The article is flawed in the arguement that the 'art' is setting up the shot, and having other people 'steal' it with their digital cameras.
The art is in the use of the camera, not so much the scence. A professional and amateur can be standing at the same place at the same time and the shots will look very different. Think of the landscape photographer, they setup the shot through the camera, not by moving the landscape!
Also there will always be a market for professional wedding photographers - greater than or equal to the number of weddings held every weekend.
Since I am looking for a wedding photographer right now, I can tell you they are booked a year in advance and charging $2,000 to $5,000+ for a package. I don't think they are starving. Photography is one area you don't want to go cheap, since the images will be a lasting memory.
I'm paying for the photographers time, the use of their equipment, and their skill at using a camera. Charge me what is reasonable to make a living, don't try to make it up with reprints.
I believe the photographer should give you the negatives, if not immediately, then no more than 6 months after the wedding. What happens if you need reprints several years later, and the person goes out of business?
The Professional Photographer will always be need, they just need to get with the times!
Slashdot Mirror
Hope their ebook is more readable than their website! Green on light green, ugh!
The article is flawed in the arguement that the 'art' is setting up the shot, and having other people 'steal' it with their digital cameras. The art is in the use of the camera, not so much the scence. A professional and amateur can be standing at the same place at the same time and the shots will look very different. Think of the landscape photographer, they setup the shot through the camera, not by moving the landscape! Also there will always be a market for professional wedding photographers - greater than or equal to the number of weddings held every weekend. Since I am looking for a wedding photographer right now, I can tell you they are booked a year in advance and charging $2,000 to $5,000+ for a package. I don't think they are starving. Photography is one area you don't want to go cheap, since the images will be a lasting memory. I'm paying for the photographers time, the use of their equipment, and their skill at using a camera. Charge me what is reasonable to make a living, don't try to make it up with reprints. I believe the photographer should give you the negatives, if not immediately, then no more than 6 months after the wedding. What happens if you need reprints several years later, and the person goes out of business? The Professional Photographer will always be need, they just need to get with the times!