This Name Your Dream Assignment contest is pretty interesting and has been written about quite a bit. The biggest problem with the concept is that you can’t see the portfolio of the photographer to decide if you want to vote on their idea. As we all know a good idea is one thing pulling it off with pictures is a whole different ballgame. I was thinking we could fix that and if some of you have ideas posted over there you could drop a link in the comments and then a link to your portfolio as well. I will move them up here to make a list, so we can all go vote to try to get some of our fellow photographers into the final consideration (top 20 vote earners will be judged).
I will start off with my friend Ace Kvale who has this project submitted:
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/acekvale/shattered-dreams-the-world-of-child-labor/
His portfolio can be seen here:
http://acekvale.com/
I know he can pull off something great. I sent him once to shoot the cataract eye clinic in the Himalaya and he did an amazing job. I also like the part about him touring with the work to teach kids about child labor. This is a really good assignment for Ace.
The contest ends at midnight tonight EST so lets get voting if we want to send people to the finals.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/imaclellan/simple-innovation-as-the-power-to-change-the-developing-world/
And portfolios: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/chadmcclarnon/
And a link to my web portfolio – http://www.cwmphoto.com
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/stevenlaxton/effects-of-war-in-cambodia/
And my website: http://www.stevenlaxton.com
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/stevesimon1/the-grandmother-spirit/
You can see some preliminary work on my website under Projects @
http://www.stevesimonphoto.com
sergegiachetti.com
look under ‘young blackfoot’ in the projects section to see the work I’ve done thus far.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/andrewsullivan/the-forgotten-plague/
And here’s my book: http://www.andrew-sullivan.com
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/jamjon/bouldering-taking-climbing-to-a-new-place/
And if you scroll down in the blog you can see some recent shots in the same line:
http://www.photographyri.com/index.php
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/careykirkella/americas-visionary-changemakers/
One Goat at a Time: Showing the Heifer Project Change Lives & Better the World
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/dpm888/the-labor-of-children/
http://www.davidpaulmorris.com –> Stories –> Payatas Dumpsite – child labor
Mine is a dream about empowering real people, facing the realities of climate change to document their own stories and share with the world.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/Nickhallphoto/i-see-climate-change/
My website:
72 Comments
This is a very interesting idea. I watched as some of the entries had slightly corrupt people vote mine using their million myspace friends and host contests where you send screenshots of yourself voting multiple times and the person who votes the most wins… Sad.
Here is my entry about engineering for the developing world: http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/imaclellan/simple-innovation-as-the-power-to-change-the-developing-world/
And portfolios: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
I have my doubts as well about the validity of this contest. The trick seems to be to go and vote for everyone else’s projects (regardless of it’s even a good idea or not) asking them to come back and vote for yours. There’s a few top guys on the site that have a comment on every “dream” I look at.
I agree that portfolios need to be there to help people really make a decisions.
All that being said, here’s a link to my ideas:
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/chadmcclarnon/
And a link to my web portfolio – http://www.cwmphoto.com
Thanks
Sitting in a busy cafe close by NYU at lunchtime, I was approached by a young woman asking for help. She explained that she need my vote for this contest; ‘it’s a popularity contest,’ she said, ‘so all I need is your vote.’
@Eric M.,
nice one. I’m doing the same.
Yeah, I signed on with the site awhile back, thinking that it was a great idea. But I soon discovered the same thing. There is no way to share your work, and it seemed like the best way to win a contest was to either (a) endlessly promote yourself to your friends who would then have to register with the site to vote for you, or (b) promote yourself to other photographers who have already registered for the site.
It’s nice to see such a large chunk of cash being given to a photographer for a project.. I do think the sponsors are going to get their moneys worth though. In the contest rules, you’ll see that the winner is required to keep a blog while carrying out the assignment, in which they “regularly profile the photography equipment, in particular the Lenovo ThinkPad W700 … pointing out useful features and attributes”
Anyways, I really like Ace’s proposal, and it would be great to see it funded.. I’m already registered with the site, so I’m heading over right now to vote for it.
Great idea Rob I felt the same way. I entered weeks ago, but realised very quickly that it has more to do with how many My space friends you can get to vote than quality work and ideas.
Here is mine the idea I posted:
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/stevenlaxton/effects-of-war-in-cambodia/
And my website: http://www.stevenlaxton.com
I too have an assignment up there but quickly realized that getting the votes that some of the projects are getting would be a full time job.
That said, you can vote for more than one project.
