[Leica] Helping others

[images at comporium.net (Tina Manley)]

What it does is reduce the value of photographer in the eyes of the users.
 If a magazine or webzine gets deluged with free photos from people who want
to see their name in print, they are likely to form the opinion that
photography is a valueless commodity.  With web usage measured in pixels
instead of inches, too often a photo is seen as "good enough".  It doesn't
have to be as good as one intended for print.  Similarly, I have seen the
prices paid for stock photography decline dramatically in the last ten
years.  A full-page photo in a textbook used to bring over $1000 for a one
time use.  Today you are lucky to get $100 for a ten year license for the
same size photo.  I blame micro-stock entirely for reducing the value of
stock photography.  Photographers who accepted 25 cents per download for
unlimited use of their photos ruined the stock photography business for
everybody.

Tina

On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 1:53 PM, Lawrence Zeitlin <lrzeitlin at 
gmail.com>wrote:

> Ted writes as an excuse for not paying for advice:
>
> "We don't and haven't charged each other for our experinece and pleasure of
>
> helping each other! WHY? Simply because we assist each other in exchange of
>
> our greart wisdom! :-) And buddies don't charge buddies for a helping hand!
>
> See how easy it is?"
>
>
> - - - - -
>
>
> So why rank against Peter Klein for donating a photo of his dog to a web
> site? Isn't that just helping an organization that he supports. A double
> standard or just a knee jerk protection of turf?
>
>
> I'm all in favor of giving free advice and assistance to friends and
> virtual
> web friends.  It is a voluntary action in a situation that I entered into
> freely. But when someone requests service in my area of expertise through
> normal business channels I expect payment, the services and fees agreed
> upon
> upfront. What I object to is the attitude of some members of the LUG that
> free pictures somehow reduce the earning capability of working
> photographers
> even though the working photographer was not in competition with the
> amateur. If the working photographer is good enough, clients will line up
> to
> get his/her services. Obviously they did so in your case. But if their
> efforts are no better than the "free" photos volunteered by amateurs, they
> they should either strive to improve their skills, get a better agent, or
> find some other line of work. As you pointed out yourself, in a newsworthy
> situation, almost anyone can pick up a modern wi-fi equipped camera and
> submit an adequate photo to a publication. It may not be the best but it
> will do.
>
> Larry Z
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>
>


-- 
Tina Manley, ASMP
www.tinamanley.com