Submit your photos to the NY Times' Lens Blog for a chance at a portfolio review!

[Damaso]

For those of you who actually shoot (rather than just talk gear😀) here's a chance to win a portfolio review in NYC from the editors of the NY Times' Lens Blog! As someone who was featured there last year I highly recommend giving it a shot!

http://projects.nytimes.com/lens-portfolio-review

Send us one or two of your best still photography projects and photo editors from The Times will examine the submissions and invite 150 of the strongest contributors to a free portfolio review on April 13 and 14.

• Your submissions must be your own original work.
• Send us images from one or two projects
• Include a brief description of the project or projects you’re sending. Limit it to 250 words.
• Do not send more than 20 images.
• All images should be saved as .jpg files less than 5 MB each.
• Include a biography of 150 words or less.
• You may include an optional link to your online portfolio or Web site.

​

 

[Clint Troy]

What's so great about having a portfolio reviewed by them?
Not trying to be cynical, just really curious.

 

[Damaso]

Well if they like your stuff they might feature it on the Lens Blog or publish it in the paper. If you haven't reached that level of success it could be interesting..

 

[Phil_F_NM]

While the contest says that the images "will only be used to decide who is invited to the portfolio review. They will be used for no other purpose whatsoever." the Terms of Service of the whole publication provides a convenient loophole.

"3.4 You grant NYT a perpetual, nonexclusive, world-wide, royalty free, sub-licensable license to the Submissions..."
(NY Times Terms of Service)

And they get thousands of images to use for free.
Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
So why hire a photographer?
Their rates are going down as is the size of their freelance pool. Portfolio contests are a good way to get a push into a giant pool of new images for free.
I'm extremely poor, have been homeless in the previous year and have had more money change hands due to gear sales in the last year than paid gigs so for folks like me, NY Times or any publication, would have to pay me for a photo, not have me give it to them, royalty free.
What this does to the working photography market is not so good either. It helps to perpetuate unemployment of photographers but if one believes that news should be completely free then more power to you.

Phil Forrest

 

[v_roma]

While the contest says that the images "will only be used to decide who is invited to the portfolio review. They will be used for no other purpose whatsoever." the Terms of Service of the whole publication provides a convenient loophole.

"3.4 You grant NYT a perpetual, nonexclusive, world-wide, royalty free, sub-licensable license to the Submissions..."
(NY Times Terms of Service)

And they get thousands of images to use for free.
Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
So why hire a photographer?
Their rates are going down as is the size of their freelance pool. Portfolio contests are a good way to get a push into a giant pool of new images for free.
I'm extremely poor, have been homeless in the previous year and have had more money change hands due to gear sales in the last year than paid gigs so for folks like me, NY Times or any publication, would have to pay me for a photo, not have me give it to them, royalty free.
What this does to the working photography market is not so good either. It helps to perpetuate unemployment of photographers but if one believes that news should be completely free then more power to you.

Phil Forrest

Wow, I am little surprised at those terms. You see this kind of thing in crappy photo "competitions" but the NYT should know better.

 

[mw_uio]

The bottom of the barrel keeps getting better and better! 😀

Mark
Quito, EC

 

[Clint Troy]

Phil, I really feel for you. I wish you all the best.

Damaso, that's a trap for amateurs who need their ego to be massaged. Also, I dont trust the reviewer(s) to be of any help, to me at least.

 

[Damaso]

I would guess the terms of the contest trump the terms of the site here. Knowing both the editors I think it highly unlikely they would use the images submitted without asking those who submitted them.

While the contest says that the images "will only be used to decide who is invited to the portfolio review. They will be used for no other purpose whatsoever." the Terms of Service of the whole publication provides a convenient loophole.

"3.4 You grant NYT a perpetual, nonexclusive, world-wide, royalty free, sub-licensable license to the Submissions..."
(NY Times Terms of Service)

And they get thousands of images to use for free.
Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
So why hire a photographer?
Their rates are going down as is the size of their freelance pool. Portfolio contests are a good way to get a push into a giant pool of new images for free.
I'm extremely poor, have been homeless in the previous year and have had more money change hands due to gear sales in the last year than paid gigs so for folks like me, NY Times or any publication, would have to pay me for a photo, not have me give it to them, royalty free.
What this does to the working photography market is not so good either. It helps to perpetuate unemployment of photographers but if one believes that news should be completely free then more power to you.

