Port-a-John = instant firing?

Would you fire this photographer?

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$25 out of how much?

Looks like the kid needs to use it.

:p

Alex

Though I don't have a business in photography, if I were in your shoes, I would take into consideration of weather or not there was room to move and change the perspective to get that port a john out of the background. And like Adam asked....out of how much of the total.

alexclc wrote in post #5557676
Looks like the kid needs to use it.

:p

Alex

That's what I was thinking. I think it is kind of hunorous since he is pinching it off and standing next to the john. But I ain;t paying anyone either.

If it were a last straw. maybe so, but like any lasting business relationship, many times it takes some time to develop an understanding of what is expected and tolerated. If I think the relationship has potential, I think the $25 you docked him may serve to remind him to take things like this into consideration when setting up to shoot an event. So rather than throw away the investment in time and money you have already put forth, hopefully this will develop into the relationship you desire. If not, you know you tried.

Really does depend on if he was able to move around or just lazy. You need to watch your backgrounds but you also learn quick that sometimes it can't be helped, been "stuck" in a certain position many times and the background sucked but usually don't submit them unless didn't get anything else of the person.

The image itself looks soft, the image is not a keeper as adjustin the boys isn't exactly a hang on the wall shot. 20/200, 10%, how are the other 90%? Did he get to go through them first before submitting or is it a shoot and upload ASAP so even the throw aways get on there, is there a series of the kid leading off and the next shot doesn't have the pooper in the background? Lot more questions need to be answered before firing or even docking pay.

I'm not a big fan of "leadership by punishment", so would suggest a very clear set of directions regarding your expectations. Bad backgrounds are one of the biggest issues people have with their sports photographs, and where most noobs or part-timers don't bother to think about moving left or right, or even up or down, to clean 'em up.

Yeah, he should have "know better" but unless he has done this before and is ignoring your direction, I think you're being kinda harsh.

I would never send anyone into the field without a list of my expectations - this will make them a better shooter and ensure I get what I need from them.

I agree with Mike, though. The image looks soft (don't even mean the face blurring) and the moment isn't a real keeper. Is this the level of quality he produced throughout the game?

I presume $25 is an hour's pay?

This is my assistant that has been with me for years and i pay him very well. He knows better and had many alternatives. There were three bad angles, one had a big maroon bus, the port-a-john and one with a ton of parents sitting in lawn chairs.

The shoot was game 2 of 2 to focus on the seniors, est. 150 shots per game.

I was not mad, I was actually joking with my assistant, but he should really know better. But YES, his images were very soft and I had to touch up a lot.

I just though the shot was funny cause the kid is holding his groin area, right in front of the John.

I told my assistant I was docking him, but then I will give him $25 gas money.

Thanks for humoring me.

MJPhotos24 wrote in post #5558603
Really does depend on if he was able to move around or just lazy.

He had plenty of room, and is just brain frozen at times ... like this one

MJPhotos24 wrote in post #5558603
The image itself looks soft, the image is not a keeper as adjustin the boys isn't exactly a hang on the wall shot.

Thank you, I can show him this and he will finally understand i am not just being picky, but they are soft.

MJPhotos24 wrote in post #5558603
20/200, 10%, how are the other 90%? Did he get to go through them first before submitting or is it a shoot and upload ASAP so even the throw aways get on there

Yes he went through them, which is why I need to bust to his chops. This was not ASAP, this is just him handing in a bunch of photos as is. But in all seriousness if the parents want to be picky and want a refund, he's paying.

thanks for your info. like I said, I was joking a bit, but I also know that these photos represent me and my business.

So hes only supposed to give you 150 pictures
He gave you 200
Of the 200, 20 have the porta-john in it
So thats 180 that dont, right?

And you took away his money? Or not..Im a little confused. Its early for me haha.

No I did not take money away from him.

He should have 300 keepers total from a baseball game, 150 each game. Yes be gave me 200, but the fact that the port-a-john is part of a shot that you are giving to parents is just not good business.

I want everyone to understand that this was a light hearted, humorous post - no one is losing money. I forget that this is many of our lively-hoods.

In all reality, i was hoping many of you would be backing up my idea that is not a keeper and I could have taught him a lesson that he cannot understand. He his a great person and very good assistant, but he needs he chops busted once in a while.