What should I do??

[joeg]

jonnytruckfest:
I didn’t read the bit when he said it would be something I could brag to my mates about, I couldn’t give a toss if my mates cared or not to be honest. I want to become an established photographer known for what I do best, it’s not a crime to have ambition as to become an established photographer at the age of 18 would be an achievement especially seeing as I’m still at college studying photography Yes then I would have bragging rights but I don’t brag about my work I just share it to those who are interested.

It’s all about achieving for me, not the money. Yes being paid for my work would be great but it’s not about the money and it’s not as if I’m asking to have my work in the mag every month I was asking for 1 article not the end of the universe I’m not wanting to take money away from anybody and if it meant the reporter got paid for me taking up his article space then so be it I couldn’t care less i’d be happy for the article and I’m sure they would be happy being paid for doing F.A

I enjoy writing up my photo diaries it’s not often I get to do them a lately with my college work load being always full so fitting things like this in isn’t easy. But when I got the chance to do the diary with my Dad I took it with both hands and in all fairness my Dad could then see me at work for a change instead of the other way around. And I wouldn’t class myself as a professional journalist or reporter, I’d class myself as a pain in the arse teenager who does the odd good deed now and again doing some interesting work that I love to share with everyone because it’s nice to see what people think of my work because I can see people enjoy the work and those who give constructive criticism I could learn from it to make my next photo shoot better like when I was told to take my photos at more than one level at first I was unsure but now I swear by it!

The only time I have asked questions on here for my photography work is to get other peoples opinions as to get evidence for my research as it’s apart of the mark scheme with college to make sure you have your research. No doubt I will be asking again in the near future, you will find I have never written any diary from questions asked on here just my own experiences and knowledge.

I feel sorry for your [zb] keyboard, did you just sit there and mash at it in a rage?
Can you not just relax and let someone who knows what they are doing do the work? Wanting it done your way isnt always the way things go Why not just send them some stuff to use and see what they do with it. You may have to send them some stuff before you receive any payment but that is sometimes how things go, your an unknown writer/photogapher to them.
If the head guy is on holiday then wait till he gets back, ive spoken to some supervisors before who are right [zb] when they are in charge. The head people can then be completely different.

[toowise]

I think the best way would be to send them your article and photos and let them do the editing or whatever.
As others have said you are just starting out on lifes great highway of careers, to even get a favourable response at your tender young age is a bonus in itself.

Ask T&D to supply you with some copies of the finished article if they used it (they can give you copies of just the single page or pages your article is on) you can then use this in your portfolio to help with future work.
I would however have asked permission from the haulage company featured before even contacting T&D or anyone else. If they dont want any publicity in a magazine you could wind up in serious trouble for publishing photos without permission.

Best of luck with your career and look forward to reading the article when its published

[jonnytruckfest]

JoeG:

jonnytruckfest:
I didn’t read the bit when he said it would be something I could brag to my mates about, I couldn’t give a toss if my mates cared or not to be honest. I want to become an established photographer known for what I do best, it’s not a crime to have ambition as to become an established photographer at the age of 18 would be an achievement especially seeing as I’m still at college studying photography Yes then I would have bragging rights but I don’t brag about my work I just share it to those who are interested.

It’s all about achieving for me, not the money. Yes being paid for my work would be great but it’s not about the money and it’s not as if I’m asking to have my work in the mag every month I was asking for 1 article not the end of the universe I’m not wanting to take money away from anybody and if it meant the reporter got paid for me taking up his article space then so be it I couldn’t care less i’d be happy for the article and I’m sure they would be happy being paid for doing F.A

I enjoy writing up my photo diaries it’s not often I get to do them a lately with my college work load being always full so fitting things like this in isn’t easy. But when I got the chance to do the diary with my Dad I took it with both hands and in all fairness my Dad could then see me at work for a change instead of the other way around. And I wouldn’t class myself as a professional journalist or reporter, I’d class myself as a pain in the arse teenager who does the odd good deed now and again doing some interesting work that I love to share with everyone because it’s nice to see what people think of my work because I can see people enjoy the work and those who give constructive criticism I could learn from it to make my next photo shoot better like when I was told to take my photos at more than one level at first I was unsure but now I swear by it!

