SilentKnight

I get asked that a lot these days also.

Usually I give them the analogy of comparing it to Hollywood movies. Why rent DVDs when there's tons of free movies on cable?

As both a producer and occasional consumer - I look at it from both sides. I've purchased memberships to bondage/fetish paysites in the past because I enjoyed the quality material and don't mind supporting the photographer's efforts. Sure, there's plenty of free stuff out there - but when I like a particular photographer's work, I'm willing to splash out a few bucks to see the entire inventory...not just the free samples available.

Same with renting a mainstream DVD. I rent'em because:

1. They're new releases and I'm impatient enough not to wait until they eventually make their way to cable TV years later.

2. I enjoy movies by certain directors (i.e. Tim Burton, David Cronenberg, Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis, Brian DePalma, Oliver Stone, etc.).

Perhaps being a producer has made me more sensitive to the idea of helping support the creative community to which I belong. I can appreciate the time and effort that goes in to creating something that's entertaining. In that respect, I don't consider myself a typical consumer - which perhaps leaves me a little out of touch of the typical surfer.

Although its difficult to really discuss it all without getting in to generalities, but a large part of the problem is surfers don't generally think logically. They never stop to consider that while they're enjoying all the free stuff that's available, by not paying for it they're only handicapping the producers who's work keeps them supplied with fresh content. Then, without thinking...these same people will turn around and ask, "Why isn't there any really good quality porn out there these days?" - not realizing that THEY are a large part of the equation.

Also, I'm sure there's a great many people out there who mistakenly think the free porn is the same quality as the content tucked in pay member areas, not realizing that many of us downsize and reduce the image quality to conserve bandwidth expense on free promo material.

Just my