[Leica] Professional Tourist

[gwpics at googlemail.com (Gerry Walden)]

I am with Ted 100% on this one. Stock work is damned hard work for a
speculative fee, and when I shoot on many locations I am no different
in the way I shoot rom any other tourist on the location. The only
difference is my eye and the amount of work marketing my images I put
in when I return from my trip. In return I bring the beauty etc. of
the location to people who would maybe never even know about it, but
will then be inspired to visit and bring revenue dollars back in
multiples to the location. Unlike Ted  will not (generally) break the
rules but the rules are stupid and can be argued against. In general I
have found that with a gentle approach most people are only to happy
to accommodate.

Gerry

On 16/07/06, Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca> wrote:
> Frank Filippone offered:
> Subject: RE: [Leica] Professional Tourist
>
>
> > The other side of the coin.....
> >
> > So Ted goes to Rome to take professional pictures and finds there is a (
> > really high, way too high) fee for each exposure he takes
> > as a professional using the photographs in a professional way.  Ted
> > decides to not pay the fee, but alternatively to act like a
> > tourist and get the pictures he wants, and uses in a professional 
> > capacity
> > anyway......
> >
> > Doesn't anyone see a problem with this approach?  Isn't there some
> > professional ethical problem here?
> >
> > How is this different from the guy that steals Ted's photos and uses them
> > himself to get an advertisement layout and not pay Ted a
> > dime?
> >
> > Or did I misunderstand Ted's actions and intentions or professional
> > photography ethics?
> >
> > Where is BD when I need him?<<,
>
>
> Frank,
> You don't need B.D. :-) I can speak for myself! ;-)
>
> You're talking about something you have no idea what you're talking about!
> That is unless you are a professional stock photographer! Which I doubt or
> you wouldn't have posted this stupid piece of drivel!
>
> First of all paying the original fee was beyond anyone's wildest
> imagination! I mean over a $100,000 dollars for a one day selection of
> pictures with no absolute client to purchase? The wildest stock photography
> shoot of speculation at any time! Are you that wealthy you'd be prepared to
> lay out $100,000 dollars on speculation that "MAYBE YOU MIGHT MAKE A FEW
> DOLLARS FROM THIS PHOTOGRAPHIC OUT LAY?"
>
> We're talking about "stock photography" not a solid guaranteed paid
> assignmenet, a shooting of speculation that one of the photographs may or
> may not garner a $75.00 dollar fee, a $250.00 fee! Or on occasion higher?
>
> There wasn't any ethics involved, nor was circumventing the stupidity of
> bureaucrats who think every photograph garners a fantastic sum of money
> because one is a professional photographer. Besides a tripod is no 
> guarantee
> the user is a professional!
>
> Heck amateurs who have the smarts sell their pictures later make far
> more..."free income" under these conditions simply because they walk in as
> amateurs, shoot a bunch of frames and walk out. Sell later for undisclosed
> amounts!
>
> We who are honourable and admit we're professionals get screwed by the
> system and are penalized because we're truthful! How dare you question my
> honesty as a professional photographer admitting the truth!
>
> >>> How is this different from the guy that steals Ted's photos and uses
> >>> them himself to get an advertisement layout and not pay >>> Ted a
> >>> dime?<<<
>
> A major difference idiot!
>
> First of all, my creative ability to see a different looking imageis the
> first condition!!!  My seeing is quite unique compared to the artefact 
> lying
> there for thousands of years doing nothing while I make it look 
> interesting!
>
> Me? I'm making an interesting photograph that will bring thousands of
> tourists to the area to spend multi-thousands of dollars for bureaucratic
> welfare.  Mean while my interesting photograph, "if bought and used," may
> bring folks to their area spending dollars. While I may or may not re-cover
> my cost outlay!!
>
> Imagine at no cost to them! Think about that aspect!
>
> I'm basically giving it to them for free! And given I've spent the cost of
> flights, hotel, meals and sundry, purely on speculation, they should be 
> damn
> appreciative I've given my time and income to help their economic cause for
> free!!! Think about that my friend!
>
> And the ridiculous assumption of the bureaucrats who think everyone who is 
> a
> professional makes thousands of dollars from their pile of rocks? Bull 
> shit!
>
> Get real Frank, it isn't TV! It's real life!
>
> ted
>
>
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>


-- 
Gerry Walden LBPPA
Web: www.gwpics.com
Tel: +44 (0)23 8046 3076