Rangefinder Magazine
February 2005

Click Here for printable version of this article.

Problems and Solutions

Please accompany your questions with a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish an immediate reply. Alternatively, you can email me at: bhurter@rfpublishing.com.

From: Becky Burgin
The Art of Emotion Photography Today
I received a third email that apparently is a scam on photographers. The first two that I have received in the last few weeks were similar to this one that I am forwarding to you. I also received a warning email regarding these scam emails from Phil Craycroft, Equitable Business, PhotoPreviews, www.photopreviews.com, (513) 200-8522. According to Phil, some photographers are being taken in by this and losing money. I thought you might like to hear about it and perhaps warn others.

The scam goes something like this. The wedding photographer is contacted by a charming foreigner, in this case, an Englishman. His note outlines the wedding plans, date and time and also the terms, such as airfare and all expenses to and from England. This next part is a direct quote from the letter Becky forwarded me: “I will be making the payment by means of a cashier’s cheque. Let me have your full names, address, phone number, cellular number [and] where a cashier’s cheque should be mailed for payment.”

Here’s how the scam works: A cashier’s check arrives after the photographer replies with address and other info. It will more than likely be double the agreed-upon amount, a generous mistake, to be sure. The unwitting photographer then either deposits the check at his or her bank, which notifies the photographer that there will be a two-week hold on the funds because it is a foreign check; or the photographer, not wanting to be labeled dishonest, contacts the client noting the mistake and asking how it should be remedied.

In either scenario, the client apologizes for the mistake and then suggests the photographer send a personal check to a U.S. address to expedite the repayment.

It all sounds very legitimate, but the bottom line is that the foreign check is bogus and after two weeks won’t clear. Second, by sending a personal check for the amount of the overpayment, the photographer has just written a check against his own funds. When the check is cashed, the scam is complete.

Thanks Becky for passing this along.

From: G.W. Walker
gwwgator@earthlink.net
I am interested in purchasing a negative burner (outputs file from existing CD to a photographic negative) in medium or 4x5 format. I am unable to locate manufacturers, and I am not sure I am inquiring about the product under the right description. I want to burn a negative from a CD and then be able to process manually in darkroom. Please advise if you can help.

Lasergraphics (www.lasergraphics.com) makes a complete line of film recorders, the devices that can create a negative from a digital file. They’re expensive, however, so you might want to check with your lab or service bureau to see if they offer the service.