Ask for permission & photographer demands hi-res?

[dvool]

Hey!

I am putting the finishing touches on a nice retouch.

I am going to ask the photographer for permission to use the image in my portfolio. I have a feeling she is going to ask for the high-res version, because she did with another person on a forum.

If someone demands the high-res version of the image in exchange for permission to use the image in your portfolio, is your only option to give them the high-res version for free?

Maybe this is coming across selfish, but I spent a lot of time on the image and it feels like it would be giving away a $200~ "freebie." lol


I guess that is just a part of portfolio building, huh?

I just wanted to get some other perspectives before I ask the photographer for permission.

[Ziaphra]

Originally Posted by dvool

I guess that is just a part of portfolio building, huh?

Yup, I'm afraid so!

[MatthewMarshall]

If anything the photographer is doing you a favor, the polite and nice thing to do would be to give him/her your edited version. Its a trade off.

[dvool]

Yah, you're both right. lol

[MatthewMarshall]

I was also thinking that if the photographer really wants a full version of your edited photo of his. Then he likes your work, you never know you may end up getting a new client. Not a bad trade off for one photo you get to use on your portfolio, and even a new client for life.

[dvool]

Originally Posted by MatthewMarshall

I was also thinking that if the photographer really wants a full version of your edited photo of his. Then he likes your work, you never know you may end up getting a new client. Not a bad trade off for one photo you get to use on your portfolio, and even a new client for life.

That's true! The thought crossed my mind.

Thanks for your advice.

[synthetamine]

you need to establish time-for-print rules from the beginning.

[dvool]

Originally Posted by synthetamine

you need to establish time-for-print rules from the beginning.

As in, I retouch the image, and they mail me a quality print-out of it? Is that a standard request?

[synthetamine]

uh, yes, kinda... well yeh.

here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_for_print

as a retoucher only, it is a little different. but say you did a photoshoot and then the model wants some pictures, you'll likely have hundreds of pictures to go through but you'll need to edit any of them. so thats when the retouching comes in, you'll make sure to edit only a few without the model thinking that you are going to edit 100 pictures overnight, and then it goes from there to your already established time for print rules

does that help?

[MrAlexajlex]

Originally Posted by dvool

As in, I retouch the image, and they mail me a quality print-out of it? Is that a standard request?

What he means is TFP or these days TFP/CD (i.e trade for services).

Naturally most of the time when you hear TFP it means photog+model for a shoot.

TFP is a barter system really which could in theory work for any kind of craft.

In the photography sense Trade For Prints (as it most commonly know) means that the photog and model will provide the services free to each other.
In exchange both the photog and model can use the pictures in their respective portfolios.

In your case substitute retoucher for model.
So photog provides photo.
Retoucher brings the skill and edits the photo.
Bot you and photog can use the pic in your portfolios.

I'm photo and I will tell you that you need to look at everything being fair.
If the photog gave you a not so great pic (talking composition, etc. here) then it is up to you if you want to work with the photo.

I'm sure as a retoucher you would welcome a "messed up pic" but at the same time make sure it is the right kind of messed up.

When I want to try some new look, lighting setup and do a TFP shoot I always try to be selective when deciding which model to call back.

I would also create a TFP agreement tailored to your services.

[dvool]

Originally Posted by MrAlexajlex

What he means is TFP or these days TFP/CD (i.e trade for services).

Naturally most of the time when you hear TFP it means photog+model for a shoot.

TFP is a barter system really which could in theory work for any kind of craft.

In the photography sense Trade For Prints (as it most commonly know) means that the photog and model will provide the services free to each other.
In exchange both the photog and model can use the pictures in their respective portfolios.

In your case substitute retoucher for model.
So photog provides photo.
Retoucher brings the skill and edits the photo.
Bot you and photog can use the pic in your portfolios.

I'm photo and I will tell you that you need to look at everything being fair.
If the photog gave you a not so great pic (talking composition, etc. here) then it is up to you if you want to work with the photo.

I'm sure as a retoucher you would welcome a "messed up pic" but at the same time make sure it is the right kind of messed up.

When I want to try some new look, lighting setup and do a TFP shoot I always try to be selective when deciding which model to call back.

I would also create a TFP agreement tailored to your services.

Thank you for the advice.

[sidhebeauty]

I agree with Matthew in that you might be able to gain a working relationship with the photog if you handle the (possible) request professionally.

Since the image is the photog's property under copyright law, she could say no. If all she asks for is a hi-res copy, you are doing good. However, the work you did should be credited to you if SHE decides to put it in her portfolio.

[MrAlexajlex]

Originally Posted by sidhebeauty

I agree with Matthew in that you might be able to gain a working relationship with the photog if you handle the (possible) request professionally.

Since the image is the photog's property under copyright law, she could say no. If all she asks for is a hi-res copy, you are doing good. However, the work you did should be credited to you if SHE decides to put it in her portfolio.

This is a very good point and I do wonder how the work (the retoucher did) can be differentiated on the photog's site.

Do you put a line that says "retouching by John Doe"?

Do you show before and afters?

It gets a bit complicated.

I think perhaps adding a link on the photog's site to the retoucher's site can work.

[cehilton]

I am new here but wanted to express a few thoughts. YOu only want to use the image you have retouched in a portfolio. Often I shoot for models trading their work as a model and my work as a photographer but neither of us allows use of the image outside our own portfolios be they web or printed. Neither of us can resale the images without farther agreement.

You do have the right to limit how your retouch work will be used, just as the photographer has a right to limit how their work is used. Work it out so that both of you benefit and both will be winners. A trade is only fair if you both win.