Why do we get treated like dummies?

[Compact Diss]

I contacted a band and requested a credential, or to be put on their guest list in order to photograph their show. Providing them with FREE exposure!

I didn't say that last part, but it's basically what we do. The band responds, "we can probably get you on the guest list if you can do promo shots of us earlier in the day".

I'm no idiot, all it takes to put me on their guest list is them doing just that, adding my name. I haven't replied, but thought I would share with you. I want to tell him that I charge for promos, but why bother?

Doesn't anyone get what we do? Everyone seems to be becoming so selfish out there that it's driving me crazy...I won't even mention the fighter who stole my pics last week, when I requested (several times) that he take them down or compensate me, I got the big lecture from him that it was his fight, and that it was pictures of him fighting....

I just don't know anymore...

[Karl Johnston]

How did the fighter steal your pics?

The best way to not get taken advantage of is not to let yourself be taken advantage of. In this case I would've said "Promo will cost you, exposure is free. What's your choice?"

I always call the shots, and I tend to come off as too brash. So i hired a PR rep to do it for me ! :D

[blackshadow]

I'm interested in this fighter stealing your pics story too.

If the band won't pay you for the promo shots walk away from it. It's one band and one gig there are plenty of others out there.

[Jim G]

I just had a brief look at your site... and the photos I was browsing had what appeared to be full-res unwatermarked copies available to me. For no cost.

I would not rely on others' goodwill not to steal them and use them without your consent. Put your foot down! Unless there's some contract signing with venue/promoter/whatever going on the fighter doesn't own images of him, YOU do. Don't take crap.


Edit: Also, dear god, take down the full res unwatermarked photos :p

[Compact Diss]

Ok, now I am confused. I am using SmugMug. I have the right click protection setting on all of my galleries.

How are you able to copy them?
When I right click a pop up box opens letting me know they are protected? Some people have inquired letting me know they tried to use them and were told they were copyright protected, other like the fighter suddenly have my pics appear on their pages.

I am sending a message into SmugMug right now.

Thanks-

As fo that band, just like what was said above, exposure is free, but promo's will cost you.

Joe

[Compact Diss]

Thanks for the help, so far I noticed that I was in fact allowing all sizes to be viewed, images will now only be able to be viewed at an x-large size, the smallest size i can control for viewing. The originals, after I edit each gallery will then only be able to be viewed at largest in x-large.

Thanks everyone! A step in the right direction, I also emailed SmugMug.

[danieldare]

Was it a local smaller band?

Or someone big?


If its a big band why would you have an isue doing a promo session for them?

[Headshotzx]

Ok, now I am confused. I am using SmugMug. I have the right click protection setting on all of my galleries.

How are you able to copy them?
When I right click a pop up box opens letting me know they are protected? Some people have inquired letting me know they tried to use them and were told they were copyright protected, other like the fighter suddenly have my pics appear on their pages.

I can click print screen, and copy the screenshot of what I see (with my start menu bar etc on windows) into photoshop, and crop out the photograph that I want.

Your best bet is to fully watermark all photos.

And it doesn't help that the slideshow shows the high-res version. I managed to get this: http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/4390/examplelj0.jpg (do tell me if you want the link removed)

[narlus]

I contacted a band and requested a credential, or to be put on their guest list in order to photograph their show. Providing them with FREE exposure!

I didn't say that last part, but it's basically what we do. The band responds, "we can probably get you on the guest list if you can do promo shots of us earlier in the day".

I'm no idiot, all it takes to put me on their guest list is them doing just that, adding my name. I haven't replied, but thought I would share with you. I want to tell him that I charge for promos, but why bother?

i guess it depends on if the band thinks the media outlet you are shooting for is worth it to them...there's a big difference between shooting for a large daily or national glossy mag (where i'm sure that the band would put you on w/ a +1 and not ask for free promo shots), or a small website. i've shot under both conditions (well, close to it) and sometimes you hear 'no,' or in your case a 'yes' with what i consider to be poisonous qualifiers.