Remember a while ago I blogged about the “Value of Photography?” In it we mentioned:

“organizations replace experienced working photographers with donated or free  photos”

and

“colleague once told me of a former client who said the best thing about their volunteer photographer’s work was that he gave free photos.”

One reader commented nicely:

“Every customer focused industry goes through this… There are many challenges and not everyone can succeed at the transition…”To Stand Still is to Fall Behind.” –  Gordon Forward, CEO Chaparral Steel”

Portrait Photographer in Action

Well recently Photo District News ran an article on this growing phenomena:

“Photographers who shoot action photos at school sports games face competition from amateurs armed with DSLRs who give pictures away.” Read the rest of their article: In Youth Sports Photography, It’s Pros Vs. Parents

Am I upset? No. It’s the free market.

Is it frustrating? Yes! It’s hard to compete with free photos – even if there is a significant difference in the work.

Time to get even or stand on the soap box? No, just time to stay ahead of the game. Some photogs are turning to video or different business models. It’s important to stay ahead.

Last week we spoke to a group about the declining stock photography industry. The session was lively with some good questions.

Someone asked “What equipment do you use?”It’s a common question.

I answered “It doesn’t really matter – it’s how you use it that makes the difference.”

It’s true, of course. For most people – aside from file size considerations and reasonable file quality issues – your Canon Rebel or Nikon D3x matters less than how you use it. People get hung up on camera bling when they’d be better off putting their cameras to use as much as possible!

“Yeah, yeah.” he said. “But what camera do you use?”

“I’m not going to tell you! I use film cameras and digital cameras. I like wider angle lenses.” I smiled.

Someone wrote to me after the show: “Good pictures, good content, Good sense of humour.”

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Looking out my office window at Gatineau Park near Ottawa the leaves are sporting their fine fall colours. It’s a magical time of year to get out of your car.  Wander creatively and soak in the magnificence the boreal forest has to offer.

I discovered a fine article posted at digital-photography-school.com (ahem in Australia of all places!) with top tips on shooting fall colours.

It looks like a wet week in this region but the overcast skies and glossy wet leaves can pump up your colours. As photographer J David Andrews once told me “It’s always perfect weather to shoot something.”

Get out there and explore with your cameras. Remember to go slow and observe. Often, less photos will get you more successes!