Shooting for your own gratification......

[Killjoy]

I was at one of our company events a couple of weeks ago. The lighting was tough (bowling alley), so I wanted to see what I could do. Also for the purposes of playing around with post processing.

They asked me for a few shots so they could post them on a bulletin board (physical, not web based). I printed out about 8 shots. When I handed them to the person who asked, they said "That's all?"

Now they want a DVD of all of my shots so they can pick and choose, and print what they want. I'm tempted to tell them they should be happy with what they got.

And if you are concerned about the job aspect, don't be. They are closing the doors on our little FAB and "redeploying" everyone. However, there are no new jobs to be deployed into. So in six months, it really won't matter anyway.

I have never charged for my work (yes, I know some of you shudder at the thought), but I never considered myself good enough to charge. Hence wanting to practice in poor lighting.

What do you folks think? Give them the shots, or give them the bird (so to speak)?

[Mark_Cohran]

What heck, give them the shots. I guess it all boils down to how you feel about it. If they're being real jerks about it, keep them. If they just would like the shots to remember fun times after the fab closes, why not share them?

[Killjoy]

I guess it was the attitude that when someone asked for a few prints, and I gave them eight. Then they asked astounded, "That's all?"

[txduggan]

Tell them, "Sure...here is my rate for a CD/DVD..."

And, if they were astounded, they only asked for a "few," right?

I'm sure there's more to both sides of the story...that's not a dig against you, it's just difficult to fully present all the details...kind of like "you had to be there" syndrome...

As Mark said, if it's just to have some memories, then rock on, Garth....if not, then think about lost print revenue :) LOL!!!!

Tom D

[deadpass]

Tell them, "Sure...here is my rate for a CD/DVD..."

And, if they were astounded, they only asked for a "few," right?


Agreed, otherwise you should be the one that determines which shots get distributed, it's your name on them.

[20droger]

Or you could give them a CD containing just those eight shots.

[Killjoy]

You know, something else that's funny (odd) here.
The woman who asked for the shots, I told her that I needed to post process them, because I shot in raw due to the difficult lighting. She has a DLSR herself, and I told her she should realize that.
She has never shot in any mode except the Green Box mode, and doesn't understand that I wanted creative control on my work.

She said "I just shoot in auto, and the camera does the rest for me".
So I told her (in a nice way) that next time, perhaps she should take the photos that she wants to post.

[GilesGuthrie]

Doesn't sound like there's any real cooperation being afforded to you by the firm, so if it were me, I'd probably not do it. Or I'd provide the images, each watermarked.

[Killjoy]

It gets better. Now they want to take a group shot of around 500 people. Shot from a third floor balcony into a courtyard. They want me to come to the rescue because none of the cheap point and shoot cameras they purchased, have a wide enough angle lens.

[Andrushka]

It gets better. Now they want to take a group shot of around 500 people. Shot from a third floor balcony into a courtyard. They want me to come to the rescue because none of the cheap point and shoot cameras they purchased, have a wide enough angle lens.

oh my... they need to at least kick down some "rent" money for your gear... i've been in those situations where i was working a desk job and was asked to do some more specialized (audio/vidoe recording) with my own gear for my normal hourly wage... doesnt feel to good, a bit of underappreciation and lack of awareness for what you (with your specialized skills/gear) have to put out -

or as hard as it may be, just watch them flounder and suffer trying to fit their 500 employees in the shot

as for the DVD of photo's, i would conveniently forget about it or say well i don't have much spare time but if you want to make it worth my while then its gonna cost about $xx amount

[Killjoy]

I feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

My Boss just called me. They now want photos of each funtional area like a class photo.
He graciously "volunteered" me to take the photos. I told him I'll be logging in some OT to cover my time/gear/etc. He said no problem.

Well, in six months, it'll all be over. That's when Intel is shutting down this little development FAB and kicking us all to the curb.

Do any of you not let your work folks know what your hobbies are? I'm considering keeping it under my hat at my next job. Or at least setting the precident that I don't shoot for free.

[nicksan]

Feel like your are a second class citizen when the Titanic is sinking?

I hate it when you play nice, then they take advantage of you. I think you might have mixed emotions since you do only have 6 months left and it will be "all over"...so you can say F it and just do it. But the way they are approaching this is not too pleasing and if I were you I would either do it b/c it would give you some practice, or screw it.

If you get paid for it, the better!

I've got several hobbyists photographers just like me here, however I've got the most gear, but I am also the least "experienced" in terms of years put into this hobby. I am never asked to shoot anything, even at events and departmental parties, etc. There's another person that usually does that. Good riddance. Nobody knows I play the guitar either. I try to keep all personal stuff out of the workplace. I'm the type of person that goes to work to earn a paycheck, not to make friends...but that's just me.:D

Now if you are talking about friends, I would do it for nothing and send them the images, etc...I definitely need my practice!:D

I feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

My Boss just called me. They now want photos of each funtional area like a class photo.
He graciously "volunteered" me to take the photos. I told him I'll be logging in some OT to cover my time/gear/etc. He said no problem.

Well, in six months, it'll all be over. That's when Intel is shutting down this little development FAB and kicking us all to the curb.

Do any of you not let your work folks know what your hobbies are? I'm considering keeping it under my hat at my next job. Or at least setting the precident that I don't shoot for free.

