Walked right into fame...

ToddB · Oct 14, 2015

Check out this little news feature on the NBC news about these newspaper delivery people.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/former-six-figure-couple-now-delivering-papers-and-photographs

I can speak for myself. That I've busting my hump in my effort as photographer and entering a piece or two in local art shows. These people along with others walk right into the lime light in our industry, by a no effort digital camera. I realize some members might not see the problem with this, but as I look it is you have to pay your dues.

swanlake1 · Oct 14, 2015

They did have jobs in architecture and software before being laid off, so probably had media savvy and good connections to begin with. Plus, 2,000 photos on Facebook and Twitter is good for SEO. The news always likes to present an instant success story, but 95% of the time that instant success was 5, 10 or 20 years in the making.

480sparky · Oct 14, 2015

swanlake1 said:
They did have jobs in architecture and software before being laid off, so probably had media savvy and good connections to begin with. Plus, 2,000 photos on Facebook and Twitter is good for SEO. The news always likes to present an instant success story, but 95% of the time that instant success was 5, 10 or 20 years in the making.

And they'll be nobodies in 2 or 3 weeks.

ToddB · Oct 14, 2015

Well it sucks either way... All of us here can shoot the pants off these posers any day of the week.

swanlake1 · Oct 14, 2015

Just go post 2,000 images on Instagram and tag them like lighthouse sunset (or cute cat) and maybe you, too, can enjoy fame!

removed account4 · Oct 14, 2015

good for them !
i wish them lots of luck !

All of us here can shoot the pants off these posers any day of the week.

why are they posers. because people want to buy their photography ?
if that is the case than i guess im a poser too, i just sold something a couple of days ago ...

RobC · Oct 14, 2015

ahem, they've taken an 80% reduction in income after losing their jobs in the recession. The problem here is that you guys seem to take anything you see in a news item as being worthy of being a news item. That's just the same as the small number of only 2000 email and 13,000 facebook followers thinking their photos are the best thing since sliced bread.

If you want to know what going viral means, then take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0 which kind of puts their miniscule following into perspective.

The BBC is just the same. A large percentage of it news output is actually trivia used to fill its web pages becasue there really isn't anything news worthy to put out on any particular day.

Don't forget the old saying "The internet super hypeway" is as valid today as it was when the internet first went public.

eddie · Oct 14, 2015

I don't see any reason to be upset about this. In order to stay in a place they loved, they did what was necessary to do so. Taking a major pay cut, waking early to deliver papers and ( taking some photos to show friends why they made the decision ), they stumbled on some success. To me, the most telling part was when he said they were happier now. Seems to me they've found joy in making photographs. Not much different from the rest of us.

Sirius Glass · Oct 14, 2015

Too many GWCs giving their work away to the news syndicates and television.

swanlake1 · Oct 14, 2015

RobC said:
If you want to know what going viral means, then take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0 which kind of puts their miniscule following into perspective.

two words: hot pants (plus a catchy song)

RobC · Oct 14, 2015

swanlake1 said:
two words: hot pants (plus a catchy song)

You forgot 2,500,000,000 views.

swanlake1 · Oct 14, 2015

I meant the hot pants on the dancers got them 2,500,000,000 views...those chicks are hot!

ic-racer · Oct 14, 2015

...expanded into cards, calendars and even art exhibits!

The new definition of fame?

summicron1 · Oct 14, 2015

ToddB said:
Well it sucks either way... All of us here can shoot the pants off these posers any day of the week.

i dunno -- they're shooting what sells, obviously, the stock agencies are always buying artsy fartsy stuff, but folks on instagram aren't paying either, so I fail to see the benefit, monetarily. The calendars and shows might bring in a little.

I would worry more about the paper route, frankly. Every time someone over 50 dies they lose a customer, and younger folk aren't replacing them. Their income is dropping daily.

Meanwhile, if they're having fun, what the heck.

removed account4 · Oct 14, 2015

summicron1 said:
i dunno -- they're shooting what sells, obviously, the stock agencies are always buying artsy fartsy stuff, but folks on instagram aren't paying either, so I fail to see the benefit, monetarily. The calendars and shows might bring in a little.

I would worry more about the paper route, frankly. Every time someone over 50 dies they lose a customer, and younger folk aren't replacing them. Their income is dropping daily.

Meanwhile, if they're having fun, what the heck.

they get paid something like 20¢/paper delivered
and don't get paid for gas ( which is probably a fortune on MV ).
delivering papers is not a way to make much money, unless they are
the only people that deliver the whole island. it will take them 3-4 hours
and maybe they will clear a few bucks for the week. their customers probably
pay through "the office" so they don't even get "tips" when they might have done
their weekly rounds. "tips" is where carriers made their $$ ...

Theo Sulphate · Oct 15, 2015

What is a "no effort digital camera"?

I have an X-Pro1 and a D700 and can assure you it takes just as much effort for me to screw up the aperture, shutter speed, focus, and composition as it does with any of my 30+ film cameras.

pbromaghin · Oct 15, 2015

RobC said:
You forgot 2,500,000,000 views.

A couple billion behind but coming up fast...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zPiQgUQt3E

pdeeh · Oct 16, 2015

Hmm ... Now, if they had been using film, would they have been heroes?
Or would they have just been hipster poseurs instead of digital posers?

RobC · Oct 16, 2015

pbromaghin said:
A couple billion behind but coming up fast...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zPiQgUQt3E

The original Psy video is so good that this one just looks totally naf

Richard S. (rich815) · Oct 16, 2015

ToddB said:
Well it sucks either way... All of us here can shoot the pants off these posers any day of the week.

I sense some sarcasm? If not I find their photos pretty good though not that original or incredibly creative but I do not think they were going for anything more.

At least here at APUG we mostly post great photographs and discuss and rant about our photographs and results rather than gear, equipment, film types or developers.....oh wait.

Nodda Duma · Oct 16, 2015

Good timing and luck have a lot to do with being successful. Unfortunately I don't much of either

EdSawyer · Oct 16, 2015

the work seems like typical touristy stuff you see from MV and such. The advantage they have is they are there all the time so they can luck into situations with good light. The TV spot is rubbish too, there's no way one of those clapped-out minivans can haul 1000lb of cargo. (e.g. as much as a half-ton pickup, as far as load capacity). meh. nothing really to see here.

Walked right into fame...

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