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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 8, 2007 - 09:41pm PT
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Looking at the world and it’s problems, it really seems to me that the Capitalist model needs to evolve from it’s current expression for the sake of the planet.
The need for constant growth and expansion is unsustainable and can only lead to depletion of resources and pollution.
Corporations are soulless entities, legally required to maximize shareholder profit as the first priority. They can actually be sued if they make any meaningful sacrifices intended for the greater of mankind, except as publicity or charitable gestures.
The model of competition by all practical means concentrates more power with the powerful and creates a disincentive to consider the best interests of Community.
The Problem with positive change, of course, is that it inevitably seems to require people to sacrifice some of their wealth, power or comfort for the sake of others and for the future.
Naturally, everybody believes that sacrifice needs to start with somebody else.
I try to ask myself, particularly around the holidays, “What big or small thing do I have to offer my community of humans? How can I “Be the Change” I would ask others to contemplate?
One of the things I do is landscape photography. Living in Yosemite affords me beautiful vistas that I can capture at their best.
Around the holidays in the past I’ve often run a “dirt-bag” special that suggested that I’d sell prints to people on a sliding scale, based on what they felt like they could pay.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=484073
I felt good about that but I’m afraid many folks might not have felt comfortable negotiating with me for a lower price.
It occurred to me that maybe I should just have more faith in people and give just a bit more. So for the rest of the holidays, and perhaps even forever, I want to try something different.
I’m going to reduce the price of all my prints in all my galleries to the cost of printing and shipping alone without any profit for myself. For example, an 8x10 that used to cost $27.99 (plus shipping) now costs $3.56 (plus shipping)
My customers can supply my profit later by using paypal to karlbaba@yahoo.com or by mailing me a check.
Karl Bralich
PO Box 2184
Wawona, Ca 95389
They don’t need a paypal account to send me cash.
My customers can supply the “profit” portion of my work once they have received their print and when they can afford to.
For folks who need a baseline to guage things with. I’m including a list of what my prices used to be Here:
http://peaklightimages.com/oldprices.html
Use it if you need it but be aware, I expect people with little money to pay far less, and people who are blessed can pay more.
This is basically the model of shareware software. There will be some tempted to abuse a system like this and they can abuse my offer. That’s ok. I don’t have a lot of money and often use shareware that I haven’t contributed to. It’s only fitting for me to give something to those folks that are in my shoes.
I’m acting on faith here and won’t allow businesses to order large numbers of prints for resale without contacting me first.
My main reservation is that making art affordable to all according to their means will further undercut the livelihood of other starving artist photographers. I regret if this deal contributes to that phenomena but I have seen the writing on the wall. Digital Photography and Internet distribution has already begun to radically change the business of outdoor photography. Just as any band can produce their own CD and distribute it via cyberspace, without the endorsement of a record company. Any talented photographer can sell and distribute work without a gallery.
Of course the most talented and business savvy musicians and photographers will always have a lucrative niche at the top. On the other hand, community minded people may like to support the musicians and artists they know locally.
I envision a time when the structure of our empire begins to crumble and when people look to each other for contributions, each according to their skills and capacity. The future is in cooperation, contribution, and collaboration, not competition.
I just redid my photo site. Check it out and the new prices at
http://www.printroom.com/pro/peaklight
This is one way I’m experimenting with contribution.
Peace and Happy Holidays
Karl
PS for holiday shopper types, here’s the deadlines my printer gave me.
First class mail: order by December 12, 2007 to arrive in time for the holidays.
Priority mail: order by December 17, 2007 to arrive in time for the holidays.
Overnight mail: order by December 19, 2007 to arrive in time for the holidays.
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WoodySt
Trad climber
Riverside
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Hell, we just need to get out and strip mine the other planets.
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dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
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Karl is trying to work off his considerable karmic debt to Lois.
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WBraun
climber
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Never sell cheap.
They will think it's worthless .....
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 9, 2007 - 02:10am PT
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Jody wrote
"Karl, you're a hypocrite. You were trashing other photographers a while back for pricing people like you right out of business. Now look at you."
Jody I wasn't "trashing" other photographers. I brought up the issue and it's a real issue. I didn't hide from the issue in my change of heart. It's right there front and center.
