Our favorite quote arising from the Shepard Fairey sentencing, was from the CEO of the Associated Press (AP), Gary Pruitt. Mr. Pruitt reportedly stated:
“We hope this case will serve as a clear reminder to all of the importance of fair compensation for those who gather and produce original news content.”
We love this quote and respect it. But call us skeptics but given with the current payment practices employed by news organizations regarding photographs, photographers (both professional and amateur) we find the quote more than a tad ironic. We believe that Mr. Pruitt’s “fair compensation” refers to payments by its customers to the AP rather than payments made to photographers. After all AP (and many of its competitors) freely license images given to them without charge, to its customers in exchange for payment of a fee to AP. Many of our photojournalist friends read the above quote, looked at their licensing statements and immediately conjured up the ghost of Rod Serling. Still others immediately raised the question, “Where’s my ‘fair compensation'”?
We’re just saying.
#1 by Matt Timmons on September 19, 2012 - 3:29 am
Ok I have to admit I had to Google Rod Serling, and now I remember that voice. Pro photography is fast getting to, if not already in, the category of ‘why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free’. And there are oh so many weekend warriors willing to give it away for free. In fact, giving away your photos is the only way to get into a buying market (unless their some established person’s kid). Magazines, ad agencies, stock agencies, you just about name it and they don’t pay photographers unless you’re already recognized. Everyone wants it for free.
Earlier today I was lamenting that everyone with a camera and a window (for light) is now a photographer. Then I realized four years ago I was that same guy- shooting next to a window with my entry-level DSLR and a business card with “photographer” on it. When I got my first real commercial offer, I phoned a well-known pro in L.A. and asked how much I should charge. He told me I should do it for free just for the exposure (I didn’t, that was some of the worst advice I ever got). “Free” is synonymous with photography for the most part now.
In the end, I don’t know who’s more at fault: The big corporations for not paying for content, the newbies willing to sell it for free, or the camera manufacturers for making such powerful cameras so affordable that now everyone has one. Whichever it is, it all falls under the umbrella of “free enterprise”. Sure, we don’t like watching our next-door neighbor with his new camera undercutting everyone or selling free content to big media companies. But he probably hates his real job and thinks that by giving away his photos he’ll transition into becoming a pro and can finally quit his real job. Who knows, maybe he will.
It’s dog-eat-dog in this biz, and all I know is that if a large media organization ever comes knocking on my door wanting one of my photos badly and they can’t seem to find their wallet, I’m calling Ed.
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