Chicago Sun-Times lays off entire photo staff

Combined with the constantly diminishing number of print publications, this may be the definitive signal to give up on any hopes for a photojournalism career.

Here's an announcement from the Sun-Times itself: http://www.chicagotrib​une.com …-20130530,0,4361142.sto​ry

28 full time photographers?! wow!!

How many stories was each person responsible for each day? 1 or 2?

And how much were they getting paid in salary? say $52k per year (minimum)? That means each photographer was getting paid $1k per week to shoot 7 to 14 stories (with say, 3 to 5 photos per story), and the newspaper was on the hook for $1.45M in annual salary, not including benefits, equipment, expenses, etc. And I would say those are conservative estimates on the salary front. That's a lot of overhead for a minimal amount of coverage.

I'm not saying I support the layoffs, but I think a substantial downsize would have gone a long way to help reduce the bottom line while still covering the important stories with trusted photographers.

The company is also preparing to supplement its freelance staff with reporters to shoot more video and photos, according to sources.


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Anyone else envisioning reporters with iPhones/Cellphones for video segments?

They'll use photos donated from the general public who are happy to see their name in a 4pt credit underneath the image.

They switch to freelancers and avoid benefits..overtime and retirement.
The American way..sad to see the creative fields being dismissed.
cheers
Darrin

National Geographic did something similar a few years ago by laying off a few hundred photographers.
Quality went waaaay down and I stopped my subscription.

nathancarter wrote in post #15982956
They'll use photos donated from the general public who are happy to see their name in a 4pt credit underneath the image.

This exactly happened to me.
A running magazine wanted to use 8 images on an editorial. I send editor an email asking what sizes they are going to use so I can quote a price. she replied exactly "they do not pay for editorials unless its on the cover"
Yes the quality is low is most of the images but I guess they do not care becase print publications are like Titanic now. Online media is interested mostly in video. And there are lots of amateurs donating, so why pay?
lets face it, the first response to that article is right. There will be at least a dozen photographer now willing to shoot Bears, Bulls or Blackhawks for free in exchange for a credentials.

aliengin wrote in post #15983105
There will be at least a dozen photographer now willing to shoot Bears, Bulls or Blackhawks for free in exchange for a credentials.

Actually it is much worse than that: there are dozens of GWCs willing to PAY for a credential so they can give away their work for free.

My neighbor is a photographer for the NY Post, and he said similar stuff is going down there as well. I believe he said most everyone was being laid off and then could be rehired as consultants (ie - no benefits).

^ I suspect as much the same with Sun-Times. They can re-hire some of these former FT as Freelancers thus saving on benefits. And it will be as needed basis. It is quite common in many organizations especially manufacturing, seasonal retailers etc....

I have noticed increasingly with our local news media, there is always a blurb encouraging readers to submit photos & videos of certain events - Crowd-sourced photojournalism.

i'm only surprised it took this long.

DC Fan wrote in post #15982790
Combined with the constantly diminishing number of print publications, this may be the definitive signal to give up on any hopes for a photojournalism career.

You're late-

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1303864

Yep...the GWAC might not get the best image....but they are out there in the millions, on the scenes much quicker than some paid photog sitting watching TV when the actions occurs. I'd rather see a mediocre photo of up to date news than an outdated but nice photo of old news. Today's phone cameras are very capable of taking publishable photos. With millions of these in the hands of the general public, right in the middle of the action, who needs the old traditional PJ.

Noitca wrote in post #15982897
The company is also preparing to supplement its freelance staff with reporters to shoot more video and photos, according to sources.


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Anyone else envisioning reporters with iPhones/Cellphones for video segments?

More correct than you know..

http://www.tuaw.com …aff-tells-journalists-to/