chez Online Upload & Sell: Off
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p.11 #3 · p.11 #3 · Hobby photographers eroding value of professional work? | |
Kory Lidstrom wrote:
Late to the discussion here, but making money from photgraphy courses, workshops, tours, holidays, etc. is not the same thing as making money from the actual sale of your art. I've done lots of tours for both my own company and as an assistant to one of the biggest nature photogs in the world. In addition, several other big-time photogs that run tours are friends of mine. And you know what we all agree on?
Running photography workshops/tours, etc is not the same thing as being a photographer. And, it's hard work and can really burn you out.
Yes, there is money to be made there, sometimes lots of money. But it's not the same thing as making money by actually selling your images in the form of prints, licensing, etc. Instead of being a photographer, you become a photography teacher. Close, but still totally different in many ways.
It's gotten to the point that several of the heavy hitters I'm talking about -- and I guarantee you they are people you know, some of whom post on this very forum -- are sick to death of running tours, but feel trapped because it's the only real way for a nature photographer to make a good living anymore. Why? Because, as many in this thread have stated, amateurs who give their work away for free are ruining the industry. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free, even if the milk is of poorer quality?
So, yes, you are correct when you say "One door closes, another opens". But, those doors lead to different places, so it's really a moot point.
The bottom line is this: if you don't think that amateurs undercutting pros is hurting the industry, you're deluding yourself.
This debate has been ongoing for many years since the advent of digital. And, it always seems to be the non-pros saying it's not a problem. Funny, because every full time pro I know says the opposite. Every. Single. One. Who are you gonna believe? The guy that's dedicated his life to photograpghy and is an expert on the industry? Or the amateur?...Show more →
Oh I believe the amateur has impacted the traditional photographer...so what are you to do...whine or look at different ways to make a buck. Don't think the photography industry is the only one that has been changed over the years. Nothing new here. I've had 5 different jobs in my career, each somewhat related but in different industries...3 of these moves where forced on me by changes in the industry. I've never whined about these changes as technology moves on and also the global world with much cheaper labor opened up taking many established jobs off shore.
Photography has hit that plateau and now the adaptable will survive and the others will fade away. Consistently reminiscing about how it was in the good old days and blaming others for the changes puts you squarely into the latter camp.
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