How to not hand over original pictures?

Hi, I was wondering when you sell your works to people but you dont want to give them the copy that has all of the settings info how do you do that? I was told not to give originals unless Im compensated. If anyone has advise or knows what im talking about better than I do please explain. Thanks

It depends on what you're selling.

Are you talking about stripping EXIF data? If they want some low resolution digital files you could strip the EXIF data, which you can do in Photoshop by exporting for web.

I think what most people do is sell a product based on their work not the work itself. So I'd imagine that many people avoid selling anything but low resolution images (like for a wedding) or don't sell digital files at all.

I think that most photographers would charge a very high rate if the client wants the original digital file. Like $1000 or more per image depending on the work and the client. But I'm new to this so those with more experience can probably answer better.

do not send them TIFF / raw, i think most people send them jpegs saved, selling the original raw file meas they buyer can do what ever they want with it, thus avoiding you basically.

I agree if someone wants the RAW format, they pay through the nose for it.

You should sell JPG files, as they're universally understood. RAW is useless to most people. TIFF is usually unnecessary, and I don't sell those. Strip the EXIF data from a JPG using something like EXIFer - free but windows only.

OK thanks, I think it is the EXIF data im trying to get rid of so they see just the image and not the shot information. I shoot only in Jpeg since I dont have to edit the pictures.

I can't help it, but I always chuckle when someone suggests that an individual image is worth $1000 as a high-res file. If it's something like a portrait or wedding, I mean, which would have a very limited audience. I could see how other stuff might be.

Anyway, it'd have to be the rare image that would ever earn a return of anywhere near that by itself in terms of print/low-res sales, so I always figure the price is meant more to discourage a sale more than an actuall value.

Why strip the EXIF ?

Ceroneous wrote in post #5174066
.... I shoot only in Jpeg since I dont have to edit the pictures.

Please don't take this wrong - but you must be one amazing photographer if you don't need to edit your images in any way!

TJ

wow, you must be one heck of a sales person! i genuinely say that as someone who struggles in that area... what is your sales secret?

Also If you want to give me some CC TeeJay Id appreciate every bit, I'm here to learn

KIPAX wrote in post #5175324
Why strip the EXIF ?

i am curious about this too - anyone?

I see absolutely no point in stripping EXIF info. In fact, a law may be passed soon called the Orphaned Works Law. This would mean that if you don't add your name and copyright to a digital file, it could be used for any purpose whatsoever without consulting you. There is an article about this in the March Range Finder magazine. I wouldn't sell images too cheaply. I offer a slide show DVD set to music. The images can't be printed but the slide show can be played on a DVD player.

poloman wrote in post #5176655
I see absolutely no point in stripping EXIF info. In fact, a law may be passed soon called the Orphaned Works Law. This would mean that if you don't add your name and copyright to a digital file, it could be used for any purpose whatsoever without consulting you. There is an article about this in the March Range Finder magazine. I wouldn't sell images too cheaply. I offer a slide show DVD set to music. The images can't be printed but the slide show can be played on a DVD player.

Good call! I was just goign to refer to the latest Rangefinder edition... I defintiely wouldn't be stripping EXIF if I were planning on selling the file. Though I certainly am not at the Pro level... so there may be some reason that I am not aware of.

- Derek

I strip EXIF because my customer have no need to know how I took the shot. I add copyright information though.

tim wrote in post #5178410
I strip EXIF because my customer have no need to know how I took the shot. I add copyright information though.

That makes sense. That was pretty much the point that the article made, is that your copyright info should remain intact. (they just happened to lump it into the EXIF data.)

-Derek