First of all thanks for your input. Its good to hear all voices.
Although I will keep some of the arguments in mind down the road, I don't agree with some of your logic and i like to explain why a bit more on some of your points.
1. If I submit and I do not win, I lose my $5 plus effort to produce the nice image.
I strongly disagree on this and here is why: The 5$ did not only buy you a chance to be seen by some of the finest editors (me excluded here
) and a chance to win some of the prizes, but also it could be a stepping stone to your photography. Your efforts on the image are clearly NOT lost, as I made sure you guys keep the copyright. (not a given fact in local organized competitions). The nicely produced image, as you call it above, can be used for anything else you see fit as well.
2. Even worst if the price is not attractive, this worsen argument in point no.1 above
I talked about this earlier already in short and I have seen contests with better and much worst price packages, but overall I think a camera worth 650 SGD, a holiday worth a couple thousand dollars and printed and exhibited for free is not a bad start after all. To win in a competition, it might be about the prices in $, but not only. I think you have to appreciate this as well.
Again, I understand that here people can disagree with my view, but I always felt copyright and exposure are equally important.
3. The organizer is not genuine in the intention for having a competition. It might be seeking revenue from the competition especially if price is not attractive yet an entrance fee is charged, with 1000 entries:
1000 entries * US$5 = US$5k
I wished the calculation is that easy
.. your 5k don't even cover the basics of it. (server space, security implementations, online payment system... not even counting our hours)
So, i hope we get more then 1000 entries, which is not certain at all.
No, seriously. There is no contradiction between trying to make a revenue and creating a genuine destination photography competition.
Does it work for all parties (SilkAir and sponsors, Photographers, us and the judges) on all levels? I like to think so, but I will tell you for sure once this is over and judged and i hopefully have looked at a couple thousand great images, had the exhibition and shook hand with the winner.
Yours
Felix