RE: [APML] Payment for astrophotos

["Gene Horr" <genehorr@houston.rr.com>]

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-astro-photo@seds.org [mailto:owner-astro-photo@seds.org]On
Behalf Of Jerry Lodriguss
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 4:35 PM
To: astro-photo@seds.org
Subject: Re: [APML] Payment for astrophotos

> Magazines like Astronomy are not published as a hobby, but they take
> advantage of the people in the hobby to make their profit.

While reading these posts an old comic from the 60's keeps popping
into my head.  Two old prostitutes are standing on a street corner
complaining about the lack of moral among the girls nowadays.  See
they are giving it away instead of charging for it....

I hardly view Astronomy as taking advantage of anyone.  People are freely
making their submissions with a likely high wish that it would be published
and with knowledge beforehand that they won't be paid for it.  Even people
with knowledge that most other magazines pay for professional work.

> I only wish you gave your medical services away because I could use a good
> free doctor. <G>

Ah, but in my past various careers I have provided:

Free wedding & portrait photography for relatives and close friends.
Construction/building advice to small business owners who I knew could
afford me but I didn't have the time to construct their project.
IT consulting to companies that I knew could afford it but the job was too
small to bother with setting up a contract, billing, etc.  But the latter
gives me good word of mouth advertising and references.

In none of these cases was I taken advantage of, even from family members
that expected me to do the wedding because I was a professional at the time.
I freely gave the service because I wanted to.

Now, on the other hand there is nothing wrong whatsoever in encouraging
people to not provide free/underpriced products or services.  But neither
side is doing anything immoral as is implied.

IMO.

Gene Horr
genehorr@texas.net





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