Photo: ©Richard Chambury/Richfoto.com
A quick post to let you know that there’s an interview with me on the Aperture User’s Network done by Thomas Boyd.
Photo: ©Richard Chambury/Richfoto.com
A quick post to let you know that there’s an interview with me on the Aperture User’s Network done by Thomas Boyd.
Poster design by Tim Allen.Carrying on from my previous post on the value of photography, I had a photographer who was a participant in a previous workshop on the phone to me. He had taken photographs for a client and the design firm who had designed the product (forgive my vagueness – I don’t want to cause any hindrance to this photographer’s situation) was trying to bully him into getting full international usage rights to the pictures; they were apparently adamant on it. This firm has no rights to the images.
This young photographer got on the phone in a panicked state, not knowing what to do. As I explained to him, the licensing rights and the full copyright belong to the photographer; cherish these and do not be forced to give them away. You can negotiate a license of usage to someone who wants to use the pictures. To find out how much to charge, some good guides are to use the automated pricing structure on Photoshelter; go to My Photoshelter page and ‘BUY’ any image. Then click the Downloads tab and fill in the drop down questions to suit the purpose your client wants. This will give you an idea of what to charge. Another is to refer to the NUJ’s Fees Guide.
A favourite of companies trying to get freebies is to promise work in the future in exchange for things like licensing, or to try and get a huge discount. These are just tactics and it’s highly unlikely this work will come. I operate in a different way; I wait for a client to become a regular client who books me constantly; I then offer them freebies – but never at the expense of my core pricing structure.
Photography is just like any other business; everything has it’s price. Stand firm and produce quality work.
If you’d like to buy any merchandise with the poster design on it, please visit Cafe Press.
I’ve been a professional photographer for almost 21 years; it’s a job which I love and an industry which I fell in love with instantly. Photojournalism has always been my passion; never well paid but satisfying morally with an income that would help one get by.
In all this time, I have never seen a photograph be as devalued as it is now. Most companies believe it is a right for them to steal pictures and use them for free. They even set up dodgy ‘rights grab’ competitions which thousands enter into, signing away their copyright or at best giving away rights of usage to the organisers. Young freelance photographers straight out of college easily sign away their copyrights to the papers, being made to believe that is the norm.
The companies who do want to pay, make up fictitious small budgets as a way to say that they cannot afford to pay more than a certain amount and try to bully the photographer into submission. The same people would never dream of trying that on in a shop, but for some reason, photographers are fair game.
My thoughts are that we need to stick to our principles; pictures have a value; our copyright and the rights to our images need to be cherished. Have your rate card and stick to it. Turn away a client who is trying to take advantage. If we don’t do this, our work will continue to loose value and the equipment which now days cost twice what it did a few weeks ago will be well and truly out of our reach. Even worst and most importantly, the power and respect that a photograph has will be lost.
This short video makes the point very nicely; thanks to Keith Meatheringham for bringing to my attention. Definitely worth watching:
Got some wonderful news via email from the Creative Director of the Photography Masters Cup, Basil O’Brien. I’ve had three images nominated in the awards’ professional categories. One image in the Aerial section and two in the Photojournalism section. Alas non of the images went through to win, but three nominations isn’t too shabby!
Through the years, on assignment, giving presentations and collecting the occasional award for my work.
I thoroughly enjoy passing on knowledge and tips and helping those new to the industry or a particular aspect of our work to pick up new skills and further their career. Anyone who has been on any one of my workshops or presentations will hopefully agree. Having started as a photographer in 1989, there’s usually a thing or two that I can pass on!
I’ve discovered that there is very much a need for a different kind of workshop however, a more focused and bespoke workshop. We are all at different levels in our photography and therefore have different needs as far as education is concerned. Whilst group workshops are a fine thing, custom tailored workshops mean that in a matter of a day or two, so much knowledge is gained, that it puts the group method definitely in second place.
At the moment I can offer bespoke one-on-one workshops on the following topics:
Photography (photojournalism, portrait, street photography and so on), DSLR Video, Audio, Multimedia / Convergence, Workflow, Portfolio Editing, Photo Essay Construction and Video Editing (Final Cut). As an Adobe Influencer, one of my most popular workshops amongst both professional colleagues and photography enthusiasts is Adobe Lightroom. I will not only share my workflow for efficient and high quality work, but help you design a full backup strategy as well.
Naturally this is a very general list; if a topic isn’t listed, do get in touch and if it’s something I can help with, I will. If not, perhaps I may know someone who can. Also, depending on how in-depth we need to go, several topics can be covered in a day.
I’ve also been a tutor at the prestigious Leica Akademie in London, and having been a Leica user since 1989, am more that fluent in Leica M camera use. One of the most popular workshops amongst Leica M users is my street photography day, so do get in touch.
My years as an Olympus Visionary and more recently as an Olympus Mentor naturally means I’m very happy to help you with your Olympus setup. I’ve also been a Canon DSLR shooter for many years, so very familiar with their system.
