They're different issues, but according to Rozume's argument, those who undersell cheapen their craft. How is someone like me supposed to feel about such an assertion? So these two issues are actually at least partially related.lan wrote:I'm mostly with Rozume on this one, but I'd like to add that people offering their work for free and those who offer paid commissions are two completely different issues. There's nothing wrong with the way you handle things, not at all -- there can be plenty of reasons for doing so; gathering samples, simply trying to get one's name out there when starting out, being a die-hard hobbyist, and so on.
Did I say something that implied I'm not aware of these types of things? I know how valuable free time is. I just happen to have a lot more of it at the moment because I'm still seeking gainful employment.The thing is, those who do ask for payment usually have a good reason to do so. (Excluding the large amount of artists who figure they can make some quick cash and then realize it's too much for them to handle after all.) For a lot of people including myself, time = money. I simply cannot afford to give away my art, writing, programming, and so on for free because I have to pay for food, water, my car, art supplies etc. while being a full-time student. The amount of people who apparently thought my food and shelter just magically appeared out of nowhere and that my free-time is a never-ending resource is frightening.
Obviously I'd be happy to be paid. I have the required skill. But there's almost nobody out there who offers paying work of this type. I've applied for such positions (both here and elsewhere) in the past and have ended up being thrown out because my work wasn't seen as good enough.
I'm left with only one option: doing something really good for free, and then holding it up as an example of how good I am so no one can doubt me again.