The New York Times had several pages devoted to travel photography in their Sunday edition. That information, and more, is available on their website. [note: that link will be less useful after this week as it leads to the main Travel page–there are multiple articles there…for now]
Note also that I am not judging the information or the Times for their reporting or their contract. Instead, I’m just being a consumer of interesting info and passing it on to you.
If you want to read something recent from the Times that is worth getting frustrated and huffy about, read this article about Microstock. The ending is particularly frustrating as it essentially says “photographers need to do MS because that’s where the future is headed.” Instead, it should say that IF photographers do MS, that’s where the future is headed.
Do you really think that is the future? I’m not so sure. I agree that it’s a distasteful outcome of our digital age but I’m not convinced microstock will grow to anything more that a great resource for mediocrity. However, I’ve been wrong so many times it’s hard to keep track.
I’m concerned more with the trend I see with Getty Images pushing assignment work for their “work for hire” photographers. Will they or are they the Wal Mart of photography in regards to financial clout?
Bruce:
No, I never said that I thought MS was the future. I said that IF (the BIG if) photographers continue to participate in microstock, then it will be their future (in the stock world) because it will drive out (most) of the higher stock sales options. It’s a self-fulfilling prophesy and one I sincerely call on photographers to halt.
I agree, on the other hand, that the WFH contracts some stock houses are now offering are also a bane to photographers. This is, in my mind, the second negative front in the battle to preserve image values and income for photographers. It should not be ignored.
-Leslie
IMHO – It’s always been market driven and always will. Photographers who are happy and able to make a living shooting $.01 photos will – maybe even run BOGO specials. The stronger of our species will seek out venues where they can make more than pennies per photo thus being able to both eat and maintain shelter. If the viability of the upscale market fails as we know it, there will be other opportunities to sell quality (Or maybe I’ll go into consulting – no, not really, too hard.)
I, for one, can’t be bothered too much with those who choose the Microstock option (although it does feel icky at times). Originality, craftsmanship, and professionalism never goes out of style but I admire your effort to call for a halt to the soul sucking participation of photographers in Microstock.
btw- thanks for your blogs, and pods.