CPS Changes

[neuroanatomist]

I will say, as a working professional, I find CPS to be invaluable and saw it as a form of recognition many years ago when I was accepted in CPS and frankly to see so many people who are not professionals taking advantage of CPS and knowingly lie to Canon is very disheartening. Kinda like when amateurs undercut professional photographers and lower the standard of photography across the industry. I will concede that Canon has allowed this to get out of control by not having tighter restrictions and they need to fix it. But knowing that a good part of those people who are bringing upon us these restrictions are those who are taking advantage of the program is disturbing....

Joining Nikon Professional Services requires sponsorship by a current NPS member (similar to most scientific societies, although they usually require sponsorship by two active members except for student memberships).

 

[awinphoto]

I will say, as a working professional, I find CPS to be invaluable and saw it as a form of recognition many years ago when I was accepted in CPS and frankly to see so many people who are not professionals taking advantage of CPS and knowingly lie to Canon is very disheartening. Kinda like when amateurs undercut professional photographers and lower the standard of photography across the industry. I will concede that Canon has allowed this to get out of control by not having tighter restrictions and they need to fix it. But knowing that a good part of those people who are bringing upon us these restrictions are those who are taking advantage of the program is disturbing....

Joining Nikon Professional Services requires sponsorship by a current NPS member (similar to most scientific societies, although they usually require sponsorship by two active members except for student memberships).

Yeah... it WOULD be nice to see canon adopt a similar strategy or at least require proof of business or publication or something... but oh well...

 

[neuroanatomist]

Yeah... it WOULD be nice to see canon adopt a similar strategy or at least require proof of business or publication or something... but oh well...

There's another side the the argument... NPS is free, whereas CPS is only free at the Silver level (which seems to offer only 'pro standard' repair turnaround, whatever that means...it's not the 3-day you get with Gold).

The membership fees for the higher levels mean that Canon has a financial incentive to expand the membership base, of course, but it might also mean that some of the program benefits are offset by the fees paid by all those non-pro members. It appears that NPS offers only priotity speed for repairs, and loaners while an item is being repaired - no repair discount, no evaluation loan program. Would you trade those last two benefits for a truly 'pro only' CPS?

 

[awinphoto]

Yeah... it WOULD be nice to see canon adopt a similar strategy or at least require proof of business or publication or something... but oh well...

There's another side the the argument... NPS is free, whereas CPS is only free at the Silver level (which seems to offer only 'pro standard' repair turnaround, whatever that means...it's not the 3-day you get with Gold).

The membership fees for the higher levels mean that Canon has a financial incentive to expand the membership base, of course, but it might also mean that some of the program benefits are offset by the fees paid by all those non-pro members. It appears that NPS offers only priotity speed for repairs, and loaners while an item is being repaired - no repair discount, no evaluation loan program. Would you trade those last two benefits for a truly 'pro only' CPS?

That's an interesting POV... between the two extremes, I wouldn't mind a nice cozy middle... I wouldn't mind IF perhaps they had maybe did away with their tier system and had a black and white, pro or not pro, but make the cost of entry to be, lets say $300-400 but retain benefits, or maybe utilize the yearly fee as a rebate system towards repairs or equipment or the like... Maybe 100-200 credit per year that can be used towards rentals/evaluations, repairs, refurbished, etc or can roll over or something like that... I dont know... something where it's more of a membership/investment rather than something that is easily abused...

 

[Efka76]

It is very funny to read that professionals complain that amateurs are using CPS I will provide you with few my comments:

1) You need to buy eligible equipment in order to qualify for specific CPS status. For Canon its is absolutely not important who buys such expensive equipment - amateur or professional.
2) Gold and Platinum memberships give some advantages, however, you have to pay for such membership.
3) Only professional photographers are accredited to Olympic games, championships and are actually using CPS services such as camera or lenses loans.
4) I would suggest to "professionals" to less complain and put more efforts in their job in order to separate themselves from amateurs. If you are really good photographer you will have better fees than amateurs. However, if your works are similar to amateur work then photography is definitely not for you ))

 

[Jim O]

I would suggest to "professionals" to less complain and put more efforts in their job in order to separate themselves from amateurs. If you are really good photographer you will have better fees than amateurs. However, if your works are similar to amateur work then photography is definitely not for you ))

If you have fees and make sales you are, by definition, a professional.

