Give it away Give it away Give it away now...

As I've mentioned in this space before (http://wwwrobertkalmanweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/go-figure.html) I routinely post on Flickr and Facebook so that I get feedback about my portraits. The writer, Austin Kleon, has advocated as much in his popular book, Show Your Work, suggesting that posting not only enhances one's findability, it also builds reputation which can lead to opportunity.

On the other hand, my friend who is knowledgeable about managing images online, is constantly reminding me to be careful about what I post, and about how easily work can be stolen. She alerted me, for example, that some misguided soul in Beijing had recently stolen over thirty of my pictures (as well as the photos of other photographers) and repurposed them as illustrations. While I was suitably outraged when she told me, I've learned to shrug it off as a poor imitation that is perceivable as a compliment.

A published photographer I know made a similar appeal to me as my friend's the other day: "Why would a publisher be interested in bringing out your work", he asked, "when you're giving them away for free?"

Turns out that a whole bunch of serious writers have learned that there is, indeed, great value in giving away work for free. Giving work away builds audience, it builds attention and it leads, ultimately, to selling work. You can read about it here.

So, despite the well-intentioned advice I've received, I'm going to continue to "give away" work.

Here's a selection my latest.

Is there any feedback?

Sheba

Maddy

Gayle