Minor updates were made to this article in May of 2018. Note that the examples come from nearly a decade earlier, and that the parties mentioned may have changed their policies since they were originally posted. Although the specific examples are now dated, they still illustrate things that anyone considering entry in a “photo contest” needs to understand.
If you ever read the terms of many “photo contests” you have likely been appalled by some of them – and you should be! By simply entering many of them you surrender substantial rights to your own work. Today I want to share two current examples – each of which is very troubling though in somewhat different ways. Continue reading Photographer Beware – Two Examples of Intellectual Property Rights Grabbing ‘Contests’→
“I have learned not to walk away from a Sierra sunset until well after the light has faded to almost complete darkness.”
I strongly share this point of view. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been surprised by the most compelling evening light long after many other photographers have packed up their gear and left. While the warm “golden hour” light is indeed wonderful, all kinds of astonishing stuff can happen after the sun drops below the horizon. Sometimes the light shines upwards and suddenly illuminates high clouds; sometimes it takes on color casts are almost beyond belief; the colors often intensify and deepen; clouds and mist change form as the temperature drops; and on certain lucky occasions you may even begin to see some stars or planets in the sky.
So, you are in Carmel for a few hours one morning. You wander around and see photography everywhere – espresso shops, clothing stores, restaurants, you name it. Along with some interesting and compelling work you see photographs – some with very high price tags attached – that you would not show in public if you had done them yourself. You grumble. You are even a bit angry. You wonder, “Does someone actually buy that stuff?”
But there is hope.
You wander over a block from the main drag and cleanse your photographic palate at the Weston Gallery where it is quiet and absolutely first rate work hangs on the walls. All is once again right with the world.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.
Many of the recent online “photo contests” have included terms that are downright offensive. Read the terms very carefully before you even submit your photographs. In many, many cases merely by submitting your photographs for consideration you assign unlimited, cost-free licenses to the contest promoters and, frequently, to a number of other entities with whom they do business.
That’s right – they acquire virtually unrestricted rights to use your work for free in any way they please, and not just for the winning photos but for ALL SUBMITTED work!
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.
Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.
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