| |  | |  | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images |  | 
12-10-2007, 12:33 AM
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| | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images
In headshot photography it has always been like that. Only few photographers actually do their own printing.
You do the shoot, process the images, show them to the actor, and then you send them to the lab for printing.
This doesn't mean to give up control over one's images. The copyright notice is always embedded in them.
No serious photographer gives the copyright on those headshots away. These images are for self promotion, if an actor you shot becomes popular, newspapers have to pay you if they want to print your shot.
I see the photographer's work completely separated from lab or printing place.
It used to be the photographer's work to do his own darkroom work, because only then he could control the outcome.
Today we are using editing software, and this gives us absolute control, and printing or lab work is a purely mechanical process, and you need to apply quality control.
This means that I have a short list of good labs I recommend to my clients, and I try to convince my clients to use these good labs to preserve the quality of my work for them.
| | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images | |
12-11-2007, 05:24 PM
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| | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images
Robert - I was interested in your response. Ok, you've done the shoot, the actor chose their favorites, you send their favorites to the lab. From that point on, does the actor pick up the order at the lab? Also, when does the actor has the CD?
A designated lab could long-term archive your images for future orders from the actor. Some labs archive x # of days anyhow; I think Walgreens and some other chains purge the file as soon as it is printed.
How to configure this relationship between photographer and lab is another question, but for now, for me, I'm ready to charge more upfront and let them get all the cheap prints they want. A few head shots made into 24x30's for the family yikes, that's another worrisome loss of revenue. Thanks - Ed | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images | |
12-11-2007, 06:53 PM
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| | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images
it would be nice if you could find a lab that kept them, if they charge for it, add it to your price. also make it a 8x10 @ medium res (150PPI...). but thats a tough job..
maybe the lab will agree to limit prints to an 8x10 or so, send the lab a hi res file so the prints look good, but have them agree or sign off not to give the client the file...that could work out for everyone. preferably this could be successful in a small town or where you know the lab owner personally.
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Michael | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images | |
12-12-2007, 03:42 AM
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| | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images
Michael - I can see the big labs offering this service nationally. - Ed | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images | |
12-16-2007, 05:08 PM
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| | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images
As photographers we may be making less money, but the camera companies, software companies, and computer companies are making a lot more money than back in the days of film.
Less income, longer hours, and higher operating overhead. I don't think it's realistic to think that our clients are going to shoulder that entire burden for us. We are all modifying old business models in an attempt to make them work for digital photography.
IMO as long as clients feel we are selling goods and services we are going to come up with the short end of it. In truth, they are paying us for out talent, experience and craftsmanship. Sell that, charge for it, and let them get their prints wherever...
In the music business, digital drum machines put a lot of drummers out of business. The ones who survived and hung in there are now among the most sought after studio musicians. Drum machines do not make better music than humans. Neither does a computer make better pictures than someone with a good eye who has been trained as an artist.
Just my 2 cents...
Alan | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images | |
12-17-2007, 05:22 AM
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| | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Gerson  Robert - I was interested in your response. Ok, you've done the shoot, the actor chose their favorites, you send their favorites to the lab. From that point on, does the actor pick up the order at the lab? Also, when does the actor has the CD?
A designated lab could long-term archive your images for future orders from the actor. Some labs archive x # of days anyhow; I think Walgreens and some other chains purge the file as soon as it is printed.
How to configure this relationship between photographer and lab is another question, but for now, for me, I'm ready to charge more upfront and let them get all the cheap prints they want. A few head shots made into 24x30's for the family yikes, that's another worrisome loss of revenue. Thanks - Ed | It depends on who you shoot.
For private persons, cheap prints may be OK. For actors, their career is quite depending on good headshots. Skin tones can be messed up easily. And there are worse things. Those cheap copy places don't even get the exposure right.
I go to every lab I recommend, and talk to the manager. And I get a good feeling how much these are into their craft. I have one favorite lab so far, but, of course, all I can do is propose the actor to go there.
I am planning to have test prints mailed to me by the lab before the whole series goes into print, so I can take a look at every print that's been done of my photos.
Of course, if an actor is in a hurry, I can't do that. But still, I think you can have a good grip on what happens to your work.  | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images | |
12-17-2007, 05:34 AM
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| | | Re: We don't need prints, just your CF images
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan_Ackoff As photographers we may be making less money, but the camera companies, software companies, and computer companies are making a lot more money than back in the days of film.
Less income, longer hours, and higher operating overhead. I don't think it's realistic to think that our clients are going to shoulder that entire burden for us. We are all modifying old business models in an attempt to make them work for digital photography.
IMO as long as clients feel we are selling goods and services we are going to come up with the short end of it. In truth, they are paying us for out talent, experience and craftsmanship. Sell that, charge for it, and let them get their prints wherever...
In the music business, digital drum machines put a lot of drummers out of business. The ones who survived and hung in there are now among the most sought after studio musicians. Drum machines do not make better music than humans. Neither does a computer make better pictures than someone with a good eye who has been trained as an artist.
Just my 2 cents...
Alan | Today's equipment is, technically, much easier to use than film equipment. But what is still, and more so, key, is what you, the photographer, sees.
And, in case of portraits/headshots (I really don't like the word headshot - I'm shooting characters, not heads) it's a lot about how to get an actor to show his potential. It's a bit like a director's job, combined.
The only real problem is, that the potential client often doesn't know that. He stands at the edge of a sea of photographers, and doesn't seem to know how to find his way to the artists, the passionate, the experienced, those, who truly love photography.
That's why recommendations are, I guess, the most important thing for a true photographer. Those who were happy with what you did. I just had someone coming in seeing his headshots, and it was so beautiful to see how he got quiet, and just looked, looked... | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
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