Join/Renew   Currents Newsletter   Regional Resources   Document Library   Speaker's Bureau   President's Page   Member Survey   Membership Info	President's Message May/June 2006 The Business of Nature Photography by Al Sieg, President Several years ago, the subject of this issue of Currents, “Business Practices,” would not warrant an entire issue dedicated to it. But today the market continues to change so much that we could have a weekly report on the subject. So many elements come into play when practicing the business of nature photography in a digital environment. Photographers need to know each client’s requirements on working digitally. And anyone who hasn’t already adapted to using email to do business is pretty much out in the cold. A recent poll of administrative professionals from December 2005 showed the telephone as rating a distant third when it comes to how we communicate, with only 13 percent of those polled citing it as the method used most often. Email is preferred by 71 percent and in-person talks by 14 percent. On top of all that, photographers today are not only expected to be masters of the craft, but they now must master scanning, color management, file management and website technology. On the other side of the aisle, so to speak, users of nature images have found their lives dramatically changed as well. Many of our members have faced an expansion of their individual duties due to downsizing in their companies. Photo editors, for example, are often responsible for color management, file formats, resizing/ resampling, sharpening and more. Articles included in this issue of Currents are aimed at providing needed help to tackle tasks that some of us may never have done before. A couple of announcements regarding the business of NANPA are in order as well. NANPA has joined the PLUS Coalition, an international association aimed at simplifying and facilitating the licensing of images (PLUS stands for Picture Licensing Universal System). Photographers, illustrators, stock picture agencies, artist representatives, advertising agencies, advertisers, graphic designers, publishers and associated industries make up the coalition. Through this group, licensors and licensees are working cooperatively to develop and implement licensing standards and systems that will bring picture licensing into the twenty-first century. NANPA board member Susan Day is our representative to PLUS. Members were alerted by email of pending legislation that would enable users to publish so-called “orphaned” photographs and other copyrighted works without permission of the artist and, in many instances, without compensation. A non-legal definition of an orphaned work is one that is copyrighted, but through a diligent search, it is not possible to identify or locate the owner. NANPA was asked by other organizations and by several NANPA members to join ASMP and PPA in opposition to the proposed Orphan Works legislation. The NANPA Board carefully considered the ramifications of joining in this effort and decided that this legislation, if enacted, could hurt some photographers and probably would not hurt our publisher members who, we are confident, are conscientious about using images. As a result, as president, I drafted and signed a letter in opposition to the legislation that was sent on behalf of NANPA to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. We also granted the invited members of ASMP, PACA and PPA who testified before these committees to indicate that they were speaking on behalf of NANPA. For up-to-date information on the status of Orphan Works legislation, go to: http://www.asmp.org/news/spec2006/orphan_faxcall.php. The many committees of NANPA and your board of directors are working to help you with the ever-changing world of the nature photography business, but we are also trying to help protect and promote your most important investment, the ownership of your images. We welcome your thoughts and input to continually strive to provide these important benefits. Back to President's Page         Site Index       Search       Disclaimers       Contact Us   North American Nature Photography Association 10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-2840, USA Phone: 303-422-8527 Fax: 303-422-8894 E-mail: info@nanpa.org   © 2001 All Rights Reserved