Is this for real??!!

[Eric Lamont]

SORRY!!!!! I thought you were serious.

just kidding ;-) hehehehe

tell him to search the web

--
GiGo

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

Bahahahahahahahaha!!!©

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
http://www.PatYuen.com

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

and no WAY am I sending him my full res file.

Just tell them it's $50 a print, take it or leave it.

--
I am a sex object.
Everytime I ask girls for sex they object.
http://www.teriba.com

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

Thanks for the ideas. I suppose I could do it at cost and send him the prints. If he was so inclined I suppose he could scan the photo and do what he wanted with it. Of course, any buyer can.

Thanks,

I had a similar request for some original (raw) images of Richmond.
I could not find a way to justify the risk of losing control of
those images, though the pics requested were not going to make
anyone rich (especially me!). In the end, he dropped it.

Some things just "ain't" wise.

Ted

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
Good photography comes with experience. Experience comes from bad
photography.

TJB



My Website: http://svphoto.us

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

why would I send him a full res file, especially of a photo not so easily obtained, so he could reprint it as often as he likes, and perhaps even reprint it to sell it??

Everyone has an opinion of what is right and wrong. Personally I
would have been flattered and since it cost nothing what would the
harm be to help the guy out. IMO
Jeff S
WB9ZPO

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

Sounds like he has paid you the ultimate compliment as he is not
only will to hang your photo in his house, but also in the most
private of areas, the bedroom.

This is a major accomplishment to be proud of.

As I said in an earlier response, I am very flattered.

Weather you charge him or give him the photos is not my business.

However, on that note, I will mention that just yesterday, I
printed up multiple 13*19's of a couple of my Thunderbird pics from
the airshow here this past weekend.

But he is not asking for a print. He is asking for my full res, original file. This is different than offering someone a free print. Besides, even if he did just want several prints, I cant afford to just give large reprints away. I am a starving photographer with two other jobs.

I put them on a table with a note that said 'Take Me' and sure
enough, buy the end of the day, they where gone.

Little things/efforts go a long way in the Karma Dept.

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/511

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

actually I would like to become pro someday. Perhaps not with wildlife photography, but in some form.

I guess its all a matter of opinion, and trust. Frankly I would never go to someone and ask him to trust me when he doesnt have a clue who I am, and ask that he give me his full res files just because I cross my heart that I wont make a large number of reprints of them...

Of course this is why I posted this message, to get other people's opinions. Thanks for sharing yours!

Cheers,
Eric

Your payment: "Gee, somewhere someone sees and enjoys my pictures
every day."

Seems like good karma to me.

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

I think you're right about the "ask him what he CAN afford". Thats what I'll do. Also, I'll offer to print him the photos upfront, but mention that I am not willing to give up my originals.

Thanks!

-Just my 2 cents from the perspective of a pure hobbyist, for I
would fully expect a pro or pro-in-the-making to have a different
perspective.

-John

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

I think I'll just let him know that I cant send him the full res files but I'd be happy to have some prints made for him at a reasonable amount. We'll see what the ol boy says.

Eric

Some people only pay those they have to. I have run across those
types who pitch the same sad song of budget restraints and no
money. They will either pay or not, and some of them will pay, it
has happened to me a few times where they cough up the money from
out of the blue

I never remind them that they said they didn't have any money, that
just remains one of our little secrets ;-)

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Andy Biggs]

In all seriousness, that is a pretty bold approach to ask somebody a favor like that. Especially somebody you do no know. I guess I am sensitive to this sort of requests because it happens to me often. I am flattered, but I need to make a living.

What if I liked the way a legal contract was worded, and I approached the lawyer and asked for the original MS Word document, so I could use for my own purposes?

Seems like he/she is just naive, but that still rubs me the wrong way, mainly because of the realization that not many people put much value on other people's creative work.

Just say no.

--
Andy Biggs Digital Afrfican Safaris
http://www.safariphototours.com
http://www.andybiggs.com
African Digital Photo Safaris ~ Photo Workshops ~ Fine Art Prints

 

[Eric Lamont]

of course you're right, this is probably all on the up and up. However, I dont plan to send anyone a full res file for free. He may not be planning to make millions but how many times do we hear someone on the forum complaining that someone has ripped off their photo for use on the web or elsewhere.

How do I know this fella doesnt send out fifty of these emails a day and then sell them to stock houses?

Ok, that might be a little far fetched but thats just me being protective of my originals I guess....

Thanks for the input!

Beauty is one thing that is never diminished by sharing.

Ultimately it's up to you of course. Maybe the guy's lying and
he's secretly planning to make millions of dollars off of it. I'd
doubt it, but then again I sometimes give money to homeless people
because I think they might actually need it. (Sometimes So
maybe I'm a sucker.

-rh

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Francesco]

Why not give it to him? Maybe instead of many, just a couple.

He will be happy, you will feel rewarded by the fact someone is using your pictures in their own project.
Ask him to send you a print once the project is completed.

And, if you have already decided NOT to give it to him, why did you post a message here? To hear people telling you that you are not selfish? That you are so cool not giving to him?

I am pro-open source, pro-freeware and I think sharing some shots will not put you on the bankruptcy edge.

Good karma some one else called it... I just think it is so cool to know that someone likes your work... especially when you are not a pro...

--
Francesco Gallarotti
-----------------------------
http://www.gallarotti.net

 

[Eric Lamont]

Perhaps I posted this message to hastily. It just really blew me away that someone who claims to be an accomplished photographer out of the blue requests me to send him my original files for photos I paid a great deal to obtain (camera gear, trip to africa, etc).

My thoughts are:

• first and foremost, no way. Not giving away originals.

• I'll offer to print images for him at a reasonable cost.

• If he says no, then thats the end of it.

I sincerely hope I didnt offend anyone, or make people think I am selfish. Its probably true that this guy isnt trying to take me for a ride, and isnt going to reprint my photos thousands of times.

What bothers me still, is the principle of the thing. Its so far outside my realm of acceptable behavior I have set for myself, that it really seems bizarre to me.

Finally, to those who say I have nothing to lose, and that it would be some sort of public service, I would only say this: if you worked hard to capture a nice picture, would you (without hesitation or concern) hand over YOUR originals to ME for free, just because I say I cant pay you for them?

If you say yes you would, I'm sorry, but it seems like you dont value your own work enough....

Thanks for all the thoughts, from both sides. I really appreciate this great forum.

Eric Lamont

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

=================

Fella, if you are a dpreview user, I'm sorry but I had to share
this. Names have been omitted to protect reputations.

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of
scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

Why not give it to him? Maybe instead of many, just a couple.
He will be happy, you will feel rewarded by the fact someone is
using your pictures in their own project.
Ask him to send you a print once the project is completed.

But other people have paid money for reprints of some of these photos. How is that fair to others?

And, if you have already decided NOT to give it to him, why did you
post a message here? To hear people telling you that you are not
selfish? That you are so cool not giving to him?

I'm sorry if this post offended you, but it really caught me off guard and I was wanting to hear other peoples thoughts.

I am pro-open source, pro-freeware and I think sharing some shots
will not put you on the bankruptcy edge.

So Adobe should give away copies of PS CS? They spend money developing it, and people make money using it. Sure I am not a "pro" but I do sell quite a few prints at craft fairs, and the like.

Good karma some one else called it... I just think it is so cool to
know that someone likes your work... especially when you are not a
pro...

Why is it people who are not "pros" should not expect compensation for a photo that cost them quite a bit to capture?

--
Francesco Gallarotti
-----------------------------
http://www.gallarotti.net

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[grablife]

Eric,

That's a very reasonable and balanced response. Those who give away their work value their work as valueless. I know exactly what you mean about those assume they can ask for your work for free. Would anyone here think it's reasonable to walk into an airport and ask the airline to give them a free ticket for that empty seat. Afterall, it's not going to cost them anything.

No need to apologize for asking for a fee for your work. Do you apologize to your boss every two weeks when he gives you a payroll check?

My thoughts are:

• first and foremost, no way. Not giving away originals.

• I'll offer to print images for him at a reasonable cost.

• If he says no, then thats the end of it.

I sincerely hope I didnt offend anyone, or make people think I am
selfish. Its probably true that this guy isnt trying to take me
for a ride, and isnt going to reprint my photos thousands of times.

What bothers me still, is the principle of the thing. Its so far
outside my realm of acceptable behavior I have set for myself, that
it really seems bizarre to me.

Finally, to those who say I have nothing to lose, and that it would
be some sort of public service, I would only say this: if you
worked hard to capture a nice picture, would you (without
hesitation or concern) hand over YOUR originals to ME for free,
just because I say I cant pay you for them?

If you say yes you would, I'm sorry, but it seems like you dont
value your own work enough....

Thanks for all the thoughts, from both sides. I really appreciate
this great forum.

Eric Lamont

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

--
http://www.PatYuen.com

 

[grablife]

Eric,

I hate to be the one to break it to you but if you have sold a print, you are a pro by definition.

I am pro-open source, pro-freeware and I think sharing some shots
will not put you on the bankruptcy edge.

So Adobe should give away copies of PS CS? They spend money
developing it, and people make money using it. Sure I am not a
"pro" but I do sell quite a few prints at craft fairs, and the like.

Good karma some one else called it... I just think it is so cool to
know that someone likes your work... especially when you are not a
pro...

Why is it people who are not "pros" should not expect compensation
for a photo that cost them quite a bit to capture?

--
http://www.PatYuen.com

 

[Eric Lamont]

Hi Mr. X,

thank you for the interest in my photos! I'm afraid I am not comfortable sending out full resolution files of my photos. I'd be happy to have prints made and mailed to you. I think we could find an acceptable price as I'm not out to make millions on these photos.

