[clarionite]

Originally Posted by RSStory

Let me put it another way... How does having an image I shot in a screensaver or background directly result in me generating income? I can tell you that the likelyhood of me generating income as a result of this is not very good.

I'm no marketing guru, but I do listen to some regularily. <G>

Let me ask you this, do you sell prints from your site or do you make all your money shooting for clients? If it's strictly from clients, then you're right, the chances a really large client will find you because of this is probably slim. And I can fully understand you not wanting to put an effort towards something that won't benefit you and your business.

Originally Posted by RSStory

It may generate exposure for this site and therefore generate more members here and thus making it easier for RG to get industry people to sponsor the site and in the end make him and his partners money, but that isnt gonna pay my bills. I am pretty sure RG isnt starting this site just out of the love of photography. He is putting alot of money into this and expects that at some point he will get a return on that investment. Whether that be cash in his pocket directly from the site or from his book sales or his workshops or whatever. This could be a marketing tool. I see people argue all the time about RG's skills as a photographer (mostly because of their own insecurities) but they all agree that he is a master at marketing.

I don't know RG at all. I've read his bio, visited his site, joined G1, bought one of his books, and contemplated going to one of his workshops. That's the extent of my knowledge of him. But I'm sure you're right, I'm sure this isn't an altruistic endevour for him. Not that I'm trying to down him in any way. But the expense and work put into a site like this is not slight. He's like all the rest of us I'm sure, and enjoys having an income and feeding his family. I don't fault him at all, and if something I do on this site helps him I have no problem with that either. I'm getting benefit from this site. If nothing other than entertainment, it's a benefit.

Originally Posted by RSStory

The difference in posting images here for me is that I am doing it for others to critique my work and thereby improving my skills, but if my work is being used in a commercial way then I am looking for a direct benefit from it. That doesnt always mean cash but there does need to be something that benefits me. That is the question that has yet to be answered.

And that's an answer I probably can't give you. If you sell prints, then I can see something like this working out. I have a friend who hangs prints at some upscale coffee shops in Canada and who hangs prints at local print shops in several month long photo displays at his own expense because he's building his exposure. It's working out great for him. He also shoots local events, including some loft concerts, and hands out some business cards. His exposure is starting to pay off. He's selling prints, he's being contracted to shoot more events, and he's shooting some portraits for some album covers.

Originally Posted by RSStory

Hobbiests and amatuer photographers dont have to think in those terms as they have other sources of income. For me and many others, RG included, this is how I pay may bills.

I completely understand that. I'm a programmer by trade. That's how I pay my bills. And although I do donate quite a bit of time doing little things like writing articles for a trade mag a friend of mine operates (he of course pays me in subscriptions) and posting example code and templates I've written for others to take advantage of and learn from, I don't expect others to take kindly to the idea of something for nothing. I have noticed though that because of my articles and example code that I've become quite well known in the niche programming market I'm in and have actually gotten work from it.

Marty

Edit: Just saw the lastest event my buddy in Canada is shooting.

The Mitsubishi City Chase

And his site

Leroy Schulz