Check mine out here, it’s one I’m very passionate about:
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/stevesimon1/the-grandmother-spirit/
You can see some preliminary work on my website under Projects @
http://www.stevesimonphoto.com
I would love to win a contest, but unfortunately you need to enter to win. The last couple of contests that I’ve entered turned out to be money-sucking-popularity contests. I don’t necessarily have a problem with losing, I have a huge problem with the crap that wins. Contests should work to become more credible.
Now oddly enough, yesterday, Rob you mentioned magazines taking chances on unknown talent. What if this contest turned out to be someone willing to take a chance? I think there are some amazing photographers who are fully capable of delivering great pictures, but what they really need is an opportunity.
It seems the line that many are standing in is very long — and people keep cutting the line.
Like it or not, with the voting, this contest might be the visual version of American Idol
The problem with this contest is that only people who live in the United States can participate.
I’m a professional photographer based in Tokyo and i cannot submit my project.
Do you know why only people who live in America can submit their projetcs ?
the problem I have with this contest are the terms… which basically says that anything you enter (content and ideas) is free game for them or any company they own (Microsoft owns a lot of companies, including ad companies). So all of those wonderful ideas people have submitted (even if they don’t win) are now the property of these companies.
“You hereby grant Companies, and their respective advertising and promotions agencies, a perpetual license to use, redact, republish, copy, perform and distribute your Content and screen name, including any intellectual property contained therein, in any medium now known or hereinafter developed without payment or compensation to you and without seeking any further approval from you. We may further use your name, likeness, publicly accessible biographical data and any other information in connection with such use of the Content. You acknowledge that our use of your Content may include licensing such Content to third parties and/or using such Content for advertising purposes. In no event shall we be required to seek your approval or provide you with any compensation in connection with such uses. You acknowledge that nothing contained within your Content would require us to seek permission of a third party in order to use the Content as described in these Terms of Use.”
@ EVERYONE:
These Terms and Conditions are very troubling, on first read. They even want the right to relicense them to third parties without compensation or notification to you. I would, for damn sure, review these Terms before you enter this thing. Scary language.
Remember: “There is no free lunch”. The devil is in the details. Be clear before you enter.
@ad photographer,
These terms are more than troubling. They are egregious and no one should agree to them. Please try to look beyond your noses and understand the ramifications of entering these rights grabbing contests.
And you don’t even have to win in order to get screwed! As stated in their terms “By registering and/or using the Services you are agreeing to be bound by these Terms of Use.”
@Debra Weiss, I know the individuals who designed the contest. They are very well intentioned and very pro-photographer. My personal feeling is that for $50,000 you get to produce a project that you will otherwise probably never see produced.
Certainly be aware of what your getting yourself into but also be aware that it’s a self generated project with virtually no creative restriction.
@Bruce DeBoer,
We seem to have very different definitions of pro-photographer.
@Debra Weiss, There are a lot of photographers out there who would benefit from this assignment. It is a self designed project that comes from individual passion. It’s not a purely commercial endeavor. In a very real way, the company is celebrating the photographer. The benefits are mutual.
If the photographs have no chance to exist, what are they worth? It’s quite possible that this opportunity could launch a career.
@Bruce DeBoer,
The benefits are mutual? In what parallel universe? Photographers who enter get to give up all rights to their idea and images so that the contest owners can create a revenue generating library that the photographer will never benefit from. Even the winner is getting a measly sum compared to what the images and future licenses would potentially be worth.
Someday in the very near future when the copyright laws are revised and photographers lose those protections afforded them, anyone entering these types of competitions can be proud that they had an active role in bringing about those revisions. And just when the Founding Fathers probably thought they’d get to rest for a while following the past 8 years, I suspect there’s a whole lot of turning going on in those graves.
@Debra Weiss, Yeah, I know they can, but so can the photographer.
Debra, I know what’s at steak here, but I also know what it’s like to own a camera and try to make money with it. It’s as much about managing the rights of images as it is getting your work made and out there. If you don’t have the resources to take the photos and get them known, you should be willing to team with a company who can do that for you. They are paying you a relatively small sum for the rights but not only are they not exclusive [which means you can publish them too], Lenovo will put you and your images in front of an international audience. That is publicity that many photographers can’t afford on their own.
We will obviously not agree on this Debra. I manage the rights to my images according to the industries best practices but when special opportunities arrive, I take them. This may be one of those for many photographers out there.
