Calling all touring photographers...

When I first read the OP I thought that the concept was good, the idea is good BUT,  since reading the many posts from those who have looked into the terms of submitting images to this photographic competition, I now add my name to those who have no wish to have anything to with it. I therefore will NOT submit any photographic images.

K

How on earth can you have a photography competition on a forum where a substantial number of members are unable to post images!?

Sorry....it's the Caravan Club forum....I forgot for a moment!

When I first read the OP I thought that the concept was good, the idea is good BUT,  since reading the many posts from those who have looked into the terms of submitting images to this photographic competition, I now add my name to those who have no wish to have anything to with it. I therefore will NOT submit any photographic images.

K

If it were a genuine amateur competition for the sake of some fun plus an opportunity for members to express their interest in photography AND not a means to gain an expansive library of images for potential commercial use, the T&C's would read rather differently. Declaring that the creators have to give up rights to show their work outside of the Caravan Club is not fair practice. Within our profession, such competition rules do not exist, the rights of the creators are fully respected. Sadly, it's the amateurs that are often exploited, usually without adequate understanding. Hence, many competitions aren't open to professionals, because most professionals that have been in business long enough, know about intellectual property rights and the laws that are in place to protect them.

All that is required is a change to the T&C's basically giving the Caravan Club rights to reproduce the images submitted, but not an exclusive license. This would be fairer. Sure, there's a remote chance the same image might pop up in a publication or on a website outside of the CC but that would be a chance they would have to take. The Caravan Club would however have to seek the creators permission before distributing images to third parties, something I suspect they don't want to have to do.

 

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Yes, you're right but for those who don't understand the implications, I gave a little more detail 

Hypothetical example...

A member submits a cracking landscape image into the competition, in doing so giving up all reproduction rights. The new rights holder contacts the land owner and tells them they have a great photo and would they like a copy for their own use. 'Great' the land owner says, send it over and the land owner now uses that image on his own website. He's happy, he's got an image he's not had to pay for. Everyone's happy. The land owner then cuts ties with the image rights holder, the image rights holder now wants the image removed from the land owners website or he has to pay a fee to keep using it.

You see where I'm going with this  All of which is out of the creators' hands... the poor guy that has done all of the hard work to make that fantastic image has no control, no say in how the image is used, or manipulated.

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Would the CC care to comment?

I just wanted to reassure you that the sole objective of the competition is to find images that give a true reflection of the wonderful CL sites we have on offer. User generated content, especially visual, gives a real representation to members of what they can expect and as such is very much valued. We have such a wonderful network of CL sites that many members enjoy. We want to support them and we appreciate your help in doing this too.  

You also often find that maany people really enjoy contributing and seeing their images used, however we completely understand if you would prefer not to submit any images and please don’t feel that you have to contribute.

Please be assured we are by no means trying to exploit member’s photographs but, with your help, are trying to offer inspiration to others whilst supporting the CL network, with the chance to win a prize along the way.

I hope this helps to clear up any confusion and thank you for your posts. 

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Given that most Caravan Club members are not professional photographers I doubt whether the exclusive use requirement is particularly going to bother them and to have one of their photos published or even win a prize would make them really proud. Those of us the want to retain the exclusive use of our photos I expect won't take part in such competitions. However it is understandable that the Club might want those exclusive rights in order to protect the same photos being used in associated publications like a caravan magazine etc, rather than the Club wanting to "market" the actual photograph. Whether people like it or not the Club is perfectly at liberty to set the rules as they see fit for any competition they run. The final decision on whether to take part firmly rests with the photographer, no one is being forced to participate?

David