[Andrushka]

I feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

My Boss just called me. They now want photos of each funtional area like a class photo.
He graciously "volunteered" me to take the photos. I told him I'll be logging in some OT to cover my time/gear/etc. He said no problem.

Well, in six months, it'll all be over. That's when Intel is shutting down this little development FAB and kicking us all to the curb.

Do any of you not let your work folks know what your hobbies are? I'm considering keeping it under my hat at my next job. Or at least setting the precident that I don't shoot for free.

well at least you will get some OT for shooting... but man don't let them stick you for the post-processing, (or at lesat get comp'd) we all know that will take as much or more time than it will to shoot the photos in the first place...

[Killjoy]

Feel like your are a second class citizen when the Titanic is sinking?

I hate it when you play nice, then they take advantage of you. I think you might have mixed emotions since you do only have 6 months left and it will be "all over"...so you can say F it and just do it. But the way they are approaching this is not too pleasing and if I were you I would either do it b/c it would give you some practice, or screw it.

If you get paid for it, the better!

I've got several hobbyists photographers just like me here, however I've got the most gear, but I am also the least "experienced" in terms of years put into this hobby. I am never asked to shoot anything, even at events and departmental parties, etc. There's another person that usually does that. Good riddance. Nobody knows I play the guitar either. I try to keep all personal stuff out of the workplace. I'm the type of person that goes to work to earn a paycheck, not to make friends...but that's just me.:D

Now if you are talking about friends, I would do it for nothing and send them the images, etc...I definitely need my practice!:D

Nick,

You sound just like me. I have always said that I am here to do a job. Not to make friends. If I do make some friends here, then that's all that much better.

As for the pay, I put one day of OT on my timecard with my Boss' permission.
Since I work a 12 hour day, and this is my long week, that's 12 hours of doubletime. So at least I don't feel like I'm being taken advantage of anymore (at least not too badly).

And yes, I do shoot friends events and things for free. In fact, I have a 50th Birthday party that I am going to this Saturday. And no, they didn't even ask me to take photos for them. I just like doing it for friends, probably because it's not expected of me. And the practice never hurts.

[Mum2J&M]

The funny thing is they probably think they are doing you a favor by giving you these tasks. I would honestly ask for some form of compensation - at the very least to get paid for the time you have to spend processing your RAW images. I think there's this huge misconception that the gear does all the work for you. Heck, I don't think half the people even know what post-processing means! This would be something that would eat away at me too. It sounds like you've been cornered to do this job without your input. You might just want to say you're uncomfortable doing the job (especially with the unkind remarks about the pics you DID take) and put it all behind you. Let them pay a professional. Then maybe something might click on in their little minds.

[John_B]

What do you folks think? Give them the shots, or give them the bird (so to speak)?
Killjoy,
Of course its up to you, but if it was me and they didn't seem to like the ones I printed for them I would give them the bird/bill....

[20droger]

Feel like your are a second class citizen when the Titanic is sinking?
Probably more like steerage. The stewards are saying nothing is wrong while salt water is swirling around your ankles.

[AMG911]

I'd at least go for some form of compensation for materials & or time.

I've got around 30 framed photographs @ 30/45cm in one of our many offices. I had them up for free for all to enjoy. The company decided to buy them so we came to a reasonable agreement.
I've also shot a few Xmas parties for the company. We agreed a reasonable price up front.
It will be more difficult to ask for a reasonable compensation (money or otherwise) the more you shoot for free.

[Killjoy]

It just keeps getting better and better.

They asked me to take a group photo. They agreed to pay me twelve hours of overtime.
Not too bad considering the postprocessing and what-not.
However, they tell me that they own the copyright since I am an employee, and everyone in the photo has granted release as soon as they signed on at the company.

Essentially, Intel has the right to exploit your image for their gain.

Does anyone have any ideas for a watermark? I never considered making one, and I never signed over the rights to my work. :evil:

Or maybe I should just tell them that the photos didn't turn out, and maybe they better hire someone else?

[20droger]

You have reached the time to flat out refuse do do any photography for them.

As far as them owning the copyright because you are an employee, it's time to consult an intellectual property lawyer. I kid you not!

Unless I am very mistaken, their ownership would apply only if photography is one of your job requirements. I strongly believe that Intel has no rights to your photographs if they did not hire you as a photographer.

Rest assured their IP lawyers are advising them.

However, as an employee, if they agree to pay you to take photos, then you would be hired as a photographer. If they want photos, keep payment completely separate from your job: no overtime, etc. Make payment a separate contract, in writing, with copyright ownership completely spelled out to mutual satisfaction.

Were it me, I would resond by saying that I would take no photographs for them, period. Nor would I provide them with hi-res versions of the prints they already have.

Also, since you were not hired to take the few photos they already have, and were not hired to be a photographer, they absolutely have no rights to use the pictures they do have in any commercial manner whatsoever.

Whatever you do, agree to nothing that isn't in writing. Period. This is a corporation you're dealing with, and if it ain't written, it ain't so.


You have been warned. Protect yourself.

[Killjoy]

Yup. I'm done taking photos for them.
Next time they ask, I'll just tell them that I can't do it.

The funny thing is, it all started because I was taking photos for my own enjoyment. Go figure.