Eat The Darkness

Copyright © 2008 Matthew Ratajczak All rights reserved.

I just finished reading an article written by freelance photographer and former New York Times staffer Vincent Laforet on the Sports Shooter site about the overall state of the photography business and its possible future. I came across the article by way of a comment and link on A Photo Editor post about the end of book publishing.

Laforet says the cloud is falling, but above it is plenty of blue sky. However, after reading through his lengthy essay all I can see right now and in the near future are gray skies. It left me feeling a bit numb and drained. I wanted to feel hopeful and take something positive away from it. But after one read through, it was hard not to feel depressed.

Most of us working photographers, whether we’re on staff at a newspaper or freelance, know that things are not good right now. We all know the economy sucks and the publishing/media industry is evolving into who knows what. All I hear about are shrinking newsroom staffs and shrinking news holes (space), declining readership and revenue, buyouts, layoffs etc… you get the picture.

Laforet’s article isn’t really saying anything I haven’t already read or thought about myself. What he’s done is condense it all into one grand, somewhat digestible statement.

I don’t really know what I’m trying to say with this post other than I think Laforet’s article is worth checking out, especially if you’re someone like me who is working for the man with a steady (but meager) paycheck and benefits, but is hoping to make the transition to independence as a freelance photographer someday. This article has left me more confused on what my next move should really be. I think there’s a silver lining in there somewhere, I just need to read through it a few more times.

Is it really this bleak?