[Leica] PAW 43 dlridings & FREELANCING!

[dlr at dlridings.se (Daniel Ridings)]

Many thanks Ted. I am pretty good at "m?la fan p? v?ggen" (painting up a 
  dire scenario) but it is good to have that extra reality kick.

The prints were a good idea. I have always had a gut feeling about that 
tactic, which is why I am worried when my printing gets disturbed (re: 
when an Epson starts to fight with me).

Kids are older, which doesn't bring financial stress of paying for 
university in my particular circumstances ... I have a contract for 75% 
of my time (minimum, that is, I have to reserve at least 75% of my time 
for this contractor), mixed duties, photos in the mix.

It is good being older realizing that you have to say "no" carefully.

2007 is the year. We'll see. I have my tax forms, VAT registration ... :-)

Excellent advice, Ted. I'll be turning it in to an 11x14 to have on my 
own wall.

Best,
Daniel


Ted Grant wrote:
> Daniel Ridings offered:
> Subject: Re: [Leica] PAW 43 dlridings
> 
>> How on earth did you guess about the freelancing? I have, in fact, 
>> been looking in to upgrading or doing something about the Nikon 
>> set-up. The final conclusion is still a blank page. There are a lot of 
>> variables and, pleasantly, possibilities. Even Leica.<<<<
> 
> Hi Daniel,
> Freelancing? There's no life like it! :-)
> 
> It's as high an excitement level as it can possibly be to the lowest 
> possible as you sit face to face with the bank "Loan Manager" glaring at 
> you when you ask for a $15,000 loan! :-)
> 
> You know those 3 M's I'm always talking about? The loan manager doesn't 
> have a clue what an M is and can't imagine why you require 3 when you 
> can only take one picture at a time. :-)
> 
> After the gear one wishes to use and purchase, film, processing and 
> travel costs amount to the biggest expenses, but with digital you can 
> eliminate about $15,000 a year using digital. So the logic is you can 
> easily buy 3 M8's and you laugh all the way to the bank.
> 
> If it should come to pass and you decide to become an "independent 
> photographic business man" it can be the best position in life, the 
> clients wont come quickly unless you keep your face and name in front of 
> them all the time.
> 
> One thing for sure, never turn your nose up at new trends or you'll die 
> hungry! Simply because art directors and photo editors go with the flow 
> and the "young just out of art school rug rats will eat you alive with 
> their trendy styles!"  This doesn't mean you turn your back on "your 
> way" it means you adopt the new styles and do it better than the rug 
> rats. But always maintaining how and what you shoot having both styles 
> of photography at the ready.
> 
> Don't just burn CD's and show them to the new client editor because he 
> or she probably looks at a great many every day or not at all when 
> they're swamped with designing the new magazine. Today the trick is 
> everyone constantly confronts a computer screen and your photography may 
> get only a cursory look. That's what you have to beat to make your work 
> seen and leave an impression so they'll call you back with paying 
> assignments.
> 
> When you meet the photo editor/art director for the first time take a CD 
> like everyone else.... HOWEVER!!! Take a half dozen or more 11X14 for 
> honest to goodness real photograph prints!
> 
> They will be blown away holding a print in hand,  they look at them 
> longer., you are given more time than the usual 30 second visit. And 
> you'll make a far greater impression than doing what everyone else 
> does......... just leave a CD! Like many other things today people 
> become tired looking at the screen. So pop down some beautiful colour or 
> B&W prints and you'll be remembered as "get that guy who brought in 
> those beautiful 11X14 prints!
> 
> OK that's just a tip for your future life as a "freelancer!" ;-) All the 
> best if you go for it!
> 
> ted
> 
> 
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