a mixed blessing...

[candleman]

A client prints wedding images from the CD I supplied & sends them in for a competition.
The magazine scans and prints the images in their publication. And then photo credits me by my company name.
Sounds good right?
Especially when it’s the country’s most popular, nationwide womens magazine....
The couple win a competition with the images.. the magazine prints TWO of my images.. covering almost half a page total.

Here’s the catch:
The prints in the magazine are so shockingly bad.. I’m almost ashamed to see my name nexto them.
One of which was this one as what it should look like... bridesmaids swooning over ring | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
in the magazine its HORRIBLY blown out, has yellow edging and just looks like complete cr@p.

I’m trying very hard to see this as a good thing.. because the image is on my website, so anyone who goes to see my site from the magazine will see it wasn’t my bad photography.. it was the magazine.
I hope I’ll get more work out of it.. I’m just worried most people will look at it and say “uugh what a horrible photographer”

Please help me see the good side..
What would you do? Would you be happy????

I’m not going to kick my clients in the bum.. they were a great couple to work for and have been very nice about spreading my name in a positive light. I guess this is just a new lesson in something ELSE to add to the contract...

[Jim Poor]

Did the clients have permission to do what they please with the photo?

At least over here, the magazine would be on the hook for publishing your work without your consent. I'd consider a phone call, email, letter to the editor explaining that they had no right to publish the photo in the first place and also explaining that their printing is horrible.

I had a similar situation when a portrait of mine was submitted to a contest and selected by the Virginia Lottery to use on a new ticket.

Originally Posted by candleman

A client prints wedding images from the CD I supplied & sends them in for a competition.
The magazine scans and prints the images in their publication. And then photo credits me by my company name.
Sounds good right?
Especially when it’s the country’s most popular, nationwide womens magazine....
The couple win a competition with the images.. the magazine prints TWO of my images.. covering almost half a page total.

Here’s the catch:
The prints in the magazine are so shockingly bad.. I’m almost ashamed to see my name nexto them.
One of which was this one as what it should look like... bridesmaids swooning over ring | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
in the magazine its HORRIBLY blown out, has yellow edging and just looks like complete cr@p.

I’m trying very hard to see this as a good thing.. because the image is on my website, so anyone who goes to see my site from the magazine will see it wasn’t my bad photography.. it was the magazine.
I hope I’ll get more work out of it.. I’m just worried most people will look at it and say “uugh what a horrible photographer”

Please help me see the good side..
What would you do? Would you be happy????

I’m not going to kick my clients in the bum.. they were a great couple to work for and have been very nice about spreading my name in a positive light. I guess this is just a new lesson in something ELSE to add to the contract...

[LeeR]

As they say in Hollywood, "I don't care what you say about me as long as you spell my name right!" Yeah, I understand why you are aggravated, we always want our best work featured, but people tend to look at emotional content a lot more than technical features. This is a clever shot (one that will soon be featured in my portfolio) and I suspect that is a great deal more important to potential brides than yellow fringing and blown out hightlights.

[zona5101]

So would there be anything wrong with contacting the magazine, being gracious that they chose your image, express concern that the printing didn't present your image in the fairest of light...and ask them if you can submit some additional pictures and maybe an accompanying article on wedding photography!
I see this as an opportunity - they already recognize your work...now wedge your foot in that opening!

[Jim Bryant]

Zona is right, but still the couple was wrong in sending the pictures. If you have "no third party usage" in your contract, they violated the contract. Contact them and the editor to explain the situation.

[jeepers]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Zona is right, but still the couple was wrong in sending the pictures. If you have "no third party usage" in your contract, they violated the contract. Contact them and the editor to explain the situation.

Oh that is tricky. I wouldn't get annoyed with the couple though, people who don't know the business tend not to understand and are liable to get annoyed or embarrassed, and that might leave a bad impression. I would suggest that you contact the magazine though - they do understand and might be happy to try to rectify it.