Reader Photo Submissions to our Contributor’s Gallery and other Online Challenges, Exhibits and Photographer Features/Interviews
Guidelines, and Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy, Terms and Conditions
1.) Submission Guidelines
Seeing your cherished photograph displayed online for the world to enjoy is both fun and gratifying. What makes this so much more exciting is when your image has been selected for inclusion on one of FreePhotoCourse.com’s online galleries or exhibitions! That’s because it’s not just you making a decision about whether or not to post a picture. Instead, if your image is featured in one of our galleries or exhibitions, it means that a panel of photo experts has reviewed your submission and has deemed it to be heads and tails above the rest!
If you want us to consider your submission, follow these guidelines:
● You must be the photographer. Do not submit work that is not your own.
● Submit only images that are focused and properly exposed. Remember, there’s no in-between
when it comes to focus! It is either focused or it is not.
●You may submit a maximum of two photos per month for consideration in any of our photo galleries, challenges, contests, features or exhibitions. Please do not exceed this limit.
● With regard to recognizable persons, all of the images on our site are used for editorial, artistic exhibition,
educational or critical review/commentary purposes and therefore model releases are not generally
required as they would be such as in cases in which images are used for commercial or advertising
purposes.
● Ensure that you do not crop an image tightly using photo editing software and then try to “rezz-up”
the resolution. This results in unattractive artifacts. Crop “in camera” to avoid having to crop
afterward, which retains your resolution.
● Provide your name, address, e-mail address, phone number, so we can contact you if we have any
questions regarding your content. (Depending on the gallery, challenge or exhibit in which your
image may appear, we may send you a personalized certificate of achievement or special exhibit
poster that you can put in your portfolio – something you can brag on!)
● Whether you are submitting an image for our regular Contributor's Gallery, one of our special exhibits
or for a periodic photo challenge, please provide some written background which we may use if we
select your photo. Let us know a bit about the location of the photograph, any special photographic
challenges you had to overcome or techniques you used. You may also wish to tell us about your own
perspectives, insights or personal style of photography.
● Make sure you send an ORIGINAL digital image file that has the EXIF metadata. Your image size should be
between 2-6 MB. No less, no more. We will not select or publish images that have low resolution.
QUESTIONS THAT PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS MAY HAVE:
...WHY DO WE ASK FOR HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGE FILES WHEN THEY ARE ONLY BEING USED FOR WEB PURPOSES?
It has been our experience that many readers submit photos that have been manipulated or adjusted improperly, re-saving such
images at resolutions far less than what would be considered adequate or suitable for publishing on any website that focuses on and
celebrates the art of photography. When clicked, images posted on our site expand to almost full-screen size and when an image with
poor resolution is used this is no longer possible. We have also found that when we require files to be in the 2-6 MB range, we're more
likely to get the original picture from the camera card without resolution adjustment and without over-processing which very often
occurs (ie. too contrasty, too bright, too dark, improperly cropped, colors over-saturated, etc.).
...WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH MY PICTURES?
First of all, we NEVER sell, distribute or license any reader-submitted image - ever!
Our legal terms below do NOT give us this right, so rest assured, the copyright to such images remains with the
photographer/artist.
Within our legal terms found below this section, there is the following statement:
"By uploading an image, you assign specific rights to FreePhotoCourse.com. This includes, but is not limited to, storing,
archiving and displaying the image in perpetuity on the World Wide Web. You also assign rights to FreePhotoCourse.com
to use your image for promotional/advertising purposes that is limited to marketing for this website, its galleries and
exhibits and in posters or other materials related to the website's galleries and exhibits, and to use in editorial content
exclusive to the website. You retain the copyright on your own material."
