Time to enter World Press Photo

Great spot, Dev. What do you guys think - would you like Demotix staff to pick some photos to submit collectively, or would you rather choose your own favourite pictures to send in inidividually?

Hi Tom. Both I would say. I feel Demotix should pick its best and enter as the youngest, brightest, ground-breaking newswire. And also, remind its busy contributors, if they're interested and have the time, to pick their own best work and submit as individual photographers. Personally, it would give me a big thrill if any Demotix image were to figure in the 2012 winners!

Looks good but the rule say.....

1. The World Press Photo contest is open only to professional photographers and photojournalists.*

* World Press Photo expects all participants to act in accordance with the guidelines of professional conduct as laid down in the Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists of the International Federation of Journalists. See:http://www.ifj.org/en/pages/journalism-ethics

2. A photographer’s professional status must be established by providing a document of verification.

So we will have to see where they stand on "Citizen Journalists"

Their code of ethics looks good. Notwithstanding they mention plagiarism I would suggest that Demotix uses something similar

Looks good but the rule say.....

1. The World Press Photo contest is open only to professional photographers and photojournalists.*

* World Press Photo expects all participants to act in accordance with the guidelines of professional conduct as laid down in the Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists of the International Federation of Journalists. See:http://www.ifj.org/en/pages/journalism-ethics

2. A photographer’s professional status must be established by providing a document of verification.

Please select an ID (e.g., press pass, union membership card, another official document or a letter of reference) showing that you are a professional photographer.

So it will be interesting to see if they accept a Demotix Press Pass...

Their code of ethics looks good. Notwithstanding they mention plagiarism I would suggest that Demotix uses something similar

I would think a letter of reference from Demotix would be a help if photographers from here wanted to enter. I don't know how many publications and media outlets demotix supply worldwide but there are some great images being supplied by demotix members. Might be worth Demotix looking into it to see if a letter of reference from them would be sufficient to allow members to enter if they have no press pass etc.

@Tom: I think it should be to each photog to enter their own images... for example, I uploaded a story on a religious festival in India (Deepam festival) in colors for Demotix, but I choosed to edit it also in B&W for myself...

And yes, a reference letter from Demotix could be of great use... or maybe the Demotix press card is enough?
Thanks for your help!

They application form needs the following....
Business address and contact details including the business web site....
AND (it is not an "either")
Personal details and personal web site
Company ID and or Press Pass....

So I think you will need more than a page on Flikr etc. Also Of course if you want to use Demotix as a reference it will be interesting to see if they accept anonymous profiles and people without a Demotix Press Card....

That is just to register with the site apart from entering the competition.

We have yet to see if they accept the Demotix Press Pass.

This is for Professional Photographers so those without a Demotix Press Pass will have other ID... They seem intent on keeping out amateurs.

I would say both, individual needs to do it just in case they think they are good enough and they dont get picked by demotix.

Interesting about being professional. I have no income at all and just sell the odd images where and when I can. Does that mean I can class myself as a prof photographer.

I did ask the same question to the NUJ to get a card but got no reply !!!!!

pete

I will let you know how my registration application gets on. I used the Demotix press card as an ID but also used my Photographic company details

@Olivier _ I uploaded a snapshot of my Demotix Press Pass (expired in July 2011. I haven't renewed because I never use it). My account was approved in three days. I feel WPP is being practical here, not nitpicking the rules.

@Pete _ Who is a pro? Who cares? Rules are always lagging behind reality. For example, the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards, who split photographers into amateur & professional, used to define pros as those earned the majority of their income from photography. Currently, their criterion for entering their professional competition is "for serious photographers with a true passion for the job."

@Dev: thank you for this insight, I'll subscribe with it then...
As for the utility of the press card, here in Belgium it let me enter the EU comission so that's already good, and in India, it was very useful, not directly with the authorities but to let me in the temple on 9th day (I also received a VIP cloth pass with hologram) for all the festival and stay at the summit at Arunachala Hill during Deepam 10th day ) everybody was looking and talking about it!