The only time I have asked questions on here for my photography work is to get other peoples opinions as to get evidence for my research as it’s apart of the mark scheme with college to make sure you have your research. No doubt I will be asking again in the near future, you will find I have never written any diary from questions asked on here just my own experiences and knowledge.

I feel sorry for your [zb] keyboard, did you just sit there and mash at it in a rage?
Can you not just relax and let someone who knows what they are doing do the work? Wanting it done your way isnt always the way things go Why not just send them some stuff to use and see what they do with it. You may have to send them some stuff before you receive any payment but that is sometimes how things go, your an unknown writer/photogapher to them.
If the head guy is on holiday then wait till he gets back, ive spoken to some supervisors before who are right [zb] when they are in charge. The head people can then be completely different.

business and accounting right after each other will do that too you especially when the thick ■■■■■ sat infront of me think’s she’s number one business woman with her head so far up her own arse you can smell the ■■■■ a mile away And then wonders why no one helps her when she struggles And it’s been a very bad day I must admit

I had time to calm down in college in my free ‘study’ periods and sent the email back to the editor saying to go ahead with his proposal of having a full page in the truckstuff section of the mag. It’s better than nothing and I shouldn’t expect so much with it being my first time entering an article in the mag.

Cheers

Jonny

[jonnytruckfest]

toowise:
I think the best way would be to send them your article and photos and let them do the editing or whatever.
As others have said you are just starting out on lifes great highway of careers, to even get a favourable response at your tender young age is a bonus in itself.

Ask T&D to supply you with some copies of the finished article if they used it (they can give you copies of just the single page or pages your article is on) you can then use this in your portfolio to help with future work.
I would however have asked permission from the haulage company featured before even contacting T&D or anyone else. If they dont want any publicity in a magazine you could wind up in serious trouble for publishing photos without permission.

Best of luck with your career and look forward to reading the article when its published

I agree with that, at my age it’s a good achievement of the responses I have had. I have asked Chris if he could send me a copy of the article once completed so I know what to expect. The reason I didn’t get in touch with the company in question first was because in all fairness I never thought I would get the spot in the magazine as I have tried once before and didn’t work out too well. But that’s on my next to-do list tomorrow to make sure it is fine to have the article written.

And hope you enjoy the read once it’s published.

Cheers

Jonny

[toowise]

Just remember Johnny…most succesful authors whether books or magazine articles have had hundreds of knock backs, youve done well so far keep building on it and you should get a good career out of it, once again best of luck.

[jonnytruckfest]

Cheers mate, like I said in the rant post I won’t give up at the first hurdle although this is the second hurdle for me with me already having my work plastered in a different magazine. One day I’ll be an established photographer, have it fixed in my mind along with the truck driving career! The only way is up

Cheers

Jonny

[joeg]

jonnytruckfest:

JoeG:

jonnytruckfest:
I didn’t read the bit when he said it would be something I could brag to my mates about, I couldn’t give a toss if my mates cared or not to be honest. I want to become an established photographer known for what I do best, it’s not a crime to have ambition as to become an established photographer at the age of 18 would be an achievement especially seeing as I’m still at college studying photography Yes then I would have bragging rights but I don’t brag about my work I just share it to those who are interested.

It’s all about achieving for me, not the money. Yes being paid for my work would be great but it’s not about the money and it’s not as if I’m asking to have my work in the mag every month I was asking for 1 article not the end of the universe I’m not wanting to take money away from anybody and if it meant the reporter got paid for me taking up his article space then so be it I couldn’t care less i’d be happy for the article and I’m sure they would be happy being paid for doing F.A

I enjoy writing up my photo diaries it’s not often I get to do them a lately with my college work load being always full so fitting things like this in isn’t easy. But when I got the chance to do the diary with my Dad I took it with both hands and in all fairness my Dad could then see me at work for a change instead of the other way around. And I wouldn’t class myself as a professional journalist or reporter, I’d class myself as a pain in the arse teenager who does the odd good deed now and again doing some interesting work that I love to share with everyone because it’s nice to see what people think of my work because I can see people enjoy the work and those who give constructive criticism I could learn from it to make my next photo shoot better like when I was told to take my photos at more than one level at first I was unsure but now I swear by it!

