Anyone can do this?

[MartinCrabtree]

Guys like this piss me off. If it's so easy why even bother working?

 

[moose10101]

At least he's not doing weddings.

 

[blansky]

At least he's not doing weddings.

He's not but lots just like him are.

 

[CatLABS]

he going after opportunity. in the grand scheme of how less regulated economies work, i don't see whats wrong here.
Things that once required a special skill are now done by machines, for less money, time and effort. he is no different.

 

[Rick A]

You get what you pay for.

 

[Hatchetman]

You get what you pay for.

Exactly.

 

[Steve Smith]

Photography is no longer a specialist craft. In a free economy, anyone can offer their services and if someone wants to hire them, why not?

There are many other trades affected like this. Years ago, people would have employed a printer if they wanted some advertising posters made. If you wanted some today, you would most likely compose it yourself on a computer, print one off and have copies made on a photocopier.

You might not like it but that's the way it is.


Steve.

 

[railwayman3]

he going after opportunity. in the grand scheme of how less regulated economies work, i don't see whats wrong here.
Things that once required a special skill are now done by machines, for less money, time and effort. he is no different.

Indeed.....but where do the machines get the years of experience of what to do when things go wrong ? In my own profession (unconnected with photography), I have sorted out many problems for clients who have purchased cheap computer apps which supposedly allowed unqualified and inexperienced staff to do everything for less money, time and effort.

As they say "buy cheap, pay twice"......

 

[pdeeh]

smash the looms

 

[blansky]

smash the looms

Exactly. The turmoil of a new technology.

Carbon papers salesmen are no longer the studs they once were.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Among a group of professionals, the always interesting lunchtime question for discussion...

"How many of your fathers could get a job today doing the same thing they did when you were a child? And how many of your grandfathers could do the same?"

The answers can be enlightening. And sobering.

Ken

 

[warden]

I don't see the problem really. He's not trying to fool anyone; he's fishing for people who are willing to hire an amateur photographer off Craigs List (without even a link to his work or a sample image unless I missed it). Seems fine for people who are wanting to graduate from the selfie stick but aren't ready for an accomplished professional photographer.

As for his marketing tactics, well he has to say something if he's not showing any work.

 

[railwayman3]

Photography is no longer a specialist craft. In a free economy, anyone can offer their services and if someone wants to hire them, why not?

There are many other trades affected like this. Years ago, people would have employed a printer if they wanted some advertising posters made. If you wanted some today, you would most likely compose it yourself on a computer, print one off and have copies made on a photocopier.

You might not like it but that's the way it is.


Steve.

Fair enough, there are many things which we can now do ourselves which previously needed specialist equipment and skills.

But "Why pay ridiculous high rates for pictures or videos that almost anyone can produce now with modern technology ?"......because modern technology can't compose a picture, can't talk to a subject to relax them for an attractive pose, can't arrange lighting to flatter the subject....

I can produce beautiful legible text on my computer, in a variety of fonts and colours, but I can't write a Shakespeare play or a Bronte novel. I can produce technically super well-exposed and sharp videos of the kids, but I've yet to produce an epic even approaching the standards of Coronation Street, let along any of the great films of the last century.

 

[frank]

Skilled labour isn't cheap.
Cheap labour isn't skilled.

 

[Steve Smith]

But "Why pay ridiculous high rates for pictures or videos that almost anyone can produce now with modern technology ?"......because modern technology can't compose a picture, can't talk to a subject to relax them for an attractive pose, can't arrange lighting to flatter the subject....

Then the market will decide if there is a place for these people.

Some people will spend £30 for their lunch in a fine restaurant, others will pay £0.99 for some deep fried McBurger. There is a market for both.


Steve.

 

[cliveh]

He doesn't strike me a a W. Eugene Smith type.

 

[AgX]

He is fair, as he hints at his restricted abilities. Anyone considering that service would be knowing that he would be gambling if ordering his service.

And if one thinks that everyone can do it, why then ordering him instead doing it all oneself?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Then the market will decide if there is a place for these people.

Exactly. Somewhere between a highly talented professional and someone who barely knows which end of the camera to look through, there may be a need or market for someone that just takes photos. That's what this guy is offering - nothing more or less.

 

[pdeeh]

He doesn't strike me a a W. Eugene Smith type.

Smith was just terrible at weddings

 

[blansky]

These type of people have actually, in one form or another, decimated the traditional studio photography business.

Standards of photography have dropped. A more casual snapshot style is in style. People have less money to spend. Everyone has a camera.

The world changed.

To survive in it, a niche is needed and a higher end client base as well.

 

[DannL.]

Some folks want to make some money doing something they enjoy. My hat goes off to the individual for trying. By placing an ad on Craigslist, that's a good start. Photography is not just for a privileged few. Anybody, with any background can do it. No special qualifications required. I'm not offended on any level by what is said in an ad. As long as free speech prevails and no harm is done, this person could make the most outrageous claims. Why should anybody care?

 

[pdeeh]

You never know, he might do very well and good luck to him.

20 years ago, I was a specialist in an obscure field of systems integration. There were only a few people like me who could design the things I designed and make them work for the very large corporations who needed them.

Then, in the space of about 6 months, Microsoft introduced a suite of well designed plugins that were easy to implement by an intelligent IT type who could follow the instruction manual.
Blammo, my specialism (and my very nice salary, thanks) evaporated.

Well, boohoo for me. Shit happens, the world turns and technology moves on. All my skills, knowledge and experience? Redundant thanks.

And as for "buy cheap, buy twice" ... well, it's generally only people who have the money to buy the best who say that.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

Smith was just terrible at weddings

Nice.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

Among a group of professionals, the always interesting lunchtime question for discussion...

"How many of your fathers could get a job today doing the same thing they did when you were a child? And how many of your grandfathers could do the same?"

The answers can be enlightening. And sobering.

Ken

But most people miss the bigger problem that ever fewer people are needed to produce the same number of desired widgets in an economic calculus counting on an ever increasing population buying ever cheaper goods. Whole nations. The equation still plays out even in the presence of "new things". Buggy whips are a red herring.

s-a

 

[Ko.Fe.]

He is targeting cheapos in mind with this text.
But we have zero evidence what he isn't graduated in arts full time photographer with rates above average.