Both Tuth and Lizard of Oz are right. There is a democratization of tools, less respect for craft, but the benefits of that system are fairly large and unpredictable.
What is means is that artists have to differentiate themselves and figure out what work actually pays.
Photography for mom and pop shots might not have much money in it but a large advertising client will still offer enough that a couple shoots could provide for a photographer for a year.
It also means photographers have to set a fee that reflects their skill. Too often artists think because they are competing with free, they have to compete on price point. People will still pay for skill if the skill is high enough, reliable, convenient etc.
Journalism, because it's free, is in a quantity over quality place. National geographic and subscription based models still shell out money on quality photographers because that's what pays, but LA weekly isn't gonna pay a pro to shoot your bar.
The real issue is that these professions are becoming a "winner takes all" system and that the middle class of artists is basically gone. Again, whether this is good or bad, we'll find out.
What is means is that artists have to differentiate themselves and figure out what work actually pays.
Photography for mom and pop shots might not have much money in it but a large advertising client will still offer enough that a couple shoots could provide for a photographer for a year.
It also means photographers have to set a fee that reflects their skill. Too often artists think because they are competing with free, they have to compete on price point. People will still pay for skill if the skill is high enough, reliable, convenient etc.
Journalism, because it's free, is in a quantity over quality place. National geographic and subscription based models still shell out money on quality photographers because that's what pays, but LA weekly isn't gonna pay a pro to shoot your bar.
The real issue is that these professions are becoming a "winner takes all" system and that the middle class of artists is basically gone. Again, whether this is good or bad, we'll find out.
Read my work on Return of Kings here.