A few years ago I came across the CLiC Photo Show in Picton. Ever since I’ve been meaning to enter some photos, and this year I finally did. This year the show is at Books & Co. in Picton from July 23rd to August 7th, Make sure to drop by to check it out!

With that said, I think this is a good segue into why I don’t normally enter photo contests or submit photos to online groups.

I DON’T DO CONTESTS

Normally, I never enter photo contests or submit photos to groups on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I guess there are a couple of reasons for that, but primarily it’s the terms that are normally associated with the submissions. It’s not uncommon for contests to contain clauses such as:

you hereby grant to XYZ, its affiliates, partners, in perpetuity, a world-wide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to publish, display, reproduce, modify, edit or otherwise use your submitted content (in any format or media) and waive all moral rights in and to your submitted content in favour of the ABC. This includes the right to use any ideas you submit (including ideas about our products or advertising campaigns) in any manner that we choose, without any obligation to you.

Of course, we all know that most people never read the fine print, but there are a few things in there that should concern you like: “royalty-free”, “non-exclusive license”, “perpetuity”, “modify” and “without obligation to you.” Actually, come to think of it, the whole thing gives me the heebie jeebies. And things can get a lot worse as some rules include an attempt to claim copyright.

Basically, for the honour of winning bragging rights (and maybe a few bucks) in a photo contest (probably judged by people who know nothing about photography) you have given the people running the contest the right to use your image for anything they like. For free. Forever.

PLEASE DON’T EDIT MY PHOTOS

I’m very particular about how I compose and edit my photos, so although it might be cool to see my picture in a local brochure, I don’t want to see it cropped, edited, or modified in any way by someone else. I totally understand why an art director or publisher may be required to modify a photo for a publication, but if they do, it’s not a true representation of the work that I created. No thanks.

OH YEAH… PAY ME

Maybe it’s the fact that I rely on my photography to pay bills (OK, to feed my gear addiction), but… pay me. Sure, if I happen to be lucky enough to win a contest with my submission, I might make a few dollars (albeit, nowhere near what I should get paid given the terms). But even if I don’t win, my photo can still be used for free. Keep in mind the reason why many of these contests exist: to get free images for advertising campaigns, tourism publications, brochures etc. FREE images.

WAIT A MINUTE

By now you’re probably wondering how I could start this blog by saying I entered photos into a show, followed by all the reasons I don’t enter photos into contests. In my defence, I did say “normally”.

The reality is that this particular show does have judges (who actually know photography), and there are prizes, but that’s not why I entered. It’s a chance to display my work to the community and take part in an exhibit with some of the finest photographers around. Plus all the pieces are for sale and there is no usage rights grab or anything of the sort.

PHOTO CONTESTS AREN’T ALL BAD

I know it seems like I’m being pretty harsh on photo contests, but they certainly have their place and they may be just the ticket for you. I just wanted to bring to light some of the issues that I have with them, because I know for a fact that a lot of people have no idea what they’re signing up for when they submit a picture. Or maybe they do know, and just don’t care. That’s cool too, as long as you know what you’re doing.

DROP ON BY

With all that being said, make sure to stop by the CLiC photo show next month and support local artists and the photo community. The images seen on this page were accepted into the show and will be framed and on display (and for sale!) at the show.