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04/15/2009 09:33:51 AM · #1 |
Just wondering if you all could lend any advice on how to approach the newspaper on doing freelance work for events or, for example, like when we have bad weather - last week a tornado touched down and did some major damage to the local airforce base and surrounding neighborhoods... I wouldnt even know where to begin on who to contact or anything.
Thanks! |
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04/15/2009 09:55:30 AM · #2 |
From what I understand it is a good idea to find out who the photo-editor is and send it to that person directly. Include a text describing what you took a picture of under a caption. The less work they have to do the better.
oops, that's for trying to get a photo published...
Message edited by author 2009-04-15 10:01:03. |
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04/15/2009 10:09:53 AM · #3 |
| Definately contact the photo editor first. I know that I just had my budget for freelancers TOTALLY taken away from me recently because of budget constraints. Also, I get submitted photos in my inbox all the time, with people in them, and NO NAMES of those people. If that is the case, I immediately just press the delete button. |
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04/15/2009 10:17:10 AM · #4 |
Is your local paper still in business? This is the year many are folding -between declining readership, almost total loss of classifieds (a big revenue source) and now the economy the decline that's been happening has accelerated dramatically.
//www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/
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04/15/2009 10:28:05 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by amathiasphoto:
Definately contact the photo editor first. I know that I just had my budget for freelancers TOTALLY taken away from me recently because of budget constraints. Also, I get submitted photos in my inbox all the time, with people in them, and NO NAMES of those people. If that is the case, I immediately just press the delete button. |
I can validate that as well. In my days stringer for the AP, photo editors were far more concerned with the IDs of the people in the picture than the quality of the picture. Always carry a notepad so you can get IDs, location, etc. down on paper.
I wouldn't expect too much in the way of freelance assignment work from local papers. They are all hurting big time. They are laying off long time staffers. I doubt they have a budget for freelance.
You can work on spec if you want. Like with your storm picture, you let the photo editor know you have it, send it to them WITH people IDs and hope for the best. But unless it is something truly spectacular, I wouldn't expect and more than $50 for inside publication and $250 for front page. At least that is what is was a few years back. And that was in a major city. |
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04/15/2009 01:38:46 PM · #6 |
Thanks for the tips. So if i just want to be published (for the resume or whatever) then I'm much more likely for that to happen huh? Do i just do the same thing? Send a shot with people's names/location/etc?
Thanks again |
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04/15/2009 02:20:59 PM · #7 |
| Pretty much yes. Make sure that you include exactly how you want the photo credit to appear in the paper- just remember though that just because you send stuff in doesnt mean that it will run. I have had to pass on AMAZING shots simply because of space constraints, etc. Good luck! |
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06/17/2009 10:43:04 AM · #8 |
I just had four shots published in the local weekly newspaper here. I just e-mailed them to the editor and she picked a couple to put in the paper. I even got photo credit.
 
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06/17/2009 10:44:44 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by NathanW:
... I just e-mailed them to the editor and she picked a couple to put in the paper. ... |
What size files did you send? |
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06/17/2009 10:49:43 AM · #10 |
I sent 640x480 300dpi shots. I tried to keep the file size at less than 1mb for ease in e-mailing (generally between 350-700kbs).
The upside-down kid was printed at almost 1/4 page and the rest were all printed at about 4x6inches. I even asked her what resolution she wanted future submissions and she said these were fine. She knew how to get a hold of me if she needed larger files. |
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06/17/2009 11:02:11 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by NathanW:
I sent 640x480 300dpi shots. I tried to keep the file size at less than 1mb for ease in e-mailing (generally between 350-700kbs).
