Photo Contests

[Lauren MKS]

Read the recent post by Lisa about the photography contest which got me thinking.

How do you know which contests are legit? What does the discerning eye look for before entering a photo contest?

From the reading I've been doing online, it's good to put yourself out there and enter contests, but I obviously don't want to do that to my detriment.

Got an email this week from Professional Photographers Magazine. They are holding a contest. The relevant section of the rules is below in red.

Would love to have any thoughts on this particular contest and contests in general. Thanks!


As a condition of entry you license the image entered and recognized as winners, runners-up or honorable mentions to Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographer magazine, and PPA allied associations for advertising, display promotion, publication or other purposes in print, public displays, website, brochures or other uses to support PPA and its allied associations as may be determined by PPA. A photo credit shall be granted for any such use. As a condition of entry you license the image entered to Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographer magazine, and PPA allied associations for display promotion on ppmag.com’s website in the “Rate My Cover Photo” section. A photo credit is displayed for any such use.

[ScottWood]

I honestly don't have an answer for you, but I will try to make some time and do a little research.

[Saknika]

A license means that the copyright is still retained by you, the photographer. The fact that they're offering to credit the image to you as well could also be FANTASTIC for promotion and the likes. After all, PPA is known by a lot of people in many different industries. Personally, I'd say it's worth a shot. It's definitely not going to allow them to steal your image. And since they're only licensing, that means you can still sell it as well as a print or what-have-you. The only downside is that they won't be paying for the license.

[Lauren MKS]

Thanks Saknika - that's really helpful. Scott, I definitely didn't mean to create more work for you I need to do some more research as well. I tend to get lost in the legal mumbo-jumbo, but a little challenge never hurt.

[Saknika]

No problem Lauren. C:

[ScottWood]

It is something I have been interested in for a long time anyway, just haven't really researched.

I know that the difference is when they use the word license and not that you transfer copyright, just don't know if there is any keywords to look out for in the license part.

[Saknika]

What you normally want to look out for, is what they want to license and how.

Some say that they will be able to alter and reuse to their desires. Some want to be able to reproduce your likeness too, among other things. Basically, it's all about how much control they'll get over the image with the license.

If they want to be able to alter the image, it's a lot more risky than the ones that just want to reproduce it. Stuff like that.

I'd give more examples, but I'm tired and that's the only one that comes to mind right now.

[Lisa]

I find this post really helpful. Thanks for bringing it up.

[Lauren MKS]

Sure Lisa