Corcoran College of Art & Design Photography Department Chair Andy Grundberg during a portfolio review
Photograph by Elizabeth Krist

As I watch the photographers line up for portfolio reviews at the Corcoran, I wonder how many of them have the talent and the dedication to pursue a life in this art and business of creating images. Not all of the photographers are young, but it's clear that most are students or young professionals just starting out. I admire their courage in wanting a clear assessment of their work, and think of all the aspiring journalists whose work I've critiqued. Do they know what a struggle awaits them? Do they know that even if they learn how to manage a business, as well as the technology, it doesn't do you much good unless you possess a perceptive eye and a passion for what you're documenting?

Greg Breisinger is contemplating a career in photography, and this was the first time he'd ever asked a professional to evaluate this work. Spurred by the feedback, he plans to look at a much greater variety of photography, including many more landscapes and cityscapes, his own specialty. He also came to a realization about the rigor required to successfully capture a scene on film or in pixels: Shoot it 20 times in 20 different kinds of light, since different elements can combine to create very different versions, each evoking a different feeling.

I sympathize with those reviewing the portfolios, too, knowing how potentially painful this process can be, but also knowing in my heart that it's a waste of the photographer's time (and yours) unless you're utterly honest. Lucian Perkins, formerly a photographer with the Washington Post (and along with Nadia Hughes a contender for the title of photographer shown in the greatest number of FotoWeek venues), spoke about the rewards of catching glimpses of real talent amid mediocre work, and steering a photographer to move in that direction.

Joel Sartore and Randy Olson at the Smith Farm Center
Photograph by Elizabeth Krist

I thought about all of this later that same day, as I watched National Geographic photographers Joel Sartore and Randy Olson speaking to the packed Smith Farm gallery amid the Visions of Paradise exhibit. Here are two photographers who have dedicated their photographic careers to enlightening us. As Joel said, neither he nor Randy started out as environmental photographers, but ultimately everything seemed to point in that direction.

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