The upside-down kid was printed at almost 1/4 page and the rest were all printed at about 4x6inches. I even asked her what resolution she wanted future submissions and she said these were fine. She knew how to get a hold of me if she needed larger files. |
Thanks. I've always wondered. :-) |
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06/17/2009 11:15:14 AM · #12 |
congrats!
for future reference, standard file sizes are 10-12" on the longest side, 200dpi, saved as jpg quality 10. depending on your camera, this should produce about a 1mb file, give or take a few hundred kb.
as for processing, don't overdo it. slightly sharpen (300%, .3 radius, 0 threshhold) + slight levels & curves are about all you should do.
the main thing is in the captioning. in photoshop, this is under file|file info. fill in the description as best as possible (who-what-when-where-why). also put in your copyright info.
even though your editor was able to work with what you did, if you adhere to standard practices, you won't have to worry about someone who doesn't quite no what to do absolutely destroying your image (which happens a lot in smaller publications).
magazines, on the other hand, seem to prefer their images 10-12", 300dpi, saved jpg quality 12...go figure ;-) |
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06/17/2009 11:16:59 AM · #13 |
There is a huge difference between giving your work away and actually doing freelance work. Last time I checked a photo credit wasn't accepted by any of the people I owe money too. I wouldn't be so willing to give away your work, the people who actually get paid to do that job won't be too happy with you.
Matt |
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06/17/2009 11:25:08 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by NathanW:
I just had four shots published in the local weekly newspaper here. I just e-mailed them to the editor and she picked a couple to put in the paper. I even got photo credit. |
There is a huge difference between giving your work away and actually doing freelance work. Last time I checked a photo credit wasn't accepted by any of the people I owe money too. I wouldn't be so willing to give away your work, the people who actually get paid to do that job won't be too happy with you.
Matt |
oh, matt, don't rain on his parade ;-)
you're right, of course. at least now he has some tearsheets to prove he can take publishable photos. now all he has to do is ask what's the normal pay rate. and, if they say they don't pay, ever, then he can make his own determination as to the value of his work...
[matt, check your email...]
Message edited by author 2009-06-17 11:26:04. |
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06/17/2009 11:27:21 AM · #15 |
Thanks for the information Skip.
As for giving it away...I give my photo's away all the time.
I'm not in it for the money (there isn't any around here anyway). The local newspaper has 2, repeat TWO reporters and the editor (they had let go the third reporter last year). I live out in the middle of nowhere. I submit my photo's so that the people in them can see themselves in the paper, and to get my name seen too (I can't deny that *grin*). Besides... I use a Canon and the paper uses Nikon. *grin* |
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06/17/2009 11:52:45 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Skip:
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by NathanW:
I just had four shots published in the local weekly newspaper here. I just e-mailed them to the editor and she picked a couple to put in the paper. I even got photo credit. |
There is a huge difference between giving your work away and actually doing freelance work. Last time I checked a photo credit wasn't accepted by any of the people I owe money too. I wouldn't be so willing to give away your work, the people who actually get paid to do that job won't be too happy with you.
Matt |
oh, matt, don't rain on his parade ;-)
you're right, of course. at least now he has some tearsheets to prove he can take publishable photos. now all he has to do is ask what's the normal pay rate. and, if they say they don't pay, ever, then he can make his own determination as to the value of his work...
[matt, check your email...] |
Hopefully you noticed I didn't bust his balls(too bad) but the OP did ask how to approach the newspaper to do freelance work, assuming he wants to get paid and not do it for free. And of course as you and I know if you give someone something for nothing and then later give it to them and ask to be paid you likely aren't going to get paid or asked to work for them again.
The proper way to get approach a newspaper is to put together a varied portfolio of your best work including sports, news, features, and anything else that you have, along with proper and correct cut lines. Take them and place them in front of the managing editor, sports editor, news editor, ect. And speak with them regarding their needs, your availability and discuss any particulars. Then put your name and work in front of them daily(for a daily) or weekly for a weekly. And eventually they will tell you to go pound sand or will begin to use your for not only freelance but overflow assignments as well.
Nathan I'm in a small community with a weekly paper, even as tough as times are an editor won't accept anything from a working photographer without paying them for it. And also something I have learned after doing this for over three years now, the only people who read the By line are A. you B. Your mother C. Other photographer. :p
Matt
Edit to add,
I did Skip, you rock. I'll have to remember to find some way to repay your kindness someday when I'm rich and famous. LOL
Message edited by author 2009-06-17 21:15:08. |
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06/17/2009 08:54:51 PM · #17 |
| I don't mind. The only reason I posted in this thread is it was the first one found that dealt with a newspaper. I didn't want to start a new one. It's all good. |
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