So, what does this mean in plain, human-readable language? It simply means that you give us the right to publish/display your
pictures on our website; obviously what you intended to happen with them when you sent them in! It also allows us to use
your picture in promotions, editorial content or ads pertaining only to the FreePhotoCourse.com website for its various lessons,
exhibits, galleries, challenges and contests. For example, we may wish to use a particular image in a special personalized
poster that photographers receive when they participate in our "Great Cities Exposed" series. We may also use your picture to
help promote an existing or new photography gallery, challenge, exhibit or contest. If we use your image to help explain
a photographic concept in a lesson, tip or tutorial on our site we will always give a photo credit. However, as already mentioned,
this does NOT give us rights to sell, distribute or otherwise license your images.
More specific legal terms and conditions are explained in detail below.
2.) Policy, Terms and Conditions
FreePhotoCourse.com respects the intellectual property of others; we ask and expect our users to do the same. If you are considering uploading an image to our Contributors' Photo Gallery or other photography challenges, exhibitions, contests and/or photographer features/interviews, we require that you agree to the following terms and conditions:
By uploading an image, you assign specific rights to FreePhotoCourse.com. This includes, but is not limited to, storing, archiving and displaying the image in perpetuity on the World Wide Web. You also assign rights to FreePhotoCourse.com to use your image for promotional/advertising purposes that is limited to marketing for this website, its galleries and exhibits and in posters or other materials related to the website's galleries and exhibits and to use in editorial content exclusive to this website. You retain the copyright on your own material;
Selection of images for display in our Contributor’s Gallery, photography features, photo contests, photo challenges and/or photographer
features/interviews are done on a case-by-case manner and according to various criteria. An image, if selected, may not be displayed on the website for weeks or months after submission; in most cases images are posted within 8 weeks, but in some instances images are held until a more suitable gallery, feature or exhibit opens-up. Please do not assume that any particular image will be chosen; many are submitted but due to the limitation of space, few are chosen. Contributors have no rights, implied or stated, with regard to our selection process; selections are final.
You agree to submit only your own work and will not submit work from another photographer on his or her behalf. Specifically and with serious legal implications, you guarantee that you created the work and that you own the rights (copyright) to it;
You agree that if you submit an image that depicts any recognizable person(s), the image must be photographed in a public place where this is no reasonable expectation of privacy or anonymity.
(For example, a picture taken on a public sidewalk that depicts pedestrians and drivers of vehicles contains images of people who should have no
expectation of privacy. As well, a picture taken from a public place that includes recognizable images of people inside establishments but who are
directly behind large windows open to the sidewalk also fits into this category. There is no expectation of privacy in such a case, as the individual
has agreed to be situated in a publicly visible spot and has full knowledge that he or she is clearly visible and recognizable to anyone on the other side of the window; thus anybody's camera, cell phone or other recording device will capture their likeness incidentally. However, an image taken from inside a private establishment is never acceptable. Similarly, a photographer may not use extraordinary means, such as a strong zoom lens or covertly spying through a small window, in order to capture images of a person; such a person would be entitled to an expectation of privacy.)
IF A CONTRIBUTOR WISHES TO SEND AN IMAGE PORTRAYING A RECOGNIZABLE PERSON IN A SITUATION IN A NON-PUBLIC SETTING, a standard model release is required. A clearly legible jpeg scan of the signed adult model release agreement must accompany any images you submit that depict recognizable person(s) that was/were photographed in non-public locations where there would normally be a reasonable expectation for privacy or anonymity. (For example, if you took photographs of your spouse, child, relative or friend inside your home or other private establishment, even though you know them personally and they knew you took their picture, we would still need the signed release.)
We will not post your image if it depicts a recognizable person in a private or otherwise non-public location, unless you provide the aforementioned model release agreement. If the recognizable person photographed in a non-public location is a minor, you must submit a standard child/minor release signed by the minor's parent or legal guardian. You further avow that any model release signature is authentic and is that of the recognizable adult subject associated with the image to which it pertains or is the parent or legal guardian of the recognizable minor subject associated with the image to which it pertains.
