Philadelphia Photographer

Digital photography became a serious player in 1994. Cameras started at $30,000.00-$50,000.00 at that time. (And that was just the camera backs...not the actual lens, software, computers, lights, etc.) Those who have been shooting for longer periods of time have had the experience to know what works and what doesn't. They have seen what moirés are and how to handle them. They know how to relate the technology to service bureaus and printers. They can be a valuable asset in getting your images printed the way you want them. An experienced digital photographer knows when it is appropriate to shoot film and when to shoot digitally.

Today quality, high-end cameras range from $7,000 to $30,000.00. You can do certain jobs with lower end cameras, but why would you want to. As the old adage says: Garbage in garbage out. Finding out what they paid helps you determine the level of commitment they have given to their profession. As far as what kind they use, some names to listen for are Nikon, Canon, Leaf... you may not know the names of the digital backs or equipment they use. Don't worry. Your photographer should be able to assure you he/she chose what they did for a good reason. If it doesn't sound good, it probably isn't.

This question is more to hear what they say if it sounds like BS. Some things to look for in their answer are:

-How it works into their current workflow.
-How the equipment will help them complete assignments more efficiently.
-How it helps the end user.

Many people buy what is the cheapest or without knowing how it will benefit the end user. It may be they want(ed) to see what digital was all about. (If they don't know what it is all about...they aren't reading industry trade journals or keeping up with the advances in technology.) If that is the case, you are their test subject and you may not get the results you are looking for.

There are many answers. All of them are right. However they may not be right for you. Many photographers make you pay for the image EVERY time you want to use it. They may charge you more for national campaigns versus local ones. Some will let you buy the image rights from them. Some will continue to own the image but will let you reproduce it as many times as you want without additional cost.

Sometimes it's not what they say so much as what questions they ask.

For example:

Photographer: What are the final uses of the photographs?
Client: Web only
Photographer: Are you sure you wouldn’t use it for a tradeshow booth, billboard, an animate gif, a power point presentation, etc. (The extra probing questions help you and them identify long and short term expectations of these images.)
Photographer: Where is this job being printed?
Client: XYZ printer
Photographer: May I have the name of your contact there so I can help make this job run more smoothly for you.

(Smart photographers will know the lingo to speak to the technical people at the printer and will help identify potential problems before they arise. They can ask the questions that you may not know to ask because they have seen it before.)

There are obviously many questions you can ask to determine the level of competence. If you ask these questions up front you can narrow your field of selection.