Rant

[Sime]

I was asked by a friend to shoot a simple portrait for a friend of hers, it was to go on the cover of a book she was working on... The job included going, on a Sunday, on a four hour drive, shooting the portrait and then driving home... All of this originally for £125.00 -- My family are away, I had nothing to do, it was in Brighton and would have made for a nice day out - I was going to do it.

We went back and forth and I eventually worked out that the reason she only had that amount of money was that the publisher had given her that amount for the photograph - I also found out that the image was going on the book cover, the website, the publishers website and possibly the website of the distributors (National Trust) as well... and, then, when it all came down to it the writer's agent emailed me via the writer and said "we'll expect buy out on this image" that means I lose all rights to that image, it's no longer mine.

I did them a standard quote based on current industry rates (I Use FotoQuote Pro 6) and sent it off, I had a reply saying "We've not opened the attachment as we know what it will say" so, can you do it for £125.00

Do people think just because we're going to show up and snap a few images that it's just not worth anything? ....actually, on digging a little deeper, I worked out why her agency had only allowed that budget - it was because some kid down the road had said " I'll do it for £100.00" --and that's fine, he's learning, but for a big London agency to take advantage of that... that's what's wrecking the damn industry...

[candleman]

yeah... i know exactly how you feel.

an exploding company i was doing work for now gets it done for free by idiots who want "experience".
the lack of skill is obvious, editing is hideous... they dont really care because its free.

infact, they still owe me some printed products they promised me and havn't delivered.

[CheaperKings]

Well, they'll soon realise that; you get what you pay for. Or, they just don't care and for that I say, their company probably isn't worth your time anyway...

Welcome to the Dark Side, my good Simon!

[DivotMaker]

I feel for you. honest.

This is happening in all industries. In my day job, we have competitors thinking they can get into the industry, not realizing what overhead is, and underbidding everything. A year or two from now, they will be gone...and the market will still expect their pricing.

In the end, we rely on our reputation, quality and service. But it sure makes it hard on a daily basis.

Feel free to rant, Sime, and know there are others feeling for you. Know it will all work out in the end, if you don't sacrifice your principals.

[velvet4269]

I think a friend of mine had a similar rant on her facebook page the other day, regarding trying to sell prints. Now that everyone & their brother has a DSLR, they all think they can take decent pix, so why pay someone else to do it when Uncle Bob can do it for free, and quality be damned.

And I think you have every right to rant.

[neurotek]

it's prevalent in my industry. a fair number of businesses go under because they don't make enough margin. they undercut pricing to get the business, hoping they can somehow keep costs low, but they often fail.

fortunately, my company prefers to build long-term relationships with our vendors, so we meet often to work out issues and concerns, and sometimes pricing adjustments are necessary.

[carl yeomans]

We were all "some kid down the road " once. That kid will have a nice pic to go in his portfolio and another line in his resume. Three to four years from now he will be ranting about some kid down the road and the cycle begins again. Get over it, you knew this was a cut throat business while you were breaking into it. Swings and roundabouts.

[Cypher]

Originally Posted by carl yeomans

We were all "some kid down the road " once. That kid will have a nice pic to go in his portfolio and another line in his resume. Three to four years from now he will be ranting about some kid down the road and the cycle begins again. Get over it, you knew this was a cut throat business while you were breaking into it. Swings and roundabouts.

It just goes to show that no matter what we think everyone is different and everyone will have a different opinion on a situation. In a certain sense I can see both sides of the story here. All I can say is as long as its not putting you out of business at least someone is getting a fair go. I can however emphathise that the feeling you get is that if this happens alot its going to kill the business. The danger with digital is that every man and his dog can buy a DSLR put the digit on auto and take a few shots, and currently its getting easier and easier for consumers to own a decent DSLR. So in conclusion I can understand Sime's fear but also understand Carls point.

[WooD]

I wouldn't drive 4 hours for £125.00.

I'm thinking that converts to $192.56 USD.