Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/10/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi George, My late father-in-law supported his family in the 1930s and 1940s as a professional photographer, and was the influence that got me interested in photography. I recognize that it has always been a difficult way to grow wealthy, except for those with exceptional talent or great connections. My wife still recalls that her Dad had to go to the bank in the Fall to get a loan to buy supplies for the Christmas season, where he found a lot of his business. Then, it was up to him to see that he got paid, so he could repay the loan. She has few pictures of her own Christmas mornings, because he was out taking photos for other families. His studio portraits were beautiful, using a split-back 5x7 studio camera, photo-floods, and a Packard shutter, and hand retouching of the black and white sheet film negatives. With this background, I feel the hurt that those of you needing to make a profit must feel in today's market. Although I have had one or two images published over the years, this was always in connection with some civic organization of which I happened to be a member, and I have never sold an image. For me, I get pleasure from the kind words of friends when they see my work. I don't think that the few images that I contribute will destroy the market for the work of those like you who have a real product for sale. Jim Nichols Tullahoma, TN USA ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Lottermoser" <imagist3 at mac.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 3:50 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Can't We Contribute to to Public Service? > > On Oct 30, 2011, at 6:44 PM, Tina Manley wrote: > >> And, Jayanand, there is a fee structure for digital use, also. So many >> people think that if it's on the internet, it's free. It's not. > > In fact there is a whole lot of photography available for "free" on the > internet. > The fact that we, as so-called professional photographers, wished it > weren't so > does not alter that fact. > > Even the ability to view so much fine photography on line (irrespective of > use) > has lowered the perceived value of a "photograph." > >> All >> photos are copyright protected and cannot be used without permission. >> Some >> people (non-professionals) give permission freely, professionals charge. >> As EXIF, watermarking, and services like TinEye improve, more and more >> photographers are following up on miss-use of their photos and charging >> 3X >> the normal fee for illegal use of their photos. If the photo has been >> registered with the copyright office, most lawyers are willing to pursue >> those cases and almost always win. I'm all for that! > > Bottom line pros need to demonstrate that their photographs > rank as significantly "better" and "more valuable" > than the "freebies" in any given market. > > Individuals can of course choose to "give away" or "barter" > (doing so for "good will" can also have great value) > or "sell" the products of their labor and expensive tools. > > Regards, > George Lottermoser > george at imagist.com > http://www.imagist.com > http://www.imagist.com/blog > http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > >