There are, however, some skills that are never even alluded to that are vital.
- People skills: The ability to handle anyone that you are either photographing, who have influence over those being photographed or who are just getting in the way.
- More people skills: You need to be able to charm the jobsworth security man and persuade the reluctant PR and to do it all without breaking into a fit of temper until such times as all else has failed and you have no other option
- Even more people skills: As a news photographer you need to be able to communicate with anyone from a starving refugee to a pampered celebrity in a meaningful and constructive way - often on the same day! You have to get them to trust you, to do what you want them to do and achieve all of this with dignity and respect.
- Advanced people skills: As a portraitist you have to have the ability to talk to absolutely anyone and to keep the conversation going at a light but interesting level whilst setting up equipment, making vital technical decisions and shooting the job.
- Extended people skills: You need to have a sense of your own place in the scheme of things. It's no use throwing a prima donna tantrum if you are not getting what you want and are never going to get it. It gets even worsewhen the person you are arguing with is a close personal friend of the editor. Know when to give in, to make another plan and get your shot anyway.
You are probably getting my drift by now. Once you have acquired all of the technical skills and bought all of the kit that you need all that's required is to learn how to conduct yourself. I often refer to the photographer as the "Social Chameleon", changing colours and attitude to suit their suroundings. This should be both physical - dressing appropriately so as not antagonize the people that you are dealing with, and mental - adopting the right attitude - be it meek or aggressive, as friendly or confrontational as the situation requires.
Maybe photographers should all adopt some of the techniques used by the best sales people and mix them with skills more common in the diplomatic service. I have watched charity workers running soup kitchens and marveled at their ability to be both understanding and firm, and I have watched police officers and been stunned by the way that they get the information that they want whilst conducting an otherwise friendly conversation. My biggest tip on this subject is to find some common ground with whoever you are talking to and work it. It might be sports, it might be the weather or the journey that you both had to get where you have met. If I'm in someone's home I will often talk about a piece of art or furniture there or their pet cat or dog. It doesn't matter what you chat about, you are chatting and barriers are coming down. Avoid contentious subjects unless you are really sure of yourself.
So there you are, what they don't teach you in college is how to handle people. It's not just a skill needed by photographers, but a life skill. I think that's why a lot of the greatest photographers have come from other careers first, they have learned about people and use those skills in their new profession.