Phil Forrest

 

[Damaso]

Damaso, that's a trap for amateurs who need their ego to be massaged. Also, I dont trust the reviewer(s) to be of any help, to me at least.

Having not seen any of your work I can't comment. But perhaps it's true for you. Having spent a few years on this site and many others one thing I keep hearing is a desire for good critiquing which I would think these guys can provide. If you or anyone else thinks their work is of such a high caliber that they don't need or want a portfolio review then don't submit. But for those out there, assuming that they will in fact not use your images for free, who want or need a professional perspective on their work it could be valuable...

 

[Particular]

I would guess the terms of the contest trump the terms of the site here. Knowing both the editors I think it highly unlikely they would use the images submitted without asking those who submitted them.

Do they pay when you are published in the lens blog?

 

[Clint Troy]

I was not saying that my work was good. I was just questioning the real purpose of it all.
The NY times is a corporation and they're not in it for free. Why would the editors be so nice to a bunch of photographers? For the love of their job?
Phil definitely answered the question.

 

[Damaso]

Do they pay when you are published in the lens blog?

They do now. They didn't until about nine months ago I believe...

 

[Damaso]

I was not saying that my work was good. I was just questioning the real purpose of it all.
The NY times is a corporation and they're not in it for free. Why would the editors be so nice to a bunch of photographers? For the love of their job?
Phil definitely answered the question.

Actually, yes. I happen to know two of the three editors of the blog have worked with them in the field and had hours of conversations with them, have you? I know that they are extremely concerned with developing new talent and the challenges that emerging photographers face. They are actually nice guys who try to help out people coming up. I think them donating their time, as well as those who will review portfolios, is very generous. If you actually look at the list of people involved many if not all if them have been or are involved with advocating for photographers...

 

[jonasv]

Phil definitely answered the question.

I'm sorry, but he definitely didn't. He quoted the general TOS. The specific terms for this project clearly state that: "The photographs that you submit will only be used to decide who is invited to the portfolio review. They will be used for no other purpose whatsoever."

Yes, some corporations are using very aggressive tactics to acquire free image content.

No, just randomly knocking every editor or corporation is not going to help you as a photographer at all.

Just my .02 - and thanks to Damaso for posting this.

 

[Damaso]

I'm sorry, but he definitely didn't. He quoted the general TOS. The specific terms for this project clearly state that: "The photographs that you submit will only be used to decide who is invited to the portfolio review. They will be used for no other purpose whatsoever."

Yes, some corporations are using very aggressive tactics to acquire free image content.

No, just randomly knocking every editor or corporation is not going to help you as a photographer at all.

Just my .02 - and thanks to Damaso for posting this.

Well put and you are welcome. I just wanted to share with those in the community who might find it an interesting opportunity. I know that when I was starting out I found it incredibly frustrating trying to get my foot in the door. This is a chance to have your work looked at by some of the top people in the industry, and for free.

Take it or leave it...:angel:

 

[*chris]

it would be cool to try this but i am nowhere near the level of some of the people who would submit their work. i wish i could get a career in photo but to me it seems unrealistic at times to think that i could get paid to do what i really like. cool post though

 

[Damaso]

it would be cool to try this but i am nowhere near the level of some of the people who would submit their work. i wish i could get a career in photo but to me it seems unrealistic at times to think that i could get paid to do what i really like. cool post though

Worry less about what seems realistic and more on what you want from life. My career path seemed pretty unrealistic when I was 17 but here I am. Good luck!

 

[kokoshawnuff]

Thanks for posting. Im not at this level and I dont intend on becoming a pro, but its good to see them helping pro photographers with one of the essential things; qualified critique.

Unlike others believe, I don't see this as a scam by the NY Times to steal your photos, but perhaps as a way of discovering a couple photographers and adding some columns to their art sections and blog.

 

[steveniphoto]

i'll give it a shot thanks for posting

 

[Damaso]

i'll give it a shot thanks for posting

Good luck!