Can we be of any assistance?

Ageism

Both of these organisations help young photographers entering the market. What of those of us who have taken the positive step to go back to full time study mid-life, either post-redundancy or as a free choice? Our challenges are arguably larger - higher overheads, ageism, time, lack of support from educational establishments, councils/govt departments, funding, negative comments from established photographers about career change photographers, etc.

agree with ageism

as a 41 year old part time evening student i have to agree with Jane!

Shouldn't it be for 'emerging' photographers?

As a recent mature photography student, I too agree with the comments about ageism.
All age groups should have their talent encouraged and supported.

Ageism

I studied as a mature student part time for 6 years keeping a job and a family. My lecturer told me it was easier for me as I had more time to apply to my work. It was in fact much harder for me. I received no help whatsoever in developing a career whilst the young wanabee celebrity obsessed ner do wells got everything. I left disappointed but determined to set up in business. I have struggled to make it but still see the young wanabees strutting around like they are the only photographers on Earth. Put them with real people in the real world and they are useless. I am still struggling and it narks me that there is no help for mature photographers. What kind of messages are we giving out here? I for one would not employ a young graduate photography assistant. They think the World owes them and are usually talentless and bone idle.

Ageism

I am sad to hear of my fellow "mature" photographers hardship and completely sympathise, being of the same ilk. I'm afraid to say it's not only the photography world that suffering from this. So many examples in so many industries, media, publishing, science, education,all the arts, politics, medicine - where the "bright young things" hired by similar for being mediocre, mouthy and cocky who show complete contempt for experienced, knowledgeable ,trained, talented, original, professional people. The young-uns are now in power and we've let them get there. We've got one for a Prime Minister. Every photography course in the country is churning out the same mediocre formulaic rubbish. Thankfully we have the work of the great "old" photographers of the past to inspire us and keep us sane.Time to strike back I say. Form collectives of superior, thoughtful, original, quality work and show these mediocre young photographers how to do it! Run competitions with older judges capable of judging and sponsors intelligent enough to see a huge untapped market. Good luck!

Age barrier

This subject of "emerging" photographers has been much discussed recently, particularly regards to ageism, and the number of contests weighted towards people in the first years of their career.

Emerging is hard to define, but in many contests it's not defined by age, rather by how many years someone has been seriously making work – but of course that's hard to police.

One reason contests are so skewed towards emerging talent is – if I'm honest – that people like me (who edit photo magazines, and curators and judges and so on) get a kick out of "discovering" people, and being "first" to publish it. And that's a problem.

The other is that society is hyperbolic about youth, and that's reflected in photography.

I have been pondering an article (or even a special issue) about this subject, and looking at the question of when creativity peaks. Is it to do with age, or does creativity trickle away with the number of years you spend doing something?

There's an assumption there that it does, and when I think about it, very few visual artists continue to innovate throughout their carers, and often their earlier work is their best.

But maybe, again, that's wrong thinking, and that innovation, originality and similar sentiments become less important as you get older.

I pose that as a question.

I was thinking of gathering together the work of a number of people who do continue to surprise and innovate, and have a few people in mind – but if anyone has suggestions...

As an example, our next issue features new work by Lee Friedlander, now in his seventies, America by Car. It's a brilliant and provocative return to form.

get on with it then

After twenty plus years as a hobbyist photographer I too changed career 10 years back to be a pro photographer, scrimped and saved till I had a full colour darkroom and was doing quite well working from home. When the time came and I considered quality was up to par I turned digital (2004) since then work has spiralled downhill as the industry has bloated with the new digital photographers who will do any job for fifty quid, weddings included, my 2 years HND I reckon was totally wasted time I should have done the chef course, at least I'd be earning regular income. Throughout I have received absolutely zero to operate or set up the business from any government or funding organizations but if your under 25 there are many avenues of funding freely available.

get on with it then

After twenty plus years as a hobbyist photographer I too changed career 10 years back to be a pro photographer, scrimped and saved till I had a full colour darkroom and was doing quite well working from home. When the time came and I considered quality was up to par I turned digital (2004) since then work has spiralled downhill as the industry has bloated with the new digital photographers who will do any job for fifty quid, weddings included, my 2 years HND I reckon was totally wasted time I should have done the chef course, at least I'd be earning regular income. Throughout I have received absolutely zero to operate or set up the business from any government or funding organizations but if your under 25 there are many avenues of funding freely available.

Another 'mature' student loses out

Likewise, I'm heading for 40 years young next year. I originally studied photography in the late 80's and indeed did some work in the early 90's as a young photographer, but gave up since the world out there was simply not designed for young women in their early 20's to be supported as a photographer.
Now I've been busy working and paying taxes in other industries for the last 20 years and giving it one final shot at the career I have dreamt of, not only am I forced to cough up thousands of pounds to complete my photography degree, again there is no support for us 'oldies'.

I completely agree with the sentiment of others that if you were to put some of the 20-25 age group out there in the big wide world, they wouldn't have a clue how to run a business, let alone have the confidence to actually speak to clients.

I can only hope that my own striving to be the best I can be at what I do is going to stand me in good stead for the future years.

I assume as 'mature' photographers we are simply expected to pay for courses (formal or otherwise) and we are also assumed bright enough to find the outlets we need for support.

A little help here and there wouldn't go a miss!!

Ageism - Get over it....

As a 31 year old mature student studying full time with a young family, I am surprised at how many 'mature' people seem to be picking fault with a system like the YPA.

One huge benefit we have over any young person should be life skills and years of experience in what ever field we have worked in.

I would have thought that as a mature student/ photographer, you would have risen above this and rather than see the restrictions that life is seemingly offering us and overcome them in the fight to succeed, not giving in at the first hurdle.

Age is just a number.

You get back what you put in!!