For Photographers, the Image of a Shrinking Path

[AcadieLibre]

Interesting article about the shrinking options for professional photographers in some fields. I think all this amateur stock photography hits a certain segment of the genre but there are areas where I do not think it will have the same impact in other areas. No matter what with the proliferation of decent cameras and easy to use software for post processing it will have some effect on photography as a whole but I think some aspects of photography will be beyond even the best amateur.

NYT Article

[jjeling]

That stuff is so true. I myself have dabbled in the thought of selling my work to stock photo agencies but have resisted the urge. As the article says, it used to be the armpit of photographs for editors. I feel that way as a photographer. Although I do not sell my services, or work to anyone, I will certainly would not, or ever allow it to be sold through this method. As a photographer, it is a dumping ground, and is almost like selling my soul. I would much rather keep my work underground and relatively unseen. Hand it down through generations, as something that can be cherished and valued more as time passes. If you want my work, you must pay for it, you cannot steal it. Do not mean to sound arrogant or blind to the fact this is not a good business practice, but.......

It is truly a sad feeling but its the reality of todays world of digital photography.

[Barefoot]

"magazines and newspapers are cutting pages or shutting altogether. " (if fact, you may have just read this article on line)


"— 428 magazines closed in 2009 alone..."


Major publications operate as business and as such must maintain a bottom line.

Feed a hungry photographer. I recommend supporting mags like LensWork and NatGeo. Those are the two obvious, but there are others that feature little known and up and coming artist. (and I don't use the term loosely) Its a real treat going to the mail box and finding the latest edition especially when its a quarterly pub.

[Kawarthabob]

I have read a thread on this topic before. One person went as far to say that if you sell your photos to a stock agency you are in fact prostituting yourself. Personally i wouldn't call it that. But think about this, one who sells their photos to a stock agency is in fact selling themselves short. You're only making pennies at a time. You are dropping the value of other photographers work. You take the artistic value out of the equation. And lastly, you are taking food off the table from a professional. Think about it for a minute. It takes you "Time" to get to where the photo is taken. It takes "Time" to compose the shot. It takes "Time" to process your photo and it costs you money for your gear and gas for where you take your vehicle to get that shot. All this to get a mere .10-.60 cents from your shot? And no one will ever know that you took that photo.