Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Petapixel on photographic industry sustainability.

I can think of a third option the pros don't wanna hear...

I think for the most part while true it's the wrong strategy. How many countless industries have changed do the development and democratization of technology? Fact of life is people need to learn to adapt. This call to arms of "banding" together is silly when looked at from a historical standpoint.

A few years back I had a 'pro' go off on me for 'giving away pictures.' Truth is that I was getting more per picture than he was and he was the one responsible for pulling down the value of the work, in that venue.

+1, it's like they're looking to start a photographers union to help band together and protect really crappy photographers. Good photographers will always stand out in the crowd; par or sub-par photographers will always be hustling to make a buck because of the sheer amount of them. Same thing with a lot of other professions from plumbers to carpenters to nannies.

It still amazes me how many people whine about this. "How come I can't make a living being a perfectly average photographer?" In a creative field, that just doesn't work.

... or could also read as "please stop diluting the market because you're making it harder for me!".
Maybe professionals should focus on educating people who want those services why they're worth more rather than blaming the amateurs undercutting them. If I choose to work for a price I think is fair, that's my problem, not theirs.

Time changes everything...soon pro photogs will go the way of the thatcher, fletcher, hooper, fell monger, roper, sawyer, snobscat, tasker, blacksmith, milkman, drayman, carder, topper, milliner...
...if technology eliminates the need for the professional, then there is no longer a profession...

Nail. Head.

Think of the bell curve people. Yup, those to the right will stand out but the meat in the middle will go from bovine to equine. It's all protein. The market will feed on what works.

= Asprin

Those with the skill and the ability to effectively market themselves and deal with the business side of things will always be able to carve out a profitable niche for themselves. It's the rest of the "pros" who complain about the "fake pros"; they lack one or more of the skills I mentioned and so are looking towards the "fake pros" to blame for their inadequacies in the market.

Technology will not eliminate the need for professionals (at least until cameras are sentient beings and can think for themselves and be creative - hey it could happen). Photography may change with technology but their is an inherent creative side to it that only a few are able to master. Granted the market may really screw up things for professionals during any disruption to the status quo, but the market also has a way of correcting itself. Eventually there will be enough people complaining about bad wedding photos that people again will realize the need for a professional.

I think if skills weren't part of the equation then it all boils down to marketing and networking. If you can hustle you'll win. Over time half your jobs or more will coke from referrals. I know this couple who 4 yrs ago started with a used 40D and a version of a Rebel charging $500 a wedding. The wife is relentless marketer and pushes hard betwween networking and media. They now start at $2,800 for weddings and are almost booked this year as well as part of next. I would consider their output average, but they know how to get people excited and connect well with their clients.

uh huh? You know your Taylorism better than this don't you or do you believe we're all artisans?

I'mma gonna go smash a loom.

I remember that guy - can't say I remember anything I've read though (so long ago, so very long ago).

HOWEVER, technology has and will always displace WORKERS (I am talking your average worker here). If technology truly displayed professionals - I am talking about highly skilled trades people, etc. then why do we still pay premiums for welders and the like? We have robots that can weld (and do a damn good job of it). Oh wait, the reason is they still can't replace that expert skill to deal with situations that aren't perfect or require an unique approach (sound familiar in the photography world?).

now what happened to my loom?!?!?

What a joke. As a pro I won't be supporting this...I worked for free for experience 30 years ago, now I get paid for it!

If they want to go after someone they should go after stock agencies, they are the ones who have REALLY hurt the industry!

What next, landscapers forming a union against neighborhood kids who cut lawns or shovel walks for just a few bucks, or free as a favor?

Business models need to change with technology and operational advances...there are no more milkmen, but I'm still enjoying my chocolate milk everyday...there's still an industry getting paid to get it from the utter to my mouth...but there's no longer a need for this particular service...

This is a really good point...stock agencies are the walmart of images...helping put out of business the local ma and pa shops across north america...

Don't forget about the "look" aesthetic also, the latest trend with the washed out, heavily tinted crap photoshoots from big name brands' advertising. Not everyone wants quality "pro" work now. Hell, if they could blow up instagram pics to huge billboards they would...

They've already done it from Facebook shots, blown up to poster size and used without the subject or photographer's permission.

And what does one call oneself having worked as a pro and now no longer?

Pro-Am

EI eligible

lol