Photographing for a venue and copyright

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tomcraven

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I photograph for my Universities nightclub and I am given pit access to photograph artists. When photographing the artists or costumers do I need to do anything in order to use it in my portfolio and my online portfolio? As in people talk about model release forms etc but I am just unsure what is needed for this kind of work. I just wanted to check :) If you want to see here it is: www.tomcraven.org.uk/event

Thanks in advance!
 
No you do not need a model release for editorial (ie all of the uses that you'll realistically have) use of these types of images.

There is the possibility that you'll be asked by the artist managment to sign a photo release in order to be allowed to shoot in the pit.

Some of these attempt to seriously limit what you can do with the photos, and some sieze the copyright of the images that you take while in the pit!

If you are presented with this type of paperwork, then you should cross out the sections relevant to anything involving you giving them any images or rights whatsoever, and hand it back.

If they still don't let you shoot without your annotated release, go and have a beer instead of shooting the gig, too many bands are taking the **** like this.


Have fun :D Oh, and EARPLUGS!
 
Because I do it for the Nightclub at the uni, the events co-ordinator sorts out the contract which does say how many photographers and how long we can be there and if we can use flash, but doesn't say if I can use it for personal use or JUST to put on the nightclubs facebook page. I just don't want bands kicking up a fuss if they were to ever see the pictures. I mean I've been doing it a year but only just got round to putting it together into a portfolio and made a website as I have had constant work from there. (This is the one line where I'll brag, promise!) Been photographing Gym Class Heroes, Wheatus, Labrinth, Tinchy Stryder, Lemar, S Club, Five (was only two of them :P), Feeder, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Loveable Rogues. And that's just two thirds haha! Oh and my ears are ruined! I always forget to take plugs when going in the pit and after every week I need a week for my ears to recover and then I have another gig to do :P
 
tomcraven said:
(This is the one line where I'll brag, promise!) Been photographing Gym Class Heroes, Wheatus, Labrinth, Tinchy Stryder, Lemar, S Club, Five (was only two of them :P), Feeder, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Loveable Rogues. And that's just two thirds haha!
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thats bragging? sorry never heard of any of them.. if your going to brag.. shoot someone people have heard of :)

as for your problem/question... you say "the events co-ordinator sorts out the contract " well i am afraid on this occasion nobody on these forums can help you much.. you really need to speak to the event co-ordinator
 
You've never heard of them? I should point out I am 21 and most are "my era" by your standards. If you were my age you would know them all. In addition, it wasn't to you but the commercial photographer who posted who I am sure will of atleast heard of some of them. I've tried talking to the events co-ordinator and he just says "I think you can do what you like with them" But some of these bands are worth several milliions (trust me, check the charts out once in a while) and I don't want them chasing me up.
 
tomcraven said:
In addition, it wasn't to you but the commercial photographer who posted who I am sure will of atleast heard of some of them. .
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first ...yes you was talking to me and thousands of other people using this forum.. if you want to address your comments to one person then either say so in the post or use private message

second.. wind your neck in ...it wasnt exactly a nasty coment i made.. it was so tounge in cheek it could jump up and say BOO!


JEEZE Your very touchy for a 21 year old :)
 
Have you signed a contract with anyone, events co-ordinator, venue? If not then surely you still own the copyright and you can do what you want with them, I don't think the artists will be that fussed unless you portray them in a negative manner or they have asked you directly not to do something.
 
ljphil78 said:
Have you signed a contract with anyone, events co-ordinator, venue? If not then surely you still own the copyright and you can do what you want with them, I don't think the artists will be that fussed unless you portray them in a negative manner or they have asked you directly not to do something.
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surely if the photogrpaher works for the event cor-ordinator and he has contracts then thats the perrson who needs to be spoken to one way or another?
 
But doesn't the photographer retain the copyright to his/her images unless specified in contract?
 
ljphil78 said:
But doesn't the photographer retain the copyright to his/her images unless specified in contract?
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OK lets say he owns the copyright and does what he wants with them.. lets then say the event co-ordinator takes the hump and no longer gives him pit access..?


I stand by my original advice.. you must clear this with the event co-ordinator..it really doesnt matter whats legal or not.. if you want to keep people happy (as seems to be your poin t of posting) then the first port of call is the event co-ordinator.......no matter who retain copyright...
 
