The appeal and draw to microstock were prices that were basically free compared to what stock previously licensed for. It has now created a market that does not sustain the cost of producing the work... and since everyone rushed to the starting line lo [Mehr lesen...] geschrieben in To be free or not

The appeal and draw to microstock were prices that were basically free compared to what stock previously licensed for. It has now created a market that does not sustain the cost of producing the work... and since everyone rushed to the starting line long after the race to the bottom was on to create a new and cheaper stock photo site, we now see sites licensing work for as little as 14 cents. Now we have the sites encouraging us to offer the work free as a draw! What is next here? Do we start paying clients to download our work for the exposure? We need to push to return stock to a rights managed system where the fees paid to license the image are based on the use. The mom and pop store would pay a price they can afford, but the Fortune 500 company with an international media campaign would not be able to get it at the same price (and no, the extended license fees do not come within light years of what they should be paying for such uses). And the image can only be used for what it was licensed for. This allows photographers to track uses and copyright violations and act accordingly. And believe it or not, it is also good for the buyer. When photographers are getting paid what their work is worth, they have more money to invest in the production of high quality photography. At the current licensing fees and structure the ROI does not justify investing much into the shoot. The "buyers" who are looking for free photos are not your client. They want what is free, and that is the deciding factor, not whether the image is what they need. If the latter part of that statement were true, they would be willing to pay a fair price for the image and your work to create it. Market to those who are willing to pay for your work. Not those who want something for nothing. posted in To be free or not

I do earn my living as a professional photographer. Unfortunately, you are right. Things like microstock have seriously damaged the industry. Making it as a pro is going to take some work. It isn't just your ability and creativity. While this is VER [Mehr lesen...] geschrieben in Photography as a career?

I do earn my living as a professional photographer. Unfortunately, you are right. Things like microstock have seriously damaged the industry. Making it as a pro is going to take some work. It isn't just your ability and creativity. While this is VERY important, it is more important that you learn the ropes of the business as a business, what to charge, how to license your work, how to market and who to market to. This is VITAL and if not done you will only work to destroy the industry you hope to one day earn your living in. The best startling point is to join up with some professional organizations and get very involved. APA, ASMP are two good ones, It is a very rewarding career, but can be difficult. The waters are full of sharks that seek to exploit the lack of knowledge most emerging photographers have for their own gain and the price you pay for failing to gain an understanding of the industry is bankruptcy and watching your dream become a nightmare. Do the research, take your advice ONLY from pros, make your decision and stick to it. One of the ingredients is persistence. posted in Photography as a career?