It's not like you raised your prices did you? Falkenstein's got great images online dirt cheap now too. The writing is on the wall. I figure it's better to make the photography a contribution to to my community than to try to squeeze a every possible bit of cash out of it.
Werner is right of course. High priced things have a perception of quality and rareness. I'd like to rebel against that attitude. It's an illusion loaded with ego and snobbery. Like photographers who limit their editions of prints to 500 so art collectors have the idea that there will be a limit to the number of prints made. Then they sell the framed print for $1000. Guess what, only Galen Rowell is going to sell 500 prints for $1000 each.
Anyway, I don't care what the perception is. I want to serve people who can see through the fog. I'm thinking there are all kinds of "my people" some dirtbags, some wealthy, who go to Yosemite, Whitney or whereever, and want some kind of image on the wall to remind them of where they love to adventure. I can give them something. If they donate some money after that, fine. If not, I'll just accept reality and supplement my income as I can.
I already do similar sorts of things with my other businesses. If somebody can't afford the usual rates, I find a time when I'm not busy to do it with them cheaper.
I really am trying to live up to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I have noted that there is an unfortunate negative side effect on the "Fine Art Photo" industry, but, after due consideration, I just think it's a dinosaur on it's way out the door
Peace
Karl
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marky
climber
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Karl:
I glanced at your portfolio. Some good shots there. Most, in fact, are better than the shots of "big name" photogs. Why? B/c you evoke the place without screaming THIS IS SERIOUS FUKKING ART!!!! PAY ATTENTION TO ME BEING ARTISTIC!!!! AREN'T I ARTSY? YOU DO THINK I'M ARTISTIC, DON'T YOU????
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Bodega, CA
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Dec 10, 2007 - 03:45am PT
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Karl,
Read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-David-Bayles/dp/0961454733
I agree with the sentiment behind your effort, but Radio Head recently proved the futility of the honor system. I have scant faith in people anymore. You have to charge prices that reflect the reality of your cost of doing business and that offer your customers a product for which they value. Part of that value is emotional, another is in how much they paid for it. If I get a free poster I don't assign it the same value as the same image printed and signed by the artist. One will get tacked to the wall, the other framed nicely. If you want people to value your work, you have to value it, take yourself seriously, and charge prices that are realistic and congruent with the quality of your work, which in this case is pretty high. Don't short change yourself, Karl. You'll be surprised that by charging more, and signing the prints personally, you will actually sell more. There is no need to be a martyr. The economy sucks for artists right now. I'm feeling it for sure. But don't let it get you down. You contribute an important thing to our community - beauty. Stay psyched and keep at it. Read ART and FEAR. It'll call you on all the BS you tell yourself as an artist that keeps you from success, regardless of how you guage it.
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Dec 10, 2007 - 08:21am PT
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Good points Jerry.
Any further on where you are going to move?
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 10, 2007 - 12:39pm PT
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Hi Jerry
Thanks for the note. I have had great results with the honor system in guiding and selling photos personally. In selling photos to publishers, it's a different story. Many pay late, little or need a reminder.
I just need to give this a try, until say April, to see how people respond so I have it a good faith effort. If it's lame, I can go back easy enough.
I have a feeling that it's not going to make too much difference in actual volume. I want to make prints available to climbers in my income zone (I'd never buy one of my own prints or yours for that matter) and I like the idea of helping my homies out. But I think many have just mentally excluded themselves from thinking about getting images to begin with.
It's probably true that folks would rather buy the signed images in person from a gallery, but the galleries near me are in Oakhurst which has a crap economy. One of these days I'll have to go on a gallery pimping tour.
I hate being too focused on the business end of things, but a good photographer needs to. I tried to talk some underemployed friends into being my business manager and talking a generous cut out of the sales they generate but they didn't bite.
Maybe I'll try something with supertopo climber types. Get me into a gallery or get my images sold to some interior designer or corporate office and I'll give you a fat commission
PEace
Karl
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Nate Furman
climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Dec 10, 2007 - 12:47pm PT
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Hey Karl,
Thanks so much for doing this. I've always been so very impressed with your photography but somehow never truly pulled the trigger to buy an image. I just have a hard time buying things. But I love your new deal so much that I think it's finally time. I'm also firmly committed to doing business on the honor system, so If I do purchase something (and I will, dammit!) I'll fulfill my end of the bargain.
Thank you, thank you.
Cheers,
Nate
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