[Leica] WAS: In defence of the newspapers NOW: Tiny tunnel light.

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Tina Manley Offered:
Subject:In defence of the newspapers

 

>>I don't see much light at the end of this tunnel and the train is about to
wipe us out!<

Hi Tina & Ken,

And others who work at this wild wild life of photography.

I'm not sure if this is maybe a tiny light at the end of the tunnel or not.
But here's an interesting bit from the other day.

I had been shooting for a large hospital foundation for their fund raising
ads, brochures and other related material. But it ended a couple years ago
when they hired a different graphic design house.

A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from the foundation ,"was I
available for lunch with the Executive Director and an assistant?" Sure says
I, never turn down a free lunch. :-)

While waiting for the Director I looked through their most recent promo
material, quite frankly it looked like they were made of two bit colour
nickel and dime stock photos. Not one had a photo relevant to medicine nor
hospitals.

Now remember this is a hospital fund raising foundation accustomed to
raising multi-millions for medical equipment. The text was well done about
money raised and equipment purchased. 

However, not one picture was medical related or illustrating the incredible
equipment they claimed to purchase.

Most looked like happy snap people on holiday or similar activity.

Director arrives coat in hand ready for lunch. I ask, "In these brochures
the wording is interesting, but there isn't one picture illustrating the
equipment in use.  Nor any medical scenes and it's all lousy looking cheap
stock pictures!"

She looked me right in the eye and said, "that's why you're here!" Then
smiled!

"We want the ted Grant look in black & white photos of the medical world
doing their stuff as you did in your books and what you did before for us!
Oh yes, and we've just fired the graphic design company and hired a new one.
They've already been told, you will be the photographer, Period! And
assisting in picture selection for all promotions!"

And away we went for a very nice lunch and she paid! :-) 

Oh and the fee in case yer curious? Oh sorry I can't disclose that, lets
just say I'm smiling! :-)

So I think what happened here is, this is a case of an organization who in
the past had used a professional photographer & talent. But then being told
they were going to save money by using stock. Realized two bit pictures for
next to nothing packaged and fiddled in PhotoShop just don't do the job when
it comes to high stake dollar situations. Cheap begets cheap! 

Is it an indication news papers are going to change? Not right now, but
during the latter part of the 70's into the 80's many ad agencies were all
saying B&W was dead. Only to have it return like thunder because they
finally realized B&W has a people power look colour doesn't!

Don't argue. Remember the big car manufactures and clothing people who
switched to B&W. Finally it kind of balanced out using whichever medium
gives the greatest impact for the situation.

But I'm afraid photographers of all disciplines are in for a rocky economic
ride for some time to come. All I can say is. "I'm glad I'm near the end of
a career, well OK in 20 years!" ;-) 

And the light at the end of the tunnel? It isn't very bright! But being an
optimist I believe it will get brighter because cheap begets cheap!
Eventually even bean counters have to admit it.

ted