Amateurs ruining the profession...

[FMarquart]

So you can thank the amateurs for ruining the profession…

Today I was at a swim meet covering the event for the paper/website, and here is a guy shooting (which his name will remain anonymous) and I asked him why don't you charge for your photos on your smugmug account? His reply was I don't have/pay a pro account (this is where you can set your own prices), so I told him this is hurting the guys/gals and yourself trying to put bread on the table. His account (smugmug) allows for anyone to download the images for free or get them printed at cost, basically 0.21 cents for a 4x6.

Now I know he has a LONG way to go on improving to capture peek images, but if there is NO intent of ever becoming a professional, just stay in the stands just like the other parents do. Or if you do then apply at the media outlets and show them your portfolio. I understand you want to get photos of your OWN kids, (which is not the case because he shoots everyone from other teams) but if that was the case EVERYONE with a camera would be on the field, court side, pool side, ect…

You would never show up at a hospital and ask if you can perform surgery because you own a scalpel and have read a lot of articles about the procedure on the internet, so it annoys me to no end that anyone who owns a DSLR thinks they can show up at my place of business and pretend to do my job.

What are your thought other semi / pros out there, or am I way off on this subject??

Frank
FRANK MARQUART's Photos | SmugMug

 

[glhs837]

If your stuff is better, folks will pay for it. If its not appreciably better, they wont. Photography isn't open heart surgery, with lives in the balance.

 

[desertrat]

So you can thank the amateurs for ruining the profession…

Today I was at a swim meet covering the event for the paper/website, and here is a guy shooting (which his name will remain anonymous) and I asked him why don't you charge for your photos on your smugmug account? His reply was I don't have/pay a pro account (this is where you can set your own prices), so I told him this is hurting the guys/gals and yourself trying to put bread on the table. His account (smugmug) allows for anyone to download the images for free or get them printed at cost, basically 0.21 cents for a 4x6.

Now I know he has a LONG way to go on improving to capture peek images, but if there is NO intent of ever becoming a professional, just stay in the stands just like the other parents do. Or if you do then apply at the media outlets and show them your portfolio. I understand you want to get photos of your OWN kids, (which is not the case because he shoots everyone from other teams) but if that was the case EVERYONE with a camera would be on the field, court side, pool side, ect…

You would never show up at a hospital and ask if you can perform surgery because you own a scalpel and have read a lot of articles about the procedure on the internet, so it annoys me to no end that anyone who owns a DSLR thinks they can show up at my place of business and pretend to do my job.

What are your thought other semi / pros out there, or am I way off on this subject??Frank
FRANK MARQUART's Photos | SmugMug

Free to do that as long as the areas aren't restricted as in pro events.

 

[rhenderson]

If it is YOUR place of business - tell them to leave. But it sounds to me like your at some one else's place - such as a school, college or athletic complex.
So what gives you the right to take and sell the pictures to begin with?

Do you an exclusive agreement for photography with the organizers of the event?

 

[toppick08]

 

[FMarquart]

If your stuff is better, folks will pay for it. If its not appreciably better, they wont. Photography isn't open heart surgery, with lives in the balance.

Thanks for replying...Maybe the example was a little harsh, I was just trying to show the extreme...How about I don't show up to a public school and start teaching kids on my own in the cafeteria...something along those lines if you know what I mean.

Plus I was looking for input, like I stated in original post from other semi / pro photographers that understand the profession...

Frank

 

[FMarquart]

If it is YOUR place of business - tell them to leave. But it sounds to me like your at some one else's place - such as a school, college or athletic complex.
So what gives you the right to take and sell the pictures to begin with?

Do you an exclusive agreement for photography with the organizers of the event?

Thanks for replying...BUT this is not what I am talking about, I'm talking about just giving your work away because you have a camera strapped around your neck and you want to have field access...

Like stated earlier I'm looking for input from other semi / pro photographers that understand...Unless you are, because know one around here except about 2% of posters don't "Hide" behind some made up name...

