Q: Why can't I make print on my own color printer?
A: An essential component of the photographer's
fee is the ability to make income from our images in the form of prints and
reproductions. When we shot film we had control over reproduction because
we had the "original negative" but with digital the perception is
that every copy is as good as the original. This is a common misconception..
Every
file
needs
to
be
set up to a specific set of controls for reproduction on any device. Profiles
must be embedded in every file, this must be done on a closely calibrated system
by a knowledgeable operator to provide the best reproduction possible.
In order
to maintain
the
integrety of our images we reserve the right to do all color corrections
and file prep inhouse. After all it's my reputation that is at stake if the
quality
is poor. Although you may have the equipment to print the image yourself
you do not have the legal right to do so. If you need prints we have the
capability to produce prints in house to 4'x8'
and
can supply
you
with
mounting
and lamination
in
house as well. If you insist on obtaining prints elswhere then a reproduction
fee will be charges based on the size of print being reproduced.
Reproduction
fees are determined by the size of the print.
Most of you manufacture and sell a product. I would like you to consider what would happen if after spending years in developing the techniques and aquiring the expensive equipment necessary to make your product, the cost of employees, marketing, ect., all the cost associated with producing a quality product. You have always provided your customer with this product and when he needed another he came to you. Now along comes someone with a machine that for a few hundred dollars will allow your customer to take your product, insert it into the machine and make additional copies of your product with out additional payment to you. It doesn't matter that the copies might not be as good as yours, on the surface they appear to be the same but they just don't perform quite as well. They still carry your name brand and identity but the product just doesn't quite perform as expected. Slowly your business would suffer, the name brand that you had worked so hard to associate with an exceptional product would diminish. If you knew that you would only sell one of your product to the customer and that he would be making any additional units that he needed himself using your design, would you still be able to sell that product at the price you now sell it. No, you would be forced to charge enough to cover the cost of producing the one you are able to sell. Well that is what has happend to the photography industry, the magic machine has been developed and we as photographers must be able to control the reproduction of our images or be forced to charge more for the production of the original image.
Under federal copyright law, the photographer is the owner of the photograph unless there is a written transfer of copyright ownership. As I've said, my goal is to arrive at a price that is both reasonable and fair for everyone so that I can be in business to serve your needs for many years to come. Possession of digital images, transparencies, photographs or negatives does not give one the right to reproduce or copy them.. Our reproduction fees are very reasonable. We are willing to work with you to make sure you get the best prints possible.