MOT 2007 - Call For Photographers

[Theo]

Call for MOT 2007 Photographers

MC2 magazine will again feature MINIs On Top in their late summer issue. This year's article will focus on the drive up the mountain to the summit and the descent, contrasting the historic hill climbs on the Mt. Washington Auto Road with our adventures. We will need lots of action photographs on the Auto Road from dramatic angles and perspectives. The grittier, the better! Of course, we will need other photos as well.

Initial thoughts for photographic coverage separate the weekend's photography "genres" into three categories:

General Interest Photography
This type of photos will show the weekend's general activities (moose hunt, trivia contest, Loon activities, under-tent festivities, candids, blackmail photos, etc.) and will give the reader an idea of the general atmosphere of MINIs On Top.

In-Car/On-Car Photography
Photos in this category represent in-car/on-car action shots of the various drives taking place during the weekend. Of particular note is the desire to have some VacuCam-type shots from a low perspective showing the ascent/descent up Mt. Washington. For in-car photography, we strongly encourage the passenger to have the exclusive photographic duties.

Auto Road "Station" Photography
This year we have permission from the Auto Road to station about 5 photographers at locations along the length of the Auto Road. There are a number of spots that have been identified to be excellent locations for photographing MINIs from both the front and rear on their ascent/descent of the Auto Road. Of the three types of photos, these will be the most important to the heart of the MC2 feature story. Please consider the following unique issues if you would like to volunteer for the Auto Road Station Photography:

1. Your safety and the safety of those accompanying you is paramount...you must have signed the waiver on the MOT Registration Sheet;
2. You (and your camera gear) will be exposed to the elements;
3. Photos will be needed of BOTH the ascent AND the descent...you many not have sufficient time to travel to the summit and return to your station before MINIs start their descent;
4. Your main goal is to capture an "up close and gritty" flavor to the ascent and descent...beyond that, your individual creativity and the mountain's scenic beauty should guide your efforts;
5. The use of a fairly long telephoto lens (>=200mm for a digital camera) may be an advantage in gaining an "up-close and gritty" feel to your shots.
6. When you post your interest in being a MOT 2007 Photographer, you must explicitly state your desire to be one of the 5 Auto Road Photographers (separate credentials will be issued if selected);
7. The Auto Road Photographers will receive a free pass to their station on the Auto Road.


General Requirements for Photographers

Since all photos have the potential for being chosen for publication in MC2, a number of issues and requirements should be considered before volunteering as a MOT Photographer:

1. You must express your intention of being a MOT 2007 Photographer by posting your interest in this thread (names will be updated in this first post);
2. If you wish to be selected as one of the 5 Auto Road Photographers, you must explicitly state that interest;
3. All people expressing interest will be emailed a quick MOT 2007 Photographer's sheet to be edited with your information and emailed back...this must be received by May 5th;
4. You must use a digital camera able to take photos of at least 5 megapixels resolution and submit the entire image, not a cropped version (take care with your initial composition);
5. You must agree to give MINIs On Top and MC2 exclusive publication rights for any images you submit;
6. Photos appearing in MC2 will be credited to the photographer;
7. Due to publication deadlines, your images must be submitted to a MOT 2007 Photographers online photo sharing site (which will be setup and communicated to MOT Photographers only) as early as Wednesday, June 20th (actual deadline TBA);
7. Any images not chosen for publication are free from the "exclusive rights" agreement.

Please feel free to post any questions about MOT 2007 Photography or of the above process. I will respond quickly.

Theo

Interested People
- Theo Matthias
- snek (Auto Road)
- jwardell
- chs4 (Auto Road)
- Pamlico
- chesney
- sheenabea
- blalor
- AntiqueCarNut (Auto Road)

[snek]

Interested People
- Ivan: Auto Road!

[jwardell]

I, am course, am in.
And since I (am guessing) may not be the one driving this year, I won't need to point and aim out the sunroof without looking etc...so I should have many more and better shots.
Last year I decided to pull off at a few points of the auto road and get some shots, and they turned out GREAT-one was printed by MC2.

