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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Shooting events
Rob Edwards, Photographer
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Peru | IN | United States | Posted: 10:22 AM on 04.15.09 |
| ->> I have a questions for those out here. I wanted to know if it is unethical to request credential to events (like college football, nfl, nba and auto racing) knowing that your paper will not use the photos in the paper. I'm currently employed by a newspaper, but our policy is not to shoot or report on these events. I would like to continue to shoot these events for portfolio use but did not want to take credentials away from someone who really needs to cover the event. Anyone with any advice? |
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Karl Stolleis, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Philadelphia | PA | | Posted: 11:25 AM on 04.15.09 |
| ->> I would not say its unethical but its a dangerous place to tread. Especially if you are looking at the pro arena. And besides, really, your portfolio does not need images from the NCAA, NFL, NBA, ect to be successful. It needs good images from wherever, including high school. |
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Bob Ford, Photographer
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Lehighton | Pa | USA | Posted: 12:21 PM on 04.15.09 |
->> I also don't think unethical is the correct word, but DO think that it would be wrong.
You are receiving a credential from whatever team in exchange for publicity in your paper. If your photos are not running in the paper you are not holding up your end of the deal.
Also, most of the events you mention have a limited number of credentials, and you being there might cause another photographer to be denied access, even though his publication planned on using images from the event.
As far as portfolio goes, in most cases you're better off shooting smaller events because the access is much better. I'd rather see a stellar shot from a high school game than a so-so shot from an NFL game. |
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Mike O'Bryon, Photographer
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Ft. Lauderdale | FL | USA | Posted: 12:49 PM on 04.15.09 |
->> You request credentials as a representative of your publication..... and nothing runs in your publication... might that not jeopardize your publications sanding when they do want to cover the organization in question?
You're misrepresenting your publication...and I think they might have problems with that... so in that respect I don't believe it's ethical.
While you might not be bumping another photographer.. you may very well be "in the way" of photographers on legitimate assignments...
-- Mike |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington | IL | United States | Posted: 1:56 PM on 04.15.09 |
| ->> Rob, I don't know what schools are in your area - but if you want to shoot college for your portfolio, try a D3 school. They are generally more relaxed in their credentialling policies and you can probably even get one on your own without involving your publication. Heck, many may even have a few sports that they need covered giving you the opportunity to even make a few bucks. |
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Joshua Brown, Photographer
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Waynesville | NC | USA | Posted: 5:30 PM on 04.15.09 |
| ->> Rob, This reminds me of a story a photo buddy of mine told me. His paper was credentialed to shoot the Daytona 500, and when the paper made the decision not to cover it, the EIC tore the credentials up, to the protest of a photog or two who wanted to go. After the photogs discussed it with him however, they decided that it was the right decision. Misrepresentation and crowding were not things the EIC wanted his paper to represent. So, I guess the long answer is that it is wrong and unethical, because you are lying to get a credential by promising coverage under the guise of newspaper publication. Sorry for the long winded response. |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 8:02 PM on 04.15.09 |
->> More and more events are really trying to "clean up" the sidelines so to speak by actually requesting tear sheets from the outlets they are granting credentials to.
If your getting access on your papers behalf under the guise of covering the event but you not actually using the images for anything other than your personal portfolio, you could find yourself in a bad position when they want to see a tear sheet midway through the season and you dont have anything.
Then what can happen is they pull your credential and you have to explain to your editor or publisher what happened and why your publication probably will not be able to get any future crednetials, even in the case they do want to start providing coverage.
Maybe unethical isnt the right word, but think of it this way. If you were upfront with the organization and told them you wanted to shoot the event but only for personal portfolio use and not for any actual publication, do you think they would still grant you a credential ?
Probably not right ? So if your getting your access through your paper based upon their assumption that you requested it to provide actual coverage because you didnt want to be turned down otherwise, that would be a bit dishonest would it not ?
I dont really know how else you could spin it to make it seem acceptable to request access under the pretense that your outlet is covering the event when you know very well that your publications policy is to not cover it. |
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