I have been following with interest the discussion of selling
photographs. I am not a professional photographer. I take pictures of
railroads because I like to do it. If someone wants a copy of one of
my pictures, I will sell it for a value that I think is fair. I believe
that if someone wants to give away a picture that is up to them. I also
believe that people that are making a living at photography deserve to
be paid for their work. I had once thought of a career as a professional
photographer, however I could not see enough money in it to make a living.
Those of you out there that do make a living, more power to you. You
must remember that those of us that do photography as a hobby do not look
at the cost of what we put into it when we let one of our pictures be
published, or let someone have a copy. We do it for the recognition that
our work is good enough for someone to want.
The discussion that has been going on about being paid a fair price
verses bartering for something can never be completed. There will always
be people on both sides. As long as a field has amateurs good enough to
take photos that are published, the price of the photos will remain low.
I believe that it is time to put this discussion behind us and move onto
sharing information on taking photographs.
Stanley B. Keiser
skeiser.us.oracle.com
--> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects
