Thanks Cheryl and thank you for providing the link to the other photographer's
blog post about this exact issue.
Professional photography has always been an inherently tough game. In recent
years it's been made even tougher by the fact that there is a raft of amateurs
willing to do anything to see their name in print. These are people that
perhaps have gone out and spent a lot of saved money on some decent gear, then
taken great pics with it and given their stuff to a publication for free.
While this is very nice if that publication is for a good cause (I started
working for NGOs when I started my business), for a syndicated publication
however, it is simply rude and bad business. I was shocked to find out
recently that the travel section of a major newspaper in Vancouver doesn't pay
their writers or photographers. They don't have to because so many people are
prepared to get published. This is for a paid newspaper that is in print but
regardless, whether that publication is online or on the shelves, you have a
right to be paid for your work if they are asking to be paid by consumers
willing to buy their work.
Photography is also a very equipment intensive profession. I go through a
camera body every two to three years. If I gave my work away for free to
people making money out of it, how would I be able to upgrade my gear and keep
my business going?
I ask you - would you front up to Tetsuyas restaurant in Sydney and say "I'd
like to eat at your restaurant and then blog about my experience. I can't
afford the $200 but if you let me eat for free, I'll write a positive review
about your place". Unless you were a major food writer with a massive
audience, you'd be shown the door or even kicked out of it faster than you
could blink.
All businesses have an initial outlay but one that has that outlay without
recouping their cost won't be in business for long so my message is, think
twice before you give your stuff away for free. Credit neither pays your
bills, supports your family, puts meals on the table or gets you new gear.
Just my .02c :-)
Cheers,
Inger
Inger Vandyke
Professional Wildlife Photographer and Writer
Expedition Leader - Western Tibet Expedition (16 September - 7 October, 2013)
Assistant Publicity Officer - Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association (SOSSA)
Guest Lecturer - Photography, Freelancing and Photo Journalism - Bond
University, Gold Coast, Australia
Mob: +61 402 286 437
www.ingervandyke.com
> Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:26:20 -0700
> From:
> To:
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] What value a photo?
>
> I do 'get' that the advent of digital/advanced technology
> may have a bearing on people's attitudes and the value they
> put (or DON'T put) on an image.
>
> The link Inger Vandyke put up was very informative and
> quite an eye opener, actually.
>
> In addition, the following blog by Mike Spinak 'spoke' to me:
>
> http://naturography.com/when-publishers-request-freebies/
>
> After reading through various blogs and comments that followed
> I can't help but think the request for freebie photos is a
> fairly regular occurence.
>
> If anything it has now made me a little wiser and even "braver"
> about dealing with some of the random image requests ;-)
>
>
>
>
> --- On Sat, 7/21/12, Cheryl Ridge <> wrote:
>
> > From: Cheryl Ridge <>
> > Subject: What value a photo?
> > To:
> > Date: Saturday, July 21, 2012, 10:47 AM
> > Thanks to those who have chimed in.
> > Thinking more on this...
> >
> > I guess the desire/expectation and availability of
> > freebies goes beyond photography. Interesting reading.
> >
> > But my own experiences vary from 'donating' images for
> > educational purposes to actually getting paid for images
> > in books or interpretive panels etc. Or sometimes there
> > might be a trade/barter arrangement. All good.
> >
> > I've been thinking about the value of photos in society.
> > A world without imagery would be a pretty dull place not
> > to mention affecting an organization’s ability to market
> > themselves, a great bearing on advertising and sales,
> > education, conservation, news reporting, memories,
> > recording history and events.
> >
> > Imagine if all photographers giving away freebies
> > suddenly exclaimed "fair suck of the sav" and
> > put a stop to certain things, could be interesting.
> >
> > Take photo competitions as an example. Some terms and
> > conditions are unbelievable. Some competitions seem to
> > be a front for an "image grab" - to stockpile eyecandy to
> > promote their own business/market their products/generate
> > traffic/income or even distribute or onsell to others!
> >
> > And really why can’t photographers stand up and be
> > counted
> > amongst other people who get compensated somewhat for their
> > time/effort/product? Office workers, builders, rangers,
> > graphic designers, editors or publishers, retailers,
> > hobbyists, craft makers, printing firms.
> >
> > Is a photographer’s time/product worth less?
> >
> >
> > (my apologies if the formatting is a little strange!)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- On Fri, 7/20/12, Cheryl Ridge <>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > From: Cheryl Ridge <>
> > > Subject: What value a photo?
> > > To:
> > > Date: Friday, July 20, 2012, 11:53 AM
> > > Hi folks
> > >
> > > It can feel nice to help a project out,
> > > especially if it is for a "good cause"
> > > and seeing one's name in print (credit line)
> > > can be a buzz.
> > >
> > > But is there a general expectation that bird
> > > and nature images should just be supplied
> > > freely to whoever asks?
> > >
> > > There will always be those who cheerfully
> > > give their images away because they see
> > > themselves as JUST an amateur or it is
> > > JUST a hobby for them.
> > >
> > > Bird and nature photography is a hobby for
> > > me yet I do find myself thinking more about
> > > the 'value' of an image and now take a step
> > > back before sending off a high resolution
> > > image to someone.
> > >
> > > First I will try to establish if they
> > > are seeking donations/freebies, their
> > > intended audience and what they plan
> > > to do with the finished product. Based
> > > on their response I decide if I can
> > > help them.
> > >
> > > If necessary I take the opportunity to
> > > mention that photographers have their
> > > own expenses, time and skills associated
> > > with the image not to mention things like
> > > petrol/accom costs, photography permits
> > > in some cases, wear and tear on equipment
> > > even insurance.
> > >
> > > I am hoping other bird/nature photographers
> > > might be willing to share their experiences or
> > > thoughts with regard to giving away images.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > Cheryl Ridge
> > >
> >
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