 

[awinphoto]

It is very funny to read that professionals complain that amateurs are using CPS I will provide you with few my comments:

1) You need to buy eligible equipment in order to qualify for specific CPS status. For Canon its is absolutely not important who buys such expensive equipment - amateur or professional.
2) Gold and Platinum memberships give some advantages, however, you have to pay for such membership.
3) Only professional photographers are accredited to Olympic games, championships and are actually using CPS services such as camera or lenses loans.
4) I would suggest to "professionals" to less complain and put more efforts in their job in order to separate themselves from amateurs. If you are really good photographer you will have better fees than amateurs. However, if your works are similar to amateur work then photography is definitely not for you ))

It's funny... reading your comments shows how little you know about the industry and more importantly, the market. There has been research in the shutter magazine that the costs of weddings have gone up over the last few decades, but the alarming stat is fewer and fewer weddings are done by professional photographers. The market, as a whole, has been inundated by amateurs and frankly, the skill level and ease of use of cameras really has gone down over the last decade that there are more photographers than ever. Yes, there is a clear separation by pros and not pro's but that isn't the issue. The issue is indifference and complacency. More and more people get low end photography as they dont see a value in it like in decades past. People are just as happy going to lifetouch or JC Pennys or the picture people and save money. You dont know how many people get a sticker shock when they see my prices, but my prices are designed to earn me a wage, pay for my equipment, training, retirement, etc. History has shown that the low cost photography cannot sustain itself, ask Sears Portrait studio and walmart portrait studio how they are doing? FYI they have all been shut down.

What it boils down to is more people expect cheap photography, and can care less if a picture was properly exposed, or lit, or even composed. I even had someone ask my why my pictures are composed (on the rule of 3rds) rather than smack in the middle of the frame. People are indifferent and that is what is suffocating the industry. A decade ago, the skill level required to be in the industry was higher. People had to assist people for years or go to school to learn exposure, darkroom, technique, etc. They learned the craft up until they can go out on their own and compete toe to toe with their masters, but it isn't the way it is anymore... Now you have the instant gratification with digital and the skill level isn't where it should be for a professional industry.

 

[awinphoto]

And to take it one step further... 20 years ago, people knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, if you wanted good photos, you HAD to go to a pro photographer... There was a clear difference between the consumer 35mm camera and a pro medium format or large format camera... It wasn't close... Yeah they could take the 35mm rolls of film to a 1 hour photo lab and get 4x6's but, that's where the amatuer/pro comparison ended right there... yeah they could ask the 1 hr photo lab to print an 8x10 every so often but that was the limits of 35mm. Now, frankly the difference between what an iphone can do and the 5d3 can do, in a consumers mind, is shrinking day by day. Consumers typically dont care about noise. They dont care about composition, etc... It's good enough. They dont HAVE to go to a pro to get decent photos that can be blown up to 30x40, they can go to suzie down the street with a rebel digital camera or uncle bob with a 1dx. Yes, there is a clear difference between pro's and unlce bobs with minimal training, but the problem is indifference. To a person who doesn't care, the skill level is negligible... price is king. 20 years ago people may not have liked the fact that they had to go to a pro, but it was what it was... and people paid the price, even if they had to save up for it... It made the photos have value and people would hold on to those pictures for decades as it was of value to them. Now, it's a dime-a-dozen... end of rant

 

[neuroanatomist]

They learned the craft up until they can go out on their own and compete toe to toe with their masters, but it isn't the way it is anymore... Now you have the instant gratification with digital and the skill level isn't where it should be for a professional industry.

Photography as an art form exists, and will likely remain. Granted, it's not necessarily a way to make a living, any more than being a fine art painter (the increase in value after the artist dies doesn't help put food on the table).

But it's certainly true that event photography appears to be on the way out. That's happened to many 'professional industries' over the years, as technology advances.