@Bruce DeBoer, these are pawn shop terms, not “Special” opportunities. They are preying upon the ego driven sympathies of careless sycophants.Up until this point, this USED to be a professional forum. Unfortunately with his affirmation of this heinous agreement being offered, Rob has lowered the bar to whale shit territory.
@Debra Weiss, Heinous? Ego Driven Symnapthies? Whale Shit?
Ultimately this is a blog – jump in here Rob if you disagree – about talent, passion, and the workings of the editorial landscape. It is professional because professionals share opinions but that really doesn’t matter all that much.
In my humble opinion, we need to leverage our copyright laws and do what we can to influence their form to make them work for us. However, I for one, don’t want to become extinct much like the large record companies because I failed to see the forest through the cupped hands over my eyes. Make the system work for you, don’t stand like a dried stick waiting to be broken.
If you don’t think this is a good opportunity, let other participate because obviously it’s a good one for them. No amount of name calling will change that.
Marketing is expensive. Creating a good porfolio is expensive. Sometimes the difference between a great portfolio and a good one is opportunity to put unique content in front of your lens. While you might think Microsoft and Lenovo are bastards for taking advantage of the little guy, I happen to see that it gives opportunity for passionate talent to further their vision. The price may be high but the return could also be powerful for the photographer.
That’s all I’ll say about this. Sorry you feel the way you do.
@Bruce DeBoer, This mentality of desperation and risk taking is exactly what got us into the current financial debacle. These exploitive slave making deals disguised as once in a life time offers are absolutely for the ill prepared, ill informed, eager aspirationalists that promulgate this industry.
The questions to ask are simple.
Where does the balance of value come in? Why is it not obvious to so many that when the provider of these opportunities has to retain the rights, distribution, resale and licensing parts of the equation that there will not be a huge compromise somewhere on the part of the participant?
Not to mention the tax liabilities and travel date restrictions, just what does the “Winner” of this event actually think they are coming back with?
Try to publish those images, try to post them on line, try to submit them for a professional review all without the permission of the Sponsors or their “assigns” Even down to the subject matter, doesn’t the “Winner” have to assume all liability arising form any subsequent legal action that may be taken by the subjects?.
An experience? At what cost to the industry and the winner.
Is this not a prize? will it not be subjected to taxation at Lottery winning rates at the Federal and possibly the state levels? What’s left over? A plane ticket restricted to specific dates left to the sole discretion of the sponsor? How can this possibly be positive in any sense? Special thanks to Debra and Stephen Rood and others who have spoken out against this cluster F*#K. I think as a profession we have been waaaay too polite to Rob on this one. His approach seems to contradict his previous “Scam” alerts that he warned folks about, with his overt support of his friend as a participant and his lack of any caveat emptors regarding this opportunity that he nomally would supply at least to consider.
This contest is explotive,predatory and derogatory to professional standards at best. I have done my best to lay out the other side and I know, though I may be blamed for being brash and chicken littleish I can go to sleep at night knowing I did my best not to contribute to the my own professional demise by letting the egregious nature of this “Opportunity” go unchallenged.
@scott Rex Ely,
I didn’t read the terms. I never do before posting so quit your little “rob needs to do this” bitch fest. I rely on photographers who’ve either entered or thought about entering to read them and report in the comments. Also, I saw several professional photographers post about the contest so I figured it must be somewhat legit.
@Bruce DeBoer,
Please pay better attention to what you’re reading. I did not write that – Scott Rex Ely did. But please don’t apologize for your error because I certainly agree with him. And thank you for thinking I was the author as I am a fan of Scott’s writing style.
So let me get this straight. You give your rights way and think that’s an effective method of leveraging the copyright laws to make them work for you. Huh???
No – I do not see this as opportunity. I see it as rape. Not so much on the part of the entrants – they’re willing participants – but for the photographers who would never take part in something like this and will have to face more and more of these rights grabbing “opportunities” because of those entrants.
Uh – that unique content line you wrote? It is how the photographer photographs that makes the image unique, not what’s in front of the lens. I do not think Microsoft or Lenovo are bastards. I think they’re businessmen and women. Why wouldn’t they try this? They know exactly whom they’re dealing with. They knew that many photographers would salivate at the thought of $50,000 never once taking into consideration what you will really get out of this. Oh – and I just love that indemnification clause.
Your assertion that this gives “opportunity for passionate talent to further their vision” falls flat as there are many photographers who create meaningful bodies of work by obtaining grants and other methods of raising money in order to create and complete their projects without having to resort to contests such as these.
