Red Bull Illume Photography Contest!

http://www.redbullillume.com/

Get your submissions in!

Great post Hahn.

If anyone has any questions on this, let me know and I'll get an answer for you.

Walt ~ I better see some of your pics sent in!

There are some really good photogs on this site and anyone can win.

I'm not worthy !

They're asking for 8 meg plus pictures. But when you upload they only allow for a 5 meg file size. When resizing I get a file too big or file not big enough error message?

eh, not only am i a rookie, but i don't even have the gear to join!

good luck to wakeworlders that join the contest!

joe- what gear dont you have?

scott, my zoom lens sucks ass. and i think minimum is 8mp. my cam's a 6.1.

I'm still confused. I converted a RAW file to a Jpeg. Then when I resize the photo the upload feature gives me an error message saying the file is too small? How do you make a 500 mega byte file retain the image quality of a 8.2 mega pixel shot?

Steven- How are you getting a 500mb jpeg file? Thats seems unusually large.

What camera are you shooting with?

Here is the error message I get when I resize the photo for web under 5 megs:

How to upload pictures? - Step 2/2
Please press the "Browse" button to locate the specific image you'd like to upload. Once you upload your photo, please fill out all required fields marked with an asterisk (*) and press the "Submit" button.

Image Requirements
file format: jpg
minimum picture size: 8 megapixel
maximum picture size: 18 megapixel
maximum file size: 5 MB
Official Rules and Regulations

There were some errors!
Your File is too big. The maximum size is at 5000000 bytes.

But when I resize it under 5 megs this is the error message I get:

Image Requirements
file format: jpg
minimum picture size: 8 megapixel
maximum picture size: 18 megapixel
maximum file size: 5 MB
Official Rules and Regulations

There were some errors!
The Megapixels on your File are to small. It has to have at least 8 megapixels.

The photo was taken with my 20D in RAW format resized to as jpeg that was 4.20 megs.

420 LOl!

OK I figured it out. I had to resize the file from it's original CR2 file. Before I saved it to a Jpeg then resized it.

Eh, can I get a big HELL NO to the contest...? This contest is similar with most photo contests out there.

PUBLICATION:

Entrants agree to allow Red Bull and its partners to publish submitted photos in print or electronic form and use in Red Bull Illume promotions, the Red Bull Illume tour and marketing & event advertising without compensation. Photographer shall maintain all rights to their individual photographs including copyright.

This is a BAD DEAL for photographers, and hurts the industry. I've gotten the invitation to this contest about 5 times in the past month. I've talked to a few other photographers in this industry and we've all reached the same conclusion. Contests are a cheap way for companies to get a huge amount of images for little money. They can use ANY photo submitted, whether it won or not. Run away... run away fast.}

Another bad thing:

The top 50 finalists will get their work exhibited in bigger-than-life outdoor venues across the globe, providing the most dramatic compilation of action and adventure sports images ever assembled.

Well, if a company wants to use an image for promotional purposes at an exhibit or event, they PAY FOR IT. While it may be neat for the photographer... the company benefits, and so should you.

Red Bull Illume is in collaboration with Red Bull Photofiles. Red Bull Photofiles is the largest free sports and extreme sports photo library worldwide offering amazing pictures free of charge for editorial use.

Free of charge? Well, I would love to give away my pictures for nothing! I would also love to have an agency that gives away free pictures, since I don't like getting paid to license my pictures!

The Image of the Year winner will be commissioned for the photo shoot of a lifetime with one Red Bull athlete of choice*

What kind of commission? What kind of photo shoot, with what kind of license? Have Red Bull pay you $500 for all rights on some lame photo shoot? As far as the athlete goes...whose choice is it, yours or theirs?

Guys, this is a raw deal.

You have a point Mike. But here is the grand Prize:

The winning photographer will be commissioned for a photo-story shoot with a Red Bull athlete of choice at an international location of choice. The participating athlete will be chosen from a list of approved Red Bull Athletes. The athlete and winning photographer will collaborate with Red Bull Illume and Photofiles on the assignment. The photo shoot date and location will be based on photographer and athlete availability. The winning photographer will be paid a $10,000USD fee for the shoot and receive a budget of $20,000USD for all photo shoot support. (3) The winning photographer will be responsible for all image deliverables in connection with the shoot.

Hahn,

I did miss the details of the grand prize. Then again, details are still sparse. Photo-story shoot? What does that mean, in legal terms? $10k fee, $20k budget? Okay, I see... but how long is the shoot for, what expectations does Red Bull have? That weighs in to what it costs. If I were shooting a whole new international ad campaign for Red Bull, a $30k job is a joke...it's miniscule.

There is too little actual DETAILS about how this all works. Still don't like it.

Quit posting and start post production on our trip photos!

Mike- I dont know that I totally agree with you. You are obviously a professional photographer with your foot well inside the door. You get to ride in the tow boat for competitions, you get one on one time with the pros, you get what I consider dream photoshoots almost anytime you want them. For you, this contest probably is a bad idea; however, for someone trying to get into the business or showcase thier work, I dont see how its so bad. First of all, I dont have a pro that I can go do a photoshoot with... I have to rely on my friends. So with that being said, there is no one that is going to pay for images of my non-pro friends doing whatever it is they can do for a good photo. Second of all, as you pointed out, the photographer maintians all rights and copy rights to the photos... how is that bad?

