Day 98: La Frances Hui and Dan Sullivan

2026-05-15

Back at a film red carpet event...

Hello!

I know comparison is the thief of joy, but I've seen the other photographers upload their shots from the same event and the same point of view. This is a case where almost everything is exactly the same, and the major differences come to the skill and vision of the photographer.

I have to wonder what sets an image worth $500 USD apart from mine, which is under a Creative Commons license free for anyone to use commercially. Is it connections, and networks with the big stock photography companies? Or is it just habit that people go to Getty or Shutterstock rather than Wikimedia, no matter the budget? Unlikely, but those are the only conclusions I can make.

The industry is ruthless and its future is under threat. I'm not joining the industry in any big way (and frankly, it boosts my ego knowing that I'm working with volunteer organizations and small / local businesses, not in it for the money). But the old titans have their old ways and I don't understand any of it.

Finally, have you considered breaking your camera? Or, at least, break your boundaries and try something that you would never otherwise try. With few exceptions, current-day cameras are forgiving enough that you can do really weird things.

Cheers,
David