Frank

Frank

 

[FMarquart]

Free to do that as long as the areas aren't restricted as in pro events.

Thanks for replying...I didn't say it wasn't a problem for them to shoot...I'm taking you are not a semi / pro photographer??? If you are then you would understand...I was looking for input in this "Photography" forum...

Frank

 

[GWguy]

Some of the worlds best and most important photos have been taken by amateurs, and they have no intention of looking for pro status. But they are just as proud of what they have done, probably more so that someone who is only looking for the return on their efforts, and have every right to take their pictures and post them if they so desire.

If you are so worried that non-professionals my be cutting into your returns, then maybe you should concentrate on making sure your product is superior enough to command the price of a professional status.

 

[Dutch6]

Some of the worlds best and most important photos have been taken by amateurs, and they have no intention of looking for pro status. But they are just as proud of what they have done, probably more so that someone who is only looking for the return on their efforts, and have every right to take their pictures and post them if they so desire.

If you are so worried that non-professionals my be cutting into your returns, then maybe you should concentrate on making sure your product is superior enough to command the price of a professional status.

 

[belvak]

Some of the worlds best and most important photos have been taken by amateurs, and they have no intention of looking for pro status. But they are just as proud of what they have done, probably more so that someone who is only looking for the return on their efforts, and have every right to take their pictures and post them if they so desire.

If you are so worried that non-professionals my be cutting into your returns, then maybe you should concentrate on making sure your product is superior enough to command the price of a professional status.

 

[Aerogal]

If they guy is getting paid for the photo's (pay on print) then he really isn't an amature, is he? The difference between you and him is a business card, maybe a studio, and pricing.

 

[donbarzini]

Wow. Puts it out on a public forum and then says he only wants replies from other professionals. Sounds to me more like he only wants replies from people that agree. And please notice that I'm talking to all you other non-professionals so he doesn't get his feelings hurt again.

 

[Merlin99]

Wow. Puts it out on a public forum and then says he only wants replies from other professionals. Sounds to me more like he only wants replies from people that agree. And please notice that I'm talking to all you other non-professionals so he doesn't get his feelings hurt again.

Well there are more professional photogs out there than amateurs so it was probably safe to say he wanted only their opinions.

 

[Bann]

If I am at an event where one of my precious little angels are performing, playing, participating, etc., and I am allowed/afforded the opportunity to take pictures - I may just do that. IF I choose to post them (informally and not charge for them) on the internet, I will do so as I darn well please.

Sheesh!

 

[glhs837]

Well, at least two of my jobs required me to take photographs, so I was a professional, right? I got paid for taking pictures.

 

[desertrat]

Well, at least two of my jobs required me to take photographs, so I was a professional, right? I got paid for taking pictures.

You lost your amateur status! Oh no!

I got paid for one wedding a long time ago, so I guess I have too. Unless there is a time limit and it has run out.

 

[IntruderAlert]

Today I was at a swim meet covering the event for the paper/website...

Seems you were paid for your assignment. I don't see the problem or issue. Just out of curiosity, since you were on the job at the time, doesn't that make the photographs the property of the paper?

 

[rhenderson]

The intent of my original reply was to point out that there is no exclusitivity to the right to shoot and distribute photographs of public events in the absence of a contract with the sponsoring organization. Photography is one of the more heavily impacted professions of the "digital age"; however, it is by no means alone in the disruption of traditional professions/jobs. Self check outs eliminate checkers and baggers in supermarkets; ATM and debit cards eliminate gas station attendants and station clerks. The expert in engineering drawing requirements twenty years ago needs a complete retraining to even be conversant in the field today because engineering designs are no longer reduced to two dimensional sheet of mylar, but instead are fed directly into digitally controlled machining centers.

Today every body a color camera & video recorder in their cell phone - and can post those pics on the internet and around the world in heartbeat.

 

[vraiblonde]

Help me understand what OP's complaint is - is he trying to say that regular people shouldn't be able to take pictures and post them online?