AN INTEREST IN INTERNS – BUT EVERYTHING REQUIRES THOUGHT
Eyes glaze over. Faces sag. Bodies slump. Confusion overcomes and normally confident persons whither at hearing the phrase: everything requires thought. This is especially true of those that quickly want to become a photographer. These want to assist, or intern, for a short while to learn everything there is to know and then they want to do what I do! Yup that is the essence of the short interview. Recently a young person found me in. That’s not so easy, as when I am in I am in creative sessions, and when I am out, I am not in. But here I was, listening to how her parents suggested the visit because she wants to be a photographer, even though they advised against it. I got the distinct impression that she had some brilliant parents.
Photography can be a wonderful career for those who love technology and take pride in developing both artistic and technical skill. Those insensitive to the human spirit, never feel the effects that an image has on its viewers the same way as those sensitive to artistic things can feel, and so put feeling into what they do. But it does involve an interest in understanding technical things, being good with gear, and great with people. It involves an artistic spirit but requires a mind that is both artsy and strongly founded in science. Doing something that is different is not doing something better. On the other hand, those that don’t love technical considerations ultimately fail to adequately and competently control the technical, which is essential. Automation does not suffice. Images a machine can do on its own render you superfluous. For those that want something special – you better be special!
This person tried to sell me on the idea that while she has a lot to learn and does not really know anything yet, that by being an intern with me, we will be helping each other. Yes, she could be learning a lot and possibly be of help to me. But if what she will be doing is not important then she would not be learning much and will soon quit, just after I started counting on her to have a modicum of ability in a task. If I have low standards, she won’t learn what is important, and if I am strict, she will tell others I am difficult. If a task is important then it involves caring, concern and accuracy.
When something is done well, all details are important and contribute to it being a success. When something is not done with care and precision, it cannot be worth much to anyone, including the intern – who would not be learning from the task. Some business owners either choose to take advantage of interns for cheap labor, or have little problem expecting little and delivering little both to the intern as well as to their clients. Good teachers first have to know, then have to care and finally have to communicate. Interestingly, few interns seem to value communication or excel at it.
Recently someone actually followed up on something that I said. What a surprise! Normally people say they want to learn but when given an assignment or a source to follow up, they show their true lack of interest. Last week someone actually sent me an email with a link to some items and ideas that I had mentioned earlier. It touched me. It meant there actually was interest. To most it is often only about the money, or the resume entry. It is hard to fake real substance, but being an artist is a way of thinking and everything requires thought!
IF YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED MASTER, WELCOME!
IF YOU ARE NEW IN YOUR FIELD, HAVE AN OPEN MIND, ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD AND LEARN:
YOU CAN LEARN MORE HERE THAN ELSEWHERE.
Rabenko Photography and Video Arts is always interested in talented persons. But especially so at this time where technology has led so many that can do so little with so much! The more one knows, the more one recognizes! We are looking for special people who can do better … who want to learn and continue to grow.
Must be reliable, creative, talented – Did I say reliable.(see “about reliability” below ). After reviewing the categories below, please contact me to discuss how you can be an asset in producing photography and video that mean more.
Below are some categories of help wanted with better explanation of what is involved. If you are interested in working for someone who truly appreciates talent, knowledge, skill, and dedication, or if you are at a point in your life where you can make a commitment, then please contact me for an interview. Because each event I do is a once in a lifetime event that cannot be done over, and because my clients come to me for something better, please understand that my criteria is high, and my interviewing, qualifying and training is involved.
Photography Assistants Wanted (see below)
Photographers Wanted (see below)
Videographers Wanted (also called Cinematographers, Motion, Film Makers) (see below)
Video Editors Wanted (see below)
Album Design Assistance (see below)
Assistant Wanted
Full Time Assistant and Part Time Photographer’s Assistant. An assistant to a photographer is NOT a shooting role. It IS everything BUT shooting most of the time. Used to be assistants were responsible for so many technical and practical details. Now photography can be much easier. But good photography requires serious lighting. And that is the chief role of an assistant. Events and weddings and other live action involves a changing scene which requires changing lighting from the portable, mobile, constantly aware assistant. Digital technology has led to much post production and computer work from uploading, backup and distribution, to actual image manipulation. If you work in the studio… some mechanical skill and communication skill is very useful. Most importantly your job is to make mine easier. So your reliability is expected.
Photographers Wanted
Photographers of all levels. Lead photographers, support photographers, purely candid photographers, portraiture experienced photographers, and newer photographers who might be fashion or glamour oriented.
Important that you can follow directions are detailed oriented and while bringing an artistic sensitivity can also be work well in a team environment where each person has a role to play in making the whole a success.
Video Editors Wanted
Always seeking skilled and artistically sensitive editors. Very few and far between are those who understand the difference between being creative and simply being different. Different is not always better. There has to be a reason for things. Just doing something because it is different, may not be doing something that is in fact better. We are Adobe Premiere based and use the Creative Cloud. Having worked with so many various systems, that is where we are today. Looking for video editors skilled and experienced in both long form and short form editing.
Assistant Editor Wanted
For project preparation and rough cutting. This is all about details.
Album Design Assistant Wanted
Everything requires thought. If you can feel the image, then you can help me design albums that most can’t.
About Reliability and other important qualities.
Some people are reliable. Very reliable. Others don’t know the meaning of the word. Dealing with those people is frustrating to say the least. Reliable persons, will very rarely be tardy and when not early, will truly be remorseful about it. They never plan to only be on time. Being early is their goal, so as to make sure unforeseen developments do not have an adverse role on their day and on their life. The number one reason people are late, is that they only planned to be on time, not early!
Memory. We remember what is important us. Those needing reminders are evidently not focused, not concerned, not involved and ultimately, not an asset but a liability.
Details. They say beauty is in the details. And that if you take care of the details the rest will take care of itself. All work here involves detail: Technical details, artistic detail, order details. Being detailed involves knowing how to listen. Repeatedly I have seen people nod and even repeat instructions, but neglecting one word, thought or phrase can make all the difference! Please be detail-oriented.
Transportation: It goes without saying that doing photography or video on location for events, executive portraits, and commercial work, involves getting to the event, and bringing gear to that event. It also involves safely getting back to the studio with the gear and the imagery. Both arrival and departure involves all hours of the day and days of the week/year. If you do not have your own reliable transportation, it is simply not possible for you to be reliable. Period.
