> It's always interesting and useful to get a different view of things. > What is of concern to me and I think should be to other photographers is > this. The world is being swamped with easy to use, instant > gratification auto digital snappers, who easily believe that what they > shoot is not that different to the pro around the corner (block) They > may see their pictures on their mostly not good monitors and are easily > impressed, they print them out and are amazed. Yes it is amazing, > just as amazing as those Polaroids.....do you remember....they too were > largely very poor quality. Never mind it was an instant result if > waiting a minute or so is instant!
I can see that I helped open pandoras box here. I agree with every word that Richard posted. I wish it were different but I can't believe that most photographers aren't being affected by competition from designers, clients shooting their own photographs, royalty free, etc, etc. I've personally lost thousands as a result. If a new list were created with a restricted membership (or prodig changed to reflect that) would that trend change? No, of course not. However I've lost count of the times that clients have said that they want me to shoot the difficult stuff but the simple widget shots they are now going to do and by the way can I recommend a good digital camera and lights that they can buy. Perhaps I should get them a stick to beat me with as well. Would they tell me how their business works? You must be joking they would say. How come my business is any different? There is a type of photographer who shoots because he/she wants to express themselves. I guess we are all in that camp to a greater or lesser degree but for many of us its a business. We either make a living or not. There are many very positive stories of course but the above is a typical tale. Why should I give them or any non full time professional any encouragement? You may accuse me of being protectionist and I guess I am but I'm open to any discussion with any FT professional image creator & user on an equal basis. I am not saying lets pull up the drawbridge & not impart information to anyone but the price of that information should be a full and clear commitment to the industry we work in. The only way I can see of measuring that commitment is to have a list restricted to FT professional image creators & users. This is, or was last time I looked, the position of most of the professional organisations in photography. Furthermore, like Richard, I would welcome a much wider area of discussion as digital is now mainstream & the whole OS/ digital/ film / design/ repro / print / ethics / fees areas are entwined and I can't see the point of trying to separate them into different lists. I suppose that I'm mooting an online professional organisation but one that isn't obsessed with awards & gala dinners but reflects the needs & directions of the wider industry. Kind Regards Steve Steve Climpson Now running for cover. =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
