Anyone submit to iReport, YourView or NowPublic?

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/04/2010 07:22:21 PM · #1

I shoot a moderate amount of photojouralism/news photos freelance and submit to several local papers from time to time (just local papers, nothing state/national/etc.). Doesn't pay a lot, but it's fun for a little "side-gig" and circulates my name locally.

Recently someone recommended I look into NowPublic and consider submitting to them. I spent a few minutes looking over some information and comparisons, etc. among user-submitted news sites including NowPublic, CNN's iReport and Reuter's Your View.

I was just curious if any DPCers submit to any of these, or other similar submission-based news services, and if you have any opinions. Specifically, have you gotten PAID? ;) I see CNN leaves provisions for payment in their TOS, but it looks like NowPublic and Your View make it pretty clear you won't make any money no matter who picks up your photos/stories.

Anyway, I just started looking and thought I'd ping the collective knowledge here and see if anyone had any insight, thoughts or experiences they'd like to share...

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

05/04/2010 09:31:08 PM · #2

i know i'm p!ss!n in the wind here, but those sites are one of the main reasons your local papers don't pay much...

there's a huge difference between a freelance photojournalist that can consistently deliver quality images and someone who can give away free stuff.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/05/2010 01:30:00 AM · #3

Originally posted by Skip:

Which is exactly my point -- I'd rather stay in the former category rather than slip into the latter. Sounds like your opinion of those sites puts them in the latter category as well? That was my initial impression as well.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

05/05/2010 06:42:12 AM · #4

There's no getting around the fact that the world of freelancing and the world of photojournalism has changed, but there is still a need for someone who can be counted on to show up and capture the best story-telling images possible in any given situation, where more often than not, the only thing they have control over is their camera. Anyone with a digital capture device should be able to grab technically proficient images just by pointing and clicking; fortunately, there's a difference between that and the ability to do much more than that.

Think of it as the difference between someone who got lucky once and took a really good photo or someone who has managed to take a handful of nice photos or someone who can consistently take good photos. It doesn't happen automatically. It takes work. Some might get lucky in "A" mode, but they'll never really know if it's them, or their camera, that's producing the results. That sense of confidence is earned, and that is what produces respectable results.

On one hand, there's nothing wrong with giving something away for free if you can capitalize on it, whether through print sales or marketing initiatives. However, bragging rights for giving away free content is probably not even worth as much as the excitement you get for finding a free soda prize under a specially marked bottle cap...

Sigma 24-35mm f/2.0 DG HSM A

05/05/2010 12:14:10 PM · #5

Originally posted by Skip:

There's no getting around the fact that the world of freelancing and the world of photojournalism has changed . . .

Agreed on all points.

So, back to my OP... These sites I've been referred to and mentioned above -- I'm correct that they completely fall into the "free" category, vs. something which might pay anything meaningful? The CNN site at least lists a provision (although somewhat nebulous) in their TOS that you would receive some form of payment, while the others are pretty specific you'll never see a penny for any reason whatsoever.

Again, I've just never looked into these sites before and am just trying to feel them out to see if they are worthwhile to even consider, or if I just stick with what I already know (via my local editors, etc).

dmadden

Canon EOS-40D

05/06/2010 10:31:31 AM · #6

I would never give anythnig to these sites. Thinking about credits, the only people that seem to look at those are photographers. Readers could care less about credits. So if they want my newsworthy pictures then pay me, I cant take photo credits to my local supermarket :)