I thought about it today until I saw that they can use my photograph at any time and as many times as they want without compensation.

Thanks - Jonathan

it makes sense only if want to claim to be an "award winning photographer".

you'll not get rich or earn much, but you will get some exposure and therefore some assignments, hopefully from decent publishers.

said that, i just can't see the logic they apply to pick up the winners.
i mean even in serious competitions like Sony awards, Travel Photographer of the year, etc

i would never apply if they ask money, and apart rare cases all the best ones are usually free.

I've won awards at photo contests and local art shows. I just say "award winning" in bios without detail. Nobody has ever questioned me further than that. I suspect that nobody much cares what you say in this regard.

I thought about it today until I saw that they can use my photograph at any time and as many times as they want without compensation.

Thanks - Jonathan

Part of the problem (and I suspect part of the whole reason for contests) is that if the terms of the contest allow the contest organizer to use images for free, they can use all of the images submitted. So, even if you don't win, they can use your images. Nothing gained for you, they get access to a slew of great images.

So generally, no I don't enter contests.

When I was interested all contest terms were abusive, so no I never participated.

From time to time I take a look at a contest that may interest me just to discover that the terms are getting worse. I even saw terms allowing the organizers to use the images for commercial purposes!

Quote from: JetCityImage on September 29, 2013, 10:44

I thought about it today until I saw that they can use my photograph at any time and as many times as they want without compensation.

Thanks - Jonathan

Part of the problem (and I suspect part of the whole reason for contests) is that if the terms of the contest allow the contest organizer to use images for free, they can use all of the images submitted. So, even if you don't win, they can use your images. Nothing gained for you, they get access to a slew of great images.

So generally, no I don't enter contests.

Yes, what a great ploy for those people to freely and usually in an unlimited manner use your photo(s). Even tho you retain copyright, they can use it in perpetuity.

Fogetaboutit

It's the selling to a third party that stopped me.  I entered a newspaper one a few times (won once, top ten a bunch), and then I read the conditions more closely.  Publishing the photo for free I don't mind, but when the rights to the photo are completely transferable to absolutely anyone (and this is a paper owned by Murdoch's group so it really could go anywhere) well that's another matter.  I was a bit sad to stop, as winning or placing always made my mum really proud and happy, but it's just not worth the risk.

No

If they are charging for an entry, it's not a contest it's a scam.

Only one I considered was state humane society where the entry fee was a donation and it raised money for a good cause. It then said, no photoshop, must be as shot, natural image. OK so they lost $10 on me. No big loss.

People who keep giving things away, or enter these to be discovered, or post on FB and Pinterest and the rest, so they can be seen, are dreaming of fame by discovery. Really? A famous artist just fell off the turnip truck and someone happened to see them on the side of the road.

Or being seen on Facebook will get you notoriety?

It's the work and the creative images that cause the attention. Not the free DLs, contests, or the free exposure.