1cameraguy

Now it took a while to read 24 pages but I can say this for sure. I want to video this whole debacle

********** NOTICE TO ALL ********** This started with dtpilot and should end with me. I feel there are a number of issues that need to be considered. 1--dtpilot started this by MISSTATING FACTS that impuned my name, and cast a shadow on my DZ. I was reasonable in my pricing and professional in my behavior. 2--dtpilot then re-posted a number of remarks that were not only inaccurate but WRONG. 3--dtpilot has further demonstrated through his continued attitude and justification of a lie, that as a studend, he may not be ready to graduate to the next level 4--dtpilot performs at 3k-5k --SO DO I !!!!!!!!!! 5--dtpilot was commended by me for keeping his head under canopy but, I also told him that this would not be happening again! 6--answer the following dtpilot-WARNING there will be a POP QUIZ at the DZ--What canopy do I fly? Is it a 7 or 9 cell, airlocked, crossbraced, what? What is my wing-loading and do our canopies have similar decent rates in full flight. 7--Was I flying in breaks, rear risers, warping my canopy? 8--How close was I to stalling my VX above you? OPPS gave one of the answers away! 9--Im a professional, If I came over to you screaming and yelling then that would be UNPROFESSIONAL. we did talk DIDN'T WE? 10-DO NOT take this as an attack, rather see it for what it really is. Another lesson in life. We all learned something about canopy work, picture prices, personal policies and attitudes. I was shocked to find out I wasn't perfect, guess I shouldn't listen to the man in the mirror Let's lock this yarn and SMILE for the birdy! Good Luck and GOD BLESS PEACE and Blue Skies--David Smithers D-23980

Thank you for making that point. I don't care what you have seen in your time in aviation. In the five plus years I've been active, I have lost friends to planes crashes, bad landings and canopy wraps. Death will take the first one who makes a fatal error. WE ALL hope you see that the big S (knowledge of aviation)on your chest doesn't make you bulletproof. If you want to take yourself out of the game, THAT'S YOUR LOSS, but you don't have the right to take anyone with you.- ---The BSR's are not just a good idea but how we all end up attending less funerals***TO ALL THOSE WE HAVE LOST, GOD BLESS***

I think I just soiled myself! - I know a Butcher that wants to try his hand at Operating, It's kinda like the same thing. Cutting is cutting, flying is flying- and sitting in a boat is swimming OK when I go tangental like this I know my meds are low. Going to look for a DYE-SUB printer so everyone will be happy. Can I get that with fries!----OH CAN"T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!

OH NO! I just broke my my 35mm camera. I'm going to have to OVERCHARGE you for digitals

My wife was near tears when she read this. I have tried to make a positive impression on all skydivers I come in contact with. Every now and they someone comes along and reminds you of why you love the sport and the people so much.----STEVE- THANK YOU

I'm more than happy to jump with you this weekend. I will cover my own slot and organized the dirt dive. Don't expect to see me wearing my camera because you have already expressed your point of view very clearly. If you bring me a beer after sunset you might even find out something that now you have no clues about. What bums me up the most is that I know someone out there really wishes they had a copy of a photo that they felt was AWESOME and because both of us made errors, the line has been drawn. I don't have any ill feelings and will gladly get you a copy. I want people asking "who took that picture?" more than the cash, and a little respect for an ART that takes years to hone.

THAN STOP SPOUTING SHIT! Jump and SMILE!

Wish I would join in the conversation sooner, who started this tyrate on the web. Did you take a minute to discuss any of this with me? NO! You told me what you were willing to pay and I decided not to accept your offer. What is burning you up at this moment is you finally realize that the shot you chose not to buy is one of those "every couple hundred jumps" shot and you would like to show it off to everyone. I would like to add that I took dtpilots name and liscense number so I could submit the photo to PARACHUTIST, that was before the unprovoked attack. I still have a copy for sale. NO FREE 5x7 this time!

Wait just a minute. SPANKINGS! Why wasn't I told about this sooner, I can video the whole thing and OVERCHARGE you for a copy.

I will gladly use your film and jump ticket and charge you $6 for my pack job. I would also bring my digital still camera that allows me to fire twice as many shots and if you like a picture the digital still caught we can talk, if your happy with your film we all win.