While you may be sorry that I feel this way, I’m not. And I’m confident there are others who feel as I do.
@Debra Weiss, I’m saying that there are many photographers that would benefit from the “dream assignment” and that Rob was right to let people make their own decision.
If this assignment helps them, I release them of any guilt about whether it may harm my business (as if). I encourage every photographer to manage their copyrights and pay attention to what they are signing when they sigh a contract. In other words, never shoot a job that doesn’t further your career.
@Bruce DeBoer,
To reiterate – the contest organizers knew exactly with whom they were dealing. They are probably laughing their asses off. Tell me Bruce, how do you encourage photographers to manage their copyrights and pay attention when signing contracts and in the same breath, promote this contest? Oh and about that furthering your career thing – it’s going to be difficult when they don’t have the right to use and promote their own imagery.
The sad part about this is that these terms did not have to exist. Photographers could have protested and forced the organizers to revise them. But I guess that would mean that photographers interested in entering would actually
have had to read the terms and then take action.
There is a wonderful organization in the UK that acts as a watchdog organization for competitions. They have lists of acceptable and non-acceptable competitions. For anyone interested visit: http://pro-imaging.org/ and click on campaigns. Needless to say, they are now aware of this competition.
From the contest website: “Once again, we want to thank everyone for their creative ideas …” HA! I bet they do. There might actually be a few good images in that revenue-generating library they’ll put together. It just keeps getting better – has anyone read the Personal Services Agreement?
This is the best part though “The Top 20 finalists will be required to show some proof that they know how to take a picture,…” What can one say besides WOW!
@Debra Weiss,
OK – what if I was Editor of a Newspaper and I was to hire a photographer for 4 months (work made for hire as most newspapers are) to generate their own story, your salary will be 30K over the 4 months, with an expense account of 20k to produce the story. Would you advise everyone to avoid that job?
@Bruce DeBoer,
This is completely non-analogous. The photographer would be an employee and would receive whatever benefits they were entitled to as an employee. The would also be better off financially then they would be should they win this contest.
We are never going to agree on this and since I’ve stated my feelings toward this competition, there’s nothing else for me to say. I find the support of this disheartening and at times sickening. I must ask myself the following: Why should I care more about your rights than you do? I can take my skill set to any industry and earn a living. What are photographers going to do?
@Debra Weiss, It’s not THAT much different. I’d suggest keeping a more open approach. Not every photographer is in the same boat, it’s simply way too easy to make a blanket statement that all photographers are blind if they take this deal or that.
Debra – it’s always been this way. Every since I attended my first ASMP meeting in 1980. Everyone wants one thing but will settle for what they can get if it benefits their career. It’s not ideal but it’s real world. I choose to deal in the real world and support those talented passionate photographers any way I can.
@Bruce DeBoer,
I’m very comfortable with my approach to anything that hurts photographers.
@Bruce DeBoer,
Bruce, if you know the contest organizers and are certain of their intentions, you should leverage your relationship to ask that they publish an announcement apologizing to the photography community for their contest terms, and indicating that despite those terms, they promise not to use any winning entry for any purpose other than to promote the contest, and that they agree that no limitations will be placed on any photographer on the use of his or her work for any other purpose, and that they will not use any non-winning entry for any purpose.
If they agree,your take on their intentions is confirmed. If they disagree, then your take is incorrect. While it is too late to change the contest terms, it is never too late for them to announce that they will do the right thing. It is that simple.
@Edward Silk, Done, I’ve alerted my contacts to the controversy leading with your suggestion.
@Edward Silk, Thanks for suggesting I forward this discussion onto the Dream Assignment folks. They’ve left a comment on the @34. I hope this helps calm a few ruffled feathers.
Like I tried to outline in my comments, it isn’t for everyone but one size has never fit all nor should it in my opinion. However, it is still my opinion that this contest is a good fit for many talented individuals.
@Debra Weiss, looking beyond our noses is moot… since we cut those off to spite our faces long ago.
@ All
Agreed. These are terrible conditions. Some of the worst I’ve seen. Yet another scam. Stay away everybody.
@all
For $50,000, I think everyone is ready to sell their mother. Sure, read the terms but also, check the prize. Most of these stories would never sell for that much so hell ya, take the 50K and give them the rights!!!
@Sheffer Jones,
And everyone is wondering why Photographers can’t band together into a unified voice. Well, Mrs Sheffer Jones, you’re the Poster Child example of why it will never happen.
Carry on, young man. Piss in the pool for everyone else. Well, you gots ‘da prize money, huh? I guess that’s all that matters.
