Today I was going to enter a contest, until I read this:

USE OF ENTRY: By submitting an entry, entrant grants Sponsors and their designees an irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide perpetual license to use the entry and his/her name, city and state of residence for credit purposes in Sponsors’ online galleries, without further compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law. In addition, each winner grants to the Sponsors and their designees an irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide perpetual license to use and distribute the entry [(as submitted, or as cropped by Sponsors)], and his/her name, city and state of residence for credit purposes, in any and all media now or hereafter known, including without limitation in magazine, for purposes of promotion of this Contest and other Sponsors contests and/or for purposes of advertising and promoting Sponsors and, except as otherwise stated herein, without further compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law.

While I’m no lawyer, to me the last sentence says that the sponsors of the contest can use my photographs for advertising, forever.  On top of that, you don’t get paid, or even a credit line.

I have no problem letting the contest sponsors use my photographs to promote the contest, or next years contest, but to promote the sponsors? For me, that goes too far.

As with any contract, be informed before entering, and be sure to protect your work and yourself.

Have Fun,
Jeff

I’ve added two more photographs to my fine arts site. They were taken at the Granite Dells, just north of Prescott, Arizona. I call the first one, “Rock In Repose.” Hey, we all need a break once in a while. Head on over and take a look http://www.JeffColburn.com/photosGraniteDells.html

Have Fun,
Jeff

Hand Held, 1/160 second, f16, ISO 100, 200 mm

Hand Held, 1/640 second, f5.6, ISO 100, 65 mm

And if you’re looking for some software that may help you in your photography business, check this out http://virtualphotographystudio.com/photographyblog/2009/06/10-tools-to-help-you-manage-your-photography-business/

Have Fun,
Jeff

Have Fun,
Jeff

Both photos: Tripod, 30 seconds, f8, ISO 100, 35 mm

Have Fun,
Jeff

I went to my first shooting spot; I had already scouted out several locations in the daylight, and was amazed. For the first twenty minutes, almost every photo I took had lightening in it. As the storm moved, so did I. I went from one spot to another following the action. At 1:00 am I wound up in a cemetery, where I could shoot the last of the storm while being serenaded by dozens of frogs.

As I stood in the cemetery I also saw two meteors (shooting stars). One was the usual white streak in the sky, but the other was really amazing. It was an Emerald ball of fire that fell almost straight down. As it fell, pieces of green fire broke off and trailed behind the meteor. From my vantage point, it looked like the meteor burned up just 100 feet away, and 20 feet above the ground. That’s probably not true, but it sure was amazing to watch. What a fantastic night.

Have Fun,
Jeff

All images: Tripod, 30 seconds, f8, ISO 100, 18 mm

Have Fun,
Jeff

This is the image

Have Fun,
Jeff

Have Fun,
Jeff

Have Fun,
Jeff