[Leica] Giving away pictures.

[lists at mcclary.net (Harrison McClary)]

Here is an article I wrote for my agents blog on this a while back:

http://rising.blackstar.com/a-photo-credit-doesnt-pay-the-rent.html

Harrison McClary


On Dec 4, 2010, at 3:30 PM, <tedgrant at shaw.ca> wrote:

> Lawrence Zeitlin offered:
>>> Tina, I fully agree with your position but you are not describing the 
>>> world
> as it is. It is harder to make a decent living as an independent
> professional photographer than it is as an actor or even a poet. 
> Considering
> the number of professional quality cameras out there, only the tiniest
> fraction deliver pictures that are ever published. Given the quality
> standards imposed by stock agencies, vanishingly few P&S pictures will ever
> make the grade regardless of merit unless of a particularly newsworthy
> event.<<<<<<
> 
> 
> Hi Larry,
> My reaction to people who give their photos away just for a credit line? 
> (Sorry I can't do that as my use of the language would be unbearable!) 
> Trust me!
> 
> I'm constantly asked for images and the first thing I ask is .... "HOW 
> MUCH DO YOU PAY?"  If they reply "we don't." Then I ask them if they get a 
> weekly salary or do you work for free?" Obviously the response is.. "Of 
> course I get a weekly salary!" My response is.. "Wonderful! Then why the 
> hell do you think I should work for free when you want one of my 
> photographs?"
> 
> I rarely cut anyone slack who will be using a photo for any kind of 
> monetary return or advertising of any kind! No matter what or who it is.
> 
> The head person of most major fund raising organizations and senior staff 
> members  "ARE PAID!" So why should I or anyone give the picture free when 
> it's going to be used to raise maybe millions of dollars? Yeah I know I've 
> heard all the reasons why! But then why should the CEO get paid... Yes of 
> course some of these people are extremely wealthy and or have gazillions 
> of dollars and can easily afford to work for nothing.  But the everyday 
> working photographer doesn't have that kind of money.
> 
> I make a yearly donation to the Canadian Cancer Society of $500.00 and a 
> similar donation to the Victoria Hospital Foundation without a blink! WHY? 
> Well for personal reasons due to family situations with cancer and loosing 
> to it. And the hospital because I've been in the hospital myself.
> 
> But, when I shoot for these people and they want use of independent 
> photos....... "THEY PAY ME!" Without a blink!
> 
> The new gallery I'm represented by are doing rather nicely as they're 
> carrying my books, and a selection of my photography. And they're doing 
> quite nicely as last month they sold three prints at $1000.00 each. Plus a 
> couple this past week for $550 each.... cowboy pictures in what one might 
> call a "Fine Art" classification. And this is the first time I've been 
> represented by a gallery. So I'm quite happy with the siutation.
> 
> Oh and who are these two guys?
>>> And forget about B&W unless your last name is Adams or Weston.
> 
> And my above mentioned  sales?   They have all been B&W! :-) Maybe I could 
> hang a long side this two chaps. ;-) Who were they again? I do believe a 
> couple of rock & fern shooters?
> 
>>>> So if a photographer is offered an opportunity to have his/her pictures
>> published in a national forum, grab at the chance. Even if there is no
>> payment. It may be the only way to get recognition in an overcrowded
>> field. Isn't that why we produce the LUG yearbook?<<<<<<<
> 
> That isn't why I submit to the LUG YEAR book! I submit because I hope to 
> be along side a group of fun loving photogs who enjoy each others 
> friendship, camaraderie and neat photos! I sure as hell don't submit for 
> recognition, it's for fun! In all the years that recognition thing never 
> ever entered my head!
> 
> If I give a photograph away it's usually for personal use to hang in a 
> home of a friend. Any others? Pay me! I don't do free nor recognition for 
> a credit line very well!
> 
> cheers,
> Dr. ted
> 
> 
> 
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