@Sheffer Jones,
You could produce nearly all of these project for less than $5k and if it’s a good project you could get a grant for it, either in part or as a whole. If it’s truly a good idea and meaningful to you, you wouldn’t give it away to a multitude of companies (either the finished product or the original idea)
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/giachett/growing-from-the-root-a-youthful-renaissance-of-native-american-culture/
sergegiachetti.com
look under ‘young blackfoot’ in the projects section to see the work I’ve done thus far.
I’m interested in the tension between the youth’s symbolic participation in old tribal ways and their adolescent struggle for identity in a modern context.
I’m 35th, but I’ve got a few hundred more votes to win, so go vote. I need a big push.
My thoughts on the contest is that its a brilliant marketing strategy for Microsoft and lenovo. If they had put an emphasis on portfolio they would have limited submissions to more professional types. But by putting an emphasis on ideas, then they welcome anyone with a dream (and preferably for them 35,000 friends on facebook) to submit. Although they mention somewhere in the rules that you have to have the demonstrated ability to that ‘take a photo,’ I don’t think they are interested in pure photo excellence. They’re looking for someone who has enough supporters and a clever enough idea to attract thousands of visitors to the photo blog (microsoft ad spot) that the winner will author during their project.
I think this is great for them, and even great for the big-dreaming amateur who could potentially win this thing, even if I’m groaning at the mediocrity of their pictures when I find out who wins.
That said, vote for me! I’ve still got a prayer at this thing, and I have the demonstrated ability to ‘take a photo’ for a living.
Cheers
Rob,
Thanks for this opportunity. If anything, this contest has been a good experiment in viral marketing and really hits home the idea you’ve mentioned in the past about the importance of developing a fan base. I can’t fault the sponsors for only considering the top 20, even if I only have 75 votes. The stark reality of how much more I need to market is right there.
Since I have contacts at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, my idea was about pneumonia, a killer of 2 million children every year, even though most deaths could be prevented. The problem is that the disease is overshadowed by the other nasty illnesses out there and their high-profile global funds, but pneumo kills more kids than any other disease.
Here’s the link to my idea:
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/andrewsullivan/the-forgotten-plague/
And here’s my book: http://www.andrew-sullivan.com
Thanks again!
Color me skeptical. It sounds like the motivation is to generate hits to a Web site and gather a bunch of free shoot ideas (i.e., all the ideas that don’t win are fair game)
Heya Rob,
This is my assignment concept – The climbing culture of bouldering in the US, Europe, and Asia.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/jamjon/bouldering-taking-climbing-to-a-new-place/
And if you scroll down in the blog you can see some recent shots in the same line:
http://www.photographyri.com/index.php
Much obliged,
James Jones
I just can’t vote for Hope.
I think the most discouraging thing about this is that it seems like a lot of the possible winning contenders are not really serious photographers. But, I don’t think you actually have to be to win this either. I included my website on my idea statement because I want people to see my work. I was surprised not to see other people doing that.
My idea is called “America’s Visionary Changemakers”. The great thing about attempting to do this for me was that I made some really interesting contacts. Now I’m ‘friends’ with Gandhi’s grandson, Dr. Arun Gandhi on facebook, which I think is pretty cool. And he even voted for my idea. I was also just invited to go on a two month tour through 14 different countries as part of a World Peace Mission, as a result of blogging about my ‘dream assignment’ idea on iPeace.
It was a little bit of a sad day when I saw that the ‘small cat species of the world’ idea had more votes that I do. But, maybe it’s a good thing in the end that I won’t be giving all of the rights to my images from this project to Microsoft, etc.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/careykirkella/americas-visionary-changemakers/
http://www.careykirkella.com/
It sounds like a contest in social networking.
Great idea Rob to make the photography actually matter. It will be interesting what effect the photographic community can bring to selection process.
Ok, my project is at # 35 in this crazy contest, so if you a have not used up your 3 votes (you can vote for 3 projects once each) PLEASE go support mine
http://www.tiny.cc/RgHyO
In my description I linked to my portfolio & projects that relate , hoping that it would lend validity to the proposal.
All I need to do is end in the top 20 finalists by this popular vote- then the funding is given out by professional judging.
My project is
One Goat at a Time: Showing the Heifer Project Change Lives & Better the World
please help me pass the word & get into the finals, y’all!