The only time I have asked questions on here for my photography work is to get other peoples opinions as to get evidence for my research as it’s apart of the mark scheme with college to make sure you have your research. No doubt I will be asking again in the near future, you will find I have never written any diary from questions asked on here just my own experiences and knowledge.

I feel sorry for your [zb] keyboard, did you just sit there and mash at it in a rage?
Can you not just relax and let someone who knows what they are doing do the work? Wanting it done your way isnt always the way things go Why not just send them some stuff to use and see what they do with it. You may have to send them some stuff before you receive any payment but that is sometimes how things go, your an unknown writer/photogapher to them.
If the head guy is on holiday then wait till he gets back, ive spoken to some supervisors before who are right [zb] when they are in charge. The head people can then be completely different.

business and accounting right after each other will do that too you especially when the thick ■■■■■ sat infront of me think’s she’s number one business woman with her head so far up her own arse you can smell the [zb] a mile away And then wonders why no one helps her when she struggles And it’s been a very bad day I must admit

I had time to calm down in college in my free ‘study’ periods and sent the email back to the editor saying to go ahead with his proposal of having a full page in the truckstuff section of the mag. It’s better than nothing and I shouldn’t expect so much with it being my first time entering an article in the mag.

Cheers

Jonny

Johnny, what job do you want to do? So far you have come on here telling us all of these different jobs you want to do, interviews you have gone for and have been very confident you have got the job telling us what you thought you interviewers thought of you and yet you are still in 6th form doing the same old stuff. Apologies if im wrong but you seem to want to be a lorry driver, then want to go work for someone else, then want to do something else, then something else.
You have done 1 diary so far and you now want to make a profession out of it?
You do stand criticism very well though, have you thought about a career answering complaints?

[newmercman]

JTF, you need to step back and take a look at what’s on offer here, regardless of your opinion of your work, Chris Turner is a professional magazine editor, he’s been at T&D for a long long time, it’s no coincidence that T&D is the best selling trucking magazine, the man knows his stuff

I worked as a full time journalist and still do freelance work, as well as the stuff that appears in T&D (which has stopped recently because I’m working on some other things, as well as being a full time driver) I also have a monthly column in a Canadian magazine, so I’m in the loop, but not everything I’ve written has appeared in print, some of what I considered to be good pieces have never seen the light of day, they may have been well written (I think ) but they don’t fit in with the rest of the magazine, only the full time staff know what’s going on, freelancers take a chance, unless they’re given an assignment

Let Chris do his thing with your piece and remember, from little Acorns, grow huge Oak Trees

[jonnytruckfest]

JoeG:

jonnytruckfest:

JoeG:

jonnytruckfest:
I didn’t read the bit when he said it would be something I could brag to my mates about, I couldn’t give a toss if my mates cared or not to be honest. I want to become an established photographer known for what I do best, it’s not a crime to have ambition as to become an established photographer at the age of 18 would be an achievement especially seeing as I’m still at college studying photography Yes then I would have bragging rights but I don’t brag about my work I just share it to those who are interested.

It’s all about achieving for me, not the money. Yes being paid for my work would be great but it’s not about the money and it’s not as if I’m asking to have my work in the mag every month I was asking for 1 article not the end of the universe I’m not wanting to take money away from anybody and if it meant the reporter got paid for me taking up his article space then so be it I couldn’t care less i’d be happy for the article and I’m sure they would be happy being paid for doing F.A

I enjoy writing up my photo diaries it’s not often I get to do them a lately with my college work load being always full so fitting things like this in isn’t easy. But when I got the chance to do the diary with my Dad I took it with both hands and in all fairness my Dad could then see me at work for a change instead of the other way around. And I wouldn’t class myself as a professional journalist or reporter, I’d class myself as a pain in the arse teenager who does the odd good deed now and again doing some interesting work that I love to share with everyone because it’s nice to see what people think of my work because I can see people enjoy the work and those who give constructive criticism I could learn from it to make my next photo shoot better like when I was told to take my photos at more than one level at first I was unsure but now I swear by it!

