New Jersey Photographer Rich Green

What do I do now?

It snowing like hell here on the East Coast today. I want to go back on vacation out west, speeding along on those wonderfully empty highways.

I don’t know if most folks realize but film is fading very fast. If you’re around a big city, a pro photographer might buy film and having it processed is still viable, but what about the consumer on the outskirts. They really are the largest part of the market. What do they do when they want prints from negatives that really aren’t that old.  A friend asked me about getting some from 110 film – a consumer product. I assume that a google search would probably provide some answers but they wouldn’t be local. The friend is also a close friend so I considered it my job to get it done for him. My initial thought – I have a Nikon scanner – I can rig up something to do the trick. No, I couldn’t. It was time for another solution. One that some pros do practice for scanning – direct photography. I don’t have some of the specific items needed, but a tripod, closeup lens, careful setup and the job gets done. I photographed the negatives with my Canon 5D, in RAW, digitally processed and had prints made. Is this what it’s come to? For the consumer, I mean, that he/she can no longer make a quick trip down to the photo/drug/food store with negatives in hand for some quickie prints? No one is looking for artistic museum quality images just some prints of Uncle Bob kissing the dog. Now if my friend had used 35mm film instead, he could still easily go to Costco (and maybe Walmart, I don’t know because I haven’t checked) and get the prints, but for how much longer.

I’m tired of the cold and we haven’t had a big snow storm yet. I know it’s coming. oh brother….

For those who enjoy entering photo contests, there’s “Beware” sign one should always look out for. I’m referring to the one being sponsored by Frommers, the travel book company - http://www.frommers.com/go/photocontest/.

The winner gets $5000! Sounds great! But read the fine print – (read my bold comment for a quick definition)

License: Participant retains ownership of the copyright in any submitted photographs. However, by entering photograph(s) in this Contest, participant grants Sponsor the irrevocable, perpetual right to edit, adapt, use and publish in any media now known or hereafter discovered any or all of the photographs without compensation to the participant, his or her successors or assigns, or any other entity. ENTERING A SUBMISSION IN THIS CONTEST CONSTITUTES PARTICIPANT’S IRREVOCABLE ASSIGNMENT, CONVEYANCE, AND TRANSFERENCE TO SPONSOR OF THE FOREGOING RIGHTS. Photograph(s) shall be given attribution credit based on the name supplied with submission. The winner shall work with Sponsor to change the file in any way deemed necessary for publication of the photograph(s). The participants shall supply, upon request, original, unmodified digital files.

What this means, one person wins big but EVERYONE gives their photos for Frommer’s to use without payment of ANY sort.

Also -

Participants, by participating in this Contest, hereby waive and release, and agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless, Sponsor,all contest and advertising agencies, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, and their respective successors and assigns (the “Indemnified Parties”), from and against, any and all rights, claims and causes of action whatsoever that they may have, or which may arise, against any of them for any liability for any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, including but not limited to any injury, loss, damage, whether direct, compensatory, incidental or consequential, to person, including death and property, arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from: their acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prize in the Contest; or their participation in the Contest; or the use of the photograph, including without limitation any claims relating to violations of the Content Restrictions. Winner also further acknowledges that the Indemnified Parties have neither made, nor are in any manner responsible or liable for, any warranty, representation or guarantee, expressed or implied, in fact or in law relative to any prize or this Contest including but not limited to quality, condition or fitness for a particular purpose.

What this means, if someone decides to sue Frommer’s because of mistake, they’re COMING AFTER YOU, not Frommer’s and you have to pay to defend them.

So take those photos and enter! It’s gotta be fun to live dangerously.