Rodney Smith, the elegant and quirky photographer has announced his end. I found this startling news in his charming newsletter. 

Mr. Smith is immensely talented. Someone I often tried to use for my clients, but was never successful, sadly.

He is a master of the ‘old technology,’ no digits! And is publishing a gorgeous, giant and expensive tome of his photographs. Very lovely design and photos! Please take a look.

But it’s not clear to me why it’s titled — ‘The End.’ Is it because the new digits have overtaken the old model and he can no longer continue his work? Is this the end of it? Oh no!

Professional photographers have not been left out of the digital expansion. The ubiquitous digital camera and the web are the culprits as many amateurs are now producing fabulous images. Anyone browsing through Flickr or ffffound (warning — some adult content) will find stunning non-professional images. Will try to get some links up to what I’ve found.

The professional photographer’s business model is under duress.

There’s a reason we say — ‘take a photograph.’ It’s because the photographer owns the image, not the subject. It’s taken. (Stolen?)

This is something I’ve never really understood. Because it’s the content that’s the basis for the image. Without it, there would be nothing. 

True, the photographer chooses composition, sometimes the subject matter, etc. And has artistic and technical control of the production which makes the resulting images unique. But why shouldn’t the person or even the owner or designer of the subject matter, the car or house, etc. retain ownership? They are often paid for their services while the photographer owns the image. Why isn’t it the other way around? After all, it’s reality they’re taking.

Apparently it’s the business/copyright model that was set up so that photographers could make a living once they mastered the nondigital photographic technology.

That’s changing. But let’s hope Rodney Smith continues his lovely work. Masters never end.