Hi All

As a professional commercial photographer working in Scotland, today I would like to reflect on how different seasons of the year effect the work of a professional photographer.  I suppose the answer to that question lies with the type of photography you do.  A studio or product photographer, for instance probably has fairly steady consistent work all year round, whereas an event photographer has to deal with hugely different genres and markets for their photography.  My infrared photography work is very seasonal.  Whilst it can be done in the winter, you need sunlight and for the more dramatic images, foliage is required, which tends to be absent after autumn.  Landscape photographers can shoot all year round but the images are vastly different and extreme weather can often prevent you from taking your time, especially shooting landscape photography in Scotland, with our unforgiving weather.  I am an event photographer, photographing mostly in Edinburgh, most of the conferences take place in the winter and they are indoors, in the spring and summer I am outdoors, photographing supercars, infrared and landscape, so you can see the different skills required, one needs attention to detail with flash, often studio lights, the other, in an uncontrolled environment, is wholly dependant on the weather.

So you are probably wondering what my point is and the main message is that most photographers are either controlled environment (ie studio, still life and the indoor aspect of weddings etc) whereas uncontrolled environment photographers (myself included) prefer the unpredictability of the light and landscape, the excitement of the storm etc.  A controlled environment photographer, if he/she is good should be able to determine in advance exactly the kind of light they want for the photoshoot.  Outdoor photographers, especially in Scotland, know that the weather can change by the minute, so we have very little control and we like it that way.

Anyway, its something to consider.  Until next time.

Colin Wright Photography

www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk

www.edinburghphotographer.com