THX
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/dpm888/the-labor-of-children/
http://www.davidpaulmorris.com –> Stories –> Payatas Dumpsite – child labor
I just jumped in on this contest 3 days ago. My project is very similar to Ace’s dealing with child labor. It is something that is dear to my heart as well and I have documented it first hand. It really is an issue that needs global attention. If you haven’t used all your votes then please consider mine.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/dpm888/the-labor-of-children/
You can view my portfolio at : http://www.davidpaulmorris.com
on the stories links if you go to Payatas Dumpsite – Child Labor you can see work that I have done in the garbage dump known as Payatas.
Thanks
What an amazing collection of amazing ideas. While only 20 get selected there must be many outstanding ideas in this resource. Wonderful idea.
Mine is a dream about empowering real people, facing the realities of climate change to document their own stories and share with the world.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/Nickhallphoto/i-see-climate-change/
My website:
http://www.nickhallphotography.com
I was a little late to the game, so I’m a little lacking in votes. If you have a spare one I’d be very grateful.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/pdavison/the-face-of-god-images-of-the-divine-at-work-in-humanity/
A big part of these assignments is the anticipation of what talent can do with them.
This project was submitted by Pat Davison
http://www.patdavisonphotography.com/main.html
Faces of God – even though I’m not big on Religious Dogma – is aimed at united beauty in our world.
Pat is in the top 20 currently an could use your help by voting tonight before the contest ends tonight.
For those of you who don’t get your dream satisfied this time around try submitting to this:
Need Magazine
Atn: Bronson Enriquez Photo Editor/Pre-Press
2303 Kennedy St. NE Suite #502
Minneapolis, Mn 55413
http://www.needmagazine.com/
I just found out about this competition today. Here’s my idea:
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/Alexbrownphotography/one-day-this-will-all-be-gone/
You can also see more of my work at:
http://onedaythiswillallbegone.blogspot.com/
Do the terms suck? Yup, they suck big time… On the other hand, nobody else out there seems to be in the mood to fund my personal dream project, and so — what the heck — I’ve made my own lil’submission:
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/MisterMonroe/a-good-cuppa/
Who knows… Maybe some random philanthropist will read through the various entries and (upon spotting mine) decide that — what the heck — my dream assignment is worth funding.
Matt
Well oh well,
Yet ANOTHER rights-grabbing, product placing, wannabee photographer abusing scam dressed up as a “contest”.
Rob, you really need to call this one for what it is.
Yet the lemmings line up and the Turkeys vote for Thanksgiving.
Oh man this industry is in one big &^&%^ mess!
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees….
Wow, there are some really great “dream assignments” with some very noteworthy causes. Sort of makes me feel like a chump because my dream assignment to photograph Kiera Knightly and Natalie Portman in the same sitting sort of seems self-indulgent now. Oh well, it’s still the dream! :-)
I’ve never promoted anything in my life in such a short period of time, but in the end I made the top 20 and I feel honored. It’s amazing what can be done through facebook, twitter, etc. Also, for me as a freelance photographer on the road a lot it’s easy to feel forgotten by your friends, this was such a great reminder that they have my back. The emails and wall posts I’ve received in the past few days really touched me. It’s a long shot for me to win this thing but no matter what it was all worth it just to remind me how supportive and selfless people can be. Here is my entry, thanks to everyone who helped me out.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/jmott78/in-harms-way-exploring-the-bond-between-humans-and-animals/
That was a good idea for Lenovo and Microsoft spending peanuts to build a huge and qualified database. This kind of data gathering would cost much more to acquire and qualify.
BTW I took part of the contest and I agree with the comments that said that being voted there is a matter of popularity…
@Cadu Lemos,
Yes. They’ve now got themselves a huge database of people who seemingly don’t give a t*ss about their copyright to sell yet more “dreams*” to ad infinitum – doh!
* $50 an entry, deadline unexpectedly lengthened due to demand (lack of enough entry fees), $xxx to get the “book” and a seat at the lavish awards.
Goddam. I wish I’d thought of it. Licence to print money.
Yeah the whole entry fee thing is always a red flag for me. Hopefully some amazing things come from it.
There are certain undeniable truths.
One such truth:
Many companies routinely use photo contests to obtain rights to photographs for their marketing purposes, in lieu of licensing from photographers or stock agencies.
Another such truth:
Photo contest operators often offer contest sponsors the right to exploit the photographs entered in the contests, in exchange for sponsorship dollars.