You're a photographer with a business to run. If you're like many small business owners, you use QuickBooks or similar software, rather than paying an accountant; you do much of your banking electronically (e.g., instant check deposits from an iPhone). In your personal life, you may use a self checkout line at the grocery or hardware store. When was the last time you dialed '0' for operator assistance in looking up a phone number? Those are all examples of easy, convenient technology being placed in the hands of the consumer, and have a side effect of obviating part of the labor force.

Now, 'Uncle Bob' with a Rebel can churn out 'decent' images suitable for enlargement. But in most cases, no one even wants them enlarged. They want them on Facebook, and they want them uploaded immediately. They're not going to be viewed as a print hung on a wall, or even on a large, color-calibrated monitor...they're going to be viewed on a smartphone.

 

[mackguyver]

They learned the craft up until they can go out on their own and compete toe to toe with their masters, but it isn't the way it is anymore... Now you have the instant gratification with digital and the skill level isn't where it should be for a professional industry.

Photography as an art form exists, and will likely remain. Granted, it's not necessarily a way to make a living, any more than being a fine art painter (the increase in value after the artist dies doesn't help put food on the table).

But it's certainly true that event photography appears to be on the way out. That's happened to many 'professional industries' over the years, as technology advances.

You're a photographer with a business to run. If you're like many small business owners, you use QuickBooks or similar software, rather than paying an accountant; you do much of your banking electronically (e.g., instant check deposits from an iPhone). In your personal life, you may use a self checkout line at the grocery or hardware store. When was the last time you dialed '0' for operator assistance in looking up a phone number? Those are all examples of easy, convenient technology being placed in the hands of the consumer, and have a side effect of obviating part of the labor force.

Now, 'Uncle Bob' with a Rebel can churn out 'decent' images suitable for enlargement. But in most cases, no one even wants them enlarged. They want them on Facebook, and they want them uploaded immediately. They're not going to be viewed as a print hung on a wall, or even on a large, color-calibrated monitor...they're going to be viewed on a smartphone.

Good observations and examples, Neuro. The same thing applies in IT - I was a freelance web designer until the offshore people starting building entire websites for $50 instead of the $4,000 I was charging. You always have the keep ahead of the curve. Speaking of which, if you're shooting any products designed in CAD/CAM, the bell is tolling for thee: http://petapixel.com/2012/08/24/ikea-slowly-shedding-photography-in-favor-of-computer-renders/

Which photographers are next? Proably all but the kind that require assistants, studios, or very expensive (e.g. super telephoto lenses, pro bodies) equipment.

Best bet is to be a fine art photographer. As Neuro says, that will always be around. Take a look at the most expensive photographs - none of them are to my taste or special if you ask me. Personally, I would have deleted the most expensive photo if I had taken it - clearly I'm not an artist - but look at the prices!!!
http://gizmodo.com/the-10-most-expensive-photographs-in-the-world-866891077

 

[neuroanatomist]

Good observations and examples, Neuro. The same thing applies in IT - I was a freelance web designer until the offshore people starting building entire websites for $50 instead of the $4,000 I was charging. You always have the keep ahead of the curve. Speaking of which, if you're shooting any products designed in CAD/CAM, the bell is tolling for thee: http://petapixel.com/2012/08/24/ikea-slowly-shedding-photography-in-favor-of-computer-renders/

From the linked article:

Of the two images above, one of them is a computer render and one of them is an actual photograph. Can you tell which is which? If you can’t, why should IKEA?

Actually I could tell. It's kind of like the 'spot the 5 things wrong with this image' puzzles. In this case, most of the goofs are about light and shadow (both strength and direction) - you know, those things that make a photograph, well...a photograph. Some reflection issues, too.

But having said that, if I just ran across the CG image in the catalog, none of those errors are things that I'd be likely to notice in passing.

 

[mackguyver]

But having said that, if I just ran across the CG image in the catalog, none of those errors are things that I'd be likely to notice in passing.

That's with a complex scene, too, and you're right most people wouldn't pay too much attention. With simple stuff, say a new lens, cell phone, etc., the entire product is designed in a CAD system and I've seen numerous "product shots" that are pure CGI, but look like they were shot in a studio. I seriously doubt Sony, Apple, or the like will ever pay for another "basic" product shot on a simple background. If you photograph antiques or art for Sotheby's or something, you're probably okay, though!

