True Right Ian!
Yeah, your point is a big problem for most of us, .... just because we can fix something, we do, and then it's just one more little thing, & another, & then another. The next thing we know, we're 30 hours into an initial presentation that is mostly speculative.
After doing some album plans with other photographer's work, I find the different mindset I have when I designing with their work & my own very interesting.
For example; I'm far more inclined to get really lost in tweaking my own images (to the detriment of my invested time), than when I'm working with someone else's work where it is much easier to keep the time efficiency factor operating at a higher level. (They're not my images so I don't feel I have to apologize to the client for the way they look as their creation was never my responsibility)
I think it's probably a "nature of the beast" thing, with most photographers wanting to put their best foot forward, and keeping the whole "no second chance for a first impression" thought, first & foremost in their minds. This is where pride many times overtakes business sense.
Unfortunate, but true. I'm Guilty as charged!
Simply as an exercise I'd like to suggest to those that the issue applies to, ... they try designing some albums with another photographer's work where they're not quite so personally involved with each particular image. An interesting thing happens. It's much easier to edit & keep image counts down, way easier to decide on what is worthy & what is not, & much simpler to boil the story down to it's essence.
Of course I suggest this like we all have the spare time to work on some spare album projects.........."NOT". I just thought my own observations were interesting as I identified with your point made.
Back to your original point....... I think you said it a few years ago in one of your blogs; " Just because you can, doesn't mean you should"
Enough said.
Good point!
Paul.
The Junction
Manage expectations
Posted: 27 Mar 2008 05:37 PM CDT
Danny's suggestion not to spend time on images you haven't sold, some people have a real problem with it. They assume their pictures have to be perfect before anyone sees them.Who says?When Heather and I were married, I think our photographer showed us proofs, maybe even contact sheets (yes, it was a while ago!) But we understood we couldn't judge the final prints by the proofs.I'm not suggesting going back to proofs, but people are spending days enhancing unsold images. Automated procedures sound like a good compromise. Aiming for salable, not perfect.The key is to set your client's expectations accordingly. These are not finished images, they're "proofs". Your sample albums show them the finished product.Then you get to go home early. Have a beer. Play with the kids. Catch a movie.Cheers, Ian