You will never be forgotten-all video and pics free for you. Someone who appreciates what I do will forever be in my debt- OK TIPS ACCEPTED

No charging him an extra anything. An air-to-air photo costs $30 That's what I asked for, that's what he gave me. Only after I printed his enlargrment did he "TELL" me what the photo was worth. I chose to keep the photo in my portfolio and remember the skydive for what is was. I tried to explain to a novice skydiver , only months in the sport, how the structure works. That was a mistake I won't make again!

I agree, the next time I'll tell them to pay up or shut up! PERIOD end of discussion! No I will fine tune my sales pitch and I appreciate the feedback. I'm amazed how many people tell me, but it only costs $3.25 at XYZ store for an enlargement and take no consideration into everything involved. I would tell you all about it but that would be falling back into the trap

WHAT NO PICTURES---Head out to SKYDIVE DALLAS- You will have one OVERCHARGING PHOTOGRAPHER ready to make you smile. PEACE and BLUE SKY

I've got to say I'm a bit taken back by dtpilots recent postings. There were a number of facts omitted and assumptions made that need to be put in focus. I'm that OVERCHARGING PHOTOGRAPHER, David Smithers, that dtpilot seems so BENT over. Let me deal with the facts first. I showed dtpilot a 5x7 photo and told him the cost was $30 for an 8 1/2 x 11. He gave me $30 and I gave him the 5x7 and said BONUS, be back in 5 with your enlargement. Upon my return dtpilot was questioning the cost for the photo. I made the mistake in explaining the costs involved, such as ticket and the like. At that point he TOLD me he was only willing to pay $10. I gave him back his $30 and kept both copies for my portfolio. I was not going to play let's make a deal. He lost nothing? I lost nothing! Everyone should be happy. My sales pitch may need some work but I was nothing but professional. Now back to the start. Upon review of the video I can tell you that at 2300 feet while heading to the holding area, dtpilot passed me on my RIGHT side and turned under and behind me. I turned to the right to keep dtpilot in sight and snapped off a few pics until dtpilot dove under at such an angle, his head was visible over the canopy. I was just making the best out of a situation while looking for my outs. After we landed I talked with him about his flying and some of the decisions he made. I was shocked to find out that he had only 20 off student status and was unfamiliar with his gear. I would never knowing engage in CREW below 2500 feet with a novice without a complete dirt dive and safety briefing. So what is a picture worth and what should it cost? Those are questions that have no set answer. I have 1800+ camera jumps and have been out of dozens of aircraft over the last five years. If you were to hire me for a jump out of the B-17, the cost is slot ($350) plus my fee. Helicopter, balloon, you name the aircraft, what does it cost to get a warm body on that aircraft? If that's to much than don't get video and stills. In times like this when I get an air-to-air shot the cost is $30 for an 8 1/2 x 11. Had my load been covered the price would be $20 per print or CD. That's the COST. What is a picture WORTH? You tell me! How many skydivers had a picture of yourself under canopy, with only 46 jumps that you would call AWESOME? I have almost 2000 jumps and have only 3 of myself I would call AWESOME. How does that picture make you feel and what memories does it bring back? Is there any worth in that? I know my pictures hang on the walls of hundreds of skydivers and that's worth more to me than money but it costs money to get you THE SHOT. How much is it worth to have a camera flyer at your DZ that has spent more than $10,000 on video equipment ready to serve you on a 20 minute call? That's right, $1000 for video and lens, $2000 for digital still with wide angle lens, $1500 worth of mounts, light, switches attached to a flat top helmet. Oh you want 35mm, that's another $500. Sorry, almost forgot the $3500 computer and printers. Add on another $1500 for the small stuff like wires, DV tapes, flash cards, extra switches, batteries and of course the CD, printer paper and ink. All so you can have a picture in hand before your packed. The term LUCKY was used to describe our proximity when in reality it was MY 5 YEARS of jumping almost every weekend that allowed me to hone my skills enough to both avoid you and make you look AWESOME. LUCK had nothing to do with it! Oh and if you check with Uncle Sam you will find out that Professional Photographer is my occupation. As far as you getting you own equipment, don't rush into it, you will need another 450 skydives before you will be allowed to fly it. Then you will need the air skills to both get the shot and not hurt anyone, but you don't give a rats ass about any of this, do you? I would like to finish off answering a question posed by dtpilot. Since when did skydiving turn into a pay for all program? Since I manifested for my very first load and I've paid ever since. When you show me a DZ that allows their camera flyers to jump for free, I will show you a professional camera flyer willing to jump at a much reduced price.