Volunteer photography?
- Thread starter Acolyte
- Start date
Ohhh, its the ONE, submit WANT get ONE. If you are not the ONE, are you the chingaylilerli ONE
Hi, thanks all who took the time to share their views and opinion on the topic, and I really appreciate that.
I wish to clarify some misunderstandings first about myself and why I wished to volunteer:
Some of my photos can be found here:
Flickr: P.GS' Photostream
I may not have the experience or equipment, nor are these photos of professional grade, but I believe these are of decent quality. And if I may say again, I'm not doing this for financial gains.
I'm not sitting around and doing nothing. By starting this thread, I wish to show respect and consideration to those who earn their ricebowl from photography, by first asking for opinions whether I would affect the market in any negative sense. I believe me as an individual will not make much of an impact on the market as a whole, plus my photography skills are not of most full time photographers. However, once such free services become available, will people will start to look for or even demand free or cheaper photography services, especially people who just want photos of slightly better quality than their P&S? Maybe not those big commercial companies, but blog shops/young couples marrying or event organizers striving to cut cost? Plus with many people now owning DSLRs, it is impossible to stop them from accepting lower paying or even free shoots just to earn that extra $ or "build portfoilo". I believe these people will adversely affect the market in the long run, and I hope to not spoil it further thus these questions before I embark on such ventures.
On the other hand, as some had pointed out, people looking for pro quality photos are often willing and able to hire those established photographers. Hence, by doing free volunteer photography, this will not affect the market in a sense. If so, what happens to those clients who are looking for pro quality photos but are unwilling/unable to spend that much money? And how do we differentiate between unwilling and unable?
I used to shoot for my JC back when I was a student, and I quite missed the exhilaration and feeling of shooting events/sport after so long of not shooting it while in the army. Also, I thought of applying for being a 2nd photographer for weddings or events, but due to my inability to commit for a long period of time (uni starts in Aug) plus of my relative inexperience and lack of portfoilo, I was not shortlisted. This is one of the reasons why I decided to volunteer, as I just want to find the joy in shooting again, and to contribute back to the society as well.
I hope I did not come across as too defensive in my above statements. Also bro catchlights, I thank you for your time and insights.
I wish to clarify some misunderstandings first about myself and why I wished to volunteer:
Some of my photos can be found here:
Flickr: P.GS' Photostream
I may not have the experience or equipment, nor are these photos of professional grade, but I believe these are of decent quality. And if I may say again, I'm not doing this for financial gains.
I'm not sitting around and doing nothing. By starting this thread, I wish to show respect and consideration to those who earn their ricebowl from photography, by first asking for opinions whether I would affect the market in any negative sense. I believe me as an individual will not make much of an impact on the market as a whole, plus my photography skills are not of most full time photographers. However, once such free services become available, will people will start to look for or even demand free or cheaper photography services, especially people who just want photos of slightly better quality than their P&S? Maybe not those big commercial companies, but blog shops/young couples marrying or event organizers striving to cut cost? Plus with many people now owning DSLRs, it is impossible to stop them from accepting lower paying or even free shoots just to earn that extra $ or "build portfoilo". I believe these people will adversely affect the market in the long run, and I hope to not spoil it further thus these questions before I embark on such ventures.
On the other hand, as some had pointed out, people looking for pro quality photos are often willing and able to hire those established photographers. Hence, by doing free volunteer photography, this will not affect the market in a sense. If so, what happens to those clients who are looking for pro quality photos but are unwilling/unable to spend that much money? And how do we differentiate between unwilling and unable?
I used to shoot for my JC back when I was a student, and I quite missed the exhilaration and feeling of shooting events/sport after so long of not shooting it while in the army. Also, I thought of applying for being a 2nd photographer for weddings or events, but due to my inability to commit for a long period of time (uni starts in Aug) plus of my relative inexperience and lack of portfoilo, I was not shortlisted. This is one of the reasons why I decided to volunteer, as I just want to find the joy in shooting again, and to contribute back to the society as well.
I hope I did not come across as too defensive in my above statements. Also bro catchlights, I thank you for your time and insights.
