Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/01/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 10:29:24 +0100 >From: Pascal <cyberdog@attglobal.net> >Subject: RE: [Leica] an appeal to photographer >Message-ID: <20010104092846.E26EADC99@morpheus.skynet.be> > >Although I am not a pro photographer (i.e. I don't make a living out of >photography), sometimes people will ask for my services to shoot this or >that event etc. >When discussing costs involved, they almost always are surprised (to say >the least) that they should pay more than the pure costs of the >films+development+prints... After all, you are "supposed" to do this for >fun, isn't it? >Sometimes, if you make reprints, they even expect you to only charge them >for the cost of the reprint (not the original film+development+print, >since "I have already paid for/amortized that cost in the past"). > >This is why I generally refuse such "offers", unless I really can't avoid >it. > >Some people will believe that anyone with a camera can shoot decent >pictures. > >On the other hand, if you ask a nominal fee for your work as a hobby >photographer, much of the "fun" is gone since no faults are, of course, >allowed and you're expected to "perform". > >Sometimes, it's a difficult trade-off for a hobby photographer. > >I'd be interested to hear how others in this (common, I guess) situation >react! > >Pascal Pascal, I live exactly the same situation. For example for color prints (which I don't process myself) people are surprised if I want more than e.g. 0.5 EURO for a good quality 4x6 print because they usually get their out-of-focus pictures in a 1- hour- lab for 0.2 EURO. For B/W I process myself or for more special work (repro of old photo, ...) I can make a *little* profit but I don't expect to amortize my Leica gear :-) Last week I was in the the public at an official show organized by the city. With my Leica of course, and everybody knows it because we never walk 'naked' of course. The pro photographs invited where off (Xchristmas hollidays?). A politician asked me a picture to insert in their official paper. What can I ask for? 1 Euro? They need a bill and so on or 100 Euro and I'm considered as a thief or a fool. So I give the picture or I say : ' Sorry but in the rush I forget to rewind the film before opening my camera'. So I don't run after the customer. A pro earns money with his gear and an amateur looses for it. Quality is another matter. Bernard bernard.degaute@village.uunet.be