Goes something like this:
“Hey boss, the photography for our ad campaigns this year will cost us at least $150k. But I have an idea. Let’s announce a photo contest with $50,000 in prizes. The rules can state that we will receive unlimited rights to use all photographs submitted as entries. We’ll get thousands of photographs submitted, and for our $50k investment plus $25k in marketing, we’ll end up with a huge library of images to use in our ads and on our site, in our brochures and other direct mail, etc.. And it will be risk free, because each entrant will agree to hold us harmless from any liability. There is no better way to get thousands of photographers to work on spec. And, we’ll save $75k in the process. Now, how about that raise?”
OR, it can also go something like this:
“Hey sponsor, if you sponsor our photo contest, we’ll give you the right to use any of the entries for unlimited advertising of your brand, products and services. For you investment of $25k in sponsorship, you’ll get your own stock library!”
Both of the above are common scenarios.
Even where a contest is run by a reputable company that has no intention of taking advantage of photographers, there is no justification for terms that allow unlimited usage, terms that allow usage beyond the context of the contest, terms that place liability on the photographer, terms that limit the photographer’s right to use his/her photographs in any way.
Contest terms should allow the contest operator to use the photographs for display of the winning entries only, and also to promote the contest. That is it. There should be no rights related to entries that do not win. The rules should state that any usage beyond the scope of the contest itself will require a license from the photographer, and payment of an additional fee.
Companies should be encouraged to use contests to celebrate the art and craft of photography. Companies should be discouraged from using contest to obtain spec photography or rights to existing photography, even if the contest celebrates the art and craft of photography.
Ever seen a squirrel transfixed by a shiny object? I’ve observed that a photographer’s intelligence, sense of self worth, and propensity to succeed in business is directly proportional to his/her tendency to enter contests that require an unecessary transfer of rights.
That shiny object — watch out — it just might be a razor blade.
Ed
@Edward Silk,
Perfect explanation. I would add something that is not being considered in any comment.
The database they build is highly qualified of people who surf the web, thus being perfect prospects for tech equipment (Lenovo, Microsoft…). This would be much more difficult and expensive to gather without the contest. People wouldn’t give their personal data (as required in the sign up session)if they’re not engaged with the idea, what turns the data much more valuable…
My idea is to troll the list of ideas and come up with my next photo project.
I made it a a finalist too. http://www.tiny.cc/RgHyO
I entered 36 hours before the deadline and was blown away buy the support from friends, coleagues, clients- it felt great to know people back you, as someone said above.
While there are plenty of ways t0 be cynical and bitter about the way things are rolling in our industry, let’s set the record straight on some aspects of this one:
– There was no entry fee.
– $50,000 to fund your project is no chump change. That’s real money to do work you feel passionate about.
– Would you turn down a $50,000 gig (including expenses and broad non-exclusive usage rights) to travel around the world to shoot a project you feel passionately about? If you say yes, sorry I do not believe you.
– If you never tell anyone your ideas , you will never get to shoot them.
@gale zucker, Precisely Gale. I don’t believe them either:) Good luck with it.
@Bruce DeBoer,
After taxes on $50,000 you might get to Brooklyn. And while you find it hard to believe, many photographers would be smart enough to walk away from a bad deal. As an agent I turned down jobs worth much more.
@Debra Weiss, I’m happy you do so well.
@Bruce DeBoer,
It has nothing to do with whether I’m doing well or not. If the deal isn’t good, you have to be prepared to walk away. If not, the problems down the road can be much worse than the immediate issue of turning down the work.
@Debra Weiss, Heh, Sorry, I saw the opening and couldn’t resist.
I find it very discouraging to read that some of those posting their thoughts above think the Dream Assignment contest is ‘an opportunity’ to have their talent recognised. It is nothing of the sort, it is simply a scam and a rip off. There are thousands of ‘contests’ like this being run all over the world every day all seeking rights in perpetuity to submitted content.
These contests are building huge image libraries and the practice is devaluing photography; it is also damaging the profession generally as a means of making a living. By the way, amongst the worst offenders are government departments and other publicly funded bodies such as city councils.
Everyone who enters this contest gives up all the intellectual property contained within their submission for ever. How can anyone think that giving up their rights is a smart thing to do?
It is bad business practice to give away the only thing that will earn you money in the creative world. If for whatever reason you are not selling your work do not think that giving up all your rights is going to improve your situation! You never see Adobe, Canon, Getty etc giving away their rights, they defend them to the death and you should do the same.
Think about it, what other business gives product away for nothing (effectively for ever) thinking that it will improve their business? Your creativity is your product, go and SELL it!
