be starvin' marvins!1!!! bahahahahhahahahahahaha!

Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer

	Lexington \| VA \| USA \| Posted: 6:02 AM on 12.03.10
	->> Scott, please make a video and post it to eHow once you figure out how to become a fellow...

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 12:54 PM on 12.03.10
	->> @david & mark thought you guys could use this.....8) www.ehow.com/how_4472248_be-comedian.html

Jack Howard, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Central Jersey \| NJ \| USA \| Posted: 1:10 PM on 12.03.10
	->> So, y'all are bashing this by viewing it, thus upping the creator's pay per clicks if I understand this correctly. Ha ha!

Mark Loundy, Photo Editor

	San Jose \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 1:14 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Scott, If you really want to be a fellow, you might check out these folks: http://heartcorps.com/journeys/everything.htm --Mark

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 1:21 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Jack, I thought the same thing but it's just too damn funny not to watch!!

Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer

	Colora \| MD \| USA \| Posted: 1:22 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Classic. I will take your recommendation seriously as one who has clearly used the service. Tough room man, tough room. No place for anyone with thin skin. As it should be, because I have also seen everyone on here say good things when someone does some rocking good work. I think the e-How dude is probably monitoring and his next video will be "How to Become A Fellow"...

Patrick Smith, Photographer

Chattanooga | TN | USA | Posted: 1:26 PM on 12.03.10

->> From Jim:

"eHow is usually a joke. Their structure is to create lots and lots of SEO friendly articles and they pay the authors residuals. Friends of friends will write hundred of half-assed (they admit) articles to get a decent side income..."

Funny thing is, if Jim's right and this guy is paid by the hits, he's probably made a lot of money off people watching his videos from this thread.

Just a thought,

-Patrick

Mark Peters, Photographer

	Highland \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 2:24 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Yep, I bet he made an extra $0.08 from the traffic. I believe demand studios handles this for eHow, and found this on compensation for articles. "According to Demand Studios, revenue share articles earn an average of $1.24 a month by their third month, and an average of $72.81 over the course of five years."

Michael Johnson, Photographer, Photo Editor

	Geneseo \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 4:27 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Wow..... I'm at a loss for words on this video (Well almost). He makes it sound so easy and to think all this time I've spent as a staff photographer all I needed to do is some work for a while then jump to a bigger paper....than a bigger paper after that before I finally became an AP photographer. You got to love the craziness of the internet.

Corey Perrine, Photographer

	Augusta \| GA \| USA \| Posted: 4:58 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Sound advice if it were, oh, I dunno... 1977.

Mike Janes, Photographer

	Attica \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 5:14 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Forget the AP, I'm going for the real job, luckily there's instructions... http://www.ehow.com/how_2165709_run-president-united-states.html

Clark Brooks, Photo Editor, Photographer

	Urbana \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 6:59 PM on 12.03.10
	->> I would like to request an e-How video by this guy on how I can get a credential to an NFL or NBA game.

Luke Johnson, Photographer, Student/Intern

	St.Petersburg \| FL \| USA \| Posted: 8:07 PM on 12.03.10
	->> Clark - I'd imagine it would go something like "Call up the team you want to photograph and offer to send them all the photos from the game in exchange for a credential." followed by his signature closing "And that's how I would go about getting a credential".

Keith Crowley, Photographer

	Hudson \| WI \| USA \| Posted: 10:08 AM on 12.04.10
	->> Priceless stuff from ehow all the way round. Definitely Pythonesque!

Albert McCracken, Photographer

	Lockport \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 1:44 PM on 12.04.10
	->> Hey, Curtis Clegg The Monte Python skit was very funny " How to" I have not laugh that load in a longtime.It's too bad that I mist last week's episode "How to be came a gynecologist" it's my favorite hobby.

Alexander Pylyshyn, Photographer, Student/Intern

	Newmarket \| ON \| Canada \| Posted: 4:51 PM on 12.04.10
	->> Don't these guys get paid to make this garbage?

Niko Kallianiotis, Photographer

	Scranton \| PA \| \| Posted: 9:55 PM on 12.04.10
	->> David Cantor...Rule of Thirds did not get me anywhere either...But thanks for the extra info, there is always hope.

Niko Kallianiotis, Photographer

	Scranton \| PA \| \| Posted: 10:42 PM on 12.04.10
	->> And just to clarify this ^^^was not intended for David's post but more of a humor to the first link that was posted;)

Sam Morris, Photographer

Henderson (Las Vegas) | NV | USA | Posted: 1:58 AM on 12.05.10

->> OK everyone. How does one become an AP photographer now? Seriously, what do you see is the path to being a staff photographer at the AP?

If you read between some of the ridiculousness, there are some real nuggets of truth. You bust your ass as a young photographer and network, take advantage of any foot in the door you can, be professional, be someone who an editor can count on, be the first to call/email back and produce good images.

Those are all things that I did to become one of the "full-time" AP stringers in San Francisco in the 90's. My life ended up taking me in a different direction, but I believe those are the same things you need to do to get any staff job in photojournalism.

I agree that he makes it seem "easy" to do without mentioning the AP hires, what, one or two photographers a year, if that (help me out here Terrill). But his core message is valid.

Mark J. Terrill, Photographer

Simi Valley | CA | USA | Posted: 4:07 AM on 12.05.10

->> Okay Sam. I'll jump in. In all fairness to this guy, I think that his ehow is directed at the novice photographer who gets it in his or her head that they want to be an AP shooter. If you look at it from that perspective, then much of what he is saying is valid and at least gives a shooter with no clue some basic information.

I can't add much to what my good friend Sam already said and frankly people become AP staff shooters different ways. For me it was like Sam says, bust your ass, try never to let them down, have a strong work ethic and be a self starter. Believe it or not, the most important thing is your personality. You can be the best shooter in the world, but if you're pain in the ass, then no one is going to want to work with you. For me it was 15 years of stringing, working most holidays and always being available to them. I also did things aside from shooting that made myself valuable to the AP and continue to do so. For example, I was also one of the first in the company to shoot digital in 93 or 94 when nobody wanted anything to do with it. As a result (because very few staffers shot digital for the first few years), I traveled places and shot assignments that would normally be reserved for a staffer. I was eventually hired in 1997.

Obviously, most of these points are valid for any line of work, not just the AP.

Mark J. Terrill, Photographer

	Simi Valley \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 4:15 AM on 12.05.10
	->> I think it's also worth adding that at the time that I was trying to get a staff job at the AP, they had a requirement that you have two years of newspaper experience before you could be hired, so I got a job at a small newspaper (The Simi Valley Enterprise) and put in my two years. So what he says about working at a newspaper first is also sort of true.

Marcio J. Sanchez, Photographer

San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 5:38 PM on 12.06.10

->> Not Sure if this guy is too off the mark. Sounds like the path I had to take to eventually become an AP Photographer 8 years ago. Paid dues, started small, making next to no money and developed a well-rounded portfolio that showed I could cover almost anything. But, It also helped having Julie Jacobson as one of my best friends, she gave me a reference to an opening in San Francisco, talked me up to her boss and voila, here I am. Hope this helps.

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 5:51 PM on 12.06.10
	->> In the past few years a lot of getting hired by the AP has included the "who you know factor". Yup, takes hard work, a super well rounded portfolio, but as Marcio says, it sure didn't hurt that he knew one a long term staffer who talked him up. But, with all that said, that guy on ehow was just plain silly.

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