DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Why Did It Change?

Nov 30, 2015 by Missy Mwac Leave a Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

why-it-changed

(And then Missy took it way down regarding photography–so far down, that she referred to herself in the 3rd person. xoxo)

I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I have no idea how to wear a scarf without looking like it’s 1974 and I am constantly changing my online passwords because I can’t remember them. I am not skilled at statistics and conducting a simple cost analysis makes me break out in hives.

But…I think about things. A lot.

And one of the things I’ve been thinking about recently is why photographers stopped selling paper prints. And I have a theory.

Back in the days of film, the phone would ring and the caller would ask the question that caused many a photographer’s eyes to roll: “How much is an 8×10?” If I had a dime for every time, right? And, we knew…just knew… that what the person at the end of the line was asking was not really the price of an 8×10 (although there is always a percentage for whom that is ALL they want to know-those for whom photography is not a priority and price will trump quality.)
No, they asked “How much is an 8×10?” because it’s all they knew to ask.
They wanted to know price, sure, but what that question really meant was:

“Why should I pick YOU?”
“Am I going to love these?”
“What if I don’t?”
“Are you right for me?”
“If I pick you, will I be happy with my choice.”
“Tell me why YOU are the right photographer for me.”

Of course, they didn’t come out and say that. Instead, they asked, “How much is an 8×10?”

Fast forward to now and the digital age. I happen to love it. I really do. Digital photography has made possible things that have stretched the imagination and broadened the mind. Heck, you and I are talking because of digital communication. And, for many photographers, digital technology has changed their final product.

But why? Why did it change? Were clients banging down the door demanding digital images only…or, as I suspect, does the fault lie more with the industry? Were photographers more than happy to shoot, hand the digital images over, stick a fork in it, and say, “I”m done.”

Personally, I think it’s the latter.

Again, why?

Well, with digital only, we don’t have to sell photographs. And selling, well, the thought produces tremors in a lot of people. And then, having sold, we have to produce a product. And then, we have to hope the clients like the product. And then, we have to deliver the product.

All that…when you could slap ‘em on a CD, grab a little pocket change and be done? Well, it’s easy to see, at least to me, why that became attractive and “the thing to do.” It was easy. And who doesn’t like easy? (Not to mention this method was advocated and promoted by those who stood to profit from the shift to digital only. We, as an industry, allowed the inexperienced and cunning among us to change the industry, and not for the better, while they profited off the masses. Of course, that’s a whole other conversation, one that is best discussed over lots of vodka.)

But…I submit digital images are not always what clients want…even when they say it is. Like the 8×10, they think they need to ask: “Can I get the files?” That’s what their friends did, right? And that’s the offer they are getting everywhere they turn, so they figure it’s “what’s done.” And, having received the CD, or USB drive, or online gallery, the images will be shared for a week or so, and then, the excitement will wane and the disk will be placed in a drawer.

And it will be forgotten.

Sure, a handful might, just might, print them. Will they look how the photographer who created the images intended them to look? After all, their name is on it, so they better hope so. I say the odds are doubtful.
The bottom line, at least, to me, is that we have devalued many things in this industry: the work, the final product, the relationships between client and photographer, the way we market…(examples are happily given for all of these upon request) and it’s time we get back to making things MEAN something again.

Sure, prospective clients will still ask for digital images, but it’s up to us to change the conversation. xoxo

About The Author

Missy Mwac is a photographer/eater of bacon/drinker of vodka and a guide through the murky waters of professional photography. You can follow her social media links here: Facebook, Tumblr. This article was also published here and shared with permission.

[lead photo by Gilles Péris y Saborit]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Why wedding photos are boring (and how to change that) Here is why your photos change colour when you export from Photoshop and how to fix it Epic Portraits Taken While Storm Chasing Show The Impact Of Climate Change How altering the look of your black and whites can change its mood and feeling

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: Missy Mwac, paper prints, prints

« Epic Portraits Taken While Storm Chasing Show The Impact Of Climate Change
Use These Practice Files To Improve Your Retouching Skills »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Astrophotographers, don’t miss the “celestial parade” as five planets align this week
  • DIYP Reviews the Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 lens for still photographers
  • Mitakon recreates Leica’s Summaron M 28mm f/5.6 at a tenth the cost
  • Viral photo of pope Francis in puffy coat shows the dangers of realistic AI
  • Win 2 High-Load V-Mount Battery kits

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy