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Recent Blog Entries
19/04/2008 - On the cost of amateur photography
These days everyone owns a digital camera. Modern cameras are so good it is easy to take a decent photograph. And that's great - it means that everyone can capture family events. Get memorable shots which make good enlargements to grace the mantelpiece. Yet some photographers fear that it is killing the photography business. Micro-stock sites are now overloaded with shots taken by just about anyone, selling for a fraction of what they should be worth. Many people don't even realise they are underselling themselves. When you shoot as a hobby the cost of your time is free.
It also means that photography retailers are offering more and more gift products directly to the consumer. Anyone can now make a mug, a cushion or a calendar with their own photographs. For the professional or anyone trying to break into the business this makes life harder. With so many consumer products it has become difficult to find suppliers who will offer significant discounts for bulk production. As a result the retail margins for the professional get smaller and smaller.
Yet there there are still photographers making money. People are prepared to pay for quality. Few are prepared to take a risk with weddings. My guess is that things will settle down. Technology is always redefining markets, but in the end there is always a niche for the professional or serious amateur. And if anyone is tempted to despair then there is always the encouragement of seeing just how many dreadful photos are posted on Facebook!
29/01/2008 - Where are all the penguins?
January is almost gone and, sadly, I have not updated my website after my Falklands trip. It's not that there aren't any pictures to go up! Actually there are so many I'm still working through them. (more...)
26/12/2007 - On the benefits of slowing down
Well, I'm back from the Falkland Islands. The wildlife there is so prolific and tame that I excitedly shot well over 4,000 photographs. After an initial scan through I must confess to be slightly disappointed. (more...)
19/12/2007 - On wildlife photography in the Falklands
One word. Wow!This place is amazing. Six(!) species of penguin all seen and photographed. Albatross in huge quantities. Elephant Seals and Sealions. Night Herons and Caracara. (more...)
07/12/2007 - On security and the photographer
Having a large white lens on one´s camera always seems to attract attention. Usually the wrong kind. Security guards really don´t like them for some reason. (more...)
02/12/2007 - On almost being there...
Well the last couple of months have been a bit of a wash out from a wildlife photography point of view. Too little free time and not enough weather. But never mind. (more...)
20/10/2007 - On busyness and skittishness...
It's been a long while since I made it out with a camera. Life just gets too busy sometimes. Today, however, I could not have wished for a better day. Low sunshine, glorious leaf cover and lots going on. (more...)
11/09/2007 - On just being there...
Sometimes it's not about the pictures. Just being in a place and seeing things with your own eyes is sufficient. Yesterday I spent an hour or more in a hide at Fowlmere watching a pair of Marsh Harriers in a tree. (more...)
30/07/2007 - On the exuberance of youth...
Young animals are always fun, not least because they have less fear than their adult counterparts and the fact that they are cute too makes them photogenic. (more...)
25/07/2007 - On the cost of procastination...
Leaving things to the last minute has become something of a habit. The benefits in terms of increased efficiency, and more free time have largely outweighed the occasional increase in stress levels. (more...)
These days everyone owns a digital camera. Modern cameras are so good it is easy to take a decent photograph. And that's great - it means that everyone can capture family events. Get memorable shots which make good enlargements to grace the mantelpiece. Yet some photographers fear that it is killing the photography business. Micro-stock sites are now overloaded with shots taken by just about anyone, selling for a fraction of what they should be worth. Many people don't even realise they are underselling themselves. When you shoot as a hobby the cost of your time is free.
It also means that photography retailers are offering more and more gift products directly to the consumer. Anyone can now make a mug, a cushion or a calendar with their own photographs. For the professional or anyone trying to break into the business this makes life harder. With so many consumer products it has become difficult to find suppliers who will offer significant discounts for bulk production. As a result the retail margins for the professional get smaller and smaller.
Yet there there are still photographers making money. People are prepared to pay for quality. Few are prepared to take a risk with weddings. My guess is that things will settle down. Technology is always redefining markets, but in the end there is always a niche for the professional or serious amateur. And if anyone is tempted to despair then there is always the encouragement of seeing just how many dreadful photos are posted on Facebook!
29/01/2008 - Where are all the penguins?
January is almost gone and, sadly, I have not updated my website after my Falklands trip. It's not that there aren't any pictures to go up! Actually there are so many I'm still working through them. (more...)
26/12/2007 - On the benefits of slowing down
Well, I'm back from the Falkland Islands. The wildlife there is so prolific and tame that I excitedly shot well over 4,000 photographs. After an initial scan through I must confess to be slightly disappointed. (more...)
19/12/2007 - On wildlife photography in the Falklands
One word. Wow!This place is amazing. Six(!) species of penguin all seen and photographed. Albatross in huge quantities. Elephant Seals and Sealions. Night Herons and Caracara. (more...)
07/12/2007 - On security and the photographer
Having a large white lens on one´s camera always seems to attract attention. Usually the wrong kind. Security guards really don´t like them for some reason. (more...)
02/12/2007 - On almost being there...
Well the last couple of months have been a bit of a wash out from a wildlife photography point of view. Too little free time and not enough weather. But never mind. (more...)
20/10/2007 - On busyness and skittishness...
It's been a long while since I made it out with a camera. Life just gets too busy sometimes. Today, however, I could not have wished for a better day. Low sunshine, glorious leaf cover and lots going on. (more...)
11/09/2007 - On just being there...
Sometimes it's not about the pictures. Just being in a place and seeing things with your own eyes is sufficient. Yesterday I spent an hour or more in a hide at Fowlmere watching a pair of Marsh Harriers in a tree. (more...)
30/07/2007 - On the exuberance of youth...
Young animals are always fun, not least because they have less fear than their adult counterparts and the fact that they are cute too makes them photogenic. (more...)
25/07/2007 - On the cost of procastination...
Leaving things to the last minute has become something of a habit. The benefits in terms of increased efficiency, and more free time have largely outweighed the occasional increase in stress levels. (more...)
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Page Updated 24/03/2007
