Ottsy wrote:
Just saw an ad for a software photo product that "applies complex effects to your photos in seconds." It ends the pitch with "no skills required." Is that the direction photography has taken now, no skills, just point and click? Or is that the skill, point and click?
The technology certainly changes things. One thing I know for certain is those with legitimate skills will always be better than the average amateur. I know I can come to your factory and photograph the interior with no more than 2 sheets of 8 x 10 film. I know my work will be good and 2 sheets is all I need. Amateurs will take dozens of shots and PS the hell out of them. Their work will likely be sub-par.
I remember my push button days with Corel. A press of the button and a few adjustments made the images sharper. Nothing new about this modern "push-button" age. The ease of use and questionably decent results will continue to convince people with no right to call themselves professional photographers that they can turn pro.
I deal with writers every day. I am well paid and you will not believe my hourly quote. I cannot compete with the rubes, fools, and talentless amateurs that think they have achieved something grand with their 500 word POS article they sold for a few dollars.
I was just asked to write a 650 word article about the history of a well-known food company. I quoted $400.00 and I lost the job. Chances are, the web master found someone to write it for a few dollars.
On the bright side, I am writing a book for a legitimate publisher and it drives Lulu Press and CafePress users nuts that my advance will likely pay for my next car. The publisher is legitimate and the editors highly skilled. The art and formatting will be flawless and it will end up in the local book stores.
These "Published Writers" trying to sell their books (and failing daily) still think they are writers or deserve to be called writers. When anyone can publish, anyone will and they have no right to be called professionals.
Ever use Lulu? They accept anything you send them and they let you advertise for free. They print and ship. Far too many users actually think they are writers every bit the equal of a Koontz, King or Hemingway. No, sir . . . they are hacks. It is the technology that makes it possible and with only a few clicks here and there.
These talentless hacks take great pride in their work which stinks, by the way. They call themselves professionals and clearly, they ain't worth a bloody damn. I honestly think writing should be left to the legitimate writers and everyone else should stay the hell out of my business.
There is software available that writes articles for you and then spins them for sale elsewhere. And the worse part of it all are the contracts that give all rights to the article mill that depends on idiots to do their work for them.
I am at a point where I no longer want to be a pro anything. Everyone seems to value fast and cheap over quality. No way to compete because so much can be had for free.
Rant mode Off.