Its a sundown vocation, with many agencies cutting down on manpower in favour for technology. Reuters, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Sun...all have cutback on their staff photographers in recent years. I guess its a bread and butter issue with the competitions within the industry, but can technology ever replace the human input? Thankfully my sports photography is not a bread and butter matter but a
passionate pursuit which complement my bread and butter vocation. I am grateful to be able to indulge in my passion without the need to compromise, which is usually the case when you need to fulfil clients' needs; but not having to depend photography for a living does not mean that pro bono is on my calling card. To do so would be to spoil the market for the pros who rely on photography for their living. There are simply too many organisations looking for cheap or free services from photographers. Which is a sad thing as it will kill the craft along with the profession, and they will end up short-changing themselves in the long run. Sports would enjoy much greater interest with the right imageries to stir the imagination of the public at large. The climatic image of an athlete capture in his or her element can only exist through experienced and skill full photographers with the right tools. Qualities from volunteers will never be consistent nor sustainable as availability and commitment will never be assured. Unfortunately often we find decision being made more on cost and willingness to compromise or mere emphasis on coverage and not quality. Nevertheless it is my commitment to deliver my utmost in assignments that I take up.
