Working Files

[Scoopex]

Hello Everyone,
Just a quick little question for you. I had a client ask me to provide my working files for them the other day after finishing a job.

I would not normally give them out, and I was just wondering what peoples views were on providing working files to clients, or whether people charge for files or what.

I have always thought that the client is paying you for the retouched finished image and not the files you use to create them. What are peoples thoughts on the matter?

Thanks all

Scoopex

[pixelzombie]

if it was after the fact, just simplify the psd file so they can't see what you did..they probably just want to be able to move certain elements around...

[Scoopex]

Fair comment Pixelzombie and thanks for the input. But I know the guy, Ive worked with him before and isn't phoshop literate. I get the feeling that he just wants them so that he feels that he has all the elements for his archive, but surely the psd files are my proof that I have done the work, if ever questioned. what do you think?

[pixelzombie]

if he isn't PS literate it would be more reason to simplify the files..who's to say he isn't going to give them to someone else..providing working files is always a slippery slope...

[Scoopex]

I agree. Well I shall just have to see how keen on getting the images he is, and if he is going to kick up a stink about it, then I think I will just simplify them down substancially. Many thanks for your comments. Slippery Indeed.

[Swampy]

Clients do not get my working files. Sorry. I may provide PDF or JPEG but never the raw working files.

[des151]

Scoopex,
Depends on what your contract stipulates. Also, working files would = more $$$$$$. Just my thoughts on this.

Ray

[ajcutler]

Scoopex:

I never thought of giving my .PSD files to a client, but I recently did work for an interesting American author living in Japan who had Photoshop, but didn't have the time, patience or know-how to do the retouching he wanted.

He asked for the raw files and I included them and factored them in my pricing.

He included a credit for my work in his new publication, and he will have other work for me, so all in-all I made out well.

Alan

[Markzebra]

Generally as a policy its best not to give PSD's if you can avoid it. If they insist then its as Pixelzombie says flattened moveable elements - on very complex jobs this can add time, but its worth it, because you dont want your client just stealing your working methods. On a job recently, I was asked to give PSD's, unfortunately the file was so complex that the simplifying process itself took about an hour, deadlines weer a factor so I just gave them the working files. But the reason they asked.. you guessed it, and what do you know .. this week I see their badly executed "version" of my techniques on 48 sheet poster! as a policy don't do it

[Scoopex]

Swampy
Indeed PDF, JPEG or in some cases flattened TIFFs when dealing with large quality files. I agree I would normally only provide these.

Des101
Normally I do stipulate that I don't give out working files, but I must admit I hadn't thought of the potential extra money for releasing the files......in a simplified format.

Ajculter
Factoring in the working files is maybe something I need to start offering clients at the start of a job. That way its discussed and both parties are happy and know what the output will be before the job begins. It would allow me to potentially earn extra cash, which is never a bad thing.

Markzebra
A very good point Mark, I see the files as my work. But I must admit I had not contemplated the possibility of someone learning my working methods for free from my psd file. I will be wary of this if I decide to release them at all.

Thank you each for you comments.

Scoopex

[Viira]

Never had someone ask for my .psd, but if they did, I'd give them a 2 layer original and retouched - thats it.

[Scoopex]

Hello Viira, that could also work well, then they have a file with the before and after for quick access.

However I would feel a little like I was pulling the wool over their eyes doing that if they were paying for the working files. Could be a good plan for if the client wants the files but is unwilling to pay extra for them though.

Thanks for your comment

[ktg222]

Early on, in working with photographers, I provided my working psd files along with tiff finals. Often we would go over the psd workflow, layer by layer, to see the work I had done. This, though time consuming, was benificial. It dramticaly showed the work and methodology. All the work was on layers that could easily be changed should the client want a tweek or two. It also developed trust. The client could see I knew what I was doing. As time went by, we did this less and less. They no longer needed to see the files and work progression. They trusted my judgement. First, they wanted the psd files to keep in their master files. Later, this became less important to them. I had the files and had backups. I always felt these work files were theirs. These were their images, not mine. They had a right to all the work I did I felt. I was being paid for the work and the files. Had I puffed up and insisted on not letting them have the psd files, if they wanted them, they would have dropped me in a NY minute. I have found silly and arrogant the argument that retouchers, in working on the photographers image, now have created a new copyright. I suppose that could be argued and parsed, but I don't feel that way and don't work that way.

[KR1156]

i simplify files all the time for ad agencies to move the main objects around for different layouts and their pop/pos stuff and what not. not only do i not want them to see my recipe....i don't trust giving them complex layeres with lots of adjustment layers and groupings and such. 1 wrong move and the color can be thrown out of wack, and 2 months later they'll be asking why their file doesn't match the proof provided!

that's why i now request 2 advil in every estimate given.

[Scoopex]

ktg222
I too have done this trust building exercise with a few of my clients until they were happy with my working methods. Although I do keep my working files, fair comment by you with regards to the argument you mention. I do agree with you and would never claim rights over an image I have retouched.................but the method I use to retouch that image is mine. Which is why I wouldn't usually release working files.

KR1156
Another good point, I haven't as yet had the problem that you mention, where clients have changed the image. But I can see that it could very well be a possible problem with some clients.