vrijdag, maart 26, 2004
De Amerikaanse fotografensite Editorial Photographers heeft eens uitgerekend wat de kosten zijn van professioneel digitaal fotograferen ten opzichte van analoog. De conclusie zal voor sommigen ("Je hoeft toch geen filmpjes meer te kopen?") schokkend zijn:
While we are incurring significant costs to be digitally capable, acquiring the requisite technical knowledge to enhance and manage our images, and facing the added time burdens of digital post-production, many editorial clients are adopting the attitude that our invoices should be lower because, after all, there is no film and no processing. Some clients further argue that they will not pay special digital expenses because they do not pay for photographers' equipment. While that claim is suspect in itself, that is not the point of digital charges, they are in large measure production expenses.
Digital charges, just like mileage reimbursements or film & processing charges, reflect production costs. Clients aren’t paying for our cars, but rather for our costs in using our cars on their behalf. Likewise, when clients are billed for film & processing, they are paying for the costs of producing their specific job. It is not only fair; it is financially necessary that clients pay for the specific production costs related to our assignment work.
We must realize that our digital equipment is expensive and has a short lifespan in terms of being current and competitive. A basic digital set of two professional SLRs, several lenses, dedicated flashes, laptop, card reader, memory cards, desktop computer, software, monitor, printer, and CD/DVD burner, will cost approximately $20,000 to $60,000. That equipment, in order to remain technically current and keep you competitive, will need to be replaced every 3-5 years, some much sooner. Comparatively, a basic film system for editorial work would likely cost under $20,000 and would likely remain current and functional for 10 years or longer.
So here is the comparison:
$20,000/10 years = $2,000/year average cost if you’re shooting film
$40,000/5 years = $8,000/year average cost for digital
While we are incurring significant costs to be digitally capable, acquiring the requisite technical knowledge to enhance and manage our images, and facing the added time burdens of digital post-production, many editorial clients are adopting the attitude that our invoices should be lower because, after all, there is no film and no processing. Some clients further argue that they will not pay special digital expenses because they do not pay for photographers' equipment. While that claim is suspect in itself, that is not the point of digital charges, they are in large measure production expenses.
Digital charges, just like mileage reimbursements or film & processing charges, reflect production costs. Clients aren’t paying for our cars, but rather for our costs in using our cars on their behalf. Likewise, when clients are billed for film & processing, they are paying for the costs of producing their specific job. It is not only fair; it is financially necessary that clients pay for the specific production costs related to our assignment work.
We must realize that our digital equipment is expensive and has a short lifespan in terms of being current and competitive. A basic digital set of two professional SLRs, several lenses, dedicated flashes, laptop, card reader, memory cards, desktop computer, software, monitor, printer, and CD/DVD burner, will cost approximately $20,000 to $60,000. That equipment, in order to remain technically current and keep you competitive, will need to be replaced every 3-5 years, some much sooner. Comparatively, a basic film system for editorial work would likely cost under $20,000 and would likely remain current and functional for 10 years or longer.
So here is the comparison:
$20,000/10 years = $2,000/year average cost if you’re shooting film
$40,000/5 years = $8,000/year average cost for digital
# posted by Jan-Edward : 09:41
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