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Hello,
I was wondering if any one knows about Ocean Images or the Mermaid Group, I'm thinking of applying to one of these.
If any one could be kind enough to share any experiences they had with any other agencies to would be helpful
I'm aware with the Mermaid group you may have to pay $30 for a booklet on how to pass a psychometric test
Also how much should I spend on a DSLR ( I graduated with a HND in 2008 so its not fake it to you make it ) I'm thinking of the budget one such as the Canon 1100d ,550 d or the 600
thanks for your help
I'd avoid all these outfits like I'd avoid the Plague. I looked into one such a while back and decided that they existed only to sell copies of lists of cruise ship companies. If I were intending to seriously become a cruise ship photographer, I'd google every aspect of the subject and I'd contact cruise companies to ask about their staffing arrangements, so I'd be getting my info direct. Think about the cowboy outfits getting young girls to part with pots of money for so-called "Modelling Portfolios" and I suspect you'd be in the same sort of territory.
I don't know Alexander (bigalguitarpicker) at all BUT... everything he says makes perfect sense.
There is NO easy life in the professional photography world.
Period.
This may not be the same for all. But my girlfireind and I went on a cruise with Royal Caribean last year and chatting to there togs, they are actually crew members who have had a 'photography course' and have all the kit they need provided. They were using D700's, 900 flashes on walk about and had full studio lights for formals. Maybe something to think about whilst your thinking about camera choices.
If your serious about it, best writing to as many cruise companies as you can, tell them what your looking for, and if they are able to offer you anything, even if it's just advice.
ALWAYS WORTH AN ASK!!! At worst you won't get a reply!
Good luck!
Richard,
I would agree with M22s.
I have cruised extensively over the past 25years with just about all the various cruise companies and have usually found the on board photographers to be seconded from other ship duties as and when required simply because they can point a camera in the right direction and fire off a few shots on auto.
Occasionally they are a self employed team running a francise, these tend to be the more knoledgeable and better equipped.
As for pay it varies dramatically with the francise teams normally on a higher return, but the down side is they all work on LOW wages topped up by commision on photos sold.
On a recent P&O cruise one of the photographers told me that he actually had to pay the francise holder for the job and his pay was entirely dependent on prints sold.
Anyone that has cruised will tell you that the prices they charge do not reflect the quality of there prints.
Contact the cruise companies directly you have nothing to loose
Quote: I'm aware with the Mermaid group you may have to pay $30 for a booklet on how to pass a psychometric test
That says a lot. They want to charge you $30 to tell you how to 'pass' a test which isn't designed to be passed. Psychometric tests have no right and wrong answers and the results often have very limited validity anyway.
Anybody wanting to charge you like that should be avoided in my opinion.
Ian
Quote: If you are going in as a pro photographer, you need pro gear. I would maybe go for the new Canon EOS 5D MKIII. I've seen it on slrhut at around £1,899 (body only), but retails at £3000. Then you will need the pro battery pack, plus flash. Good luck
Do not follow this advise. Not that you'd buy from there anyway - being Italian - but don't follow it it any way.
I'm from the UK, just a Italophile. Is SLR hut a scam site then? I did look on Royal Caribbean on their recruitment website for photographer they refer you to the image group pay all sorts of joining costs uuurrrgggghhh!
thanks IKKY and M22s for your reply.
IKKY have you ever been with Costa or MSC ( I want to work with these becasue they are Italian (the later more... after the concordia...)
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