I see some people are criticising entry fees. Fees are not necessarily bad. The contests that allow free entry are mostly the type of contest that strips rights from entrants; they are happy to bear the cost of organising the contest because they are getting such an immensely valuable return for their effort.
Sometimes the contests that require an entry fee are perfectly honourable, seeking limited rights for one or two years so that they can promote the contest and the photographer. Often such contests are the most prestigious. There is nothing wrong with a contest just because it requires an entry fee, look at the terms as a whole to see what rights they want before making a judgement.
I must declare my interests at this point, I belong to the organisation that wrote the Bill of Rights and this bill sets out guidelines for contest organisers to follow; by doing so they will be respecting photographers rights.
You can read it here –
http://www.pro-imaging.org/content/view/177/156/
– and if you follow the links you will see the list of worldwide organisations that have declared their support for the Bill of Rights. That list of supporters happens to include what is arguably the most prestigious photo contest in the world. Have a look at the material there as Debra has already said. When you’ve done that I urge all those who think that giving their rights away is good for the photography profession to seriously rethink the implications of their opinion.
I accept that the winner of the ‘Dream Assignment’ contest might do well financially and may even be ‘noticed’, but think about the cost. All the entrants will have lost the rights to their submissions and the organisations that run such contests only continue to do so because some people are naive and others will do absolutely anything simply to be ‘noticed’.
Hey folks,
Thank you all for the interesting discussions taking place about the Name Your Dream Assignment contest. Bruce contacted us and we wanted to respond to a number of the questions and thoughts that have been raised here.
One of the first things we want to make clear is that this contest was not developed with only the professional photographer in mind. Actually, our goal was that anyone with a dream and a camera could participate in this contest and potentially win. That is why we did not allow contestants to show their portfolios. Our goal was to focus on the dream assignment itself, the creativity, originality and not how impressive someone’s resume and portfolio was. We wanted the merits of the dream assignment itself to be the deciding factor and not who necessarily the photographer was. Now that the public voting period is over, each one of the finalists will be able to share with our expert panel of judges their portfolios and past work.
In regard to the questions on the contest rules and terms, we clearly state that the photos taken by the winner of the contest is owned by them and only them. Our terms asks the winner of the contest to post his or her photos taken on their dream assignment trip, to the Dream Assignment blog. The winner will also be posting their writings and videos so they can share their dream assignment adventure with the rest of the community. Which was our main goal for this contest. In four weeks, we have had more than 100,000 people register on our Web site with countless discussions and thoughts being shared about individuals dream assignments. Bottom line is that when the winner’s dream assignment is over, he or she will own every photo they took on their dream assignment and may do what they would like with them.
Unfortunately, when you do something like this, we are never going to be able to please everyone. We wish we could, but that generally is not in the cards. One of the areas we have been putting a lot of time and effort is to really listen to what people have to say about the contest. What things we did well as well as not so well. Our goal is to take all this great feedback and hopefully we will be that much better the next time around.
We hope we were able to address some of the questions/issues raised here. We really want to thank everyone for their participation, passion and great feedback. It is all greatly appreciated. Thanks again!
@Dream Assignment, Thanks for clearing that up Hal. Good luck with the judging.
@Dream Assignment,
thanks for clarifying. Now I am even more happy I closed the website after reading the terms, which, by the way, you didn’t bother addressing.
There was a contest in B-more called the Baker Prize. Artists put up their work and then sent a BARRAGE of e-mails to their friends and family to vote for them. There were (I think) six $1,000 winners and from that pool, three $25,000 winners were chosen by a mystery jury.
Now, this might seem cool at the outset, but what you’re really participating in is a popularity contest. the WORK is not being judged. The number of friends you have IS being judged. If you are a young unknown with a minimal number of friends, it doesn’t matter how good your work is, if you don’t have the “votes” you don’t win. It America’s “Idol” mentality. A contest where the masses are asked to participate, in the end, will only yield mediocrity.
I called this out on, and was beaten back for it.
How can you vote from someone’s “dream Job” without looking at their work? SO, if you vote for say, brown skinned kids starving somewhere, and that person wins, what if the photos are aweful.
EVERYONE WITH A CAMERA IS NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER.
I don’t do contests any more. Just old fashioned networking and getting my stuff out there. I’m not waiting for $$ to fall from the sky and grabbing at it like some crazy person.
If you are good, they will find you. I wish Rob wold re-post that story of the photog with no website, that clients seem to find. THERE’s a real professional.
Thanks for sharing~
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