"...Is it more fun riding a bike or watching someone else ride one?..."

If you want to race in the Tour De France, it's worth while watching it first. Assisting isn't only about watching a creative at work, it gives you something very tangible to tune into.

Interesting

Hi fifty50,

If you want to assist the kind of photographers you're talking about, you need to build a little network for yourself. Try to approach first assistants and studio managers - they will be the ones who get the calls and emails - unless you have an opportunity to approach a photographer in person. Maybe you can get friendly with some people at Milk Studios or Pier 59, that's where all the action is.

On the digital side, you should learn Phase One C1 Pro software (go to the Phase One site, download a trial version, look at the tutorials, practice, etc) and familiarise yourself with shooting tethered, but more to the point, learn not just about shooting, but workflow (through to archiving). This will make you much more valuable as an assistant, not to mention help your shooting out a lot. Also make sure you can load 8x10" and RZ film super-quick.

okay,so you are not all in total agreement with me.However why don't you make a list of your favorite photographers and see how many of those assisted? Jeurgen Teller didn't,neither did Nick Knight and I don't think Steven Meisel did ,so if they didn't why should you?I'm just trying to save you wasting years of your life that might be better spent really trying to find out if you are cut out to make a career out of photography.In any case,good luck,50fifty.

Thanks for the tips Andrew. All the things you've highlighted have been on my mind this week. My buddy Jason K. works down at Milk, and I need to go show my face down there in the next week or so. Phase One C1 Pro downloaded a couple days back, and read up on standards this week too. It's kind of down to observation, and getting my hands into some of the gear now.

La, thanks for the well-wishing. I'm consistantly shooting, but trying to keep from letting the stress of survival take away from the ultimate goal. If money were a non-issue....Asi es.

-D