10 replies to this topic

[timoma]

...I've been told one of my wreck images from 2004 has been printed in the Finnish Sportdiving Association's 60th anniversary calendar that includes "...rare images from the Assn's archives spanning over 50 years...".

Have not had the chance to see said calendar yet, but will scan the page when I get it.

timo

[kdietz]

Congrats

Karl

[Marjo]

Very cool, Timo! I will have to go find it! Congrats!

[MikeVeitch]

very cool

[Marjo]

I see that the calendar is available here

Too bad there isn't a way to peek inside...

[Kelpfish]

Did they steal it from you or did you give it to them?

Joe

[timoma]

Did they steal it from you or did you give it to them?

Joe

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I sold it to them!

The thing is, I did an assignment for the Assn. for some training materials - a bunch of stills for their instructor development CD to be exact. At the same time I sold a bunch of "stock" images to use mainly in training materials but also with some other rights included. This image is from that package.

So, in terms of my rights I'm cool. The reason I have not yet seen the product - well - they are just as disorganised as I am...

timo

[Marjo]

Hmm.. we seem to return to this selling/giving topic in many threads. I think there is a specific thread dedicated to the subjects, so maybe this is a little off the track, but let me just say this. First, I think it is great of course that Timo sold the pics and hats off and congrats to that. And I do think that one should not give away pictures for free left and right for ones own and other photographers sake. But sometimes, especially for a new photograper, I think it is completely justified in some cases to donate some work in order to get to show what you can do, not just photographically, but also show that you can deliver on demand, work with deadlines etc etc in order to get your foot in the door. To make a drastic example (just for illustrating my point, not that this has happened to me...I wish It had) let's say some prestigeous magazine (Nat Geo!) or some other media that might work out to become a longterm relationship said "sure, we'll give you one shot, show us what you can do...". Maybe they will either pay you nothing or some small sum. It might still be worth it. I even know of photographers who have paid their own travel to destinations and offered up their work at a really low price, but been happy with the return of being featured in that particular media. This might be a stretch, and I am not sure if I would go that far (we'll, I am poor, I couldn't, whether I wanted to or not), but the point is, you have to start somewhere. In this partiicular case, I am actually quite impressed that Timo was able to sell the pictures, because the customer is not a big for profit organization, or a magazine, but a diving association, a "club" of sorts. That makes it extra cool!

[timoma]

Right!

Before anyone hops on a plane and approaches the Finnish Divers' Federation (as they seem to be called these days) in hopes of getting rich, I can confess that the money changing hands was more symbolic than anything else.

The point of this is that I for one do not donate my images to anyone to be published - for profit or otherwise. Since I have no illusions of becoming a pro photographer, I do not have to worry about my "reputation" or gain visibility in any way. However, I symphatise enough with the pro's (some of whom I have had in the family) not to totally ruin their business.

For me, this is just a hobby and if someone likes my images enough to want to publish them, they need to be willing to shell out a symbolic amount of money for it. In fact, I have "sold" a couple of images with the kind of deal that the buyer donates an agreed sum of money to WWF or other concervation organisation and I get nothing.

timo

[Kasey]

Right!

The point of this is that I for one do not donate my images to anyone to be published - for profit or otherwise. Since I have no illusions of becoming a pro photographer, I do not have to worry about my "reputation" or gain visibility in any way. However, I symphatise enough with the pro's (some of whom I have had in the family) not to totally ruin their business.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My sentiments exactly. I couldn't imaging being so excited to see my name/image in publication to give it away. Just cuts out the pros and lowers the standard of material out there - if your work is good, they will pay. If they can get equally good work for free - I just need to get better!

[Marjo]

So as a new photographer, where to draw the line? $50 picture? $500 picture? Being paid something for som images, but not being paid for travel to the location to shoot them?