Overview:
This book is a guide to making money through photography in the early 1920s. It emphasizes that anyone can make money with their camera, regardless of their skill level or location. The author, Frederick C. Davis, outlines the necessary equipment, details what to photograph and what to avoid, and gives a comprehensive overview of possible markets. The book focuses on selling photographs to newspapers, magazines, postcard makers, and other publications. It also provides insight into copyrighting photographs, pricing, and marketing techniques.
The guide emphasizes that success depends on understanding your camera, developing a “nose for news”, and recognizing the needs of potential buyers. Davis urges photographers to persevere, sending their work to multiple markets until a sale is secured.
Key Findings:
- Anyone can make money with photography: The author debunks the myth that one needs to be a professional or live in a big city to succeed.
- Know your camera: The guide stresses the importance of understanding your equipment and its capabilities.
- Develop a “nose for news”: Success hinges on recognizing saleable subjects and understanding what editors are looking for.
- Persistence pays off: The author emphasizes that rejection is a part of the process, and photographers should continue to market their work until a buyer is found.
- Multiple markets exist: The book provides a comprehensive overview of potential markets, from newspapers and magazines to postcard makers and advertisers.
Learning:
- Understanding your camera’s capabilities: The book emphasizes the importance of understanding your camera’s capabilities and limitations. By understanding your equipment, you can choose the right lens, shutter speed, and settings for different subjects.
- Recognizing saleable subjects: The author provides a list of subjects that are commonly sought after by editors, such as new inventions, unusual events, and human-interest stories.
- Understanding editorial needs: Different publications have different needs. It’s crucial to study the magazines you’re targeting to understand what they’re looking for in terms of subject matter, style, and image quality.
- Marketing your photographs: The book explains how to prepare photographs for submission, how to address envelopes, and how to use first-class mail for faster delivery and better handling.
- Understanding copyright and rights: The guide clarifies different types of rights, including “First Rights,” “Second Rights,” and “Non-Exclusive,” and explains how to protect your work by copyrighting.
Historical Context:
The book was written in 1922, a time of significant social and technological change. The growth of mass media, the increasing popularity of photography, and the availability of new technologies like the automobile all influenced the photographic market. The text reflects a fascination with technological advancements, new inventions, and the emerging field of aviation.
Facts:
- High demand for photographs: Publishers were increasingly using photographs, creating a broad market for free-lance photographers.
- Editors are not prejudiced against beginners: Editors are eager to buy good photographs regardless of the photographer’s experience level.
- Human interest is key: Editors prefer photographs that include human beings, as they are more engaging to readers.
- Glossy prints are ideal for reproduction: The smooth surface of glossy prints allows for clearer halftone reproduction.
- Contrasty prints are not preferred: Editors and engravers prefer prints with detail in the shadows and a tendency towards softness.
- Return envelopes are essential: Always include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for the return of your photographs.
- Most magazines pay upon acceptance: Payment is typically made as soon as a photograph is accepted, allowing the photographer to receive immediate compensation.
- Copyright is important: Copyrighting photographs protects your rights and prevents unauthorized use.
- Many magazines use illustrated articles: This creates an additional market for photographers who can write short pieces about their subjects.
Statistics:
- Average price paid for a photograph: $3.00 This was considered a good return on the cost of making the photograph, especially considering the abundance of potential markets.
- Some publications paid as little as ten or twenty-five cents: This highlights the importance of finding the right market for your photographs.
- Collier’s paid $3.00 for non-exclusive prints and $5.00 for exclusive prints: This demonstrates the value of exclusivity and the potential for higher income when selling to specific markets.
- Illustrated World paid $3.00 for each print: This provides a specific example of pricing for a particular publication.
- One amateur photographer made $300 a year for two or three years from a lucky snapshot of eight pet rabbits in a row: This showcases the potential for high earnings from unusual subjects.
- A set of South Pole photographs brought $3,000 from Leslie’s and $1,000 more from the International Feature Service: This exemplifies the value of rare and extraordinary photographs.
Terms:
- Free-lance photographer: A photographer who works independently, selling their photographs to various publications.
- Anastigmat lens: A type of lens that produces sharper images than a standard lens.
- Glossy prints: Prints with a smooth, highly polished surface, ideal for reproduction.
- Halftone: A printing process used to reproduce photographs and other images in newspapers and magazines.
- First Rights: The right to publish a photograph for the first time.
- Second Rights: The right to publish a photograph in a different publication after it has been published elsewhere.
- Non-Exclusive: A photograph that can be sold to multiple publications.
- Copyright: A legal right that protects the exclusive use of a creative work.
Examples:
- A shoe-dealer placed a huge pair of shoes in his window: This example illustrates the importance of recognizing saleable subjects and the need to avoid repeating similar photographs already published.
- A photograph of a floating submarine: This example shows how unusual subjects can still be saleable, even without action.
- A photograph of three men standing in a row: This example highlights the importance of including life and action in photographs, even for unusual subjects.
- A photograph of Senator Johnson with upraised fist: This example showcases the use of action to create a more striking and arresting image.
- A photograph of a garage destroyed by fire: This example illustrates the potential for selling photographs to advertisers who seek visual evidence of their product’s effectiveness.
- A photograph of a portable typewriter that fell from an airplane: This example further emphasizes the appeal of photographs showing products in unusual or challenging situations.
Conclusion:
This 1922 guide to making money with photography offers valuable insights that are still relevant today. By understanding your camera, recognizing saleable subjects, and being persistent in marketing your work, you can turn your passion for photography into a successful venture. The author emphasizes the importance of researching potential markets, understanding copyright laws, and consistently creating high-quality photographs that appeal to editors and publishers. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, “Making Your Camera Pay” offers a solid foundation for building a successful career in the field.