Topic: And so it goes...

[Info Red]

I just read that the entire photographic staff of the Chicago Sun-Times has been let go, in favor of less expensive images garnered from those wielding I-Phones and other such devices.

The end of an era...

Mark

[Late Developer]

Disgraceful.

Apparently, they're going to rely on freelancers (or a bloke called Lance who'll work for free, I can't remember which).

Seriously, this is the way that news reporting in general seems to be heading. Increasing numbers of people are abandoning printed newspapers in favour of on-line versions. Those who witness and record something regarded as newsworthy will get their 15 seconds of fame - and probably bugger all for their efforts - aside from a name check, if they're lucky.

It's the relentless march of "dumbing down", "expense saving" and other things that we accept because we're apathetic, not prepared to pay the few pennies extra that would keep the quality high and/or we just don't know how to protest effectively.

In the UK, we've seen broadsheets go tabloid, summarised "light" versions of the complete version released to compete with tabloid / red-top paper sales and venerable old papers like the London Evening Standard become a freebie containing virtually nothing that wasn't in yesterdays papers and that serves as little more than bedding for the homeless and something to litter commuter train carriages with.

I don't know the paper to which you're referring, Mark, but it's reportedly an old-school paper and I feel for the photographers who have been laid off and for their families. It's not going to be easy now that "everyone is a photographer".

[Info Red]

Yes, it has a long and strong history in Chicago, Illinois.  At least one of the photographers has indeed won a couple of Pulitzers, I think, and the majority of them have been there 10, 20, 30 years.  In my own area (St. Louis, Missouri) the same movement is afoot.  One of my friends had been full-time with one of the papers, but she has been moved to "freelance" status so they don't have to pay her insurance or other benefits, nor the full-time salary she once relied on. 

I also just saw an ad on a local Craigslist posting this morning which stated:   

"Hello, My name is (XXXXX). I am a new photographer, and I am working on building my portfolio. For a limited time I will be providing 1 hour photoshoots for $20. I will edit all photos and put them on a disc to print as you see fit. I can provide some samples of my work upon request. Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day..."

That's a pretty big package for 20 bucks...

m

[Francois]

At least you get your 20$ worth... hopefully.

It's been the same thing for photographers around here. Our local paper has only one photographer on regular staff and I think he's related to one of the people publishing it, so we could say that doesn't really count.

And in the big newspapers in the city, one of the papers has only one photographer too. All he does is shoot the cover page. They get all their images from AP, Getty and such.

[Late Developer]

Let's hope National Geographic (and the like) doesn't take a leaf out of the same book....

[gothamtomato]

I know a National Geographic photographer who said that his career now consists of giving talks about the career he used to have.

[Adam Doe]

I know a National Geographic photographer who said that his career now consists of giving talks about the career he used to have.

That's quite sad. As a kid I'd pick up a copy of National Geographic and always be amazed by the photography. I couldn't fathom how they achieved such great shots. To be a Nat Geo photographer seemed, to my young mind at the time, to be at the pinnacle of professional photography.

[6500kelvin]

Newspapers all over are seeking circulation rates drastically drop. It's no surprise that they are cutting back.

There are still photo journalists out there , they just aren't on staff anywhere.

[Francois]

I saw this last week on the CBC (National TV), you might find it interesting as it's on the future of print publications. I learned quite a few things from it.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Mansbridge%2BOne%2Bon%2BOne/ID/2300856827/