We want your stuff for free! - Thought you guys might enjoy this

I first want to preface this with stating that I am in no way a professional photographer and never really received compensation for my photos. I do however hang with many pro photographers (mostly sports and news guys) and understand the current situation the news photography world is in. With that knowledge, I fully intend to decline the following offer just on the principle.

Hi dawiyo,

I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has been short-listed for inclusion in the ninth edition of our Schmap San Francisco Guide, to be published mid-December 2009.

www.schmap.com/...

Clicking this link will take you to a page where you can:
i) See which of your photos has been short-listed.
ii) Submit or withdraw your photo from our final selection phase.
iii) Learn how we credit photos in our Schmap Guides.
iv) Browse online or download the eighth edition of our Schmap San Francisco Guide.

While we offer no payment for publication, many photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.

Our submission deadline is Thursday, November 26. If you happen to be reading this message after this date, please still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are updated frequently - photos submitted after this deadline will be considered for later releases).

Best regards,

Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides
www.schmap.me/emmaj.wi​lliams

What do you guys think? Am I overreacting being kind of irate that they just come out and state "others aren't getting paid, so no check for you" or should I see this as a sign of the times and get over it?

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=759847
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=737279
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=634765
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=562544

Do what ever you want. If you fall into the category of pleased to submit, then do so. If you want money, then don't submit.

Oh nevermind it's not a magazine. Actually I'm not sure what it is...looks like a complicated version of flickr maps or google maps.

I can't really figure out what the hell they do actually. Go for it. Though I see no value in exposure from that kind

just give them a reasonable price and they may say yes

kenwood33 wrote in post #9048327
just give them a reasonable price and they may say yes

They've already stated they offer no compensation for photographers.

I'm more proud/impressed that they shot they picked was taken with my iPhone and AutoStitch app.

I would be interested to see if they use your photo even if you tell them no. Either way, I think it is something for you to keep an eye on.

I'm not against donating images - but I won't give them to someone who's going to make money off them.

I wouldn't be irate over it. Who doesn't want something for nothing, not just a sign of the times human nature is all.

You only give them rights to a tiny little image that is put in an online area guide that people can download for free. Sure they likely make money on advertising but I have seen way worse requests for free images.

I let them publish my pic of French Laundry.

I've gotten one of these, I let them publish the photo. It's not a photo I'm going to make money off of anyway, they are not making money off of it and it's only 150x150 square. So it wasn't a big deal.

dawiyo wrote in post #9048384
They've already stated they offer no compensation for photographers.

I'm more proud/impressed that they shot they picked was taken with my iPhone and AutoStitch app.

in my experience, these people are taught to ask things for free

The folks at Schmap are doing what they are doing for a profit and paychecks.

Why should photographers give them anything for free? The least they could do is offer micro stock rates... As insulting as that would be, it's still not as insulting as some techie making $125,000 a year and dreaming of the day when they'll do an IPO and all be millionaires, asking you to give them a freebie.

My cousin was thrilled to be published in a book a year or so ago, no payment of course. So thrilled she bought six copies at $100 each...

cdifoto wrote in post #9048432
I'm not against donating images - but I won't give them to someone who's going to make money off them.

Precisely. This isn't a charity looking to use your image. They plan to make money, and by not paying for photos they get to make more money.

IMHO, I would tell them to take a hike.

Even if you are not a "pro photographer", your work still has value and should be worth more than a link to flickr and a ©Your Name.