The only time I have asked questions on here for my photography work is to get other peoples opinions as to get evidence for my research as it’s apart of the mark scheme with college to make sure you have your research. No doubt I will be asking again in the near future, you will find I have never written any diary from questions asked on here just my own experiences and knowledge.

I feel sorry for your [zb] keyboard, did you just sit there and mash at it in a rage?
Can you not just relax and let someone who knows what they are doing do the work? Wanting it done your way isnt always the way things go Why not just send them some stuff to use and see what they do with it. You may have to send them some stuff before you receive any payment but that is sometimes how things go, your an unknown writer/photogapher to them.
If the head guy is on holiday then wait till he gets back, ive spoken to some supervisors before who are right [zb] when they are in charge. The head people can then be completely different.

business and accounting right after each other will do that too you especially when the thick ■■■■■ sat infront of me think’s she’s number one business woman with her head so far up her own arse you can smell the [zb] a mile away And then wonders why no one helps her when she struggles And it’s been a very bad day I must admit

I had time to calm down in college in my free ‘study’ periods and sent the email back to the editor saying to go ahead with his proposal of having a full page in the truckstuff section of the mag. It’s better than nothing and I shouldn’t expect so much with it being my first time entering an article in the mag.

Cheers

Jonny

Johnny, what job do you want to do? So far you have come on here telling us all of these different jobs you want to do, interviews you have gone for and have been very confident you have got the job telling us what you thought you interviewers thought of you and yet you are still in 6th form doing the same old stuff. Apologies if im wrong but you seem to want to be a lorry driver, then want to go work for someone else, then want to do something else, then something else.
You have done 1 diary so far and you now want to make a profession out of it?
You do stand criticism very well though, have you thought about a career answering complaints?

I have done more than one diary. You just have to look in the transport photo section in the forum

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=73474
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=73726

and this was me just 6 months into my photography ‘career’ doing my GCSE photography course
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=67175

I have interests all over the place mate, but I applied to do mechanics because it was something of interest to me and would see me into a nice trade. But I didn’t get it so I looked into full time work as I honestly thought I cocked up in my English and Psychology exam which would prevent me getting into college to do A-levels but as many know I didn’t get the job with chep due to my age at the time. And even when I re-applied for it with the same agency they never contacted me back although I have my suspicions why. But I am now doing business, accounting and photography at college on a - level with business being a double award. The whole reason is because I am keeping a promise to my dad to get qualifications behind me

I want to become a truck driver, have done since I was 3 But I developed a new interest in photography and eventually picked up writing as something I enjoyed doing And I have written some right pieces not just my transport work either (A gcse student at the time putting a full class of A-level students into silence was the result certainly shocked when they realized I’m not as thick as I look ) It’s just a promise I intend to keep to my Dad hence why I’m at college as I did well in my exams last year and I’m doing extremely well compared to what my grade ‘score’ predicts me (4 grades higher in all subjects apart from 1 although I was 1 mark away from being all subjects being 4 grades higher! ) So I’m doing my old dad proud as well as getting some good qualifications out of it I also have an interview for a part time job at cotton trader in J32 for 11 hours a week so I’m getting there. The reasons for the full time work, you can probably guess why but if not I would be saving for to get myself through all my licenses etc. But now I’m just taking it in my stride and trying to take things as they come for a change because if I rush mistakes will be made. And mistakes are not something I can afford to make right now so a relaxed but focused attitude is what I need right now. And I used to work in a student services office for 6 months on a business admin apprenticeship with school and I ended up having ago at a lad who was ■■■■■■■■ about wanting to go home because he got slapped by a lass in the canteen (Which I saw just coming away from my lunch) and I had a few choice words for him. So working on answering complaints isn’t something I would be very good at

Cheers

Jonny

[joeg]

Currently you have done the equivalent to standing on a bridge taking pictures but in a yard. And you went with your dad.
Correct me if im wrong by the way.

