Good Morning Tweeters and Others

In reference to 'photography for free'.

I have to agree very strongly with Don on this issue and, also, point out
the area of
conflict that he mentioned in passing. First, if you are in business
(photography, for
example) you must stand on your ground and SELL. I also feel if you are in
publishing, you ought to BUY. The exceptions are to support those
activities that
you believe in and are part of. Don contibutes to Tweeters with photos and
info.
Others donate their time and effort as volunteers when the activity would
otherwise
have to pay and perhaps break their budget or lessen services. A library
uses
volunteers to do tasks that otherwise would take professional staff away
from duties. Is it better to put folks on the payroll or to request
volunteers? For
trail maintenance? Breeding bird surveys? Litter patrol? These are issues
of conscience for the volunteers and the organization. If the benefit is
seen as mutual -- all win.

If the ability exists to pay, then there should be an expectation of pay.
The worst
example I have seen that relates directly to Don's line of work is the
Tourism
Department of the State of Washington a few years ago. They announced a
contest open to all for photos of Washington State's attractions. I don't
recall
the prizes but all photos submitted were with the understanding in the rules
that they could be used by the State with no compensation other than a
credit
line in the using publication.

I would not want to be a professional photographer competing with hundreds
(thousands?) of Washington photographers all submitting their best work for
consideration without compensation. That having been said, perhaps it is in
the interest of Washington residents for the State to save money in that
manner??

Perhaps the answer for the school requesting photos is to go a step further
and
have the art class 'draw' some Washington birds and truly make the whole
article
"THEIR WORK".

An interested bystander, a Tweeter and ex-professional photograher,

Bob Taylor
Sumner, WA
taylorrt at msn.com