Olympus-OM
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [OM] Really (OT) Question, But Photography Related

Subject: Re: [OM] Really (OT) Question, But Photography Related
From: Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:07:50 -0400
"I'm sorry, sir, but in my business I consider that information to be 
trade secrets."

Chuck Norcutt

On 6/20/2012 8:02 PM, Bob Whitmire wrote:
> So, today was Opening Day at Whitmire Gallery. No fanfare. No ads.
> Just an OPEN flag flapping in the breeze.
>
> As I'm hanging out the flag, a vehicle turns into the drive. Nice
> couple, roughly my age. They wait for me to finish with the flags and
> we all go inside. (The gallery is air conditioned, unlike Maine
> today, which most assuredly wasn't, unless you were right beside the
> water. Or better yet, out on it.)
>
> They gush about seeing my prints at another venue, and bring up
> several specific images. I show them those images in the larger sizes
> I stock in the gallery. They comment on clarity and sharpness and
> composition and such. Don't wish to sound conceited, but I hear this
> a lot from visitors to the gallery. I mean they must like my stuff or
> they wouldn't come, right?
>
> So, anyway, they give off a buyer vibe. The specificity of their
> likes and dislikes surprises me. I'm not used to that. I have the
> prints they profess to adore. But first, we must talk about
> photography. I am grilled, as sometimes happens, about how I do all
> of this. Equipment, software, etc. The male half of the duo is a
> professed "rank amateur." He wants recommendations about specific
> equipment, etc. Software, too. Even computer system.
>
> Then they decide they must think about actually buying the prints.
> They aren't quite sure about placement, etc. They promise to stop in
> next year.
>
> Next year?
>
> So, maybe it's ego, but this scenario has played out enough that I'm
> beginning to think I'm being used. They left with no prints but a
> good couple hundred dollars worth of information. I don't mind
> sharing, but I'm beginning to think I'm not sharing, I'm being
> drained. I'm not getting anything back. I've had a few real pros
> visit, people with recognizable names, and they aren't like that at
> all. We talk shooter stuff, and it's give and take. With folks such
> as those in the shop today, it was all take and no give.
>
> I'm thinking about adding the 4 C's to my resume and rack card:
> Consultation, Coaching, Critique and Commiseration. Maybe it's just
> part of the price you pay to get pumped like that, but I know my
> friend John Paul Caponigro charges $250 an hour for that kind of
> talk. I would not dream to charge that much, but I'm thinking that a
> few general answers plus a gentle reminder that I have other services
> than just prints might be in order. If nothing else, it might clear
> the deadwood out of the gallery.
>
> What thinks the group?
>
> --Bob
>

-- 
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Sponsored by Tako
Impressum | Datenschutz