How can the winners best take advantage of

[Spook]

Abers, Karen, Dunkeld

I have been busy following your suggestions and researching possible media that would b interested in the story. Ill tell you something, it's not easy interviewing yourself for a press release. What's scary is that I felt quite comfortable sat here speaking to the other fella occupying my skull

Here is the press release I have sent out today to 5 publications. As I live in Finland, my other half was kind enough to translate into Finnish.


For immediate release

PRESS RELEASE

Helsinki photographer is a success in the world’s biggest photography competition

The Digital Camera photographer of the year 2009 competition has just ended. This well established international competition attracted well over 100,000 entries this year from photographers around the world, including a submission from Helsinki based amateur wildlife photographer Peter Byrne who fought off stiff competition to attain high ranking in the wildlife category.

The competition, organised by Digital Camera Magazine based in the UK, has a massive international readership, including many readers in Finland. This year’s photographs were judged by leading photo industry experts and internationally renowned photographers, such as wildlife photographer Steve Bloom, Nick Gavin of Magnum photos and Martin Keene, picture editor of the Press Association. In an interview with the competition organisers Keene said “I think all of the judges were astonished by the pictures in the wildlife category, we watched the images on the screen and you could hear a pin drop in the room as we looked at them”

Byrne had decided to enter the competition after being persuaded to do so by family and friends. When asked about this he said “I think a photographer’s at every level have difficulty in realising the quality of their own work”. He went on to say that “Doing so well has really given a boost to my confidence as a photographer and I’m working hard to take my photography to the next level”. He concluded that “Most people have a digital camera nowadays, and I would encourage everyone to get out there with their cameras and enter their photos into competitions, because you never know where it might lead?”

This year’s winning photographs can be seen at the website of the competition organiser www.photoradar.com located in the news section, or you can visit Peter’s website to learn more about his winning photograph www.peterbyrnephotography.me The January issue of Digital Camera magazine will showcase the winning images and will be available at newsagents and bookshops in Finland from December 15th.

#######

Maybe this could b of use to someone else here in the frum.

Once again ladies and gents, thanks for your suggestions and feedback

Peter

[karenoliver]

Its great, Peter. I would reword this though " “I think a photographer’s at every level have difficulty in realising the quality of their own work”. I am not sure that makes sense?
Karen

[Spook]

Hi all

Success today Finland's only national broadsheet published my home-made press release today and the response from the general public has been massive and and very positive

Here is a link to the online version of the story

http://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/artikkeli.../1135251490181

I can only recommend interviewing yourself and writing it up


Kind regards
Peter

[Dunkeld]

There you go Peter. But, tell me, have you earned anything from it? Any commissions lined up??
This picture, indeed any image that is published should be putting some cash in your pocket. Certainly, if I had taken a shot like this years ago it would have earned me quite a bit.

I take the view that if a picture is published, the newspaper, website or whatever should be paying the photographer for use. Sadly, today, so many skinflint publications think they are doing the photographer a favour and pay little or nothing. Worse still, many photographers offer stuff for free, just to get that 15 minutes of fame "Warhol" predicted. They spoil it for everyone.

Anyway, a step in the right direction Peter. I hope you get a few knocks on the door and lots of phone calls. Just remember though, you must pay for everything you need or use. Try not to laugh when people suggest free gift photos. I'm in a really weird situation in China. Lots want to use my stuff, those that will pay, offer a pittance, less than I got for pictures 30 years ago.

Maybe selling fine art prints would be the way to go Peter. I'm looking to move in that direction myself. If you have more images of this quality, you should certainly look into this.

Dave T.

[ABERS]

Oh dear what happened to the in-depth exchanges recenrly posted here?

[Spook]

Hi Dave

I have made the photo available as a limited edition print on my website after getting a lot of email from interested people worldwide. I have sold 4 copies so far

The response from local media was very favourable and have made some contacts through that.

All in all very positive I think.


Peter

Originally Posted by Dunkeld

There you go Peter. But, tell me, have you earned anything from it? Any commissions lined up??
This picture, indeed any image that is published should be putting some cash in your pocket. Certainly, if I had taken a shot like this years ago it would have earned me quite a bit.

I take the view that if a picture is published, the newspaper, website or whatever should be paying the photographer for use. Sadly, today, so many skinflint publications think they are doing the photographer a favour and pay little or nothing. Worse still, many photographers offer stuff for free, just to get that 15 minutes of fame "Warhol" predicted. They spoil it for everyone.

Anyway, a step in the right direction Peter. I hope you get a few knocks on the door and lots of phone calls. Just remember though, you must pay for everything you need or use. Try not to laugh when people suggest free gift photos. I'm in a really weird situation in China. Lots want to use my stuff, those that will pay, offer a pittance, less than I got for pictures 30 years ago.

Maybe selling fine art prints would be the way to go Peter. I'm looking to move in that direction myself. If you have more images of this quality, you should certainly look into this.

Dave T.

[karenoliver]

You're doing well, Peter. Just keep going forward and keep believing. I can understand what Dunkeld means about it being hard getting paid for work or achieving success in photography. I am always disilluisioned with my work and admit to being one of the people who lets the papers print her photos for free. I only do it because otherwise my work would just stagnate on flickr or on my HD. Just see being a winner in this competition as the first of many steppnig stones.

Karen