 

[awinphoto]

All good points neuro and mackguyver... Things are constantly changing and evolving. Professional photographers are evolving into visual journalists with video and photography, just selling photography services is almost not good enough in this market unless you are that .5 percentile photographer who has the reputation to get away with it. I saw lots of photographers disappear in the beginning of the digital era because they failed to adapt, and now it's doing the same. Unfortunately, we as photographers have really done this to ourselves and allowed it to happen. Lots of Photographers over the last several years claimed "i wont lose business to a shoot and burn amateur" and then the next month they are looking for a job somewhere else. Plus, what amateurs dont understand is for every bride that hires a photographer for a song and a dance, that affects not only the brides expectations and thoughts on photography, but the bridesmaids, her other friends, family, etc... As that spreads, it means less people would be willing to pay professional prices and then less work for everyone, OR, photographers have to lower their prices, work more, just to get the same income. The same thing is happening here on CPS... the more people joining, less gear for canon to distribute (for free) and so they cut back everyones access.

Those digtal renderings are very cool... thankfully not many companies have the budget and expertise to pull stuff like this off.

 

[awinphoto]

But having said that, if I just ran across the CG image in the catalog, none of those errors are things that I'd be likely to notice in passing.

That's with a complex scene, too, and you're right most people wouldn't pay too much attention. With simple stuff, say a new lens, cell phone, etc., the entire product is designed in a CAD system and I've seen numerous "product shots" that are pure CGI, but look like they were shot in a studio. I seriously doubt Sony, Apple, or the like will ever pay for another "basic" product shot on a simple background. If you photograph antiques or art for Sotheby's or something, you're probably okay, though!

http://9to5mac.com/2013/05/08/apples-product-photographer-interviewed/

Peter Belanger would not be too happy about that =)

 

[mackguyver]

http://9to5mac.com/2013/05/08/apples-product-photographer-interviewed/

Peter Belanger would not be too happy about that =)

I knew someone would bring that up! I think he may be the last of that breed, though, now that NVidia's Mental Ray technology and others are out there. These Mercedes ads look pretty good to me, especially the 3rd one:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/mercedes-benz.html
tech behind it:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nvidia-mental-ray.html

 

[Krob78]

They learned the craft up until they can go out on their own and compete toe to toe with their masters, but it isn't the way it is anymore... Now you have the instant gratification with digital and the skill level isn't where it should be for a professional industry.

Photography as an art form exists, and will likely remain. Granted, it's not necessarily a way to make a living, any more than being a fine art painter (the increase in value after the artist dies doesn't help put food on the table).

But it's certainly true that event photography appears to be on the way out. That's happened to many 'professional industries' over the years, as technology advances.

You're a photographer with a business to run. If you're like many small business owners, you use QuickBooks or similar software, rather than paying an accountant; you do much of your banking electronically (e.g., instant check deposits from an iPhone). In your personal life, you may use a self checkout line at the grocery or hardware store. When was the last time you dialed '0' for operator assistance in looking up a phone number? Those are all examples of easy, convenient technology being placed in the hands of the consumer, and have a side effect of obviating part of the labor force.

Now, 'Uncle Bob' with a Rebel can churn out 'decent' images suitable for enlargement. But in most cases, no one even wants them enlarged. They want them on Facebook, and they want them uploaded immediately. They're not going to be viewed as a print hung on a wall, or even on a large, color-calibrated monitor...they're going to be viewed on a smartphone.

But in most cases, no one even wants them enlarged. They want them on Facebook, and they want them uploaded immediately. They're not going to be viewed as a print hung on a wall, or even on a large, color-calibrated monitor...they're going to be viewed on a smartphone.

Indeed, my last event from last year was a large Christmas event for a huge Florida Corporation. I delivered the images in digital form, High Res as requested and before I got back to my office, they had called to complain that the images wouldn't load on FB and they were having difficulty mailing the 500 plus images to other employees, etc...

