Photoshelter Goes Kaput

Last week Photoshelter, a seemingly up and coming photo stock agency called it quits after only a year in business. You can read the statement here that was sent out to contributors and such.

I had several images with them and had planned to add more. Though in light of what has happened, I've since deleted much of what I had up with them. I'm hardly taking a big hit like Rachel Hulin (whose blog I mentioned in my last post) and others that worked there, but I am disappointed and feeling a bit mislead to say the least. APE (A Photo Editor) and PDN along with many other blogs have written about it and I think the comments made by a lot of people (contributors and otherwise) made on all those postings are enlightening.

Photoshelter is now pushing hard their other service. Can't blame them for wanting to stay alive and continue in business, though I can't say I'm very interested in what they are offering. Maybe I'm just a cynic, but I've been burned and seen similar things happen to others far to many times in the past for me to consider doing business with them again-see my reasoning below where I've copied what I wrote on APE's blog.

What do you think?

Seems to me they were a bit ill prepared or short sited. I mean to pull the plug after only several months in business doesn’t seem like a very well thought out plan was in place. I could be completely wrong, but I really have to wonder about doing business with them in the future. I mean I see these agencies as a partnership (Am I alone in this?). We all know how it works, the photographer provides the imagery/content to sell and the agency provides the backbone and clients. Usually a good fair deal. Though now if I had just gotten the rug pulled out from under me from such a partner I’m not so sure I would be partnering up with them again all to soon.

However, like you said they had the guts to do this. Though I still can’t shake the thought and wonder how the guts feel of those who spent the time and effort into investing with them with their imagery? I suppose one could say we should have seen it coming, but it still feels like the curtain go peeled back all of a sudden. Well time to click your heels together.

Anthropology sucks, unless my instrutor is reading this

I like my coffee at f5.6 at 1/250 .

Wonderful short video take with role reversals for toy collectors here

I always enjoy insight into an artists thoughts and process. Here is Audrey Kawasaki's live journal blog where she shares some background and updates to her pieces. Love her work and there are link to her regular web site as well.

For the taxidermist in all of us.

Rachel Hulin formally of Photoshelter, "Shoot the Blog" (damn them) and a great blog she had there has created her own blog site here. Currently simply titled, A Photography Blog. I think she is looking for name suggestions-I don't think she liked mine, "Shove it Photoshelter!".

Another blog that I think is worth checking out is one by the British Journal of Photography. Titled 1854, a nod to when they first started in print. Lots of great stories, links, and a great way to get a peak and another point of view from someone outside the U.S.

Asian in a Box

Pretty much finished this shoot for now, though I never completely walk away from ideas and I may add or tweak them later. Now lets see if I can get these images up on Flickr so you can see them all.

Link This

Some forgotten films to add to the list that just don't get shown enough.

Little Big Man (1970)
On the Waterfront (1954) (love the glove scene between Brando and Eva Marie Saint)
Harvey (1950)

New topic, Guilty Pleasures:

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Starship Troopers (1997)
Stargate (1994)
Tremors (1990)
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Oh yeah the links:

A wonderfully updated and trendy Twin Lens Reflex on 35mm from Japan, blackbird, fly.

Rain Photography, my favorite is the waist deep umbrella shot about 6 down. Not the most colorful, but interesting.

From Kanibal, something for the tired photographer to rest their heads on.

Oh this is good, a blog on Modern Mechanics old classic articles. Some are interesting, others hilarious, and still some you have to wonder what the heck were they thinking. The link is to the photography section, but check out some of the many other articles. One of my favorites titled Exploring the Moon by Rocket Ship (Aug, 1931) has this fantastic image of a female surveyor/photographer with a tripod and in regular hiking clothes. The heading under the image read. "...which gives a scientifically accurate view of the moon's surface.

Check it out.

p.s. Independence Day was on one of the Fox cable channels tonight (sigh).

What I'm currently working on

Independence Day (rinse and repeat)

Now I know it is past and not July 4th, but do others know this? What I mean is that it seems that the entire year on satellite/cable they have been repeating the movie Independence Day over and over and over again. Now I'm not a movie snob for the most part and I don't hate this movie, but is it really the only option for movie and tbs ilk channels? Heck I saw this film when it first came out at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. A good example of a summer action movie I suppose, but damn it seems like everyday I look at the t.v. guide and there it is-nooooo. It's like Jason from the Halloween series, it won't stay down. Do I really need to see it this often 12 years after its release and it has already been on t.v. a gazillion times? It was on two channels last night and it will be again this weekend. Are there really no other movies made in the last 12 years? They don't even have to be great just good movies. Anything that could be shown in I.D.'s place. Heck you don't, and I'm actaully encouraging this , even have to have Will Smith (see I Robot, I Am Legend, Shark Tale, Men in Black and Bad Boys II, Wild Wild West....etc.) in it.

