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Unpaid photographic assistant needed
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I need an assistant to help me with a documentary photography project in the Liberties in Dublin over the next 2 weeks. About 15-20 hours work in total. I am not being paid so I am unable to pay an assistant. This would suit a photography student looking for experience. I’m using studio flash outdoors with portable power packs so I need someone to hold the lights and take direction regarding where to point them and change power output. The work will be during business hours over the next 2 weeks. Thanks. Karl Martini
Call me on 086-805-9782 or email me at karlkarlmartini.com
It’s a personal documentary project. It may find a home at some stage in the future but for the moment it’s personal.
So in a nut shell, you are doing your own personal project & you want someone under the guise of ‘work experience’ to do free labour?
This practice is a sickness that is holding any potential financial recovery of this country back.John,
Firstly, using the ‘N’ word does nothing for your argument. It just distracts from the point you are trying to make. Was your point about race? No. We’re in Ireland talking about photography. Lets use vocabulary thats in context.
Secondly: The very first post I ever made to this forum was in December 2008 offering my services for free
https://www.photographyireland.net/wedding-assistant-for-free-t24376.htmlI got the experience of working for two talented photographers (Hu O’Reilly and Eric Savoie) who generously gave me an insight into the industry and I’m very grateful for the help they gave me. I cynically offered my assistant services for free and they graciously accepted. Everybody wins.
I’ve since earned a degree in photography and am now a working photographer. I’m now in a position to offer experience to someone else. Why would you have a problem with that? Why is it even your business?
brownie wrote:
Your working 2 weeks for free ?? Why ?
Noel.
karlmartini wrote:
It’s a personal documentary project. It may find a home at some stage in the future but for the moment it’s personal.
Does this mean that if you make some money from this project at some point in the future you will then pay the assistant what should be the going rate, assuming that they have not starved to death in the meantime :roll:
This does work does not pay now or in the future. Assistants will be credited if it gets published. I’ve said everything that needs to be said above regarding not paying.
To me getting published means getting paid and if that’s not the case well you are in the wrong business.
Noel.
Karl,
I almost can’t believe the reaction of some people to your very reasonable request for help with your project.
I too think it would be a great opportunity for some young photographer to learn from watching you work and all about lighting techniques etc. Sure a person couldn’t buy that type of experience, in my opinion. You said it is a personal project which may or may not deliver a financial benefit further down the road. That was fair and honest enough of you to say that.
Please don’t be put off looking for someone …if I was 20-30 years younger I would have jumped hoops for an opportunity to assist.
Some people now think that everything must be paid to be worth their while. They don’t seem to see the value in volunteering, even if they are going to benefit from the experience? Weird.
I have done a couple of projects myself where I have been accompanied by a teenager who was so interested it put him on the road to a college course because he built his portfolio on the experience he gained from his time assisting me…and I am not even a paid professional but a dedicated amateur in the true sense.
I hope you find someone soon, maybe contact one of the colleges to see if there is anyone who will assist. It’s obvious that assisting is beneath some people around here.
Regards
George.i would love to help, i lived there for 4 years and did quite a few archaeological excavations in the area. its a great place and already a lot different to how it was back then (i left 2007). unfortunately i now live and attend college in limerick so it would not really be feasible.
good luck and i hope it goes well.
I almost can’t believe the reaction of some people to your very reasonable request for help with your project.
I too am amazed at the reaction here! One starts it and someone else smells a row and they are in with the nagativity also….crazy!
Best of luck Karl, I hope you find some youngsters looking for a break, shame we’re all not like you.
Pat
I understand Karl in 100%. I think people wchich make so much noise about payment, they are just not interested with offer.
For anybody who is looking to gain expirence in photography it is big chance (if it will be offer about looking for assistant to cleaning house i wont agree:)) It is so hard to get into it.Some other photographers charge you if you like assist or doing a workshop, quite expensive!!
Some people just do not understand it is chance:) SDo if anybody is thinking about it just be first, do not let others take this oportunity!Its work experience and that has value to anyone looking for the this type of experience.
No-one has to take up the offer if they don’t want to.I think the term ‘work experience’ to those like myself who are looking for work is a ball breaker.
For me it is just another scheme to gain free labour & in the current climate it’s just too regular a term.This is a FAS link & have a look at the amount of ‘Careers’ in WPP1, WPP2, Internships!
I know this is a photography forum & this maybe shouldn’t be here but this might help explain
some of the angst towards the post.John, Wake up and smell the coffe .You are right, circumstances in market are changed and if you notice it try to fit, simple as that:)
If we will have a war you have to fight.
It is better to gain expirence for free than go for photography workshop with another 10 person and paid for it!
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