[jonnytruckfest]

newmercman:
JTF, you need to step back and take a look at what’s on offer here, regardless of your opinion of your work, Chris Turner is a professional magazine editor, he’s been at T&D for a long long time, it’s no coincidence that T&D is the best selling trucking magazine, the man knows his stuff

I worked as a full time journalist and still do freelance work, as well as the stuff that appears in T&D (which has stopped recently because I’m working on some other things, as well as being a full time driver) I also have a monthly column in a Canadian magazine, so I’m in the loop, but not everything I’ve written has appeared in print, some of what I considered to be good pieces have never seen the light of day, they may have been well written (I think ) but they don’t fit in with the rest of the magazine, only the full time staff know what’s going on, freelancers take a chance, unless they’re given an assignment

Let Chris do his thing with your piece and remember, from little Acorns, grow huge Oak Trees

Like I’ve said mate, I’ve sent the work to him it’s down to him now what he does with it I’ve put my trust with him to make it look like it’s supposed to. He’ll probably even surprise me with how it’s turned out with any luck although I haven’t a clue what mag it’s going to be in but if it’s like the classic commercial mag that I sent pictures too it will be done in the next 2 issues assuming he uses my work.

Not bad though if I must say having my work featured in two different magazines. Not bad if I do say so for someone that’s been doing photography for just over a year.

Cheers

Jonny

[jonnytruckfest]

You’re not wrong Joe, but I’ve not really had the chance to go with any driver other than Dad and my mate Steve although the purfleet diary didn’t go as well as I hoped. But you learn with experience. I’m not a driver yet so I have to work with what I have even if it isn’t a lot.

Cheers

Jonny

[mike-c]

newmercman:
so I’m in the loop,

Thats close to my description of ya !!!

[mike-c]

jonnytruckfest:
The only time I have asked questions on here for my photography work is to get other peoples opinions as to get evidence for my research as it’s apart of the mark scheme with college to make sure you have your research. No doubt I will be asking again in the near future, you will find I have never written any diary from questions asked on here just my own experiences and knowledge.

Here’s a tip, before you write, learn how to read. The word ‘context’ might help you here. I’m not suggesting you should not ask questions and nor am i going to expand any further on what i meant,

[jonnytruckfest]

I know what you meant Mike and I did read it. I was just stating a point really not trying to make anything of it.

Cheers

Jonny

[driveroneuk]

Jonny, trying to break into journalism/photography on a freelance basis at a young age is a bit like trying to start a very old tired truck.
Takes a lot of winding up, makes some coughs and splutters giving false hope, might flatten the batteries meaning you have to lay off for a bit whilst you recharge them, then come back for another go with renewed energy.
Eventually she splutters into life, albeit with lots of smoke initially, but once warmed up will pull with the best of them.

[jonnytruckfest]

I understand mate, I do understand I am trying to run before I can walk and is probably one of my biggest issues Anyway I’m too wrapped up with business coursework at the moment. Who knew you could write a 10 page essay about asda

Thanks again mate

Cheers

Jonny

[newmercman]

Mike-C:

newmercman:
so I’m in the loop,

Thats close to my description of ya !!!

[Lucy]

I’ve been freelance writing for T&D and CM - mostly the latter these days - for around 8 years now, having originally been picked up for something I posted on here by then-editor Dave Young.

The thing you really need is a mentor, someone who thinks you have potential and will help see you forward, as well as teach you how to write for publication. Dave did that for me, and Brian Weatherley took over the role when he moved on. The big thing, and possibly the hardest thing, to learn is how to write short. You spend years at school being taught to wax lyrical, but writing for magazines, especially once you get beyond diary-type stuff (which you’ll need to if you want to get anywhere in the long term) is all about saying as much as possible in a very small space, and it really is an art. You’ll know you’ve achieved that goal when you start comparing what you’ve submitted against what is published and find very few changes have been made. This in turn makes it easier to get more work in future as editors (the ones doing the cutting) don’t need to spend hours tinkering and rewriting to make the piece fit the available space. So if you’re asked for 1500 words, you need to be submitting around 1600-1700 TOPS, and every word should be “earn it’s keep”.

