In a viral post on Reddit, a user has described how a photographer demanded $1,000 to be trained in the art of horse photography.

A Reddit user named u/Flimsy-Field-8321 shared the story in a post that outraged and amused readers.

The Reddit user describes themself as a horse person who is “extremely fortunate” to have access to “a gorgeous barn with the best trainer.”

They claim to have met a photographer through a business networking group. And a few weeks ago, the photographer, who typically does family portraits and sports events, contacted them asking for help.

The photographer wanted to take up equestrian photography and asked if the Reddit user could offer any advice on breaking into the profession.

The Reddit user was happy to oblige and even ended up inviting the photographer to a horse show so he could be taught by a top trainer in return for providing low-cost prints.

“He called me a couple of weeks ago and told me he wanted to break into equestrian photography and would I have any advice on how to do that. I invited him to our barn to discuss,” the Reddit user says.

“He came and had a terrific time, took some photos, and we talked about having him attend a horse show with us.

“In return for the trainer and the barn girls advising him on what he should be looking for and what angles to shoot during the show, he would provide prints at low cost.”

The Reddit user explains how this experience with a top horse trainer was an excellent opportunity to learn about what it takes to be an equine photographer.

“We talked about how valuable the trainer’s time was and yet she was willing to take the time with him,” the Redditor explains.

“Now this trainer is one of the top in the north east and also works with TV and movies to train actors who need to be on horseback.

“She is much in demand, but because I asked her, she would advise the photographer at the show, and also allow him to attend a group jumping lesson for more training.

“Obviously she is not a photographer, but is well versed in what actions shots of horses should involve. He seemed very excited about the opportunity and seemed to understand the value.”

‘I’ll Need $1,000 Up Front’

However, the Reddit user was left shocked when the photographer contacted them shortly after their meeting and demanded $1,000 to be trained at the horse show.

They also demanded that no other photographer attend the horse show so that he had exclusivity over the event and could sell his images to the competitors.

“Well, last night he emailed me. Instead of providing low cost shots in exchange for knowledge in horse behavior, action, etc, he decided that he ‘needs $1,000 up front’ to attend the show, and needs assurance he will be the only photographer there,” the Redditor says.

“Further he needs the email addresses of every competitor so he can sell his photos. This is the polar opposite of what we discussed. I was dying laughing.”

‘This Kind of Attitude Kills Me’

The Reddit user couldn’t believe what they were hearing from the photographer. Readers were also stunned by the photographer’s request and claimed that he should never have passed up the valuable training offered to him.

“That kind of attitude kills me. Having a decent camera doesn’t make someone a photographer any more than wearing a striped shirt makes me a zebra,” a reader writes.

Another Reddit user comments: “He is an idiot as he will lose a good opportunity.”

Several readers asked for the Reddit user’s email back to the photographer’s demands and they shared their reply in a comment.

In response, the photographer was apprently “sorry for the miscommunication.”

Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.

The following announcement is sent on behalf of Executive Director of Photography Kim Chapin:

We are thrilled to announce that Rachel Hulin has joined the Los Angeles Times as our deputy director of photography, focusing on entertainment, features and lifestyle coverage.

Hulin is a photographer, writer and author. She was previously photo editor for Rolling Stone, Radar magazine and People magazine. She thrives on pairing narratives with new modes of delivery, developing fresh visual stories across all platforms.

Hulin began her career at the Guggenheim Museum, where she created visual solutions for the museum’s online offerings, and also spent time at the International Center of Photography, where she led the existing post-baccalaureate programs and helped to establish a new graduate program in photography.

Hulin’s fine art photography has been exhibited at the Bronx Museum of the Arts and ClampArt Gallery. Her editorial clients have included the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, the New Republic and Real Simple.

Additionally, Hulin is the author of “Flying Henry,” a children’s book published by powerHouse Books in 2013, and “Hey Harry, Hey Matilda,” a novel released by Doubleday in 2017.

