is big brother watching us?

[Cobra]

Following on from a thread by kungfukid
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=57749

in which he says

Doh!
b****r I wonder how they found the site.... not posted it anywhere but here..

That got me thinking
I posted a reply
"Well I think then that goes to prove that this site is trawled by people looking for 'togs and or "cheap" images
Hmm good or bad?".................

So rather than take that thread off on a tangent,
are we happy about it? is it good or bad for all concerned?
/ discuss

 

[Deleted member 3428]

If you put images on the net you can expect people to use them without permission, I only upload 800px max size anywhere as the best print you can get from it is 6x4 of any quality. I have put up a few larger files here and they but not massive files like some people do. I haven't found anyone using my images without permission yet. Haven't checked your site though Chris

 

[Cobra]

I haven't found anyone using my images without permission yet. Haven't checked your site though Chris

and you won't either
( as I am not about to give you the URL )

 

[Yv]

I think I agree with Alby, if you post pics on the web there are always ways of nicking them, so the only defence is to use small file sizes, watermarks, etc.

Do we like people trawling this place - well its a double edge sword isn't it. You have to have the forum 'open' so that prospective members can see what we are about, but that also leaves it open to the less scrupulous. In this case they have at least contacted the member which is good, but I imagine that doesn't always happen, but apart from teh aforementioned 'discouragement' measures, its just a risk we take. :shrug:

 

[susie]

Well if people are looking for someone to do some work for them and find someone from browsing here then thats good - just make sure your websites are all current with dates, contact details, pics and prices, that all links work and that spell checker has been used!!

 

[Deleted member 3428]

Got me thinking though, has anybody ever sold a picture, pictures or got work on the back of using this forum? I would have thought it would be a great place to get a tog and judge their work.

 

[h4rri]

You can only go so far with pro-actively protecting your images, after that it becomes reactive in that invoices etc must be sent. I guess it depends on the impact the image use has had on you as to how rigorously you persue it. For some amateurs [such as myself] mere credit will be enough however I can understand that the people who make a living in photography would want monetary compensation.

 

[Craikeybaby]

For some amateurs [such as myself] mere credit will be enough however I can understand that the people who make a living in photography would want monetary compensation.

But then it gets to the point where no one wants to pay to use images at all and those who made a living out of photography don't any more...

 

[h4rri]

But then it gets to the point where no one wants to pay to use images at all and those who made a living out of photography don't any more...

I don't think it will ever reach that point to be honest. Some would say competition is good for the market but I doubt the amateurs amongst us could ever reproduce the results the pro's do on a regular basis.

It also goes for camera phone users etc cutting into the market but thats a whole other discussion.

 

[barsbyart]

I don't think it will ever reach that point to be honest. Some would say competition is good for the market but I doubt the amateurs amongst us could ever reproduce the results the pro's do on a regular basis.

Competition IS good for the market - if 'x' can demonstrate considerably better skills than 'y' he/she should be able to charge more. But it's actually not quite that simple; sadly the cheaper an item is the more attractive it becomes ( I prefer x but y is FREE therefore y will do)

And if it is the consistant quality of x that sets him above others and he needs to sell 100 items (or do 100 jobs) per year to break-even how many 'accidental/lucky/1-off' freebies does it take to put x out of business? Only one!

If someone likes your work they will pay for it. You will find that more people 'like' your work when it is free than when you charge for it. But which is the real accolade?

 

[h4rri]

Don't get me wrong I do agree with you, I only see 'free' work as a way of padding your portfolio much the same as models work for prints etc. However there is no requirement for me to charge 'x' for a photo which has been used/taken without consent, it's down to the individual to choose their rates.

Obviously should the same person have their images taken multiples times then they will look to introduce charges etc but for a one off how do you rate this?

It's an age old issue and one which persist through the ages, who's to say a particular tog who charges is better than an amateur who doesn't? Does it always come down to cost or is the final print worth more than that? I still think the pro's will stand the test of time, it will take more that '1' to put them out of business, people still do appreciate quality and the market is much more than the odd website or newspaper job.

 

[barsbyart]

Hi h4rri!

It is a personal choice whether to charge and how much.

If someone uses your image without asking that is theft. When you find out you should charge the top rate and more!

If they approch you first you must decide what is reasonable. You know it's worth something to them. Negotiate. What's in it for them and for you?

Some amateurs work is better than some pros but being a pro also means being consistant and working to deadlines - some ams can do this, others can't (maybe because they're working).

Ultimately, it is the consumer who decides between tog x and tog y - price will play an important role in this. Often the cheaper version will do. If the consumer can get it free...

It is always only ONE lost job that makes the diff between solvency and bankruptcy - the FINAL one. If x can survicve by selling 100 and is currently selling 200 he can lose 100 and still survive but if he only selling 100 then...

The market is obviously more than just one job but I see a trend to exploit togs need for experience/exposure (or even vanity?) and this will lead to an expectation that we all work for nothing.

Does anyone know a good plumber who will install fgch in my house purely for the valuable work experience? lol

 

[barsbyart]

Sorry! Carrying on from above ^

If someone wants to use your image ask them how and for what purpose. Tell them you'll get back to them. Check out (on here or elsewhere) what would be a reasonable price. Call 'em back and say THIS is the going price for that usage.

If they say they don't want to pay the going price ask them why they want to use your image specifically... Is it because:
a) you're cheap/free? or
b) because your image matches their requirements?

If a) ... send 'em packing
If b) they should pay going rate or similar

If they cannot pay the going rate (they're a small charitable org or whatever) YOU decide what's fair and reasonable.