On 8/13/2010 11:37 AM, Julie Waters wrote:
> At 11:16 AM -0400 8/13/10, Ernie Buford wrote:
>> In an attempt to clarify the bounds here, I've added the following 
>> instruction to VTBIRD guidelines:
>>
>>     Fee-based events and services should NOT be advertised on VTBIRD 
>> except
>>     by non-profit organizations.  Professional photographers are 
>> encouraged to share
>>     their work to the extent that it supports legitimate subject 
>> matter but should refrain
>>     from explicit self-promotion.
>
> That does make sense to me, but I'll use my own recent post as an 
> attempt to clarify.  I posted an item here a few weeks ago about an 
> upcoming art exhibit of mine, primarily featuring bird photography. 
> The exhibit is not fee based, though there are prints for sale there. 
> (I did not solicit any sales in my post).
>
> I'm assuming from what you said that this is the sort of thing that's 
> acceptable for future reference.
>
> The other thing I post from time to time is links to bird photos on my 
> web site; once again, I'm assuming this is fine to do.  I don't 
> suggest anyone buy anything and though there are a few ads on the 
> site, they're fairly unobtrusive and not at all aggressive.  The site 
> actually has considerably less advertising than some sites out there.
>
> Am I interpreting everything accurately here?
>
>

It's all in the interpretation, isn't it?  That's one reason I was 
soliciting feedback.  To be completely transparent, I was on the fence 
about your announcement.  It didn't particularly bother me personally, 
but I also share some concern expressed in a small number of past 
complaints about the volume of photo links in some of your messages.  On 
the other hand, I've appreciated much of what you have to share, and I 
expect that lots of subscribers enjoy seeing your photos.

As we've established, this is a gray area.  If self-promotion were 
banned then artists would get others to do the promoting for them.  A 
couple of comments that came back already today indicate that some 
subscribers would like to see information about products, tours, 
workshops, etc. even if they are commercial.  Others on the list only 
want rare bird reports and get annoyed at the volume of mundane trip 
reports (of which, I must admit, there are many).  I'd like to strike a 
balance that works for the majority, but I get very little input and do 
not have a lot of time and energy to devote to policing the list.  
Perhaps it's time for a poll.  Then again, it's pretty nice out right 
now....

EB