Also, if this watercolor technique you mention is a photoshop action you could always email it to me, I can apply it to the images you want, show you web sized version of the results and if you are happy, then have a print made.

Let me know,

Thanks.

***********

That's a very reasonable and balanced response. Those who give away
their work value their work as valueless. I know exactly what you
mean about those assume they can ask for your work for free. Would
anyone here think it's reasonable to walk into an airport and ask
the airline to give them a free ticket for that empty seat.
Afterall, it's not going to cost them anything.

No need to apologize for asking for a fee for your work. Do you
apologize to your boss every two weeks when he gives you a payroll
check?

My thoughts are:

• first and foremost, no way. Not giving away originals.

• I'll offer to print images for him at a reasonable cost.

• If he says no, then thats the end of it.

I sincerely hope I didnt offend anyone, or make people think I am
selfish. Its probably true that this guy isnt trying to take me
for a ride, and isnt going to reprint my photos thousands of times.

What bothers me still, is the principle of the thing. Its so far
outside my realm of acceptable behavior I have set for myself, that
it really seems bizarre to me.

Finally, to those who say I have nothing to lose, and that it would
be some sort of public service, I would only say this: if you
worked hard to capture a nice picture, would you (without
hesitation or concern) hand over YOUR originals to ME for free,
just because I say I cant pay you for them?

If you say yes you would, I'm sorry, but it seems like you dont
value your own work enough....

Thanks for all the thoughts, from both sides. I really appreciate
this great forum.

Eric Lamont

Perhaps I am overracting, but this email blew my mind. Here is
someone I dont know from Adam, asking me to send him my full rez
files, and flat out saying it would be out of the goodness of my
heart, not for cash.

I know a lot of my africa photos are nothing spectacular and wont
end up in N. Geo., but man..... Yeah, I'm thinking no.....

===============

Eric,

Was browsing your photos of S. Africa and like several of them very
much. I am
an avid photographer myself, but unfortuneately am confined to the
Midwest USA.
My wife and I are remodeling our bedroom in an African theme, and I
have been to
my local zoo in an attempt to get some photos to frame for the walls.
Unfortuneately the fences and background do not lend themselves to
anything
realistic. I would like to ask your permission to use several of
your photos
for this purpose, and would like to get the original files if
possible, as I am
wanting to do some photoshop work and print them at a fairly large
size.

The photoshop work I am looking to do is using a technique that
Stephen LeQuier
put together that gives a very realistic watercolor appearance.

I am sure ideally you would like to get paid for this, however budget
constraints right now don't really permit me to make much of an offer.

Please let me know if this might be possible.

Thanks

--
http://www.PatYuen.com

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[Eric Lamont]

I think the accepted definition states something like people who make 80% or more of their living at it are considered truly pro.

I'm content to be called "semi-pro" with aspirations to becoming "pro" someday. =)

Thanks!

I hate to be the one to break it to you but if you have sold a
print, you are a pro by definition.

I am pro-open source, pro-freeware and I think sharing some shots
will not put you on the bankruptcy edge.

So Adobe should give away copies of PS CS? They spend money
developing it, and people make money using it. Sure I am not a
"pro" but I do sell quite a few prints at craft fairs, and the like.

Good karma some one else called it... I just think it is so cool to
know that someone likes your work... especially when you are not a
pro...

Why is it people who are not "pros" should not expect compensation
for a photo that cost them quite a bit to capture?

--
http://www.PatYuen.com

--
Eric Lamont
http://www.pbase.com/elamont
http://www.pbase.com/ericlamont (formal portfolio for now...)

'Above all, it's hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph' - Sam Abell

 

[lisafx]

I shoot at a lot of events with new artists and designers so I get
the "I'm poor" sob story pretty often. I sent an email to Canon USA
asking for a free 1D Mark II telling them my budget did not allow
me to buy one. So far, no response from them but I'm crossing my
fingers.

LOL! Let me know how that works for ya ;-).

Lisa
--
LisaFX
http://www.pbase.com/lisafx

 

[lisafx]

Thanks for the ideas. I suppose I could do it at cost and send him
the prints. If he was so inclined I suppose he could scan the
photo and do what he wanted with it. Of course, any buyer can.

Eric, I see no reason to give this guy anything at cost. He is redecorating his house! In a "theme" no less. It's not like the guy is living in a box.

I seriously doubt the folks selling him the furniture, rugs, lamps, art objects, paint, etc. to redecorate are giving him anything at cost and you can be sure he didn't ask them. If he's really an avid photographer, he should PREFER to hang his own artwork anyway, and if he's as good with photoshop as he thinks, it shouldn't be a big chore to mask out the fences in the background and replace them with foliage.

Lisa

--
LisaFX
http://www.pbase.com/lisafx