Does anyone contract out their post processing?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/21/2007 07:40:15 PM · #1

I just need to find out how it generally works, I've got a job cleaning images for a portrait company but it's a bit strange. I can't find out anything about the company except they have "quite a few" photographers "all around the place" they are a studio but I can't find them advertised anywhere. I don't have the address, they'll give it to me at the end of the month when I invoice them, seems to me I can put in a lot of hours before the end of the month and I'm beginning to wonder if I then get shafted. They definitely have images, lots of them..but...so far all with the same backdrop...it's the perfect job for me if it's legit but....?

Why would a studio be cagey about their business? Help please?

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

07/21/2007 07:44:32 PM · #2

I can think of a few reasons why but the better question is why aren't you asking them?

07/21/2007 07:45:50 PM · #3

I can't seem to get any answers, just something vague and the subject gets changed.

07/21/2007 07:47:39 PM · #4

I wouldn't do any work yet, change the deal and see if you can get paid earlier.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/21/2007 07:51:47 PM · #5

Wavelength they only accept invoices at the end of the month. While I'm here how long do you think it should it take to clean an image, just wrinkles, blemishes, backdrops, no colour management. Any ideas?

PhilipDyer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/21/2007 08:12:36 PM · #6

Your instincts seems pretty good about this. Maybe you can just put in a few hours this month as a trial to make sure they're legit.

And to answer your question, it should probably take an average of 15 minutes to do that level of cleaning up, depending on the person and backdrop. Of course, you'll get faster and develop some shortcuts after you do a bunch of them.

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

07/21/2007 08:25:51 PM · #7

Do you have some kind of contract? Guess I wouldn't do work for hire without something in writing. To many hucksters wanting to take advantage of people.

07/21/2007 08:30:05 PM · #8

Thanks Phillip, I'm taking around 10 to 15 minutes per image but they work on 4 minutes, I agreed to do a few images this weekend so the dropped around about 300... they've taken half back but I'm still uncomfortable with the whole set up and I sooo wish I wasn't because it's the perfect job and I really really need it.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/21/2007 08:31:34 PM · #9

pcodyno contract I can't get anything other than vague non answers from them, and a whole lotta work.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

07/21/2007 08:35:05 PM · #10

You invoice them at the end of the month, which is what? A week away? What do you have to lose but a little time?

R.

07/21/2007 08:42:45 PM · #11

I'm trying to tell myself that Robert and you're probably right, I'm just tired of being ripped off, as it is I'll put in about 12 hours today and get paid for 3 :( I just can't seem to get quick enough fast enough.

07/21/2007 08:44:21 PM · #12

And I've never done anything like this before so I'm not sure if this is how it's supposed to work.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/21/2007 08:52:40 PM · #13

If they want things in 5 minutes flat, they're crazy.

IMO - If there's no contract, I wouldn't do it. But then, I'm not desperate so that's an easier decision for me :|

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/21/2007 08:56:34 PM · #14

Originally posted by Wildcard:

I can't seem to get any answers, just something vague and the subject gets changed.

And this doesn't say RED FLAG to you? What good will a "contract" be with someone you can't find to sue?

07/21/2007 09:08:00 PM · #15

It does raise a red flag GeneralE I guess I was hoping someone could come up with a really good reason why a studio would be so cagey. :(

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

07/21/2007 09:09:19 PM · #16

Originally posted by Wildcard:

It does raise a red flag GeneralE I guess I was hoping someone could come up with a really good reason why a studio would be so cagey. :(

There is none.

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

07/21/2007 09:09:39 PM · #17

My sister's name is Bobbie too. How many have you done already? Is it enough to let them see your level of skill? Don't do any more until they have given you more information and a contract. It just sounds to much like they are going to get as much out of you as they can and then tell you your work isn't up to standard so they can't pay you. If it's legitimate, they would want to give you as much information as they could so you would be a happy camper. There are some studios that do hire out pp, so that isn't the thing that is worrisome. It is a problem when they keep everything secret.
I don't agree with bear_music. Your time is valuable. Right now it's probably the most valuable thing you have. Use it to your advantage. Would you take a job in the real world without knowing who was paying you?

07/21/2007 09:10:14 PM · #18

Well, none it would seem that create happy answers.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/21/2007 09:16:22 PM · #19

No, I guess there's no happy answers. I've already done 50 but I'm not even sure what they're paying me they said between $10 and $15 per folder, I've done 3 folders. Thanks for letting me talk it out it has made things clearer, I'll ring and quit, if they really like my work I guess they might come to the party with a contract or something but I won't hold my breath. It's bugging me that I can't even find them advertised anywhere so I can't figure out where all the clients come from.

Thanks for all your advice from both sides.

FireBird

07/21/2007 09:51:53 PM · #20

You've got a name or two and a phone number, right? Do a reverse 411 search on the phone number. Do a google search on the name/names. Check'em out. Give'em one PP'd image and ask them if that's ok. If they evade and want you to do more, just thank them for the opportunity and mark it up as someone trying to take advantage of you. If you don't know who they are, how the hell do you know if you want to do business with them?

Message edited by author 2007-07-21 21:52:28.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

07/21/2007 10:28:42 PM · #21

Originally posted by pcody:

I don't agree with bear_music. Your time is valuable. Right now it's probably the most valuable thing you have. Use it to your advantage.

We used to hire people all the time, on the basis of "invoice us every 30 days", so that's not uncommon. We also used to do it for contract prices, and they weren't generous at all, so that's par for the course. They DO seem a little evasive, I grant you that, but if he likes the work (and he can get faster at it for sure) then it's worth investing a little time to see what happens. Not much, a little.

I am basing what I am saying on the fact he LIKES this work and hopes to be able to do it. So he needs to show a little enthusiasm. I know for sure, when we hired contractors and they got all "legal" on us before they'd even DONE any work for us, that was a trouble red flag and we didn't stick with them.

Face it, at this level of the business you are hiring young and/or unestablished people because you can get them cheap. You're looking for attitude. Willingness. That's the way it is. And it's a step on the ladder.

I certainly DO understand they may be scamming him, but it's not like he's investing money in materials, gas, whatever; it's just time. And not that much of it either. I say, give it a try and see what happens. If it's bogus, it's not that big a deal.

R.

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

07/21/2007 10:42:26 PM · #22

I don't think it's so much liking the work as really needing the work. Sometimes that outlook leads to hoping something that is to good to be true is true. She has done enough work for them to know if she is a keeper, it's time for them to tell her about themselves.
So I'll ask you the same question. Would you take a job in the real world without knowing who is paying you and know the terms of you employment? I've never worked for anyone without knowing the terms of my employment and who I am working for. It seems absurd to invest time into something with no accountability on the employer's part.