NPPA Endorses Artists Bill Of Rights For Photography Contests
DURHAM, NC (September 14, 2010) — The National Press Photographers Association's board of directors has endorsed the Artists Bill of Rights for Photography Competitions, NPPA announced today.
Administered by the Pro-Imaging organization, based in the United Kingdom, the Bill of Rights comprises a straightforward set of best practices for conducting photography contests aimed at professionals, amateurs or both. In addition to sharing its guidelines, Pro-Imaging alerts photographers to contests that adhere to its Bill of Rights, as well as those that decline to change their rules – or even reply – when alerted to problems.
“NPPA is delighted to endorse and support these very reasonable contest standards,” NPPA president Bob Carey said. “NPPA, through our Code of Ethics and our own contests, has set both standards and good examples for the industry. By endorsing Pro-Imaging’s careful approach to issues surrounding contests, we can further encourage others to treat photographers and their work with due respect."
“We look forward to working with Pro-Imaging, both as we conduct our own contests and as we become aware of other competitions that are either exemplary or treat photographers unfairly.”
NPPA's board also directed its Program Committee to review all rules associated with NPPA-sponsored contests, ranging from the annual Best of Photojournalism competition to the NPPA Monthly National Clip Contest. In turn, Pro-Imaging leaders agreed to tweak their standards to ensure they accommodate NPPA’s goals of honoring, preserving, and recalling images that effectively illustrate history’s first draft. A preliminary review of rules for NPPA contests shows no significant conflicts with the Bill of Rights.
Hearing concerns from members about contests sponsored by other non-profits and corporations, NPPA board member Greg Smith approached leaders at Pro-Imaging. They suggested NPPA could help the international effort to encourage fair contests by endorsing the Bill of Rights.
Smith noted, “There is a growing trend for organizations to stage contests that collect photographs, along with rights to use the them. Some turn around and market the images to others. In many cases, the prizes offered are worth much less than usage rights to the pictures. Some contests collect unlimited rights to all entries, preying off the photographers’ hopes for recognition and approval.
“We believe unfair contests exploit the uninformed, while undermining professional photographers – who have been hit hard by the worldwide economic downturn.”
The Bill of Rights includes provisions that allow contest sponsors to use winning images, with credit, to promote their competitions – but not for unrelated publication, nor for licensing to others. The standards also allow charity groups to request optional donation of image rights to support their work. NPPA plans to work with Pro-Imaging to identify both contests that adhere to the standards and those that do not.
Before adding contests to its “Rights Off” list, Pro-Imaging privately contacts offending competitions, suggesting changes to their rules. Those who refuse to comply or reply are listed among contests to avoid. For those who comply – either on their own or after being contacted – there is a list of “Rights On” contests recommended to photographers. Those who support the contest standards can display the Artists Bill of Rights logo.
The NPPA is America’s oldest and leading organization representing professionals and students involved in photojournalism. The NPPA is dedicated to the advancement of visual journalism, its creation, practice, training, editing and distribution, in all news media. NPPA works to promote visual journalism’s role as a vital public service.
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