This is a discussion that is common among forum threads on photography websites. It wasnt too long ago that photographers made really good money at their craft, that was until digital cameras showed up.
Usually in market places, the pro's would still do well because everyone knows good quality and thats what they want. That is something that is quickly becoming untrue. Clients will accept sub-par photos for the sake of meeting deadlines.
Another thing that has been true for decades is that doing free work when you start out helps boost your portfolio and gives you necessary skills which leads to great paying gigs in the future. Skim through the creative gigs section in Craigslist and you will quickly see many potential clients looking for work but for free. Usually its not simple work, its work that requires many hours at the computer to fit their high demands. I know, because I have been there.
What does free work lead to these days? More free work! YAY!!!!
However, free is not all that bad. It has its place and its use in our society. If it werent for free information then I wouldnt have been where I am today. I have found that if you know how to find what you are looking for, then honestly why pay someone else to do it? I am not a web-developer by any means, but I have built my own website from flash and HTML from just information I found on the internet. I have pretty much learned everything I know about photography from various places and people on the internet (besides my own experimenting with the camera of course)
So is free all bad? No I would say not at all. In fact, I have had a change of heart and decided to start contributing and start helping people out that need it. Your gut reaction is to ask for a fee to help someone with knowledge or experience that was forged in your own hard work. However, when you get something for free, your usual reaction is to be more charitable, after all, freely you received so freely you should give right? Yes, unless you are just a dick and dont want to share anything.
I have also discovered that the free exchange of ideas and speech propels our society like none other. It creates a breeding ground for brilliant ideas to surface.
But what does that have to do with photography and doing free work? Well, not much to be honest. Its just the simple concept to help change your perspective perhaps. Selfishness and greed will definitely not get you where you want to go, and you cant get where you are going all by yourself.