Once you’ve sent a couple of things in unsolicited and had them published, the next step is to develop a relationship with the various editors, learn what they are looking for in their particular publication, then start pitching ideas before you do anything with them. That way you’ll only write to commission and never waste time on stuff you can’t then sell. It’s also good to develop a niche as a writer, something that makes you first choice for a particular type of piece - for example, these days I mostly specialise in features that involve talking to people about things which are slightly sensitive areas, such as pay and conditions, and my contacts are EVERYTHING to me, work-wise. I therefore spend a LOT more time developing and maintaining relationships with those people than I do actually writing, a tactic which has paid off as I am now finally reaching the stage where editors are approaching me for text, as well as the other way around. Earning a couple of hundred quid for a thousand words may look like money for old rope from the outside, but the actual writing is only the tip of the iceburg when you look at the time and effort that goes into putting a piece together.

You’re at an advantage if you can take photos - which I can’t, not for toffee - so that will help, but remember if you want to go anywhere writing from personal experience will only take you so far. I did a regular CM column for a few years and still occasionally do the Sharp End in T&D, but I had to move away from that kind of stuff eventually to progress. There’s only so much you can say about your own life that people are interested in, after all. That said, there is scope for paid online work in that vein - I have one client for whom I do a corporate blog which really is just about my day-to-day musings - but you need the reputation first before people will take you on for that kind of gig.

As for Chris Turner, the man is a genius when it comes to his editing role, so you can rest assured your diary will come out great. Not all the people who do that part of his job - he’s a serious, experienced, respected and highly competant journalist in his own right as well - are actually much cop at it, and it’s heartbreaking to see carefully crafted sections of text turned to crap by a clunky cut, or a lack of understanding of the subject on the part of the person doing the cutting. Chris is a man you can 100% trust on that point - he’s what I like to call a “writer’s editor”, in that he will spot tiny places he can trim to make the thing fit, and at the end of it you’ll have to get your original copy out to work out what he’s done, 'cos you sure as hell won’t be able to see the joins any other way!

Good luck. With hard work and determination there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to make at least a healthy part-time wage from writing, you just have to keep plugging away.

Ps. Excuse any typos I’ve missed, I’m used to having those fished out for me these days, and it’s a pleasure to be able to waffle at length on here unmolested.

[jonnytruckfest]

I understand what you mean Lucy, I suppose with this being my first time trying to get some form of article printed I’m going to make a lot of mistakes ( I usually do anyway! ) But it’s all learning curves that I have to take in order to get somewhere.

I have a feeling that Chris might think I am a bit of a nob with trying to dig my heels in to say I was right but I admit I was wrong in trying to prove someone who does the job professionally wrong I just hope it doesn’t cloud his judgement of me as I just felt a bit let down with an idea I believed would be a great one for the mag. I am stubborn so admitting I am wrong is like trying to take sweets from a kid And I’m just letting him get on with what he needs to do and I hope it’s done well (Probably better than I expect!!) I wouldn’t mind having a mentor and being able to have some bits in magazines as I’m all about sharing my work with the world I must admit And it’s a way of me becoming an established photographer in the process as that’s where I would like to be, usually when I have my mind set on something I never stop until it’s done which I know can work both ways I just have to hope I get there

And don’t worry about the typos it took me 2 goes to crack English myself so I have no room to grumble about typos

Also I’ve got some pictures of my Dad’s ‘new’ assigned truck today (Along with many others) while moving his stuff into it, He was like a kid in a sweet shop with him having a V8 under the bonnet. Certainly deserves it after all the hard work he’s done. Can only hope there’s going to be an opportunity for me to go with him (Fingers crossed!!!) It’s all just a waiting game now to see what the article looks like.

Cheers

Jonny