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photography contests?
Just wondering if any photographers or models have ever been to one of those contests such as Bikini Jam or Supermodel Sports and such, where you travel to a really cool place to shoot for a week and get a chance to win cash prizes? If so, I would like your input. Was it fun? Was it worth your time and money? Are the judges bias? Did it seem like work? Did you win anything? Did you get anything out of it at all? And the most important question... were there alot of hot chicks? Every time I get an email or phone call from these people inviting me out and offering me discounts, I want to say yes and always end up saying no. I mean, I need a vacation and it sounds great, but then again, it sounds like alot of work. I want to see how I rank with other professional photographers around the world, but then again, I feel like I don't have to. *shrugs* Or maybe I'm just a cheapskate. I hate spending money. Bikini Jam is coming up in September!! Jun 05 05 06:27 am Link I've never done one but it sounds like fun. The thing that bothers me though is there's a lot of talk about being "featured" in their catalog, website etc. but no mention of copyrights, usage license or compensation. Being the sceptic that I am, it sounds to me like a way for them to get all kinds of free content which bugs me. If they like my stuff enough to use it, I better be compensated for it. I wouldn't be surprised if they required you to sign away all kinds of rights in order to particpate. They just don't have enough info on the website to make me comfortable. I'm not interested in "paying for exposure" when the people I'm paying are using the content for their own benefit as well. Jun 05 05 01:56 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Dude I thought you were booked for the year, how can you make any? LOL! Jun 05 05 05:28 pm Link Posted by ( ANT ) Mgaphoto: How can I make any what? Jun 05 05 05:33 pm Link Posted by Gary Davis: free nothing....joey looks like he'd like to pay them for the opportunity...nice way to build a catalog..have the photographers finance it... Jun 05 05 05:33 pm Link I was a part of a contest just yesterday. It was at my studio. If I remember correctly it was called the - WHICH MODEL WILL MODEL THE HOTTEST FOR ME! - contest. There are a couple of the contestants on my Bio page. You be the judge. Jun 05 05 05:36 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: I get your point, but that wasn't the question. Jun 05 05 05:39 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by Doug Swinskey: I get your point, but that wasn't the question. the point is it sounds like fun..cabo..bikinis..how could it not be fun..but the underliying objective to procure talent for free is kinda unethical..but i have faith in the GWCs however..that ujena will have a catalog next year... Jun 05 05 05:45 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: The thing is, is that I see PAYING reputable photographers and models enter every year, so it makes me curious. You know? Jun 05 05 05:46 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by Doug Swinskey: The thing is, is that I see PAYING reputable photographers and models enter every year, so it makes me curious. You know? you obviously didn't get the email from cassandra..that i did... Jun 05 05 05:51 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: Cassandra who? Jun 05 05 05:52 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by Doug Swinskey: I didn't get to where I'm at now by talking shit on the messageboards. there is still a whispering question as to "where you are" at this point Jun 05 05 05:54 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by Doug Swinskey: Cassandra who? cassandra M. shes one of the models that landed a gig with ujena in the marketing dept..and yes..cassandra is hot..and knows how to lure photographers.. Jun 05 05 05:55 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: Who cares where people THINK I'm at. That's just a matter of opinion. Everyone has thier own agenda. cassandra M. shes one of the models that landed a gig with ujena in the marketing dept..and yes..cassandra is hot..and knows how to lure photographers.. Cassandra Murray? You see, her and her manager payed to enter. Her manager is a very good fashion photographer and I knew him since I started photography. Jun 05 05 05:57 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: well ike i said..after looking at everything..i didn't see an opportunity..it just an expensive vacation... Jun 05 05 06:05 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: So how are the models getting there and how much are the rooms? lol Jun 05 05 06:07 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: not these days..i've been getting national tears ..a year ago..who knows.. Jun 05 05 06:08 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by Doug Swinskey: So how are the models getting there and how much are the rooms? lol just tell em you'll be TFPing in cabo..i am sure we'll both have enough to shoot... Jun 05 05 06:09 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: Getting your images published in FHM for 20 Hot Dates and Maxim for Hometown Hotties means signing over your copyrights to the models with no photographer credits. Jun 05 05 06:11 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by Doug Swinskey: Getting your images published in FHM for 20 Hot Dates and Maxim for Hometown Hotties means signing over your copyrights to the models. well, not sure i consider those tears as much as photo credits..i will tell you i have been hired by models that want to be in those magazines cause i have a great track record.. Jun 05 05 06:17 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: Oh come on now Doug, I thought you were better than that. You are getting off track and now starting to brag about your achievements like the other elitist dickwads on this site. Jun 05 05 06:28 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by Doug Swinskey: Oh come on now Doug, I thought you were better than that. You are getting off track and now starting to brag about your achievements like the other elitist dickwads on this site. dont ever jump to conclusion that im above being an elitist dickwad.. Jun 05 05 06:35 pm Link A good friend of mine was involved with the Ujena Bikini Jam years ago and I was told of all the inside garbage. I had a pic published in one of their mags, no credit of course. I also was published in their 1993 Ujena International Eastern (poster) Calendar. The model and I had to pay to enter the pics (slides). When we were notified one was going to be on the calendar we also had to pay for every single calendar we ordered, not even one was offered as a freebie even when we had to pay an entry fee. Anything you do at all with them will cost you and to go and compete in the Bikini Jam will cost you big time and the model must pay also. They have various competitions during the Bikini Jam, you must pay to enter each one, if you don't enter them all you don't have a chance at anything. The stories over the years can fill a book. Back in the 90's they started a new gimmick where you could become an "Official Ujena Photog & Scout". It was in their mags and they sent me an "invitation" LOL! "Anyone" could be one and if you were one of the first to signup your "fee" was greatly discounted down from $1200(1500?) to the bargain price of only $900. Well I'm sad to say I missed out on this wonderful opportunity. What? You say it's still being offered at only $2000.99 after all this time? Let me find my check book! Ujena hires no photographers. Jun 05 05 06:36 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: Okay, just making sure. Jun 05 05 06:45 pm Link Gary, thanks for the info. This is exactly the type of input that I wanted to hear. Jun 05 05 06:49 pm Link There are a handful of reputable contests in the world, some very prestigious that can launch or elevate a career. Those few legit ones will only want rights for promotion of the contest itself, or else like the MILK contest will have serious prize money, $100,000 first prize last I knew. But aside from those few almost all contests are there for the purpose of building no cost stock libraries of wholley owned content, and even getting suckers to pay for it. And they do nothing for you. They should be killed. Ujena sounds like they should definitely be killed. Jun 05 05 07:12 pm Link Posted by Glamour Studio /Gary: Wow, that sounds even worse than I feared. After paying over $600 to get into the whole thing, you still have to pay to enter individual contests?? Sounding more and more like one huge scam. Jun 05 05 07:29 pm Link Posted by Gary Davis: Another reason why I found interest. Another reason to dust off the trusty F100. Jun 05 05 07:55 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: Posted by Gary Davis: free nothing....joey looks like he'd like to pay them for the opportunity...nice way to build a catalog..have the photographers finance it... I agree,... that is exactly what it is.. Jun 05 05 08:11 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: Posted by ( ANT ) Mgaphoto: How can I make any what? Time! Hehe! Jun 05 05 10:35 pm Link Posted by ( ANT ) Mgaphoto: It's called PTO from work. Jun 05 05 11:38 pm Link |
