Is this too cheap???

Derbyshire Weddings wrote in post #2360846
I concur with Gary & Graham totally. By the way, how come we are all here?

Lee

Dunno. Probably because FPB and Numpty of Cheshire arent

Gary_Evans wrote in post #2360759
Its not pro-photographers who are causing the problem. Its people who go and buy the latest camera with their day job wages, and then go round offering images for sale for ridiculous prices. This is not a direct attack on Tony btw, just the general idea that extra money can be made "on the side".

This isn't a personal attack on you, just as others have stated... but... I guess I would consider myself an amateur. Would I have a moral issue with taking a job for free? Not at all. Competition exists for a reason. You complaining about people undercutting you does nothing.

If you are running a business with your photography, that's great for you. But since photography is a business, good and bad goes with it. Like someone else said, make yourself stand out, which apparently you do.

I don't appreciate the "pros" bad-mouthing "amateurs" for doing free stuff. There are no rules that dictate the lives of other photographers. If someone who works hard at a day job and then buys a camera and enjoys it, then what's your issue? If being undercut was such a huge issue, you wouldn't be able to make a living out of your photography and you would have to find some other means to live. I'm assuming you do make enough money.

It's just competition. And it may not be paid, but it's still business.

--Sean

+I have to agree w/ Tim there is a lot of wannabe pro out there that given he opportunity they will have to under cut the estabilish pro's. I'm an amateur and currently don't want to be a Pro because it'll take away from the fun of just taking Pict's, but given the opportunity to have my pic's published and given full credit I would hasitate to do it for next to nothing with the posibility of being recognized. Its a dog eat dog world and the last one standing wins.That is why I'm agreeing w/ Tim that Pro's need to keep up with the time especially in a word of mouth business.

amatuers have to make some sort of name for themselves, peopel are not going to pay top rate for our pictures. In my photo journalism course the instructor specifically said, if you want to be popular you need to give a mix of freebies out your first 6-12 months. Then when people want you be prepared to be hard but fair.

Try and searching www.istock.com

If you can find a similar picture there - take a look at what it costs.

And by the way. If it's a unique picture, which has value to that particular company - then don't pay attention to their "standard". You have your own "standards" and this is where you sit down and battle... I mean negotiate.

Derbyshire Weddings wrote in post #2360846
I concur with Gary & Graham totally. By the way, how come we are all here?

Lee

Oh no!!!

Is nicecupofteaandasitdow​n following?

lostdoggy wrote in post #2362210
+I have to agree w/ Tim there is a lot of wannabe pro out there that given he opportunity they will have to under cut the estabilish pro's. I'm an amateur and currently don't want to be a Pro because it'll take away from the fun of just taking Pict's, but given the opportunity to have my pic's published and given full credit I would hasitate to do it for next to nothing with the posibility of being recognized. Its a dog eat dog world and the last one standing wins.That is why I'm agreeing w/ Tim that Pro's need to keep up with the time especially in a word of mouth business.

In a world of supply and demand a photographer has created a demand with an image.By your statement you are then implying because you are not a pro you will supply the image at a low price just for the recognition?

By supplying that image at a low Price means they do not have to contact a pro or an image bank to obtain the image. Is this what you mean by dog eat dog?

If you are an amateur and therefore in full time employment you are in a position to supply purely for the recognition as you do not need the revenue.But by doing so you may/have deprived a pro of a sale to which his living depends on. I find this strange as this post is listed in a section titled "The business of photography" and formally known as "Ask the Pro's". Is this the way to treat the people who freely give advice?

Thanks to all who have offered their views.
To summerise-
Yes their offer was too cheap.
Yes the original image was sold too cheap.
Yes, I was an amateur and didn`t know better.
Yes I have learnt a valuable lesson, and now do know better.
Different people want different things from their hobby/profession. Some want fame and some want fortune.
All in all, life is too short to argue over petty things and we should all be grateful for the small things we have, health and a loving family.
Once again, thanks for your feedback.