I share my experience. My dad is active in some clan activities. There was one time I went to take my dad in a performance. Then my dad casually ask me to take photo for the group. I did not handle the stage lighting well and came in for some criticism. Next time, I understand from my dad the clan engage pro in their next event.
2 lessons learnt.
Don't offer to help even out of convenience. If you get paid and fare badly, you deserved to be criticized. But some people just like to make nasty remarks.
Every organisation should have operating budget for their events. It is just whether they choose to allocate budget for a photographer.
While it is your personal choice to want to offer your service for free. There are perhaps other way to achieve the same objectives, such as charging and then donating the amount earned back in your name. At least there are acknowledgement rather than offering a service that will be taken for granted.
My 2 cents.
2 lessons learnt.
Don't offer to help even out of convenience. If you get paid and fare badly, you deserved to be criticized. But some people just like to make nasty remarks.
Every organisation should have operating budget for their events. It is just whether they choose to allocate budget for a photographer.
While it is your personal choice to want to offer your service for free. There are perhaps other way to achieve the same objectives, such as charging and then donating the amount earned back in your name. At least there are acknowledgement rather than offering a service that will be taken for granted.
My 2 cents.
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wow thanks for sharing your experience. What you said about the donation thing is a good idea.
Interesting fact for anyone interested: Pro studios and established photography houses selects new photographers based on what kind of value you can bring them. Lack of experience and portfolio is a minor thing if they can see potential. But one thing for sure is they will not select anyone who will behave to the detrimental of their business. Giving away free work, happens to be one of the top of the list.
I believe me as an individual littering on the floor will not make much of an impact on the environment as a whole, plus my rubbish is only a small piece and cannot be compared those of a rubbish truck. Of course everyone else won't have the same mindset. So its perfectly ok.
In local context, there are already well established market segments to cater to all levels of budget, from $15 to $15000 a shoot or more. By doing free, it means those trying hard to earn a little bit of money, may also lost those chances. Those budget photographers already very siong already, please don't make their lives harder.
So its up to you. Obviously you already made up your mind before you started this thread. Are you looking for validations on your decision or are you genuinely listening to opinions?
Volunteering is a well abused activity.
Big camera + Big flash = Big expectation
If I need to shoot for free, I will show up with the smallest compact camera :bsmilie:
Yutaka Go said:
Even though for free jobs, no one will pick you, nowadays have to list equipment used..lol
I just have one thing to advise ...... STAY ENCOURAGED !!!
You just do what you think is best . I mean, these are life lessons that talk cannot teach. You'll end up with better understanding and ideas and why some people have said 'GO for it !" and others have warned "Be VERY CAREFUL !" each view is in your best interest
Nobody is regulating this so its the law of the jungle and evolution that will determine how all this will pan out for newbies, hobbyists and professionals.
good wishes
You just do what you think is best . I mean, these are life lessons that talk cannot teach. You'll end up with better understanding and ideas and why some people have said 'GO for it !" and others have warned "Be VERY CAREFUL !" each view is in your best interest
Nobody is regulating this so its the law of the jungle and evolution that will determine how all this will pan out for newbies, hobbyists and professionals.
good wishes
I remember a couple of years back I did an event for an organisation, on the same event I met my ex-client (who is the venue owner) his photographer didn't turn up at the last min. So he ask if I could borrow my backup camera so that he could take photos of the event himself, out of good will I loan him backup and my with a 580EX2 and a couple of my backup lenses. He was like WOW, a "single digit" DSLR, it must take GREAT photos.
After the whole event, after he review the photos he taken he called me... "Anson can you share some of the photos you taken at the event with me, please.. ".
Nowadays I freq see people too concern about what the equipment is the pg using... granted having better equipment does make your work easier. However to me "The equipment is only as good as it's wielder"
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If they think my good photos are due to my gears and not my skills.
Then they should go to buy the "good" camera and shoot themselves.
That will stop the "shoot for free" photographer harassment :bsmilie:
Yutaka Go said:
Well theres no need for them to buy, already many willing pg with big cams.
Even if u shoot better than them with a compact is a different matter, cant have a PHOTOGRAPHER at their event running ard with a compact..
not glam lolSimilar threads
