Steven Yee said:
The interesting thing here is such rules are not found in this competition only,but also in others, local and global, especially by some bigger commercial entities. Why do so many people single this out?
So if it have happening locally/globally, big commercial entities have done it before, we are supose to keep quite now when HPB is doing it? Again in your own words, does it means that PSS is aware of this and they choose to turn a blind eye to it? I wander how many other competation with such T&Cs PSS have endorse.
Again in your own words, " Why so many people single this out? " Tell me when and which competation should we speak up on if not now. Should we wait for a competation which PSS is not part of before we speak up?
Steven Yee said:
As mentioned, every organisation has their objective in organising the competition. We have to respect their rules and regulation. It is up to one individual whether to take part or not. It is hard to say if the rules are fair or not. If one thinks that the rules are not fair, then one is free not to take part and let others sweep the prizes. I also think that photographers who shoot to join competition is monitoring this thread carefully to see howmany works to "whack" and win all. Hope these comments about fairness are not decoys by these photographers.
So it is out of respect for the org that PSS have kept quite? What about the respect and even the rights of photographer? The very photographers who upon seeing the logo of PSS is of the impression that PSS endorse this competation. Don't they deserve respect?
Why is it so hard to say if the rules is fair or not?
Do you think it is fair, for HPB to insist upon submition, licence and rights to the image on a perpetual basis without any futher payment? Do you think it is fair for HPB to insist that if they get sued for using the images, the photographer have to bear, without limitation, the cost HPB incurred to fight the case?
If PSS could not make up it's mind and judge if something written in black and white is fair or not, how can they convince others that their judging of the competation is fair?
You seem concern about the same no. of people winning too many of the prize. For your info, I do not join photo competations. People who know me knows it. In fact, outside of my work, I don't even shoot much prefering to help those who're shooting. Even if I do. So what? Winning photographers have been kown to find out who the judges are, what are their taste in photography, which judge usually have a bigger say due to his standing, in order to shoot something to suit the judges just to win prize. A friend of mine have told me before " just see who the judge is and find out their taste and half of the competation is over. " and he have lots of prizes ( some from PSS ) to show for it.
I can sense PSS's care and concern for the competation here, maybe PSS should also show some care and concern for the photographers as well.
Steven Yee said:
In PSS's stance, we are just providing resources for the judging and venue for exhibition. Full stop. HPB is a stat board and they have a legal team to do the drafting of the form. This competition is not owned by PSS. We are just supporting in terms of logistics.
Asumming that, since PSS do things diff. with the Life is Great competation, the T&Cs here are not something PSS will agreed whole heartedlly, than things are still as I've mention before, PSS is only judging and provide the venue for exhibition. It is not the one who set the T&Cs, so even if there is something wrong about it, even if the T&Cs are stacked against the copyrights of the photographers, even if PSS knows about it, even if people sees PSS's logo and get the impression that PSS is supporting/endorseing it, it will not mention anything about it. It will not stand up to set things right. PSS will not comment on the T&Cs. Is that the stance of PSS? If that is so, how can PSS claim to promote photography as a whole in Singapore? But I would say PSS have done a very good job of promoting the " process of shooting " in Singapore.
Steven Yee said:
In a nutshell, I really do not understand why there is a hoo haa about this competition.
The competition game is pretty simple. If one think it is unfair, feel free not to join and let the rest sweep the prizes. Think about it.
You do not understand? Well my stand is very simple, I can't stand to see the rights of photographers being abused, I can't help it but speak up when I feel that unknowingly, some photographer may have to pay a lot of money when someone else used his image and get sued for it and it really makes my blood boil when I see an org, known to be the leading photography club in SG, respected even by people outside of SG, knowing full well all this and does nothing about it, they even lend their name to the competation!
A name that once a photographer see it, will automatically accord weight and respect to it, but do not have the will themself to stand up and fight for the rights and welfare of the very people who respected it. That is what all this about for me.
A client once wanted me to shoot the cover of another packaging. He wanted to use it for his own packaging after some alteration to it. I told the client that I'll not do the job. He thought that I wanted more money and since he needed it urgently, offer me more money. I told him firmly but politely that I will not have any part to play in this brech of copyright. Till this day, I think I can say that my backbone is pretty straight.
Sweep the prizes? The way you say it seems like it have happen before. Have you ever though why these photographers are able to sweep the prize? Can it be that they have join so many competation that they know the judges so well, they can shoot according to the judge's taste. Can it be that because of the T&Cs, many choose not to join? Can it be that some photographers are so piss off with PSS that when they see the PSS logo they prefer not to join? If the answers to my questions is NO because there are alot of entries, than how did you come to the impression that someone can " sweep the prize "? You have after all said " I also think that photographers who shoot to join competition is monitoring this thread carefully to see howmany works to "whack" and win all. Hope these comments about fairness are not decoys by these photographers. ". Think about it.
Steven Yee said:
Internet connection in India is not cheap. Hope my comments help to clear some doubts.
I'm greatful that though the cost of internet connection in India is not cheap, you still care enough to try to tell your side of the story. There may still be some hope for PSS. It makes me wander, why is no one else from PSS coming in to give their views? What happen to the HPB "spokesperson" who post 1 post and have disappeared.
Something a friend bounce off me last night which I hope is not true. Is PSS paid by HPB for their part in this competation?
In my opinion, PSS should be paid. PSS have a building to run, stuff cost to cover and bills to pay. It should charge for the use of the venue for the judging and exhibitation. But I hope that this did not cause them to turn a blind eye.
A picture is judge by it's beauty
A bird is judge by it's song,
And a man is judge by his deeds.
Think about it.
