The New York Philharmonic is running a photo contest for their Concerts in the Parks series this summer. Folks were encouraged to submit their photos and then to vote for their favorites between July 25th and July 31st. The categories are best performance shot, best family/friends shot, best kid shot, best nature shot, best picnic shot, best NYC moment shot, most original shot, and overall favorite shot. Such a great idea! And then, just when I think we’re safe…
Winners in each of the eight categories in the contest will be
announced on August 1, and will receive a pair of tickets to a New York
Philharmonic performance at Avery Fisher Hall.
Oh NO. No no. Why wouldn’t the winning photos become the advertising campaign for Concerts in the Parks next summer? I had assumed the point of the contest was to gather unique perspectives “from the ground” (literally/not literally). And some of the photos are really amazing; they capture the excitement and fun (imagine that!) of a philharmonic concert far better than any artist publicity shot does. Ah well. Baby steps.
Update – 7/22, 2ish pm: It has been brought to my attention that Carnegie Hall has held a Playbill cover art contest for the past three years. The ten winners receive $500 and two tickets to a Carnegie concert, and most importantly, their artwork becomes the monthly Playbill covers. I did not know this, and think it’s swell. The contest is open to art students, and is advertised via schools, art websites and Facebook. This year’s deadline was July 17th. It would be rockin’ for Carnegie to collaborate with a gallery and display the original artwork from the top 10, or maybe top 30 submissions, then work with that gallery on cross-marketing and even present a couple concerts in the space. Read your program while being surrounded by programs.
you’re right that this is a great idea, and some nice photos. yes, some would really add to next year’s promo.
But in order to use audience shots for pr, wouldn’t the NY Philharmonic need to have
releases from everyone in photo? A legal necessity, I believe, when photos are used for
promotional/”non-news” purposes even by a non-profit,though maybe there’s a way to get around…? If not, I doubt the participating amateur photogs would go through the hassle of getting releases.
On other hand, it’s great that NYPhilharmonic
isn’t trying to grab all rights to the photos–
they make it plain that photogs keep the copyright. Not to be a wet (picnic) blanket, but these good experiments bring up some thorny issues that arts administrators have to be aware of…
Valid. I’m going to investigate. -AA
Generally speaking, you can post notification near the entrance of the hall that the performance is going to be photographed. Usually this is a sign or two on an easel. My understanding is that, technically, this covers you from needing a release. It’s due to the fact that the patrons are in a “public” place and you can photograph any one in a public place. Now, if i thought i was going to zoom in and use someone on a cover, i’d probably ask for permission and a release; just in case.