I personally would love to see my images on exhibit and have the opportunity to show potientially clients that my work has been chosen for such awards.

I'll gladly be submitting images if I can put together something that I feel is worth submitting.

Isler...though the great Chris Rock declared in his hit "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)":

No matter what a stripper tells you
There's no sex in the Champagne Room.. NONE!
Oh there's champagne in the Champagne Room
But you don't want champagne.. you want sex,
And there's NO sex.. in the Champagne Room.

Some people still believe there is.... (Note: This does not apply in Montréal, Europe, etc..) It's that glimmer of hope that "they" will be the lucky ones and ignore all the warning signs.


btw - DPC is having a photo contest too.. First place receives a case of beer. The link will be posted next week.

(Message edited by dcervenka on May 06, 2006)

(Message edited by dcervenka on May 06, 2006)

btw - DPC is having a photo contest too.. First place receives a case of beer. The link will be posted next week.


thats what im talking about

Russell,

Thanks for your reply. I can appreciate your position, and agree with you to a degree. However, as this contest is geared at either professional photographers or those who seek to be professionals, I believe that by entering the contest one shows that they don't have an interest in supporting the profession. I agree for a hobby photographer it may be neat to have your work showcased in that manner. If you are looking for a "foot in the door", though...this contest is more like a foot down a slippery slope. The contest is geared to take advantage of individuals who either don't read the fine print or don't know the value of their work, and as one's first step in a photography career... well, you know my position on that. If you're entering, by all means, don't let me stop you. I just want to point out that there are other ways to break into the industry. Once again, though, thanks for your response.

DPC --

I believe you still owe me a case of beer from the Butter Effect premiere images? hmmm.... and as far as no sex in the Champagne Room goes, if you own the strip club, there's all the sex you want in there.

damn...a full case of beer for those pieces of sht?? who does this guy think he is?

Isler.. I still got you down. Keystone light, correct?

Watch it scott. I took those pics. However credit goes to Isler for letting me steal his $9k setup that night.

damn...wait...so Mike if i buy you a 30 pack will you let me borrow your camera stuff, too? sounds like one hell of a demo program!

Yeah it's all fun and games borrowing Islers gear until you almost drop a $30,000 back pack into the lake... Talk about giving me a heart attack!

that's what insurance is for.

Mike- Just out of curiousity... who were you shooting for when you shot the Red Bull Depth Charge? I was under the impression that you were shooting for Red Bull at that event? Granted, that was just my impression.

And for the record... I am attempting to become a professional and get into the industry. I'd be all for hearing the "other way to break into the industry".

Quit your job, sell your house. Go on the road for two years and then maybe, maybe you'll network your way into a decent living. Oh and buy 30k worth of gear! Lol!

Russell,

At the Red Bull Depth Charge, I was contracted by WakeBoarding Magazine to cover the event. I've done 3 or 4 Red Bull events for WBM, and have never passed my images on to Red Bull. I'm not saying Red Bull is a bad company at all... I just don't agree with this contest. As far as the other way to break in... well, it's a small world and it's easier than you think. Submit images to WakeBoarding Mag and Alliance. Ask lots of questions. Learn the business end. Put up a website. Check out SportsShooter.com on occasion... great information there. Just do what it takes to get your images in front of the people that matter, without compromising your integrity. I'm always open to answer questions, as are a lot of others in this business... so feel free to ask away.

Scott A:

It's easy to borrow my gear when I'm drunk. However, when I'm sober... not so easy. I think we've traded cameras in the past though... I don't mind borrowing your XL2 if you want to borrow my stuff... =)

Steven- I'm quitting the job that has allowed me to purchase the 30+k worth of gear so I guess now all I have to do is go on the road for two years

Mike- Thanks for the info... I sent you a pm.

Mike and Steve, all good info. You could just not give them the model release if you win.. or not win.. I dunno what's best here! haha.

Maybe you can talk em into giving you a lifetime supply of red bull.. and keystone. :-)

I already have a lifetime supply of Red Bull.

Russell,

Received your e-mail. Thanks for taking the time to write that. Please allow me a little time to write you an adequate reply, as your e-mail was very well thought out and deserves a good response.

Everyone else-

I just received an e-mail from Josh Kendrick, of Red Bull. He is just getting me a little clarification on my interpretation of the rules. I hope that things can get sorted out, as I would be interested in participating. I apologize for the non-diplomatic approach I took initially in my discussion of the contest, but it was my honest assessment. I'll keep you guys posted.

Wanted to follow up on my previous post. I just got things sorted out with Josh at Red Bull, and he's agreed to let me post his reply:

so, i'll try to be as clear as possible. the images that you submit would be used ONLY in conjunction with the red bull illume image quest. this mainly comes down to the actual exhibit and possible ancillary posters, books and signage that would be used in conjunction with the red bull illume image quest. if your image(s) was used, we would obvious let you
know beforehand and your name and copyright would be there throughout. hope that makes sense.

Well, that clears things up for me. I've done a 180 on my previous thoughts here. I still don't like the Red Bull Photofiles, as it does cost freelance photogs stock image sales. I think that the Illume is a good concept... with the rules just needing to be a little more cut and dry from the get-go.

Thanks a lot Josh.....Now none of us have a chance...

Sounds good Mike... I look forward to hearing from you.

I'm stoked that I won the third round!