I told them that they were formatted at the best resolution for the printing and they said that they didn't care about printing, they just wanted to get them on the web! I obliged of course with smaller lower res image files but was kind of surprised.

Part of the event was about 75-80 kids that had their photos taken with Santa (or a close double). I assumed they were having 8x10's or 5x7's printed of the kids and were giving them to the parents as part of the event package. They said they didn't need to print any out, they were just going to email the parents the kid/santa photos!

 

[mackguyver]

I delivered the images in digital form, High Res as requested and before I got back to my office, they had called to complain that the images wouldn't load on FB and they were having difficulty mailing the 500 plus images to other employees, etc...

LOL, that's classic! I always throw a folder of 800x1200 or smaller sRGB photos in a "Web" folder on anything I deliver to my clients for that very reason. I have an action in Photoshop that I use with the Image Processor tool to resize, convert to sRGB, and sharpen for web use that I run to do this.

 

[Krob78]

Per the CPS Terms & Conditions (http://www.cps.act.cusa.canon.com/sys/attachments/terms_conditions_revised_2012.pdf):
"Applicant must be a full-time self-employed individual or an employee of a professional imaging business who plays a direct role in the creation of moving or still images."

So I call myself a self-employed photographer and create still images. Oh yea, and I don't currently get paid for my work because I'm "an artist". I don't think they care all that much, as long as I don't obviously abuse any bit of the program.

Yeah, that would work. I can also rationalize that I am an employee of a professional imaging business for which I create still images (never mind that I'm using Zeiss cameras to do that!).

But mostly it's that I haven't needed it. I can clean my own sensor (and Canon just saved me the trouble with a free clean when I took it in for the lubrication recall). OTOH, taking it in made me realize that it's pretty easy for me to do that a few times per year (I'm in NJ for business pretty often, and the Jamesburg service center is just a 20 minute drive from where I often need to be). The real advantage for me would be if I need a repair, and they just cut that incentive by 33%.

The real advantage for me would be if I need a repair, and they just cut that incentive by 33%.

++1 about that!
Guess I better get my repairs in before 4th quarter gets here!

The real advantage for me would be if I need a repair, and they just cut that incentive by 33%.

++1 about that!
Guess I better get my repairs in before 4th quarter gets here![/quote]
I did get my 100-400mm in for repair before the 4th quarter began and I'm glad! $535 repair, AF system wacked, IS system totally shot and had to be replaced completely!

I'm a Gold member and didn't realize I got the 30% discount on parts as well as the repair service, so I was very happy that my $535 repair was only $372 including the overnight shipping back to me! They had it on Monday, late afternoon, I had it back on Friday by 10am!! Very pleased!

Oh, on a side note, I had to change my MFA settings for the lens back to zero after getting the lens back! I guess they must have re-calibrated it too along with the cleaning and etc... Again, quite pleased... 8)

 

[Krob78]

I delivered the images in digital form, High Res as requested and before I got back to my office, they had called to complain that the images wouldn't load on FB and they were having difficulty mailing the 500 plus images to other employees, etc...

LOL, that's classic! I always throw a folder of 800x1200 or smaller sRGB photos in a "Web" folder on anything I deliver to my clients for that very reason. I have an action in Photoshop that I use with the Image Processor tool to resize, convert to sRGB, and sharpen for web use that I run to do this.

Yes, I do something similar for all my individual and family clients as well as commercial clients when requested. The problem was, when I interviewed them before accepting the assignment, they specifically stated that they only wanted images for print, not web!

Somewhere along the way, they changed their minds (possibly not liking my print prices on the website) and just wanted the smaller sRGB images! They had an option in my agreement to order and print from my site or get them printed themselves... Happily, they still paid the originally agreed amount as they felt it was an inconvenience to me...

I was obviously fine with that as they promptly booked this year's affair after they saw last years images, with a modest COL increase of course!

 

[mackguyver]

A client changing their mind - never! That's a funny story, and I had a client who wanted big images, but then used them at a 1" x 1.5" size. Then they came back and wanted 40"x60" prints about 6 months later. They paid well each time, though , just like your experience. I thought it was funny that you couldn't even get back to the office before they called.