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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Opinions sought

 

 


DarrenS
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Feb 5, 2007, 8:52 PM

Post #1 of 10 (664 views)
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Opinions sought Can't Post

Hey all. I'm going to be shooting models in a line of fur products made by a fairly high-end international clothier. A scarf, for example, starts at $1500USD. Coat prices are way up there. At first I was excited but now I'm wondering...

What you folks think about the idea of this job working against a photographer, in regards to the stigma attached to real fur coats, hats, etc. Whilst it's mostly wild fur trapped by Natives, there's some farm-raised mink and fox too. I don't know anything about fur other than some people like to spraypaint it, and other people get moist just touching it.

Do you think accepting a job like this could affect a photographer in a seriously negative way, considering weddings/brides is my bread-n-butter?

No opinions are stupid. Thanks for any input.

Darren


RustyB
Veteran


Feb 5, 2007, 9:23 PM

Post #2 of 10 (651 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post

I'd personally bludgeon a baby seal myself right now if it meant paying the rent. Laugh

j/k...I'd probably take the job, but probably wouldn't advertise it too much I guess. Profiting from the fur traders and taking their money is different than buying their products and encouraging it. If you don't take the job, someone else will. Hell, if it's a good paying job, make a nice tax-deductible contribution to an animal rights organization in the name of your business, and list THAT in your professional profile instead of the job itself. Wink

There's a crazy TV commercial here in town, where the owner of the fur coat store is surrounded by models promoting his fur coats every xmas. At the end with all the models in fur hanging off him, the old fokker says something like,"and my mother wanted me to be a doctor" or something. Then again, I guess it's no worse than advertising gas-guzzling Humscalades, or sending your nation's children off to be slaughtered while obliterating the governments of other sovereign nations for no reason. Crazy




faith poison wedding films
anger is an energy


Scott Brooks
Veteran

Feb 5, 2007, 9:45 PM

Post #3 of 10 (643 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post

If you're seriously worried that it could hurt you ... just don't have your name published in conjunction with the photos. Obviously it's no big deal to those that hire you or those that use the photos for the ad. Just forget about getting credit for the shots.


Shadow
Veteran


Feb 5, 2007, 9:49 PM

Post #4 of 10 (643 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post

If it doesn't bother you, and you'd enjoy the work, then take it. It is experience and money. Maybe think twice about putting a lot of the photos on your web. But see what you get when you're done.

I don't like fur, but I wouldn't hold a photographer accountable for it if he/she took pictures of it on models. We all have to work. Hell, when I worked doing colour correction I would get stupid playboy movies in to restore. I had to work on them even though I didn't want to.

Your pictures are good, I wouldn't think that having taken photos of people in fur would do you harm getting brides.

Does that help?


Brackish
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Feb 6, 2007, 12:01 AM

Post #5 of 10 (637 views)
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Postal Boy
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Feb 6, 2007, 9:57 AM

Post #6 of 10 (621 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post

I don't ever remember a photographer being named by anyone for taking the pictures...If you are lucky you can catch some PETA extremist tossing a bucket of yuck on someone and make extra bucks with a tabloid or news shot Wink


Jeko
Enthusiast


Feb 6, 2007, 3:32 PM

Post #7 of 10 (608 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post

You asked for opinions...
Quit worrying about being so P.C.

I don't think a huge number of people actually care about the fur coat ordeal. Just a few extremists with paint cans, and I haven't seen a bride walking around with paint cans yet.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.


DarrenS
Veteran

Feb 6, 2007, 3:53 PM

Post #8 of 10 (605 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post

Thanks all for your opinions so far, I really appreciate them (and thx to the rustman for making me laugh my head off once againLaugh).

I screwed up my question by not giving the rub. My tv died last night and I was preoccupied trying to fix it before 24 came on. Anyway...

Here's the rub: this is a relatively low-paying job because stupid me didn't think about the whole 'I hate fur coats' thing when I made the deal. Never even crossed my mind. The deal (still unsigned at this point) in a nutshell was primarily for the huge exposure I'd get pushed as the 'official' shooter. These folks are on runways everywhere, esp. big in Japan France and Italy. Prestige factor city. Each image would have my copyright/url on it, and braggin rites of course. BUT, if I'm going to get labled in anyway negative I ain't doing it. Not worth it. It was my Dad (of all people) who reminded me of the 'I hate fur coats' thing. Those folks are more likely to be women, being more compassionate creatures than us dudes. Women are 80% of my business if not more.

Not sure yet but I think I'm gonna pass on the whole thing.


Postal Boy
Veteran


Feb 6, 2007, 4:05 PM

Post #9 of 10 (600 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post

Tricky situation. It would be nice to have an "in" in the industry (maybe...not sure if it would REALLY be a good idea working with those people), but if you don't need it maybe it isn't worth the worry.

-Postal


Sandy B
Veteran


Feb 9, 2007, 3:22 AM

Post #10 of 10 (567 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Opinions sought [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To
Not sure yet but I think I'm gonna pass on the whole thing.


Go with your gut feeling.

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