Here is a small list off the top of my head:

Serenity (2005)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Touching the Void (2003)
25th Hour (2002)
Equilibrium (2002)
Shaolin Soccer (2002)
Band of Brothers (2001) (mini)
Unbreakable (2000)
Iron Giant, The (1999)
Payback (1999)
Bowfinger (1999)
eXistenZ (1999)
Red Violin, The (1998)
From the Earth to the Moon" (1998) (mini)
Dark City (1998)
Rounders (1998)
Great Expectations (1998)
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Princess Mononoke (1997)

Now some do get some air play, but not like I.D. Hey how about even some older movies that deserve more play time:

Get Shorty (1995)
Crumb (1994) (documentary)
Postino, Il (1994)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Trois couleurs: Bleu (1993)
Sneakers (1992)
Singles (1992) (Takes Me Back to Seattle)
The Fisher King (1991)
The Commitments (1991)
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
The Grifters (1990)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Say Anything... (1989)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
The Big Picture (1989)
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Evil Dead II (1987)
Swimming to Cambodia (1987)
Explorers (1985)
Breaking Away (1979)

You can easily find details and more movie options at IMDB (Internet Movie DataBase). The bottom line of what I'm saying is, "Mix it up a little Mr. Movie Programmer, there are plenty of other good movies out there... ass."

Facebook

Since I've added this blog to a Facebook application, I thought "sheit" I better write something. At least add a few interesting links dammit!

Okay what color is that? Word List

Mmmm I should promote some friends. How about Steph at her blog and her Stephanie Fowler Photography site. Also check out Ivy at Ivy Reynolds Photography. Ivy won this years PDN's Top Knots Wedding Photography Contest, if you follow the link the bride in the image you see on the cover is Steph. One of the few weddings I actually snuck into... errr was invited too. I still dream of Steph's ding dong (yes the hostess kind) wedding cake mmmmm. So we all know each and I can recommend both since I've hired them both twice in the past to work for me at two different companies. Both wonderful people and photographers.

Some fun, Worst Album Covers Ever

Last and most strange, absurdly humorous and certainly NSFW (not safe for work) The Erotic Falcon

All Me, All Day, All the Time

If you are anywhere near Ft. Collins, CO you may consider stopping by The Center for Fine Art Photography. I managed to bribe.. errrr, be accepted into the current "Edgy" exhibition now showing. You can also see it on line through the link above on their name. Not surprisingly, you can find my submission way down almost at the bottom.

If you are in school you may come have come across an issue of PDNedu. Again I managed to extort..errrrrr, get a runner up status in the still life category. You can view all the winners (and me again in the back) again through the link in their name above.

So you should be asking yourself, damn if he can win why can't I. And you are right. So check out my last two journals for contests still open and go for it. Oh and just for giggles here are some new ones:

AN-NE Marketing Awards

Exposure, Artists Wanted

PIX 14th Digital imaging Award

Go!

American Idol and more contests

Okay I watch it, though more so at the beginning for all the usual disillusioned horrible singers fun. However, lately I've been both annoyed and thrilled by the continued presence of Jason of the Dreadlocks. I mean sure its fun to yell at the tv while he is getting judge feedback, "Run Forrest Run!". Or simply mumble like my fiance, "grrrrrr die!!!". Though in reality when Simon said to Jason for his critique, "Pack your bags". What he really should have said was, "Pack your bong".


The Pilsner Urquell International Photography Awards has extended their deadline . There is a discount on the entry fee for students and non-professionals.

Here is a free one from Professional Photographer Magazine due by May 31st.

Livebooks has one that ends this month I believe it is free to students.

This one ends May 12th at Photographer's Forum Magazine. With a small fee of $4.95 per entry.

So who do you think will get voted out tonight. One of the 3 singers left or the box of rocks?

Photography Contests

Contests can be frustrating, rewarding and of course very subjective. However, I do think they can help you with your photography? Not only in getting publicity, but also in forcing a photographer to look critically at their own work-edit.

But I also think they can be hard to find sometimes and the deadlines can be a real beaatch to keep track of and not miss. Unfortunately we missed a bunch in March and the many contests that had deadlines at the end and beginning of the year. However, there are more going on through the year and its never to late to start.

So, lets begin a list of all the "good" contests and their deadlines. If you know more let me know and I'll add them as we go.

Oh, good luck. :)

• APRIL 2008

The Pilsner Urquell International Photography Awards - Deadline 4/30/08

• MAY 2008

The 24th Annual PDN/Nikon Self-Promotion Awards-Deadline 5/23/08

• JUNE 2008

Center for Fine Art Photography: All Things Horses - Deadline 6/18/08

• JULY 2008

Aperture Foundation: Portfolio Prize Competition - Deadline 7/11/08
Center for Fine Art Photography: 2008 Int'l Exhibit of Fine Art Photography - Deadline 7/15/08

• AUGUST 2008

Center for Fine Art Photography: Our Environment - the good, bad and ugly - Deadline 8/18/08

World In Focus (Seems travel oriented & the site is updating in late April so more info should be coming) - Deadline 8/21/08

• KINDA ON GOING:

JPG Magazine: Constantly having contests for images to get into their magazine. Its free, check it out.

Shots Magazine: Call for Entries for each issue.

National Photo Awards: Kinda funky site, but they seem to have a monthly photo contest.

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Notes: Personally, if possible, I like to take a look at past winners to get a feel for what type of photography each contest is looking for in submissions. Sometimes it helps me decide what image to submit or to even bother submitting. Though you never know, maybe its better to just submit whatever you want. Also read the rules and terms carefully. Some contests require more from you in image rights then you may want to give. Most are run by fellow artists and try to be fair though.