Sometimes I just don’t understand why artists make a half-way effort to connect with fans. Take Steven Wilson for example. He’s a musical artist I very much enjoy. He’s known for his solo work and as part of the band Porcupine Tree.
A couple of months ago he posted to recruit his fanbase for the cover of his next album. Clever idea and a way to get people involved.
In the next two posts he details what kind of image he is looking for. Sounds cool, right? The fourth post was an album scratch moment for me.
I’ve seen this so many times. People don’t value photographers so they want free photos and offer exposure or credit. Frankly, credit should be automatic. It’s not a bonus. But this example is particularly egregious in that this musical artist wants a free photo from a photographer for his artwork which he damn-well expects people to pay for. Can you imagine?
I couldn’t resist asking why he wasn’t offering payment, besides the obvious reason, of course.
This is what really gets me. Amateurs typically undervalue their work and would be over the moon with a free copy of the CD and the vinyl. The vinyl because the cover is so big! Sign it and send it early so it arrives before the album is released and your average amateur photographer would be thrilled. But no, Mr. Musician can’t even manage to offer up a lousy CD.
A month later there was still nothing but crickets so I posted again.
Things aren’t forgotten just because he closes his eyes and assumes we can no longer see him. If he’s not willing so speak to fans, why take part in an interactive social media site? One thing is for certain though. He’s not the person I thought he was.
Perhaps when this album is released, I’ll search it up in a local library and sign it out. If he doesn’t want to pay artists for their artistic works, why should I pay him for his artistic work? I just can’t believe this.
Weak tea, Steven. Weak tea indeed.