More recently, I’ve been working with Panasonic Lumix UK as an expert photographer, using both the m43 system as well as being part of the team of photographers that launched the Lumix S1 and S1R in Barcelona.
My years of writing camera reviews for photography magazines has brought me into close contact with various systems from various manufacturers, so regardless of the system you use, if you need help, get in touch and book a day or two. Over my career I’ve extensively shot with Canon, Contax, Leica, Lumix, Minolta, Minox, Nikon, Olympus and Sony.
To get a general feel for the kind of feedback my last series of group workshops with the extremely talented Jeff Ascough received, have a look HERE.
Here are some comments from recent bespoke one-on-one workshop attendees:
We have always considered photography a complex business, in which technical skills and business capabilities should be developed together. When looking for a workshop to improve what we know and the way we do it, we are not looking just for a technical course, but forsomething that can help us to improve our presence as photographers as a whole. The one-to-one workshop we had the possibility to do with Edmond Terakopian was exactly what we were looking for: photography in the skill and in the business. During a structured day, Edmond analysed both our work and our market strategy with honesty and providing constructive criticism and feedback. After having seen the way we work he always showed us different ways or approaches, always comparing different way of doing things. We have been able to look at our current work from a different perspective, re-thinking our business strategy and our technical approach. I have particularly loved the fact that he did not limit the day to the photography as technical art, but he acted as mentor for the business side of it, sharing ideas, way of working, strategies and tips.”There are no magic shortcuts in this market” he told us, but unlike many others he gave us the tool to build a better future. I think that if you like to attend a course that will help you round up all the sides of photography, Edmond is definitely a great mentor you can learn from. Carlo and Fabiana Nicora
“The two day one-to-one workshop with Edmond was excellent, both in terms of quality of material and Edmond’s relaxed attitude towards training. The two days taught me a lot about DSLR HD Video recording and editing as well as an in depth introduction to sound recording and associated peripherals needed. I can wholeheartedly recommend a one-to-one session with Edmond – the man knows his stuff!”. Kevin Mullins / wedding photographer.
“Edmond is a rare find. Someone who I had hoped would simply teach me how to enjoy using a Leica. However what I found in the day I spent with him was someone who opened my eyes on how to see light, how to look at everything around me with new eyes and took me back to simple ways of days gone by! He inspired me through his personable, flexible and adaptive manner to learn and tune my photography skills. I witnessed a master at work and realised it was the start of a new dawn for me one where I can learn and be inspired but with the support and guidance of a talented teacher who is a delight to spend time with enjoying a shared passion for photography…”. Joel Segal
“Edmond is the ideal teacher: probing, exacting – but always constructive and encouraging. We have had only one session together, but I feel he has already helped to make me a rather better photographer than I was, and I look forward to more. He is hugely generous with his time and knowledge even after the tutorial day, even processing some of my shots himself to show me different ways of doing it. Most of all he is the most delightful man to spend time with; never was learning so pleasurable. I can’t recommend him too highly”. Christopher Middleton
“It was a fabulous day; so much so that I’ve already booked another day with Edmond! So what made it so great? Well, firstly, Edmond is a truly delightful person to spend time with…friendly, patient, relaxed, and with an easy-going style. Secondly, he really knows his stuff…whether it’s anything to do with the Leica camera and lenses (and Canon’s); image processing; or the craft of ‘street photography’, then Edmond has all the answers. Thirdly, he’s a great teacher…getting the balance just right between giving me advice and feedback, and just letting me ‘get on with it’ and ‘learn by doing’, as well as being patient with my battery of questions! I also learned by just watching him at work…and comparing his (more successful!) approach to street photography compared to my own. Lastly, he’s a brilliant craftsman when it comes to street photography…I was both inspired and challenged by the superiority of his (brilliant) images compared to my own!
So I can’t recommend Edmond highly enough and am already looking forward to our next session together. I had a wonderful combination of great fun, intense practical learning, and inspiration and I came away with more confidence and, more importantly, having made a new friend.” Jim Grover
“On the recommendation of a friend who had spent time with Edmond in a bespoke workshop, I booked 3 individual days to get me started on a passion I had long wanted to pursue but was limited by my skill and knowledge. Having just completed my 3 days, I feel inspired, confident and read to really pursue photography. We achieved more in 3 days than I could have imagined, for a novice, I feel good with my camera, (his support on choosing the right one for me was invaluable), I now have a grasp of editing and processing and I have a system that works for me. What I think Edmond did really well was his ability to coach me at my pace, whilst constantly providing both challenge and building confidence. He has shown me both technical and creative skills and perhaps most importantly opened up the door to the magic of photography. He has a lovely relaxed style, is great company and clearly a real expert who loves to share his knowledge. The improvement in my shooting is immense and has really given me a fillip. I know I will have more sessions with Edmond as I progress, they are a great return on investment. Edmond, thank you”. Mona Bitar
Posted in education, Photography, Pictures, Video, workshop