Give me your thoughts on competition ethics

[x-ray]

I would like your thoughts on the ethics of entering my fathers photography of Europe and England that he made during WWII into photographic competitions. My father passed away fifteen years ago and through his life was a very fine amateur photographer. He was in England, France, Belgium and a few other countries during WWII with the US army and carried a 30's vintage Russian Fed with a 50 3.5 and a little 6x9 cm glass plate camera that i think was made by Agfa. I have hundreds of beautiful glass plates and nitrate 35mm negs that I have printed a small selection from. The images depict life during the was, on the streets with the residents of those countries and shots of military life. These are beautiful historic images now. My thoughts were to enter competitions and submit articles to magazines in memory of my father and his photographic work with him receiving all the credit. I've never seen this done but think he would have wanted this if he were still living. I've even thought about posting a gallery on RFF of his work. What are your thoughts?

Thanks!!!

PS

I just wanted to add that my father had a major influence on my developement ;<) (get it , developement) as a photographer. I can remember him setting up his Federal enlarger in the bedroom and printing, even before I was 4 years old. It was simply magic to see the image appear in the tray. He started me shooting with a old 620 Ansco box camera and at the age of 7 I received my first Brownie for my birthday. At 9 he taught me to print and at 14 he gave me my first really fine camera, a pacemaker crown graphic 4x5 that I still have and use. I still have all of my B&W negs and thanks to my father I've been involved in photography for 53 of my 58 years.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Don,

I don't see anything wrong with it at all, especially since you are ready to fully disclose the work as his. He would be proud of what you are doing for him 🙂

 

[x-ray]

Tom, I wanted to drop you a line ant tell you how much I love the 28mm Ultron. Super fine lens! Thanks again.

 

[thafred]

I think it´s a wonderfull idea and that your father would be proud!

would be excellent if you do post the Photos here! Im looking forward to see your Fathers work!

 

[Kim Coxon]

Providing the photos "fit" within the rules of the comp and the source is disclosed, I think it is a great idea. If you have any doubts, you could always ask the organisers first.

Kim

 

[Nachkebia]

Yeah, I think it is a great idea, kind of emotional, I would do the same thing with honor! great!

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

x-ray,

I think it is a great idea. Perhaps you have read or heard about Pete Wettach? He was an amatuer photographer in Iowa during the 30's, 40's and 50's. His work was recently discovered and published in a book called "A Bountiful Harvest". I see no reason to not publish your father's work and many reasons why you should.

http://www.iptv.org/wettach/

http://www.iowabook.com/behamifaphof.html

Wayne

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Could you perhaps submit as FirstName LastName (1920-1995)?

I would see nothing wrong that honest approach.

 

[x-ray]

Wayne:

Thanks for the links.

I had never seen anyone do this and appreciate the thoughts. Possibly over the holiday I will start posting some images.

 

[BrianShaw]

I like the idea of magazine articles (or a book) better. Is there a potential problem with posthumous entries in photo competitions -- who would sign the copywrite release?

 

[pesphoto]

A good idea, I agree. Maybe you could even get an exhibition of his work going somewhere so you dont need to deal with people "judging the work" all time and just let people look and enjoy it on its own merits.
I'd love to see some of it here on RFF.

 

[popstar]

Pretty cool idea! No reason great photographs must cease to exist when a person passes on. There are probably many interesting photographers of today we won't be exposed to until their heirs find their work. No reason I can think of to not celebrate your father's photography.