Does having a redbubble page make me a non-amateur?

[jeff.amadon]

Not because I want to be a pro, or consider myself even close to it. Here's why I ask: I entered a community photo contest, the kind where there's no entry fee and no prizes other than possibly being in a calendar. The contest was listed as open to "amateur photographers". I think that's me... never having made a cent from a photo, if I'm a pro, I'm a pretty bad pro. So I put some shots in.

Anyway, I was picked to be in the calendar. Nice! I don't get anything for it, just warm fuzzies. The shot was on display during a festival (to which I couldn't even attend). And it'll be printed in a calendar later this year. Good times.

So I get a phone call tonight from one of the contest organizers saying that a woman whose daughter's shot was not picked had complained that myself and two other winners are not amateurs and should be disqualified. The other two I can't speak for, but as for me they said the woman had found my long-neglected redbubble site (which I haven't sold even 1 print through). Apparently she came to this festival and pointed out the three photos, and complained loudly, to all within earshot. She had obviously researched every winner published on the organizer's website and came in guns a' blazin'. She also threatened legal action against the organizers, so they called me to make sure I'm actually an amateur.

I could care less if they disqualify me, I have more important things to do (i.e. my non-photo full time job) than deal with other people's sour grapes. But is this something that I should think about when entering contests in the future?

I can see how the contest organizer in this case made a mistake in not actually defining "amateur". So maybe that's what to look for. In other contest entry forms I've seen it spelled out, an amateur makes less than 50% of their income from photography, or some crap like that.

Anyway, I thought this would spark some interest on DPS. I'll update the thread when I hear more on how this plays out.

[Henry Wilt]

More to the point, is your picture is going to be used in a calendar that is to be sold for profit?

If so, I think the competition might be along the lines of what I've seen described within these hallowed halls (the DPS forums) as a "rights grab".

[candleman]

i entered this image last year to a competition.
some cowardly moron decided to call me out because i have a website.. i also think the same moron created another account to try call me out again.

moral of the story: you are only answerable to the Organisers of the competition.

If i knew who that person was I probably would have contacted a Lawyer to talk about a defamation case. I've calmed down now.. but man it had my blood boiling for weeks, so i know how you feel.

The rules werent clearly defined as what constitutes being a Pro. BUt after contacting the organisewr about it they posted more rules and under those rules my entry remained valid. and i could prove it.
Other, more organised competitions define an income limit ($35,000 for the latest one i'm going to enter)

typically i dont bother with petty local competitions anymore because of this.. i can't be bothered proving myself.

[jeff.amadon]

Originally Posted by Henry Wilt

More to the point, is your picture is going to be used in a calendar that is to be sold for profit?

Nope, it's just a local community calendar type thing. Municipal.

Originally Posted by candleman

If i knew who that person was I probably would have contacted a Lawyer to talk about a defamation case. I've calmed down now.. but man it had my blood boiling for weeks, so i know how you feel.

I'm really not mad, more annoyed. It's really the whole "helicopter parent" thing that irks me.

[Murtasma]

Sounds like someone is an extremely sore looser and probably needs to be put over someone's knee and given a proper spanking. I wouldn't worry about a thing for future contests. Nothing will come from her complaints they are falling on deaf ears; don't worry about it.

[dakwegmo]

If the rules aren't clearly defined, then it's your interpretation that matters. I entered a competion recently and to enter either of the amateur classes you had to state that you have never made any money or attempted to make money from photography. By those rules, you wouldn't be eligible to enter as an amateur. If the rules aren't clearly spelled out though, it's up to your interpretation. Clearly the woman who complained had a different interpretation. I wonder if she'd have cared if she won.

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by candleman

If i knew who that person was I probably would have contacted a Lawyer to talk about a defamation case. I've calmed down now.. but man it had my blood boiling for weeks, so i know how you feel.

That scoundrel. How dare he call you a professional...

[Murtasma]

Even if you're very good at photography a professional is defined as someone who makes a living doing photography. If you don't make a living from it you're not a professional. Even a photographer who isn't very good but makes a living with photography would be considered a professional.

[OsmosisStudios]

I'm not a pro: I'm just better than you are.

[IainM]

So, let me get this strait - it was the girls mother, and not the girl who came a complainin'?

If that's right then yeah... helicopter parents... grr they grind my gears. It's akin to child abuse.

It'll be interesting to see what happens.