Re: professional photographers

[Charles Tait <charles.tait@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi there

I quite agree with you.  Of course sometimes images are given for "free".

Ron Klein wrote:

> I’m listening to all the chat about free images needed for publication and
> shaking my head.
>
> First, let me assure all of you that Bob Erickson will indeed get all the
> free pictures he needs for his book.  Certainly there are a lot of people
> out there in chatland that are flaming mad about it, but the simple fact is,
> they are out numbered.
>

Only outnumbered if you do not consider a few points.  Serious landscape
photographers will go back to the same locations time and again to get the light
they want or find.  This is a key point about cost.  Just any nice pic of course
is cheap.

>
>  If you are a “professional” photographer and strongly feel that you must be
> paid for every piece of work you do, I tip my hat to you and wish you the
> best.  Just remember that even among professionals there is competition.
> Someone is always willing to do YOUR job for less money.  Getting mad about
> it and stomping your feet will get you nowhere.  It is far better to simply
> ignore Mr. Erickson’s request and get on with your own business.  Decent
> photographers should have all the work they want without worrying about
> every little job that pops up.
>

The competition in UK is intense and there is a constant driving down of prices
paid while film, etc simply goes in the opposite direction as you know.  This is
especially important for panoramic work where the cameras positively gobble
film.  In my experience clients usually baulk at the idea of paying more for a
panoramic shot and totally fail to understand what is involved.  Hence the value
of the Horizon.

>
> As far as amateur photographers are concerned, anything goes, and it is
> probably fair that they should try everything at least once.  I’m willing to
> bet that before most “professional” photographers became “professional” they
> did the exactly the same thing.  By the way, what is the official license
> that one needs to make them “professional”?  It’s not exactly like a bar
> exam for lawyers or a state medical board review.  It seems to me, most
> people in photography simply print up a business card and away they go.
>

Yes but if the work is not up to scratch you wont get repeat business, or
perhaps any at all.

>
> If you are interested in Bob’s offer, go for it.  It isn’t much, but that is
> what he feels is right.  Just remember that just because someone is writing
> a book about panoramic photography it isn’t automatically going to be a best
> seller.  In fact, most books like this are losers ending up on remainder
> tables in bookstores.  (Please don’t take offense Bob)
>

I wish it success.

>
> What really counts in photography or anything else is a good reputation.
> This is accomplished by doing good work over a long period of time.
>
> Enough said, let’s talk about pan photography instead
>
> Ron Klein
> practicing “professional” photography for 30 years

Not quite as long as that, but 22 years seems quite a long time too.

Charles Tait