And, as usual, the kite will again be along for the ride, along with any other thing I can think up.

The only issue I see there is why does MC2 ask to be given exclusive publishing rights? And is that forever?
Even the Boston Globe doesn't ask for this...and they pay $150 per!

[Theo]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell (original)

{snip}...The only issue I see there is why does MC2 ask to be given exclusive publishing rights? And is that forever?
Even the Boston Globe doesn't ask for this...and they pay $150 per!

Great Josh!

I think they are trying to protect their photographic coverage to ensure that the same shots won't appear in Roundel and other market mags. If this is a problem for you or anyone, I can pass on your concern.

Will you want to be considered for one of the Official 5 Auto Road Photographers, Josh?

Theo

[chs4]

Theo,

Please count me in and throw my name into the hat to be one of the five "route" photographers.

I'm really excited to see this level of planning and interest from MC2, as opposed to the ad-hoc way we handled it in the past.

Kudos to whoever set this in motion.

[Pamlico]

Theo -

Count me in. I'd be interested in being one of the folks on The Road.

Thanks,

- David

[GBMINI]

I don't think MC2 should be able to demand any exclusive priveleges - at the very least they'd have to pay to get that; there should be fair give & take for such demands. But anyway, I'd bet most MINI photographers will be posting their pics online, and that basically gives worldwide distribution.
From my POV, if I had a great pic my priority would be sharing it, and not keeping it secret in case MC2 decides to print it

[chs4]

Ian,

I would tend to agree with Theo that MC2 is just ensuring that whichever photos they choose to use do not appear in other publications. (key word here) Personally, I retain all copyright to my own photos and provide explicit "use rights" to a publication. I'm still free to display/distribute my work provided it doesn't conflict with the rights I assign to the publication. I guess that's the long way of saying I don't think posting pictures to MINI2 or in a personal gallery would run afoul of what MC2 considers "exclusive rights to publication".

If MC2 wants an exclusive I'm happy to give them first shot at my photos since they have given us coverage in the past and I think they deserve that courtesy. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to submit photos that they (MC2) rejected to another publication if that other publication were interested. That's only fair to us as photographers and I don't think MC2 would have a problem with that arrangement.

[Pamlico]

Good point. MC2 seems to be requesting the publication rights to whatever photos they decide to publish and are not requiring the copyright being signed over to them.

[GBMINI]

Thanks Chip - good to have an explanation from someone with experience

[Sheenabea]

I would love to be a photographer... but I only have a lowly Point and Shoot Kodak digital... but I have been told it has great colors.

But yeah, if P&S cameras are allowed, I'm game!

[chs4]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sheenabea (original)

I would love to be a photographer... but I only have a lowly Point and Shoot Kodak digital... but I have been told it has great colors.

But yeah, if P&S cameras are allowed, I'm game!

The only stipulation seems to be the 5MP minimum, so if you're P&S meets that requirement I'd say you are good to go.

[Theo]

Quote: Originally Posted by chs4;2954813{snip}...MC2 is just ensuring that whichever photos they choose to use do not appear in other [I

publications[/i]. (key word here) Personally, I retain all copyright to my own photos and provide explicit "use rights" to a publication. I'm still free to display/distribute my work provided it doesn't conflict with the rights I assign to the publication. I guess that's the long way of saying I don't think posting pictures to MINI2 or in a personal gallery would run afoul of what MC2 considers "exclusive rights to publication"....{snip}

Precisely, Chip!

Theo

[Theo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sheenabea (original)

I would love to be a photographer... but I only have a lowly Point and Shoot Kodak digital... but I have been told it has great colors.

But yeah, if P&S cameras are allowed, I'm game!

Sheenabea,

Due to requirements specified by the Art Department at MC2, there is the following requirement:

"4. You must use a digital camera able to take photos of at least 5 megapixels resolution and submit the entire image, not a cropped version (take care with your initial composition);"

So, if your digital P&S has at least a 5 megapixel resolution, you're all set. Please let me know what you find out so I can update the first post.

Theo

[chesney]

Scott and I are interested