2a.) Information and Photograph Sharing/Publication
Vistors who upload images for submission to our Contributors' Photo Gallery or other photography challenges, exhibitions, contests and/or photographer features/interviews must read and comply with the Contributors' Gallery Terms and Conditions. We keep on file the following information submitted by a contributor: name, e-mail address, information regarding image subject matter as provided by the user, information about the image which is embedded electronically in the metadata and model release forms when necessary. We will publish the information a user provides as associated with his or her uploaded image, photographer profile and comments or descriptions provided by the photographer. For the purposes of establishing legitimacy of our galleries, challenges, contests and/or photographer features/interviews, we require photographers wishing to submit their artistic works for publication to disclose their city and country of residence, along with the location where such works were photographed. We will publish this information if such works are selected to be featured in one of our galleries, challenges,contests and/or photographer features/interviews. FreePhotoCourse.com also reserves the right to publish other information available by examining the EXIF, IPTC and XMP data that is embedded in digital photograph files. An example would include the f/stop (aperture) value used when shooting a photograph or other information that would be meaningful to other site users (ie. photographers) reviewing the work.
2b.) Indemnification
You, the user agree to indemnify, defend and hold FreePhotoCourse.com, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, owners, shareholders, agents, representatives, licensors and (sub)licensees (collectively, "Indemnitees") harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including attorney/lawyers’ fees on a solicitor and client basis) or other liability incurred by FreePhotoCourse.com arising from or in connection with: (a) the images that you upload and submit for inclusion in the "Contributor’s Gallery", special photo exhibits, challenges or photographer profiles; (b) the user’s breach of any of his or her obligations under this Agreement, and from any and all uses of content, including, without limitation, any claims or actions based on infringement or violation of intellectual property rights, libel or slander or other defamation or right of privacy; (c) images that you submit that may infringe on others’ rights, whether knowingly or not.
FreePhotoCourse shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to control the defense of any claim, action or matter subject to indemnification by the Member with counsel of its own choosing. The user shall fully cooperate with FreePhotoCourse in the defense of any such claim, action or matter.
2c.) Limitation of Liability
You assume all responsibility and risk for use of this website, including without limitation any of the content or information contained herein. If you submit a model release to accompany a photographic work portraying any recognizable human subject(s) that was photographed in a private or otherwise non-public area in which the reasonable expectation for privacy or anonymity exists, you are responsible to ensure that the release has been legally obtained, and is genuine and enforceable. In the event that you misrepresented the rights status of either the image itself, the public nature of the location or the identity of a recognizable individual in the image, you assume all risk and responsibility arising out of any claim, loss, damage, action, suit or other legal proceeding.
In no event shall FreePhotoCourse.com or any of its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, owners, shareholders, agents, representatives, licensors and (sub)licensees be liable for any incidental, indirect, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages whatsoever (including damages for loss of profit, interruption, loss of business information or any other financial loss) in association with a claim, loss, damage, action, suit or other proceeding arising under or out of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, your use of, reliance upon, access to or exploitation of this site, the content or any part thereof, or any rights granted to you hereunder, even if FreePhotoCourse.com has been notified of the possibility of such damages, whether the action is founded upon contract, infringement of intellectual property rights, tort, negligence or other grounds.
Notwithstanding this, FreePhotoCourse.com’s total maximum aggregate liability under this Agreement or with respect to the use or exploitation of any part or all of this site or the content in any manner whatsoever shall be limited to five ($5.00) Canadian dollars. Some jurisdictions do not permit the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you, the user. In such jurisdictions, the liability of FreePhotoCourse.com or any of its affiliates or their directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners or agents shall be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
2d.) Concluding Agreement
Your upload of images for potential inclusion in FreePhotoCourse.com’s Contributors' Photo Gallery or other photography challenges, exhibitions, contests and/or photographer features/interviews constitutes your acknowledgement and agreement of all Terms and Conditions set forth herein. If you do not agree with these terms, do not enter into this Agreement and do not use the Upload/Contributor’s Gallery section of the Website.
This policy was updated on January 16, 2016.