Oh I agree with you that you have to use some diplomacy and tact, I was just highlighting where the OP stands on the copyright side. Like I said as long as the photos don't portray the artist or venue in a negative light I doubt any reasonable person would have a problem
 
Its a minefield this one

The venue coordinates with the artists & there should be a contract
The venue coordinates with you, there should be a contract

Without 2 contracts in place, it can all fall apart. With one contract in place, it gets silly, with no contracts in place, no one can demand anything from you
 
Hi. I used to shoot for a local venue, shot all sorts of acts, some well known, others not. I did it on a volunteer basis for experience. Never had a problem. Acts could use my pics on their websites - like Midge Ure, Dr Feelgood, Georgie Fame (I bet you haven't heard of them ... :)) and never signed any sort of contract. Heck, I think most of these artists should be grateful anyone wants to photo them LOL.
 
KIPAX said:
thats bragging? sorry never heard of any of them.. if your going to brag.. shoot someone people have heard of :)
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:eek:

You've not heard of Newport's finest - Feeder? You've been missing out for the last fifteen years. You must know their Buck Rogers single?

Ditto for Wheatus... Teenage Dirtbag can't have passed you by, surely?

S Club [7] I can happily live without, but they were rather unavoidable in the early noughties (consequently I spent a lot of time trying to avoid them) - three top 3 albums and 11 top 10 singles, including three number ones. Similar goes for Five.

I'm at least acquainted with most of the other names.

Rob [age 45] :D
 
I'm with Tony. Remember Wheatus, wasnt that a theme song for a film or something? The guy from American Pie?? Heard of S Club 7, wasnt that teeny bopper stuff?

As for there rest, WHO?

That's not to say they aren't any good, but never heard of them.
 
Anymore of this tongue in cheek stuff and you will look like a Hamster on a feeding frenzy.

So who are you selling them to?? Surley if there was an outlet to earn some money then the organiser would have it sewn up with a contract :shrug:

As for the bands...... Meh ;)

Phil.
 
Oh, and if ya wanna be a deaf 30 year old, leave out the earplugs.
I ALWAYS wear earplugs at gigs. keep a few sets in ya camera bag, or even a little pouch fastened to your camera straps.
I know a LOT of musicians who have partial hearing loss.And theres pretty much as close to the speakers as you are.
 
My hearing is much worse after a year or so of shooting gigs....:'(

Could be wax but I now plan to get my self some ear plugs:bang:
 
Personally id just be checking as to what the university are signing on your behalf. I have 1 client where they have to sign a contract on my behalf with his management about the release of photos. Basically in this instance theyre not trying to grab rights however all photos have to be approved by the management team prior to release.

However ignoring that 1 individual my portfolio is built up or artists photos during shows, theres no issues with doing this.

On another note going onto your site, your pricing would put me off if I was an event organiser. £54 etc... is a really odd number, Id personally round it up to £60 and £ in these instances, especially as some venues pay cash even when invoiced pre event.
 
Sorry guys, was without internet for a few days! Firstly, to the person who originally said they didn't know any I wasn't getting annoyed just wanted to show you that them acts (good or not) are or have been in the top 10 UK charts and that some are hard to annoyed (S Club). I wasn't just stating it might be because of your age alone but also what kind of photography you do. I only know of thema s they are "my era" and if they weren't I would know IF I was interested in chart music lol. Sorry if I came across snappy xD

Thank you for all the replies, will tell you what came of my meeting with the venue event co-ordinator.

Because I am voluntary and have not signed anything I own the pictures completely so can do what I like with them. The contract with the artists only states that the venue will have event photographers in the pit, how many can be there, if they can use flash or not (most don't let you use flash) and how many songs for (usually three songs). The ownership of the pictures taken are not dicussed or agreed on. Therefore I own them. For anyone else in this situation, check what the contracts are for the artists as some might be that they get co-ownership of pictures even if you are voluntary.

This question only came about as Gym Class Heroes weren't happy with the contract regarding photographers so wanted to check. I should of just asked the co-ordinator haha.

On the price comment, I thought the same. I just need to work out how to do it. Might do it to nearest £5? Or would you suggest only doing it to the nearest £10? :]

Thanks again for the responses!
 
Re the ear plugs - wear them! You are most likely doing permenant damage to your hearing. If I go to a gig and the music is too loud - I limit how long I'm there, usually 30 mins tops and I'm out of there. I know people with hearing loss and tinnitis and it isn't something to be taken lightly.

Sorry - a bit OT.
 
Don't worry I just bought some which I will have in my camera bag so I don't forget! Luckily had a few weeks off so far and hearing seems to be fine now =]
 
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