She has a bachelor of arts from Brown University and a master of arts from New York University. Hulin started July 10.

Couples increasingly want instant images from their wedding photographer so they can update their social media pages immediately after the ceremony.

The Associated Press (AP) spoke to a number of wedding photographers who say couples are opting for less tradition and that means they also want changes in how their hired photographer operates too.

Typically, couples will wait weeks and months for their photos. But Kari Bjorn, who operates Kari Bjorn Photography in Arkansas, senses that what the bride and groom want is to update their Instagram pages with wedding photos on the day of the event.

Bjorn says he has noticed an uptick of “content creator” roles being advertised and he has responded by adding new services like wedding-day GIFs.

“Essentially it’s a contractor whose job it is to shoot and publish phone content for the bride and groom on their wedding day so they don’t have to,” he tells AP. “I feel like people really want to post things instantly as their event is happening.”

More Work for Photographers

A wedding is a big job for a photographer. The number of photos shot easily stretches into the thousands and that means an incredible amount of time spent on the computer tweaking shadows and color balance.

However, the demand for instant imagery is something that Jonica Moore from Brooklyn, New York may require extra help for.

“If you’re a photographer, you don’t really have time to do that,” she tells the AP.

Sarah and Peter Olson, a husband and wife team from Boston, say they are hiring an assistant to help them “specifically grab content we can use for social media and behind-the-scenes type content.” The Olsons have started shooting videos vertically so the clips can easily be posted as Reels on Instagram.

“We try to deliver teasers on social media in 24 to 48 hours,” adds Peter who runs CityLux Studio with Sarah.

A wedding photographer from Baltimore, Naomi Cataldo of Urban Row Photography, says that she hasn’t changed how she works all that much but she now turns around photos in a shorter time period.

Cataldo used to send photos after eight to 10 weeks but now shares previews with the couple within the first week and the full set is delivered within four to six weeks.

Cataldo also tells the AP that she has noticed couples forgoing traditional wedding features like a bouquet toss or cake cutting.

“Couples are asking for more personalized details and non-traditional, unique elements and events for their wedding day or weekend, and a lot less of just doing things for tradition’s sake,” she adds.

Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.

Download logo A photography exhibition was organized for the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). To create awareness for the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, a photography exhibition was organized in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. The exhibition, which was held […]

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A member of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) on the picket line outside the Royal Marsden hospital in south London, during a 48-hour strike in their dispute over pay. Members have voted to reject the government’s 5% pay award and called for talks to reopen after other public sector workers, including junior doctors, were offered more

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Sony has launched a new compact camera that is designed to help bring digital imaging to those with impaired sight. The DSC-HX99 RNV kit is a retinal projection camera that lets those who have difficulty using a normal camera viewfinder or screen take and see photographs, using a specially-designed attachment that projects the image onto the back of the eye. 

The camera is a collaboration between Sony and QD Laser, a Japanese company that has pioneered the Retissa Neoviewer retinal projection device which attaches to the zoom compact.

Apart from the projector, the new camera has the same features as the DSC-HX99 superzoom compact camera. Launched in 2018, this is claimed to be the world’s smallest 30x zoom camera – with an effective 24-720mm lens. It uses a 1/2.3in 18-megapixel sensor,  shoots 4K video, and weighs in at 243g (in its original form). 

The DSC-HX99 RNV was first shown in March, but has now gone on sale for US$600 – essentially the same price as the camera on its own. The cost of the adaptation is being heavily subsidised by Sony.

“We continue to leverage creativity and technology to enhance the accessibility of our products, services, and experiences. The Retina Projection Camera Kit is a step in our commitment to a future that empowers all types of creators,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc.

Potential users will be encouraged to attend a touch-and-try event before purchase, and will only be allowed to buy one camera each; they should contact Sony Digital Production Center on +1 (323) 352-5007, or by email at DMPC@sony.com to get an appointment.

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