@ Olivier _ Aaah! Lovely! Next year then

You might want to take a look at the Sony World Photo Awards too, guys - top prize (for "Professionals") is $25,000.

Well I got accepted with a Demotix Press card..... So try it.

it's easy to register if you are legitimate. Mine was accepted in only one day.

Define "legitimate"

legitimate:

1.In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements; lawful.

2.Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.

3.Authentic, real, genuine.

4.Lawfully begotten, i.e., born to a legally married couple.

5.Relating to hereditary rights.

In this case the contest is asking for number 1, and 2 to be met, and number 3 is what they expect you to be. I don't think they are concerned about number 4, or 5.

The Demotix press card meets number 1, and 2, in establishing number 3 for you, and again Demotix could care less about number 4, or 5. Without number 1 being met you are not going to pass the test of number 3. I used a different route as I don't have the Demotix press card, but you've proven my point about the Demotix press card meeting number 1.

Not sure all that will be valid in court but the logic looks reasonable.

Excellent, Dev!
I'm interested, too (and my Demotix Press Card also expired in July 2011)!

But, I've a question on Demotix Press Card...why put an expiration date?

Kind regards
Giuseppe

So that if the criteria change (as they might) you have to re-qualify with in 12 months . No Passes, ID cards etc I know of last indefinitely. They are usually annual . Otherwise there is no way of cancelling them.

@Giuseppe _ Passport, driver's license, most photo id have expiry dates, except perhaps your birth certificate

And a year is reasonable, I would say, for Demotix, as we're a random, floating population of global togs blown about by opportunity, ability and luck.

Of course, I wish mine didn't have an expiry date, or that its validity was somewhat longer, like three or maybe five years, but then, Demotix itself has just about chalked up its third birthday

Dev,

I agree that everything expire, but I thought a longer validity (for example, thrree years, as you said).

Anyway, today I got accepted with a Demotix Press card (expired July 2011).
Request accepted in one day.

Ciao
Giuseppe

Why not renew the press card?

I will do that.

Another reason for time limiting the Press card is a reporter could do something unacceptable etc to Demotix and they would want to not be associated with that reporter or give them accreditation As it is unlikely they can get the reporter to send the card back so they just let the card run out of validity.

Also Demotix may want to change the rules for a press card. see the Demotix post on anonymity. It may be in the near future that the ID picture you use for your profile will be the one used for the press card..... no ID picture on your profile no press card.

I do hope those that joined this contest enter their work, and didn't just join to see if they could. Time is running out to get your entries uploaded, and submitted.

Yes, that is the intention. No point ion doing it otherwise as some one has already proved the Demotix card is valid for entry. .

Yes, that is the intention. No point ion doing it otherwise as some one has already proved the Demotix card is valid for entry. .

@Steve _ put best foot forward, hit 'Submit' button, with time to spare. Hoping to see Demotix in the WPP 2012 bright lights!

Just finalising my entries for WPP 2012.
Good Luck to all submitting from Demotix

I am having trouble uploading mine.... so it not just Demotix that has trouble with uploads

Last minute rush, overloaded servers, error messages, etc.

The Sony World Photography Awards, for example, extended their deadline to Jan 6th. Your page may hang, but keep trying because the site is functional, just like Demotix!

24 single photo entries on my part. Now lets see how we all do. I expect some of us to be in the finals, with one of us winning each of the categories, and the grand prize that I already spent...lolol. See you all in London at the awards ceremony.

Hi guys,

another contest just waiting for your entries here - the US National Press Photographers' Association.

Good luck!

http://www.demotix.com/blog/1015373/best-photojournalism-2012-nppa

Best to read all the entrance requirements AND the code of ethics before you sign up!
http://bop.nppa.org/2012/still_photography/rules/preparing_images.html

BTW there is nothing to stop Demotix entering any of our images on our behalf (other than time to do it:-)

In fact the way the entry is structured magazine editors can enter images from stories they have run so you could enter an image to find that Demotix and the publication that have used it could also enter it! \

BTW When is Demotix going to get around to doing a code of ethics?
http://bop.nppa.org/ethics_code.html

I know it is on the (long) list of things to do