want to be a photographer, or are one? read this- the future of copyright/licence

I came across this a few days ago, it says exactly what I think, and is one of the best blog posts I've read in a couple of years. It's very true, and well worth discussion. what do you think?

http://dougmenuez.com …16/no-copyright-the-borg/

In my own work, I'm winding up in the position of this commentator to that essay:

1 in 500 graduating photography majors huh?

I guess I did it right by not going to school for photography.

IMO, the market is obviously changing (as it always does). I don't buy into the whole "doomsday" theory.....if a market is un-sustainable, then it obviously will not last and prices will have to bounce back to a sustainable level otherwise the service or good will disappear (since people can't produce it at an un-sustainable level). Companies will always have a need for high quality advertising media and therefore a need for someone to create it. IMO, there will always be photographers who figure out a way to market themselves, their businesses and their product in a successful manner and make money. On the other side of the equation, there will be plenty more who try and won't make it.
As the market changes, we must find new and different ways to adapt and sell our services if we want to be successful.
The ones who refuse to change and simply sit back trying to market themselves by what used to work, while complaining about how the market isn't how it used to be, simply aren't going to last long. They will be the bitter souls whom we see posting on forums and blogs about how photography is dead and no one can make it in the industry anymore because all of the amateurs ruined everything. Just my offhand take on things

I think a lot of factors are at play for a photographers failure to make a living. Some photographers just lack good business sense and customer handling skills. Too many times I have heard of my realatives and friends waiting 6-10 months for their wedding photos. It really shouldn't be a surprise as to why some "good" photographers fail. It doesn't matter how good of a photographer you are if you are also a flake, word will get around.

yeah, I'm not buying into the doomsday theory, although I can see it as a 'could happen' for sure. I'm certainly not a bitter soul, but I am VERY passionate about what I do. yes the very good ones will find a way. That wasn't really why I posted it though, I posted it for the reason of licensing and copyright, and how it's so easily being given away for the sake of getting the job, a lot of new photographers aren't confident enough in their work or themselves to go through the licensing, or they're too lazy maybe? for what ever reason it's changed the income of the photographer, and their future income/retirement fund.

Here's something to add to it. I live in a place where there is a population of 45,000 people. We have 50+ photographers here. with weddings I know of approx 10 who charge ok, the rest are low ball, with 3 or 4 doing the $50p/h burn to disc or similar. I know of some extremely low portrait offers from new photographers as well- $40 a shoot, all images on disc(processed). In the commercial area the top 3 or 4 here aren't charging enough for it to be a decent business. The top tier has dropped. The amount you can earn has dropped. I know, this sounds like I'm cynical, but I'm not, I'm doing ok- I'm lucky, I have very solid clients who love and respect my work. This is just an observation, more because I'm passionate about what I do and want to keep doing it. When I read the post I linked it really hit some chords, I can see it going on all around me, more so than a few years ago. It's an interesting time to be in the industry.

I threw it on here cause I'd like to hear the other side, the positive side, bring it on

maybe I am turning into a grumpy old bum.. my wife might agree with that lol

jra wrote in post #13895550
IMO, the market is obviously changing (as it always does). I don't buy into the whole "doomsday" theory.....if a market is un-sustainable, then it obviously will not last and prices will have to bounce back to a sustainable level otherwise the service or good will disappear (since people can't produce it at an un-sustainable level). Companies will always have a need for high quality advertising media and therefore a need for someone to create it. IMO, there will always be photographers who figure out a way to market themselves, their businesses and their product in a successful manner and make money. On the other side of the equation, there will be plenty more who try and won't make it.
As the market changes, we must find new and different ways to adapt and sell our services if we want to be successful.
The ones who refuse to change and simply sit back trying to market themselves by what used to work, while complaining about how the market isn't how it used to be, simply aren't going to last long. They will be the bitter souls whom we see posting on forums and blogs about how photography is dead and no one can make it in the industry anymore because all of the amateurs ruined everything. Just my offhand take on things

hit the nail on the head? maybe it's this business sense, or lack of, lack of understanding any more than pressing the button on the camera and getting a few bucks.

but, with photographers having to charge a lot less, they have to do a lot more, so they haven't got time to process the wedding photos until after the season is over, they're shooting all sorts of things through summer just to keep their heads above water.

Candyann wrote in post #13896089
I think a lot of factors are at play for a photographers failure to make a living. Some photographers just lack good business sense and customer handling skills. Too many times I have heard of my realatives and friends waiting 6-10 months for their wedding photos. It really shouldn't be a surprise as to why some "good" photographers fail. It doesn't matter how good of a photographer you are if you are also a flake, word will get around.

harroz wrote in post #13896946
but, with photographers having to charge a lot less, they have to do a lot more, so they haven't got time to process the wedding photos until after the season is over, they're shooting all sorts of things through summer just to keep their heads above water.

And that is where we touch on the business sense aspect again, obviously something isn't working.I understand it is hard out there, some places more than others. But if you are good, people will pay if they want it.

I think also for those just starting, you need to supplement your income so you don't feel you need to tread water. How are you to get better when you barely have time to breathe in between bookings let alone edit. I realize this may be easier said than done.

As a photographer I do believe a big part of it is still the work you do, but you are also selling yourself and you are selling an experience. People like those they feel at ease with, they are more likely to book you at a bridal show if you make the feel comfortable and laugh without being a big phoney. Some people will never be able to pull that part off, its a fact.

Of course this is only one part of it. As you say "lack of understanding any more than pressing the button on the camera and getting a few bucks". We seem to have many photogs in my area who have ran out and bout T3Is with the lens package putting up facebook business sites and trying to spam groups for bookings. This is the part where you can say you really get what you pay for. But I guess like any business you will have your walmarts. We can't change what is going on, but we can learn to navigate through it.

word!

Navigate through it.

Thanks Gates for planting the seeds of the cheap photo back in the early 90's

The downfall of many has been Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, but they made out like bandits.